Real Weddings: Toni & Brandy

We first met in North Carolina in 2015 while Toni was stationed on MCAS New River and Brandy was in school. What started out as friendship blossomed into something more in 2016. The next few years that followed were filled with graduations, deployments, and moves up and down the east coast. During December of 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Toni proposed at home during our Christmas break in Philadelphia, PA, by placing the ring on a Christmas tree branch as if it were an ornament.

Two years later, we moved to Florida and started planning from over a thousand miles away! Toni is a lover of all things historic, so we planned a traditional wedding with grand venues full of rich history. We opted to host our nuptials at the historic Hope Lodge Mansion, where we had draped aisles, floral arches, and a live violinist. Fun Fact: this is where George Washington and his army stayed during the battle of Georgetown!

Our reception was held at the regal Cairnwood Estate in Bryn Athyn, PA. We wanted our special day to be very intimate, so we kept our guest list under 50 and invited only our closest friends and family. We hired one of our best friends as the photographer and the Maid of Honor created our custom balloon artistry! We incorporated fun personal touches to our day, like using the bus for our favorite NFL team, The Philadelphia Eagles, as transportation for our bridal party and placing our own family photos around the estate. We also curated custom cocktails named after our two german shepherds, Rory and Lavender.

Our day had a subtle Bridgerton theme and was full of whimsical florals, 60s love songs, Italian traditions, and a ton of champagne and cannolis. Toni wore her traditional Marine Corps dress blues and Brandy wore a very coquette, Bespoke Allure Bridal with custom boning and sleeving. Our day was truly magical, and we wouldn’t change a thing! We are currently stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, but we will soon be heading out on our next adventure to Oahu, Hawaii!

LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelsey Hawkinberry, Keerha Visuals

ASST. PHOTOGRAPHER: Madelyn Spicer Photography

HAIR ARTIST: Alexandra Archibald, Bardot Bridal Hair

MAKEUP ARTIST: Maria Hunter, Carmellina Beauty Co

CATERING: Karen Spire, Karen’s Catering

CEREMONY VENUE: Hope Lodge Mansion

RECEPTION VENUE: Cairnwood Estate

BALLOON ARTISTRY: Selebrate With Seleste

GOWN: The Bridal Loft

CUSTOMS/ALTERATIONS: A Plus Curves

MUSIC SERVICES, LIGHTING, PHOTOBOOTH: Party With GQ

LIVE VIOLIN: Lieder Strings

FLORAL ARCHES: Party Rentals by Zeus

TRANSPORTATION: Lower Mayfair Eagles Bus