The Prelude: From College Sweethearts to a Grand Affair
Danielle and Doug’s journey began at Elon University, where their paths intertwined, leading to a love that would stand the test of time. While residing in the Midwest, the couple began planning their Philadelphia destination wedding with Elegant Events Planning + Design in May 2022. Fast forward to June 2023, the couple traveled from St. Louis, Missouri to get married in the City of Brotherly Love and the home of the bride’s parents, Gregory & Beverly Deavens. Mr. Deavens is president and chief executive officer for Independence Health Group (Independence), parent of Independence Blue Cross, one of the nation’s leading health insurers.
The Radiant Bride + The Dashing Groom
Our radiant bride, Danielle, the co-founder and COO of Bold Xchange, Inc., graced the occasion in a gown from Savvy Bridal STL. A vision of elegance, Danielle’s beauty was accentuated by the talented Lisa Johnson on hair and Erica Nikole on makeup. Sheila Corbett from Elegant Events Florist crafted a bouquet that was a masterpiece of white O’Hara roses, blush peonies, and delicate blue thistle.
Doug, the Co-Founder & CEO at Bold Xchange, Inc., stood resplendent in a Suit Supply ensemble. The details of his ring, much like the couple’s love, remain a cherished secret. Every element of their attire and style reflected the unique blend of their personalities.
The Grand Affair Unfolds: A Journey from St. Louis to the City of Brotherly Love
The couple, along with their wedding party, kicked off the day at The Bellevue Hotel. Anthony Page Photography and Nathan Dang of Lightyear Studio seamlessly captured Danielle and Doug’s love story with grace and style. The first look, set against the backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline from XIX (Nineteen) Restaurant, was nothing short of breathtaking. Wedding photos at the Rodin Museum and iconic cityscapes, added a touch of urban charm to their love story.
A Ceremony to Remember: Philadelphia Skyline Views
Nestled within the iconic Kimmel Cultural Center, Danielle and Doug exchanged their vows in a ceremony that seamlessly blended timeless elegance with heartfelt Christian traditions. The grandeur of the Hamilton Garden provided breathtaking views of the Philadelphia skyline for their sacred union. With 154 cherished guests in attendance, the atmosphere was filled with love and reverence as the couple exchanged personal vows that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The unparalleled views of the Kimmel Cultural Center’s glass vaulted dome added an extra layer of splendor to Danielle and Doug’s celebration.
An Evening of Elegance: The Kimmel Cultural Center
Danielle and Doug chose the Kimmel Cultural Campus as the location for their reception because it perfectly aligned with their vision of a timeless, classic, bright, and open setting. The elegant atmosphere, black tie attire, and overall ambiance made it a special choice for their celebration. The reception featured lush greenery, white hydrangeas, and romantic cylinder candle arrangements by our in-house floral design team. The warm wood-paneled walls and vintage sconces created a dramatic setting for an evening of dinner and dancing. The couple had family photos they wanted to display. With the innovative idea from their wedding planner, they created a photo wall on a glass tiered bookshelf. This display was later repurposed as a champagne wall that greeted guests at the start of the reception.
A Culinary Symphony: Garces Group Delights the Palate
Garces Group orchestrated a culinary masterpiece, featuring lamb meatballs, Skuna Bay Salmon, and an exquisite three-tier cake from Desserts By Dana. The couple’s favorite dish? Everything!
A Night to Remember: An Unforgettable After-Party
The night concluded with an unforgettable after-party at Volver, a culinary extravaganza where the couple and their guests indulged in tantalizing delights. The joy, laughter, and endless fun of the celebration lingered in the air.
A Toast to Forever: Danielle’s Words on Elegant Events
Danielle’s words echo the joy and satisfaction of a dream wedding brought to life by Elegant Events. Despite the distance, our team seamlessly executed their vision, turning dreams into reality.
A month later, Doug and I are still on a high from our wedding weekend. It was truly a perfect day and we have the Elegant Events Planning + Design team to thank for that. You connected us with some incredible event professionals who also helped make the day amazing, but we were most blown away by your team’s contribution to our wedding. In particular, I deeply appreciated how attentive you were to me throughout the day, making sure I was comfortable, that I had what I needed, and that any changes in schedule or shifts in our plan were communicated clearly without any need for me to jump in and coordinate. It was a seamless day from our perspective, even with uncertainty about weather and tension between our visuals teams. In reflecting on the day, I wondered how we might be able to justify having another wedding just for the opportunity to work with you again. We cannot thank you enough for orchestrating such an incredible kickoff to our life together. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Are you planning a Philadelphia wedding? We can help! Learn more about Elegant Events Planning + Design’s wedding planning and coordination services.
The Dream Team Behind Danielle + Doug’s Extravaganza
No magical affair is complete without the dedication and talent of an incredible team. Danielle and Doug’s wedding was brought to life by the collaborative efforts of these outstanding vendors:
Wedding Planner: Donielle Warren, Elegant Events Planning + Design, www.elegant-events.net
Photographer: Anthony Page Photography, anthonypagephotography.com
Bride’s Gown: Savvy Bridal STL, savvybridalboutique.com
Hair Stylist: Lisa Johnson
Makeup Artist: Erica Nikole, www.ericanikole.com
Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply, suitsupply.com/en-us/
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey, www.birdygrey.com
Groomsmens’ Attire: Generation Tux, www.generationtux.com/
Florist: Sheila Corbett, Elegant Events Florist, www.eleganteventsflorist.com
Catering: Garces Group, garcesgroup.com
Cake: Desserts By Dana, dessertsbydana.com
Invitations: Zola, zola.com
Stationery: Lynne Hart, Sharpe Stationery and Printing, https://sharpestationery.com
Rentals: Vision Furniture, https://www.visionfurniture.com/ AFR, https://www.rentfurniture.com/ (Lounge Furniture)
Linens: Choice Linens, http://choicepartylinens.com/
Entertainment (Ceremony + Cocktail Hour): The B-SideEntertainment Group, www.bsideent.com
Reception Entertainment: Ryan Abney, A Soul Vibe, www.asoulvibe.com
Videographer: Nathan Dang, Lightyear Studio, lightyearstudio.com
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