This Colorful Cinco de Mayo Wedding Featured a Surprise Second Look

Photography by Ardita Kola Photography

Sometimes, in wedding planning, your date — picked by choice or out of necessity for an opening at your desired venue — can lay the groundwork for the entire celebration. For the union of Caitlin Kelly and Jason Humienny, a midwest pair turned Manayunk residents, this was just the case — their wedding date of May 5 set the tone for a fun and bright Cinco de Mayo soiree. See every vibrant moment for yourself in these fun shots captured by Ardita Kola Photography.

Caitlin and Jason first met in Steubenville, Ohio, where they both were attending Franciscan University of Steubenville. After connecting through some mutual friends, the pair quickly hit it off and began dating. Their first date was at a local Italian restaurant where, as Caitlin fondly remembers, you could see employees in the kitchen hand rolling pasta. This was quite the experience for Caitlin, who grew up in rural Iowa and had never really had authentic Italian cuisine.

Their connection stuck like a piece of al dente pasta to a fridge. After five years of dating, Jason proposed to Caitlin on a drizzly early April morning. The pair set out to take some photos of the just-bloomed cherry blossoms in the Shofushu Japanese House area of Fairmount Park. After spotting a bride and groom posing for portraits in the same place, Caitlin and Jason headed toward a lone tree for their photos, so as not to get in the way. It was there that Jason got down on one knee and asked Caitlin to be his wife. The couple was cheered on by the newlyweds nearby, and we can’t think of a better way to start an engagement.

Just over a year later, the pair exchanged vows on May 5, 2017 in Manayunk’s grand St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church. The pair continued the celebration with a celebration at the Merion Tribute House, an early 20th century manor house on the Main Line.

A brightly written escort board directed guests to their tables where simple and elegant gold candles — sourced from the likes of Amazon and H&M — and vibrant floral arrangements awaited their presence. Caitlin purchased small maracas, spray-painted them gold and painted guest’s names on each one to serve as place cards. Caitlin and Jason’s chairs were decked out with streams of brightly colored ribbons.

In the middle of dinner, Caitlin pulled a little bit of a Houdini and emerged in a second look for the day — a beautiful blush pink dress. After her wardrobe change, the couple stepped away from the party for a private photo shoot, giving them a few quiet moments to revel in magic of the day.

Their first dance was to Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight,” and they followed it up with a LOVE statue-topped cake and a tequila shot toast after the speeches. The pair will be honeymooning in Curacao, and currently live in Manayunk, where Caitlin is a director of marketing at ICONA Resorts and Jason is an assistant controller at Stoltz Management.

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Photography: Ardita Kola Photography | Ceremony Venue: St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Merion Tribute House | Florist: Amaranth Florist | Event Coordinator: Serock Catering | Catering: Serock Catering | Cake: The Master’s Baker | Bride’s Gown: Christina Wu (white dress) and Weekend Wedding Dress (pink dress) | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale and Show Me Your Mumu | Groom’s Tux: Menguin | Transportation: U.S. Bargain Limos | Entertainment: DJ Garvo

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