Venue: The Franklin Institute
Wedding Dress: Lazaro
Shoes: Steve Madden
Bridesmaids Dresses: Eliza J
Jewelry: Earrings- Miguel Ases
Ring & Bracelet – David Yurman
Invitations: William Arthur
Caterer: Frog Commissary
Cake: Whipped Bakeshop
Video: Vf3 Productions
Flowers: Valley Green
Music: One 2 One Productions
Hair and Makeup: Splash Hair Studios

From the Bride:

About Michael & I:
Michael and I met in high school at the age of sixteen. After knowing each other for about six months, he asked me to be his girlfriend outside of a local Dairy Queen. This past November, we had been discussing our first date. We remembered going to the traditional dinner and a movie. One day, while driving home, we passed the Olive Garden, and realized that was where we had gone to dinner in high school. Then, somehow we came up with the idea to relive our first date. Michael claims it was my idea, but I claim that it was his.

So that weekend, we set out to the Olive Garden. We hadn’t been there in years, and the experience was nothing like we expected. To say the least, it was pretty entertaining. Since we have been together so long and go out to dinner all the time, I expected it to go as usual. But it turned out to be one of the most fun nights we had had in awhile. We talked about dating in high school, past memories, and everything in between. For whatever reason, it had been the most fun we had in a long time.
As we headed home, Mike insisted on going to Dairy Queen. I, of course, was so full and not interested in ice cream. He persisted, so I gave in. We got ice cream and ate in the Dairy Queen. I thought this was unusual, as we usually get it and take it home.

As we were leaving the Dairy Queen, we were discussing that summer night 9 years ago when he asked me to be his girlfriend. He pulled me aside and asked where the exact spot was. Right then and there, my heart dropped into my stomach; I knew this was happening.
Neither of us can remember anything he said to me, but without hesitation, I of course said yes!

Wedding Planning:
Since my mom has planned my sisters’ two previous weddings, she was a pro! We set out first to find our dream location. After a long day of looking around Philadelphia venues, we were so tired and ready to go home. Our last stop was The Franklin Institute, which was Michael’s suggestion, and was the last place I expected to fall in love with. Within minutes of being in the room and seeing all the lighting and its wonderful potential, our decision was made!
I constantly used Pinterest and TheKnot.com to find fun, new wedding ideas. With that, I found the ideas of a sign-in poster with our wedding invitation on it, a table consisting of our parents and grandparents old wedding photos, and “love” magnets that were our favors.
I always knew I wanted a pink wedding but also knew I didn’t want it to be over-powered with pink. So Michael and I decided to do a full black & white theme with hot pink & green flowers. The wedding was “us” in every way and everything we ever wanted.

It was great working with this family again! We had a lot of fun despite the cold of the day!

mike & jana

Congratulations to the Walters family on winning the family fun foto session from Greenwood Elementary’s silent auction! It was a pleasure working with this great family! We love having the opportunity to give back to the community. Greenwood Elementary uses the funds raised from it’s Fall Festival for student enrichment and enjoyment, classroom grants and teacher wish list items.

mike & jana

Florist: Sweet Peas
Reception: The Gold Ballroom at Hotel DuPont
Portraits photographed at Gibraltar Gardens in Wilmington on Greenhill Ave. and at Westminster Presbyterian Church
Hair and Makeup: Trilogy Salon
Dress: Marrisa purchased at Kleinfeld’s of NYC
Video: VideoOne Productions
Ceremony: Westminster Presbyterian
Music: Silver Sound
Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin

From the Bride:

I married my best friend and teammate for life. When Riley and I got engaged we knew from the beginning we wanted our wedding to be a reflection of us from start to finish. We met at a photo shoot for a magazine in Delaware. Riley and I were quickly paired together and the chemistry between the two of us unfolded. It was definitely love at first sight. The pictures from the shoot ended up surfacing on facebook within the next couple of days and Riley didn’t waste any time messaging me to set up a first date. We made plans to see eachother as soon as possible and have been doing so ever since. Ironically Riley actually staged a photo shoot and had everyone in on it when he proposed to me, which was awesome because we have all the pictures from that day that we can go back to and reflect on. Hockey has always been a part of our relationship from the very beginning. Riley played for the Philadelphia Flyers NHL Team so I spent a great deal of time traveling to different to hockey arenas to cheer on the team (haha). Currently he coaches the Flyers Minor League team the Adirondack Phantoms. That being said I wanted to make sure to include small touches of the sport that he grew up playing and loving.

