These Childhood Sweethearts Shopped Etsy for Their Morris Arboretum Wedding
They dated in fourth grade, then used gold accents to amp up their family-focused celebration.
Photography by Ashlee Mintz
When you spend most of your time in the hustle and bustle of the city, why not get lost in nature on your Big Day? From gardens and greenhouses to the perfect woodsy venues, Philly’s surrounding area is exploding with greenery-filled escapes for nature lovers. This Morris Arboretum wedding, photographed by Ashlee Mintz, took place on a beautiful autumn day enhanced by local foliage.
As kids, Alexia Rodriguez and Tim Jordan chased one another around their elementary-school playground. Then, in fourth grade, came the note: “Will you be my girlfriend? Check yes or no.”
“I checked ‘yes,’ and I believe we dated for one day,” says Alexia.
The pair lost touch after eighth grade, when Tim headed a to different high school, but reunited back home in Pennsauken during a college spring break.
“We caught each other’s eye during a game night at a mutual friend’s house,” explains the bride.
Five years later, Alexia was running late to what she thought was a dinner date in Philly. Tim called “the restaurant,” asked them to push back “the reservation,” and redirected their evening to the Art Museum steps. There, surrounded by family and friends — and a heart made of rose petals — he popped the question.
The wedding itself, on a golden fall day, was also rich with loved ones. Alexia, a makeup artist, asked her boss at the salon to style her hair and had her mother walk her down the aisle. Tim’s father performed the ceremony, and Alexia’s 11-year-old niece, Evannie, served as maid of honor.
“She is like the sister I always wanted and the daughter I wish to have,” says the bride. “She’s the closest girl to my heart and truly loves Tim.”
At the reception, Design studio Wild Stems transformed the arboretum tent with drapery inspired by floating sails.
“They were so magical and gave the perfect atmosphere,” says Alexia.
Centerpieces of Italian ruscus and local foliage, designed to reflect the natural beauty of the arboretum, anchored the dinner tables. The sculptural brass numbers were Alexia’s first wedding-related purchase, bought nearly two years before the couple said “I do.”
Guests dined on lasagna, beef Wellington, and chicken stuffed with crab and shrimp. They sipped on elderflower liqueur “Flower Bombs” for the bride and, in a nod to Tim’s fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, a pomegranate and Crown Royal “Krimson Kocktail” for the groom. (Later, his brothers joined him on the floor for a surprise dance performance to Tank’s “When We.”) The night ended on a sweet note: A wall of Krispy Kreme doughnuts — a playful homage to Tim’s career as a police officer — served as favors.
THE DETAILS
Photographer: Ashlee Mintz Photography | Venue: Morris Arboretum | Florals: Leigh Florist | Catering: Company’s Coming Catering | Bride’s Gown: Enaura Bridal | Hair & Makeup: Alexia Rodriguez (bride) and Melissa Fiorentino for Glamour Me | Groom’s Attire: WmAlexander Clothier | Entertainment: Bobby LaFauci of SCE Event Group | Cake: The Night Kitchen Bakery & Cafe | Invitations: Minted | Calligraphy: Whimsical Candor | Draping: Wild Stems
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