Suzanne & Patrick Heron’s
Historical Estate Wedding
Venue– Knowlton Mansion Philadelphia PA, Food– Conroy Catering, Dress– Bijou Bridal, Florist– Long Stems, Makeup/Hair– Duette Hair and Makeup, Photography– Rebecca Barger, Videography– Tyler Starr Productions, DJ– Centerstage Entertainment
We asked Suzanne to share some of her advice about the big day. Here is what she said…
1. DO NOT go over the top on lighting and small details, no one pays attention to your napkins or your table runners (although mine HAD to match the sweetheart table perfectly.) People notice the love, the atmosphere, the energy, not the forks and knives.
2. Pay attention to the sunset– if you’re having a spring or fall wedding it might not make sense to pay extra for uplighting inside the venue- maybe put more of that budget into cute outdoor lights since people will likely be doing a lot of mingling outside
3. WEAR WEDGES!!! If you are doing photos outside have a pair of wedges to wear for them- I am a lot and my wedding shoes were diamond studded wedges, and I am so thankful I chose to be sensible. My MOH and bridesmaids were STRUGGLING to keep up during photos, they were sinking in the grass.
4. Pay extra for a good photobooth– ours came with our DJ and it was good, but it was small. Make sure you know what size you are getting. Only 4 people fit in ours.
5. Favors- I chose not to do them and not a single person noticed. Why bother? No one wants a koozie with your name on it, and no one needs 4 M&Ms with your face on them.
6. Bridal party- pick who YOU want. I literally asked two girls not to be in my wedding after originally planning on having them be a part of it. They weren’t real friends, and I don’t want to look back on this day and wonder why that random fake friend was standing next to me. It’s your day, only ask who you WANT to be a part of your wedding to be in it.
7. Invitations- dont feel obligated to invite people you don’t want there. This is your day, don’t let your family or his family influence your decision. It’s about who you want to share in this special moment with you.
8. Seating chart– This was the MOST painful part about the whole wedding planning process for me. We did this with my mom and his mom, and it was too much. I wish I would have just let people sit wherever they wanted!
9. Wedding signs- I wish I wouldn’t have spent so much on them! No one cares- just print out words and throw it in a dollar store frame (example- no one cared about my super cute Acrylic guest book sign- a dollar store frame with a cute font that said “Please Sign my Guestbook” would have been just as good.)
10. DEFINITELY use a videographer- I was so scared and nervous during my ceremony I have no idea what was said (I was focued on the wind not blowing my veil over my face.) I am so glad we have vidoes to watch so I can relive the most beautiful moment of my life.
11. DEFINITELY do dance lessons- Our first dance was to Ed Sheeran Perfect and we did dance lessons for 10 weeks at Fred Astaire Dance studio. They were SO amazing. They choreographed our first dance and it was great. We had twirls, lifts, dips, the whole nine years. Each week leading up to the wedding we both looked forward to our dance lessons. It was date night! Everyone was totally amazed by our dance, and many people said it was their favorite part of the wedding.
12. Take a few moments and soak it all in. Take mental pictures. Pause, breathe it all in. It goes so fast.
Sara, a seasoned expert in wedding planning and date ideas, brings a wealth of experience to our couples blog. With a background in the television industry and hands-on involvement in a dozen weddings, including working as a wedding assistant on "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera," Sara has an innate understanding of the magic that makes weddings truly special. Growing up with four sisters has given her unique insights into the dating world, making her a go-to source for practical and heartfelt dating advice. Her knowledge and enthusiasm make her the perfect guide for couples seeking to infuse their relationships with creativity and love.