As I started to begin our planning for the big day it became quite clear that we would have a lot of out of town guests. Riley’s family reside in Canada while the majority of my family are on the East Coast, not to mention all of his teammates from across the country. We wanted to make sure the venue had that “WOW” factor that wouldn’t disappoint. After looking at quite a few places, we toured the Hotel DuPont and had found our dream spot. It was an easy decision for us.The Gold Ballroom certainly lives up to its name. Located in Wilmington Delaware, the hotel is filled with magic, elegance and amazing history.
Ive been dreaming about getting married and what my wedding would be like since I was a little girl. I had plenty of inspirations running through my mind. I sought out to make my wedding have a romantic and whimsical feel to it. I worked with my florist, Meg from Sweet Pea Flowers of Jennersville, PA. She understood the flower, feather and crystal elements I wanted to bring to my wedding to make it feel sophisticated and glamorous. The whole look was brought together by incorporating lots tea lit candles and purple hued up lighting. It was completely magical! My favorite aspect of our wedding would have to be what I designed and created though. I actually took hockey pucks and transformed them into placecard holders! We spray painted them a rich gold color and finished it with a sparkle coat that made them glisten under the lights. They came out amazing and I was so proud of them! We also put together a signature cocktail that combined both of our last names called the “Cotini”. Our Guests loved how unique it was and crazy enough they ran out of them by the end of the evening!!!
When it came to choosing my wedding gown I knew the exact fit I wanted. I always pictured myself in something classy but sexy all at the same time. I had just the right ratio of old hollywood glam with a chic and glamorous feel to it. The gown was by Marissa and was purchased at Kleinfelds in NYC. We even got filmed for “Say Yes to the Dress” which was extra special! Besides my gown, my shoes had to be my favorite accessory. They were Christian Louboutins that were completely encrusted with swarvoski crystals and lets not forget the signature red bottoms. They were the ultimate cinderella shoes! Some how I ended up with nine Bridesmaids (haha). The number seemed to keep growing by the day! With so many of them I decided that I would choose two styles to break up the overall look. The gowns were by Allure and featured a chiffon one shoulder style accompanied by a strapless version that I paired with a chunky pearl necklace. It all came together beautifully thank goodness!
Our Wedding Day was filled with so much Love and Happiness! I wish we could go back a re-live it over and over! Thank goodness we invested in wonderful photographers, MK Photography and videographers, VideoOne Productions to capture the day. Our photobooth was hands down the greatest last minute splurge. Our guests had so much fun being able to take pictures throughout the evening. The props were amazing and we receieved a wonderful guest book out of it. We expecially enjoyed looking at all the hilarious pictures the next day!
My best advice to future Brides is just to take everything one step at a time and realize that all your thoughts will all come together! Wedding planning is never perfect and theres so much compromise, just like marriage haha! I also would say try to DIY as much as possible. Not only does it refect your personality as a couple but you’ll really appreciate being able to look back and say “I did that”! Im so happy I did!

It was great to work with the Beatson Family again! We’ve watched these kids grow up and feel so honored to be a part of this family’s life! mike & jana

Bar and Bat Mitzvah season is here! We are looking forward to working with all the kids and families.
Sharing a wonderful Bat Mitzvah form earlier this year to celebrate :)
It was a pleasure working with Alexa and all her friends and family. What a wonderfully designed and fun party!
I can’t wait to share images form all the events we photographed recently.

jana

Reception Venue: Hilton Philadelphia
Videography: CinemaCake
Florist: Mitzi Associates
Entertainment: Todd Yahney Entertainment