Cairnwood Estate Wedding: Helena and Michael {Philadelphia Wedding Photographer}

November 28, 2016

Built in 1895, The historic Cairnwood Estate was the perfect location for a Gatsby inspired wedding, which included a vintage furniture lounge in the garden, a cigar roller, a live band, multiple food stations for dinner and dessert, and a food truck serving gourmet fries. Helena and Michael wanted their day to feel like, in the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, a “kaleidoscopic carnival.” And indeed, the reception was an ultimate, over-the-top gala.

Their style of decor was a cross between Gatsby and art deco. Geometric shapes were present in the stationary and much of the reception decor. Dark, antique gold metallic and the colors of sangria , raspberry, and eggplant were present in the ceremony and reception design. As a self taught graphic designer and crafty DYI bridesmaid extraordinaire, Helena personalized and DIY’ed much of her wedding, which included the calligraphic mirror and table numbers, the flower girl and ring bearer wagon, and the beautiful aisle runner with a quote by Led Zeppelin (the groom’s choice).

The ceremony took place at the Abington Art Center, and included traditions from both Helen’s Jewish heritage, and Michael’s catholic background, as well as a new 2016 tradition that Helena and Michael introduced-the ceremony selfie stick! They took a moment to take a selfie of each other and their guests during the ceremony.

The extravagant wedding cake was a labor of love from Helena’s father. Back in the 1980’s, her dad and grandfather owned a bakery in New Jersey, and when it cam time for him to marry her mom in 1985, he had grand plans for baking his own masterpiece. Sure enough, he created a multi-tier cake complete with staircases, columns, lights, foundations, and handprinted figurines of the bridal party. Although he has been in the corporate world ad out of the bakery business now for close to 25 years, he knew he would be up for one more challenge when his only child’s wedding day cam around. Helena and Michael’s wedding cake is a replica of the 1985 “seriously 80s” cake created by the father of the bride. He handprinted bridesmaid gold figurines for her bridesmaids and its topped off with the original wedding topper from 1985. The table it sat on was draped with the beautiful lace wedding gown that Helena’s mother wore back in 1985.

This wedding left guests speechless. It was the event of the year, filled with grandeur, romance, and so many fun surprises.

Congratulations Helena and Michael!

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