It was a beautiful summer day in Philly for Lea & Eric’s modernly elegant wedding at Cescaphe Down Town Club. Lea’s third cousin and maid of honor introduced the reluctant pair and after braving the pandemic, they knew they were meant to be together. Lea’s outgoing and friendly personality pairs perfectly with Eric’s introverted and go-with-the-flow attitude. With family being a high priority, it was no surprise that Lea & Eric each had one family member stand by their sides with Eric’s cousin officiating the ceremony. We loved being able to spend so much time with Lea & Eric capturing their love on their DTC wedding day.
Getting Ready at the Renaissance
Beginning the day in their attached modern suites of the Renaissance Philadelphia, Lea & Eric each got ready with a small group of their closest cohorts. The dark surroundings of the suite beautifully contrasted with the classic Papery invitations, creamy florals, and delicate white details. While her bright white dress looked stunning hanging against the crisp black wall, we knew it would look even better once Lea’s mom and sister would help her into it. With hair and makeup done in the salon and only three girls in the getting ready room, the morning calm continued as Lea carefully added each accessory.
Now that Lea was a beautiful bride ready for her wedding at Cescaphe Down Town Club, the emotional moments began. A father of the bride first look will always melt our hearts, and the hug Lea’s dad gave her as he tightly embraced his daughter did just that. After reading her card from her groom through teary eyes, Lea donned the beautiful bracelet he gifted her for their special day. Ready to meet her man, Lea headed outside for another unforgettable first look.
On the other side of the Renaissance room, Eric and a few family members mosied through the morning of preparations. His brother and father helped him into his jacket and tie before his mother arrived to pin his Beautiful Blooms boutonniere. Upon opening the card that read “Bride” across the front, Eric realized he had the wrong gift and with the girls conveniently right next door, we had to make a quick switch to get the bride and groom their proper presents. He added the new watch to his wedding wardrobe before walking across the street to await his bride.
First Look and Photos in Philly
With Eric patiently waiting in the gardens of the Second Bank, Lea made a slow approach to her groom and tapped him on the shoulder. The nerves that had built up in Eric while he awaited his bride melted away as soon as he saw Lea in her bridal glory. Looking their best, these two excitedly posed for portraits in a few of our favorite Old City spots. While the Second Bank offers a variety of beautiful backdrops, nothing beats the Merchant Exchange Building for family formals.
Finally, it was time to make our way to their wedding at Cescaphe Down Town Club! With the amazing views of City Hall from the 11th floor, we couldn’t help but pause in the classic Cescaphe cocktail space for a few photos before guests arrived.
Down Town Club Wedding Ceremony
High above the bustling city below, the ballroom is beautifully set for a wedding at Cescaphe Down Town Club. The simply elegant floral arrangements lined the path that the bride would soon walk with her father and the bulbs cascading down from the chandeliers drew all eyes to the altar. In a sweet ceremony filled with laughter brought on from the officiant, Eric’s cousin, the pair smiled their way through their vows and ring exchange. After making it official with a kiss, the new Mr. & Mrs. Cimini paraded up the aisle and posed for a picture under their custom neon name sign.
Wedding Reception at Cescaphe Down Town Club
While guests enjoyed an exquisite cocktail hour, the teams at Cescaphe and Beautiful Blooms set a beautiful ballroom reception with simple centerpieces and elegant gold details. The new Mr. & Mrs. Cimini were introduced for the first time before sharing a delightful first dance to “Yours” by Russel Dickerson. They smiled and celebrated through speeches and toasts offered in their honor by the best man and maid of honor. More emotion poured out as they each shared a special song with their dad/mom.
If you’re looking for a DJ that packs an extra punch, Jesse the MC from Pure Event Group is the way to go. Energized and encouraging, he quickly filled the dance floor with friends and family. Eric was lifted high above the crowd and an adaptation of spin the bottle played out in the middle of the dance circle that had formed. When the bottle stopped on us, we were more than happy to quickly bust a move while capturing the joy around us.
Taking a quick break from the dance floor, Eric & Lea snuck off for a few night portraits outside their wedding at Cescaphe Down Town club before partying the rest of the night away! Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Cimini!
The crew that created a wonderful wedding at Cescaphe Down Town Club included:
Photographer: Ashley Gerrity Photography | Getting Ready: Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown | Reception Venue: Down Town Club | Florist: Beautiful Blooms | Stationery: Papery of Philadelphia | Entertainment: Pure Event Group | Caterer: Cescaphe | Favors: Etsy | Transportation: Cescaphe Trolley | Videography: Ashley Gerrity Photography | Wedding Dress: | Dress Boutique: Lovely Bride | Bride’s Shoes: Dolce Vita | Wedding Rings: Helzberg Diamonds | Hair: Sulimays Hair Design Fairmount |
