This Coffee Shop Micro Wedding was just perfect! The couple decided to create a wedding celebration that was intimate and wonderful and truly reflected who they are.
Julia & Curt got married in their neighborhood coffee shop right in the heart of the Italian Market in South Philadelphia. Here is a little bit from the bride on how they came to choose their non-traditional wedding venue:
“Our ceremony is at Gleaner’s Cafe in the 9th Street Market. I lived a few doors down from it in high school, and Curt a block away in college, so we’ve separately been going there for almost fifteen years each. Our first date was here; it was a few days after New Years Day, and I had drunkenly locked up my bike a few blocks off of 2 Street and lost it. We grabbed a coffee, talked for a bit, and then walked around to find the bike. Now, we go to Gleaners every weekend for coffee and bagels.”
This just goes to show you really can do a wedding any way you want! Their ceremony was early in the morning just as the coffee shop was opening. A few eager customers were waiting outside for their cup of joe while Julia and Curt and a few of their closest friends held a sweet ceremony in one of their favorite places in the city.
After their ceremony, Julia and Curt sat outside the coffee shop that is so dear to them for a few wedding photos and took a little stroll down 9th Street. Don’t you just love her vintage dress and radiant post-wedding glow!
Curt was in my sister’s large group of college friends, and I was just close enough in age that I was allowed to hang out with them sometimes. Over the years, whenever my sister would tease that I liked one of her friends, I would straight-face, “If I end up with anyone, it’ll be Curt,” because he was the least clowny asshole. A year after I moved back to Philly after 8 years in New York, I ran into Curt in the 9th Street Market. I was lazy about dating anyone more than a few blocks away, and he had just bought a house around the corner from me, so I said, “oh, this is perfect, now’s my chance.” I had to throw myself at him for months to make it stick.
Soon after we started dating, I just knew he was The Guy. I would go to Fante’s, the kitchen shop, and tell them to get a stand mixer ready for my wedding gift, because I was going to propose. This went on for 18 months. Finally, I bought the simplest gold band at Bario Neal, gift-wrapped it, and presented it on Christmas Day with the rest of the presents. I didn’t even get a chance to ask the proposal question: Curt just slipped on the ring and when I asked “So does that mean…?” he said “yeah!” Not long after that, we decided that Antoine, the Fante’s associate who sells the stand mixers, should officiate our wedding, to honor the many months he spent listening to me talk about the guy I knew I would marry.
Later that day they had a block party wedding reception outside their house. They had a food truck, drinks, cake, pinatas and, best of all, their friends and family.
For their party, Julia shared “Our party playlist is all the music we love listening to together: The Breeders, Butthole Surfers, Roky Erickson. It won’t be very dancy, but it’s very true to Us”
Isn’t that what its all about, being true to yourself and inviting your loved ones to join in the fun? I have to say it was a wonderfully out-of-the-box and awesome day! If you are pondering how to plan a small Philadelphia wedding day, be inspired by how these two pulled together a celebration that was perfect for them.
It ain’t about your moms or grandmoms; it’s about celebrating who you are as a couple.
Venue/Coffee Shop: Gleaners Cafe
Wedding Cake: Isgro Pasticceria
Wedding Dress: vintage
Hair: Company Name: Heather at Halo Hair
Rings: Company Name: Bario Neal
Groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Check out these links for intimate wedding inspiration:
Love these photos! Totally adorable!
They are the cutest! From her unique wedding dress to their coffee shop ceremony and block party reception. I love it all!
This is the cutest wedding!! I love how personal everything for their wedding was!
They really made their wedding their own!
This is so cute! I love that they had their wedding in a coffee shop.
Such a fun location for a Philadelphia wedding ceremony!
This is so fun! I love the bright colors.
Yes! This couple has great taste! I love their out of the box wedding!
I’ve been looking forward to reading this! What a fun couple and a fun celebration. Love the way you told their story through words and pictures
They are such a fun couple and I love that they celebrated with a block party wedding reception!
Oh my gosh! The emotion you’ve captured is such a treasure- what heirlooms you’ve taken for this couple and their families and friends. Also- HOW FREAKING COOL TO GET MARRIED IN A COFFEE SHOP! Love it all!
Right! I love the idea of a coffee shop wedding ceremony!