Bold Colors and Geometric Decor Make This Horticulture Center Wedding Super Fun

Photography by Sharyn Frankel Photography

“It’s a very Philly, very Center City story,” Brigitte Daniel says of her and husband Wendell Corbin’s romance. The two were introduced in late 2013 at a political fund-raiser at Ms. Tootsie’s on South Street. After seeing each other again about a month later, the two exchanged numbers on Facebook, and soon after had drinks at cigar bar Ashton. Exactly two years after that, just before a brutal snowstorm, Wendell suggested dinner at Rouge. Brigitte thought they were just getting out before being snowed in for the weekend, but to her surprise, the dinner ended with Wendell asking her to be his wife.

The couple knew they wanted to have their wedding in the city, and one of their top venue choices was the Horticulture Center. “As soon as we drove through the gate for the first time — even just driving in — we knew this was it,” says Brigitte. They loved the venue’s greenery and energy, and it perfectly fit the aesthetic they were looking for: lush, urban and elegant. Inspired by the venue, the bride crafted the wedding’s stationery on Paperless Post. The bohemian but classic floral motif (and the bright purple envelopes) was the perfect representation of the wedding’s aesthetic.

The ceremony was held outdoors by a fountain on the Horticulture Center grounds. Incorporating independent Philly musicians into the day was important to the couple, so they had the talented Laurin Talese and local band Killiam Shakespeare perform during the ceremony. Brigitte walked down the aisle to a jazz version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” After exchanging traditional vows and jumping the broom, the bride and groom came back down the aisle to the tune of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder, one of their favorite artists.

Wendell and Brigitte wanted to get the party feeling going right away: Brigitte amped up the drama of her look by donning red lipstick, slipping on bright-colored shoes, and switching her pink petal earrings (inset) for purple and gold stunners. The couple entered the reception to upbeat “Do I Do” (another Stevie Wonder classic) and went right into their first dance, followed by a quick dance party before moving speeches from Brigitte’s father and the bridal party. For Brigitte, those were some of her favorite moments of the day: “These are the people we love the most, giving us their blessing and supporting us. It helped make it all real.” Brigitte and Wendell always knew they wanted a small bridal party made up of their closest, touchstone friends: “That’s who we wanted up there to help proclaim this monumental step in our life,” Brigitte says. Plus, their fuchsia formalwear was a fun, summery pop of color.

Floral and event design company Papertini adorned the head table with candles, a lush floral garland, and centerpieces in the wedding’s purple, fuchsia and peach color palette. Papertini also created the vintage-inspired sign welcoming guests to the wedding. Of these, Brigitte’s favorite special touches were the rustic elements the designers at Papertini incorporated into her decor. Among these: the twinkling geometric floral decorations hung around the reception space, which gave it a real wow factor, and the arrangement of place cards, which were lined up in white birch logs sprinkled with moss, for a natural feel.

For a sweet ending to the couple’s evening, the vanilla, strawberry and banana cake, created by Sweet Nectar Dessert Kitchen, was exactly what Brigitte wanted: beautifully plain, decorated with ranunculus, tea roses and a dahlia.

VENDORS

Venue: The Horticulture Center | Photography: Sharyn Frenkel Photography | Event Planner: Posh Events | Catering: Starr Catering Group | Cake: Sweet Nectar Dessert Kitchen | Decor: Papertini and Maggpie | Videography: Maximilian Images | Bride’s Gown: Watters from Lovely Bride | Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal | Hair Stylist: Naturalista By Eisha | Makeup Artist: Viviane Aires | Groom’s Tux: Menguin | Stationary: Paperless Post | Entertainment: Sonny James, Laurin Talese, Killiam Shakespeare

This article originally appeared in the 2017 Spring/Summer edition of Philadelphia Wedding magazine. 

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