An Icelandic engagement leads to a Winter Wedding in Philly
Nancy Cushman, originally from Wellesley, MA and Andrew Burns from Blackwood, NJ met shortly after Nancy moved to PA in July 2015 for her new job. 3 months later, they both “swiped right” and went on their first date in October. After a few dates, they knew they had something special when their dogs met and loved each other.
“In November 2016, we decided to go on vacation to Iceland. Though we had been talking about marriage, Andrew told me that the time wasn’t right for a proposal and that while he knew when he was going to pop the question, it wasn’t going to be in Iceland and we should just enjoy our vacation without any expectation. I completely believed him. Over the first few days, I kept thinking how beautiful and romantic Iceland was – when at the Blue Lagoon we even talked about how while I knew we weren’t getting engaged on this trip, it would have been the perfect place. On our third day of the trip, we had an all-day excursion planned to see the Golden Circle, which included geysers and waterfalls and off-roading up Langjokull glacier. When we got out to see the glacier, Andrew gave our tour guide his camera and asked him to take a picture of us. The next thing I knew, Andrew as down on one knee – he’d had the ring with him the whole trip and was waiting for the perfect time. It was a complete surprise! Fittingly, since we got engaged in Iceland, we, of course, wound up getting married on the coldest weekend of the year (or maybe ever) in Philly, during the “bomb cyclone”. A self-uniting ceremony that we wrote ourselves – it was really special to say vows that we had created together.”
After a self-uniting ceremony in ONE North Broad’s exquisite Corinthian Hall, guests delighted in hand made signature cocktails and enjoyed butlered and stationary hors d’ouevres by Catering By Design, including 100 Mile Cheese & Charcuterie Table featuring Local Pennsylvania & New Jersey Cheeses and Salumi in ONE’s brilliant Foyer Under the Stars. Guests were then welcomed into the Grand Ballroom by the energy and great music played by Scratch Weddings. Guests dined on Catering By Design’s first course of Baby Spinach Salad with Dry-Aged Gouda, Sliced Asian Pear, Radishes with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Entrees of White Wine Braised Boneless Short Rib, Rosemary Roasted Chicken Breast, and Butternut Squash Ravioli followed. Guests partied the night away dancing and taking pics with Philly Snap Booth. Ginger Fox Photography captured the most spectacular photos of the Bride Groom, partiers and every detail of the day. Well Spun Weddings captured amazing video of it all. The frigid Philly weather did nothing to put a chill on this warm and vivacious wedding at ONE North Broad, Philadelphia’s Historic Fine Events Venue!
Finally, another sweet detail was that the Mother of the Bride, who is from Hungary, surprised the Bride and Groom with cake toppers of Herendi porcelain dog figurines – even though their pups couldn’t be there in person, they were there in spirit! – Nancy and Andrew now live in Olde Richmond with their two dogs, Izzy, a pit mix, and Copper, a hound.
VENDORS:
Venue: ONE North Broad www.onenorthbroad.com
Catering: Catering By Design www.cbdevents.com
Photography: www.gingerfoxphotography.com
DJ: www.scratchweddings.com
Wedding dress designer: Martina Liana, purchased at www.phillybride.com
Bridesmaids dresses: Bill Levkoff
Groom’s suit: Indochino
Groomsmen: The Black Tux
Invitations, Save the Date and Programs: Maria Leshner of RiDesign Studios
Escort Cards / Table Numbers: Minted
PHOTOS:
Ginger Fox Photography
