Photos by Carly Landolt Photography
The pandemic didn’t stop these couples from pulling off perfectly intimate weddings in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Olivia Walls & Patrick Casey
DEC. 18, 2020
When a mutual friend introduced Olivia Walls and Patrick Casey, they learned they had a lot in common. Both students at Penn State University, they were studying for a degree in the same major—kinesiology. As juniors, the two ended up in a number of courses together. Patrick developed a crush, but he didn’t act on it. Instead, they met up as friends—often. “It just naturally progressed,” recalls Patrick.
After graduation, both headed back home—Patrick to Chalfont and Olivia to the Collegeville area. The couple dated for five years, moving to King of Prussia before eventually settling in Dresher. “We just made it work,” Olivia says.
Throughout that time, Patrick grappled with whether or not to pursue his medical degree. Olivia’s unwavering belief in him proved pivotal. “It took me a little bit to get there,” he says. “[Olivia] was actually the one who kept telling me to keep going, no matter how long the process is.”
In June of 2019, under the guise of a birthday celebration, Olivia’s sisters took her for a manicure while Patrick readied the house. Among the vines on a wine tour and tasting, he got down on one knee and asked Olivia to marry him. Back at the house, friends and family joined them for a celebration. “I was so surprised,” Olivia admits.
The two decided on a December celebration at Perkasie’s Lake House Inn. Then the pandemic struck, and they postponed those plans, gathering instead for an intimate outdoor ceremony at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park. A snowstorm the night before left everything blanketed in white. A longtime friend wed the couple, and they celebrated later at Angelo’s Italian Kitchen in Ambler.
Next month, barring another outbreak, Olivia and Patrick will host a large reception with about 185 guests at the original venue. Olivia settled for her rehearsal dinner dress for the initial nuptials. She’ll wear her original gown this time.
Details
Ceremony: Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Celebratory dinner: Angelo’s Italian Kitchen (angeloshorshamroad.com).
Number of guests: 25.
Bridal gown: ASOS (asos.com).
Bridesmaid’s dress: Reformation (thereformation.com).
Groom’s suit: Calvin Klein, Macy’s (macys.com).
Makeup: Chelsea Droogan, Makeup and Tans by Chels.
Florals: Wegmans (wegmans.com).
Photographer: Carly Landolt Photography (carlylandoltphoto.com).
Honeymoon: Naples, Fla.
Careers: Olivia works at Glenna Stone Interior Design; Patrick is a student at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Sun Kyung Choi & Jared Leon
DEC. 27, 2020
Though they grew up in the neighboring towns of Willow Grove and Hungtingdon Valley, Sun Kyung Choi and Jared Leon never crossed paths until a mutual friend introduced them in 2014. “Ever since, we’ve been inseparable,” says Sunny, a Villanova University graduate.
Over the next five years, the couple grew closer as they traveled the world together. On a 2019 trip, they landed in Rome, wandering the city before stopping at a spot overlooking the Castel Sant’Angelo. The cylindrical tower dates back to the Roman Empire, with nearby views of Vatican City. There, Jared proposed, coordinating with an Italian photographer to capture the moment and snap additional photos of the couple around the city. Flower petals, champagne and massages awaited them later at the hotel.
The couple actually considered Rome and the iconic town of Lake Como for the main event. “I was really looking forward to a bigger wedding,” says Sunny.
In pandemic mode, the couple settled on a micro-wedding at Pomme in Radnor. With immediate family present, the two were wed by their rabbi under a chuppah bedecked with blooms. Friends and family witnessed the celebration online. Keeping a few traditions, they had a cake-cutting and a sparkler sendoff before heading to a romantic dinner at Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia.
The couple is planning a large reception with a possible vow renewal. Meanwhile, they have a new child to keep them busy.
Details
Ceremony: Pomme (pommeradnor.com).
Celebratory dinner: Vetri Cucina (vetricucina.com).
Number of guests: 7.
Bridal gown: BHLDN (bhldn.com).
Bridal shoes: Manolo Blahnik (manologblahnik.com).
Groom’s tux: Ermenegildo Zegna, Boyds Philadelphia (boydsphila.com).
Groom’s shoes: Giorgio Armani (armani.com).
Hair and makeup: Philly Hair and Makeup (phillyhairandmakeup.com).
Florist: Ram Floral (ramfloral.com).
Cake: Ramona Susan’s Bake Shop (ramonasusanbakeshop.com).
Officiant: Rabbi Eli Freedman, Rodeph Shalom
Photographer: Haley Richter Photography (haleyrichterphoto.com).
Honeymoon: Sanibel and Captiva islands, Fla.
Careers: Sunny is a management associate at Glenmede; Jared is in-house counsel at Dollar Financial Group.
Related: College Sweethearts Rethink Their Main Line Wedding Amid the Pandemic
