The Bride is So High-Fashion at This Timeless Andalusia Wedding

For their midsummer wedding, college sweethearts Ameena Schelling and Jim Hao wanted a venue that was historic, scenic, and preferably on the water. The 221-year-old Andalusia Estate, which boasts picturesque views of the Delaware River, was the perfect locale. Check out all the gorgeous photos from Pat Furey Photography below.

Ameena and Jim  first met at Princeton University’s “bicker,” a rush event for the school’s eating clubs. “I purposefully sought her out, had what I thought was a great conversation, and then found out later she had no memory of the encounter,” Jim says. A mutual friend eventually reintroduced them during their senior year, and animal-loving Ameena fondly remembers the moment Jim showed her adorable pictures of his cat, Macy, during a Valentine’s Day date. After school, Jim moved to NYC but often traveled to Wynnewood to visit Ameena and snag vegetarian bites in the city. Four years into dating, Jim popped the question in Rittenhouse Square after desserts at V Street.

Andalusia’s meticulously manicured grounds provided an old-world backdrop for the ceremony. Guests made the most of the gorgeous outdoor gardens at the ceremony. The tented outdoor reception took place on Andalusia’s main lawn, where 106 guests dined at long farm tables. Centerpieces of hydrangea, garden roses and delphinium were arranged in single-use bowls so guests could take them home at the end of the night. The bride wrapped her bouquet of garden roses and lisianthus with her great-grandmother’s handkerchief. The organza overlay of Ameena’s Inbal Dror slip dress was dotted with handmade silk flowers. She purchased her brass floral crown from Etsy vendor Anna Marguerite.

Guests sat down to an all-vegan menu of garlic and lemon butter tofu “scallops” and cashew ricotta dumplings. Bartenders from 13th Street Cocktails served ginger beer, lemonade and salted watermelon cocktails from a bar draped in wild smilax vine. After eating, family and friends happily mingled in lounge areas outfitted with vintage furniture and Oriental rugs from Maggpie Rentals.

The sweetest part of the celebration? The tiny cricket that popped up between Ameena and Jim’s feet during their welcome speech on the dance floor. The couple took it as a sign of good luck for the future. “We put everything on hold while we bent down to usher the little guy offstage,” Ameena says. “We like to think of him as our lucky cricket.”

VENDORS

Venue: Andalusia | Photography: Pat Furey Photography | Event Coordinator: Jaclyn Fisher of Two Little Birds Planning | Florist: Sebesta Design | Catering: Miss Rachel’s Pantry | Bride’s Gown: Inbal Dror from The Wedding Shoppe | Groom’s Tux: J. Crew | Makeup and Hair: Aleksandra Ambrozy| Music: Cherrywood String Ensembles; The Greg Smith Group | Lighting and Videography:  Well Spun Weddings | Rentals: Maggpie Rentals | Desserts: Baked goods from Vegan Treats; popsicles from Lil’ Pop Shop; water ice from John’s Water Ice | Invitations, Signage & Menus: Chick Invitations | Photo Booth: We Love Photobooths | Transportation: Philadelphia Trolley Works

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