Growing up in the region, Mackenzie Hornibrook and Michael Cassidy are no strangers to summers at the Shore. They had their first date in Avalon in 2020. Three years later, Michael proposed on the town’s Eighth Street jetty. His cousin was there to photograph the moment, decked out in a fisherman’s disguise complete with rod and tackle box.
Chadds Ford-based wedding planner Shannon Wellington picked up on her clients’ affinity for Avalon and Philadelphia. It was Wellington who inspired Mackenzie to create a custom wedding toile with help from Philly-based artist Emily Kathryn. “It was the perfect way to tell our story by weaving together the places where we built our relationship into a beautiful pattern that carried throughout our wedding design,” says Mackenzie.
With its Rocky statue, Avalon lifeboat and other significant imagery, the toile pattern was included in the envelope liner of the couple’s wedding invitation as a preview to guests. The day of the ceremony, the pattern found its way onto bar panels, cocktail napkins, pillows and even the dance floor. “It’s a detail that will live on,” Mackenzie says. “We’ll continue to cherish it for years to come.”
Mackenzie thoroughly enjoyed the planning process—and her mom also played a huge role. “We were going for an atmosphere that was formal and elegant, but also fun and personal to us,” the bride says. “I envisioned a blue and white theme with bold patterns, touches of pearl, hydrangeas, monograms, and nods to preppy and nautical details—all while still maintaining a timeless, traditional feel overall.”
Following a Catholic ceremony at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, everyone headed to Waynesborough Country Club. “The style closely aligned with the aesthetic of our wedding design, and we felt like it was the perfect place for us,” says Mackenzie. “The feeling was electric.”
Details
Wedding date: May 4, 2024
Guests: 240
Ceremony: St. Thomas of Villanova Church
Reception: Waynesborough Country Club
Bride’s dress: Elizabeth Johns
Hair: Natalie Bridal & Co.
Makeup: Makeup by Chelsea Walls
Groom’s tux: Iacobucci Formal Wear
Planning and design: Shannon Wellington Weddings
Florist: Fresh Designs Florist
Photographer: Asya Photography
Videographer: MuddySnow Productions
Cake: The Master’s Baker
Stationery and signage: Emily Kathryn Paper
Transportation: First Class Rolls Royce and King Transportation
Rentals: Vision Furniture Event Rentals, Curate by Vine & Oak and Party Rental Ltd.
Linens: Stradley Davidson Linen Collective
Entertainment: Strangers Band, BVT Live!
First dance: Spiral Staircase’s “More Today Than Yesterday”
Honeymoon: Maui and Kauai
Careers: Mackenzie works in management consulting. Michael is pursuing his MBA at the University of Notre Dame.
Say Yes to the Trend
From cocktail napkins to the dance floor, Mackenzie and Michael’s wedding was impeccably branded, mainly thanks to their planner, Shannon Wellington. “We started with a custom toile pattern,” she says. “I told them to think of all the most special things to them, and our designer made all the icons and put them together into that fun pattern. Then we put it on anything that stood still. I just loved it.”
As it turns out, the couple’s blue-and-white motif is on trend. “We’re seeing blue-and-white saturated designs, whether that’s white with French blue, navy blue, cobalt blue or anything in between,” says Elizabeth McGarrie of Malvern’s VB Ellen Events & Design. “More is more.”
Here are five things you just might experience at your next wedding:
- The guest experience. At the Inn at Grace Winery, wedding coordinator Tori Grieco offers packages for an entire weekend at the Glen Mills property. While they await the ceremony, friends and family can enjoy lawn games, lounge by the pool, wander the vineyard or say hello to the farm animals. “I love when couples come to me and say, ‘Yes, it’s my wedding, but I want to make it as fun as possible for everyone involved,” says Grieco.
Wellington has seen brides swap the morning-after brunch with a welcome party the night before the wedding. And McGarrie has implemented interactive stations like a build-your-own-martini bar during cocktail hour and even an after-dinner cigar area.
Bright, bold colors. “After Covid, there were a lot of neutrals. But now, bright colors are the trend,” says Grieco. “Chartreuse is having a moment. Adds Wellington: “The color palette is definitely a way to make a statement and do things a little differently.”
Unexpected florals. At Mackenzie’s wedding, Wellington implemented a hydrangea table runner that spilled onto the floor. For personal arrangements, McGarrie loves it when each bridesmaid carries one type of flower and each varietal is incorporated into the bride’s bouquet. “We’re seeing monochromatic floral designs, where flowers are all one color in different hues,” she says.
Farewell to favors. “They can be a little cheesy,” says Wellington. “If a couple is insisting, I try to guide them toward something edible that gets eaten.” A welcome bag, with snacks, Advil, water bottles and Liquid IV, is the preferred option for couples and guests.
Fashion moments. Many brides are opting to ditch their gowns for the reception, changing into shorter, more comfortable dresses or jumpsuits. Grieco is also seeing some grooms do likewise. Adds Wellington: “I love a second look, a third look … Give me all the looks!”
Visit shannonwellington.com, vbellendesign.com and gracewinery.com.
Related: This Winter Wedding in West Chester Celebrates Faith and Family
