1. Real Weddings

A Classy, Natural Wedding at Philadelphia Horticultural Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nicole Wilsker (29 and a nanny) and Adam Hines (36 and in finance) met while they were both working abroad in Sydney, Australia. Their first date last

Nicole Wilsker (29 and a nanny) and Adam Hines (36 and in finance) met while they were both working abroad in Sydney, Australia. Their first date lasted nine hours and included a coastal walk, swims at three different beaches, lunch, drinks and dinner. "I think we both knew we wanted a future together from this very first date." says Nicole. Adam proposed to Nicole during a vacation in Boracay, an island in the Philippines, while they were sipping sangria and watching the sun set over the beach. Planning from abroad, the couple chose to get married at the Philadelphia Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park without ever visiting it. The venue provided them with a beautiful fountain and garden area for the ceremony, and the greenhouse was the perfect place for their classy and natural reception. ?Nicole and Adam's verdant soiree was lush and breathtaking in shades of white and green. Antique furniture and vintage arrangements with succulents added pizzaz to the outdoorsy celebration. As a sentimental touch, a wall of framed photographs of the couple's families adorned the back wall of the venue. Guests feasted on a variety of delicious foodstuffs catered by Starr Events while enjoying the natural greenery of the conservatory. "Living abroad and having so many of our family and friends travel to spend the big day with us kept us seriously humbled," says Nicole. "It put things in perspective and made us want to make it as easy as possible for our wedding party to enjoy the ride with us."

"I wanted to keep things as close to home as possible, so my paper suite was designed and lovingly executed by my graphic designer brother," says Nicole.
Bride in a Lace Wedding Dress and Pearls
Nicole walked down the aisle carrying a white bouquet with peonies, roses and hydrangeas.
Nicole suggested a neutral color palette for her bridesmaids and let them pick their own dresses. "They were able to feel beautiful in something they actually like, and it allowed them to stick to their own budget," says Nicole. "If you trust your bridesmaids, then everyone’s a winner!"
Groom in a Navy Suit and White Tie at Horticultural Center Wedding
First Look in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park
"Adam took a poll and found out all his groomsmen currently owned gray suits. We told them to wear those suits, and we provided them with ties and boutonnieres to bring the look together."
The chairs on the ceremony aisle were decorated with small bouquets of baby's breath.
Nicole and Adam were married by the fountain at Philadelphia Horticultural Center in Fairmount Park.
Recessional with Bubbles at Park Wedding
Cocktail Hour in a Philadelphia Greenhouse
Nicole and Adam rented antique lounge seating for guests during cocktail hour in the greenhouse.
The greenhouse was beautifully decorated with antique trays, candlesticks, vases, baskets and small pots of succulents.
Our seating chart was printed on transparencies and affixed to antique windows that hung in the cafe my mom owned when I was a child," says Nicole.
One wall at the conservatory reception was decorated with framed pictures of Nicole and Adam's families over the generations.
Since there was already so many leafy greens in the reception venue, Nicole and Adam kept their centerpieces simple with small arrangements of viburnum, roses and hydrangeas.
Four Tier Wedding Cake Displayed on an Antique Table