Two Artists Host a Colorful, Creative Wedding at the Swedish Historical Museum

In memory of the bride’s late mother, the couple exchanged vows in front of a curtain of silk flowers.


If you’re looking for a pretty, artistic wedding, look no further than Lauren Whearty and Ben Quinn-Kerins lovely spring celebration at The American Swedish Historical Museum in Packer Park. The pair of artists threw a perfectly unique wedding event. To check it out, have a look at these stunning photos captured by Jauhien Sasnou for Peach Plum Pear Photography.

The pair met at the Wayne Art Center, where they were both undergraduates in art school working summer jobs. “We didn’t talk all summer and started speaking with just a week or so left before school started again,” Lauren, originally from Haverford, recalls. She remembers that Ben, from Audobon, seemed quiet, handsome, and serious. He remembers leaving his number for her on the last day of work that summer.

They finally went on their first date to The Last Drop for coffee that fall. They found they just couldn’t stop talking. And, the connection stuck. The couple went on to date for ten years before getting engaged. On their 10th anniversary of dating, they were walking to dinner to celebrate. Ben made sure that they passed by The Last Drop, where they had that first date, and proposed to Lauren outside the building.

They were engaged for 1.5 years before tying the knot at the American Swedish Museum in a May ceremony in front of 120 of their friends and family. The groom’s favorite detail was including their dog, Darcy, in their special day. Lauren especially loved their friend’s reading of Sol Lewitt’s letter to Eva Hesse, which was “a letter in emphatic support and encouragement in the other’s creativity, art, intuition.”

At the reception, the bride and groom’s first dance was to Tom Waits’ “Sea of Love.” The guests sipped on signature lemon basil martinis and enjoyed delicious grilled salmon with black bean beurre blanc and braised short ribs with orange cardamom sauce. The decor featured roses, thistle, eucalyptus flowers, cool toned greens, and pops of hot pink.

The decor at the reception was filled with natural, muted spring tones, brass, and florals. Her favorite element was one she and her friends created as a memorial to her mother. Lauren and her friends creates the silk flower backdrop for the ceremony and photo booth at Butcher’s Sew Shop. “My mother passed away in 2015. She loved making flower arrangements,” Lauren explains, “With the communal help of my friends helped me to process my grief and to build a positive experience from a sad situation or experience. The silk flowers helped me to cope with missing my mother. I didn’t want to have a sad memorial to my mother, so I chose to represent her joyous and positive attitude through a curtain of colorful silk flowers.”

The guests danced the night away, including a big, loud sing-a-long to LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends.” And afterwards, the groom’s sister and her boyfriend organized an awesome South Bowl afterparty where everyone had the time of their lives.

VENDORS

Venue and Catering: The American Swedish Historical Museum | Photography: Jauhien Sasnou for Peach Plum Pear Photography | Florist: @illarrangeit | Event Coordinator: Forever Love Events | Cake: Nutmeg Cake Design | Bride’s Gown: Lovely Bride | Groom and Groomsmen attire: Lord & Taylor | Hair and Make up Artist: Onlo Beauty | Entertainment: Jon Ardito Entertainment | Transportation: Secrets Limousine | Invitations: Minted

Get more great content from Philadelphia Wedding:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | NEWSLETTER | PINTEREST

Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Philadelphia Weddings' guide to the best wedding vendors in the city.