Brett and Barry chose to have an intimate wedding at Stella in New Hope PA. They decided on New Hope since it was were they had their first date they wanted to come full circle and make it their ceremony and reception spot. I just love that idea! The couple likes to visit New Hope for dinner and drinks regularly and when they took a ride there on Labor Day weekend in 2019 they saw the new renovations of Ghost Light Inn and Stella restaurant and knew in that moment they had to have their wedding there. When you know, you know!
Pet-Friendly Wedding
“Our 14-year-old King Charles Cavalier, Buddy, was a must-have at the Carriage House for pictures before the start of our ceremony. The Carriage House was pet friendly and the perfect spot to capture the day and also the importance of an intimate and picturesque “first look”. We wanted a small intimate wedding and we pulled it off!
Wedding Day First Look at the Carriage House
What a sweet moment! There is so much anticipation and build up as the couple gets ready and then so much joy and calm when they get to see each for the first time in a quiet moment together.
How they Met
“We met at work, we both work at Rider University. He’s the baseball coach and I’m the fitness director and he would come into the gym all the time to work out and we just became friends and that friendship turned into a relationship.”
New Hope Engagement Proposal
“It was a normal Saturday night, we were headed out to dinner at Marcello’s Bordentown, NJ with my mom, my sister and my sister’s boyfriend. Barry and I also love Bordentown, we love small quaint towns with charm, Bordentown and New Hope are our two favorites. Going into the dinner my mom was the only one who knew Barry was going to propose. Right after we finished the main course and before desserts Barry pushed his chair out and got down on one knee and proposed.
It was perfect! At our favorite dinner spot in Bordentown with my family :)”
New Hope Wedding Venue on the River
“We love that it’s on the water and for a February wedding we thought the structure of the venue and the backdrop of the New Hope Bridge would be amazing for our photos. We wanted an intimate venue with class and elegance which was exactly what Stella brought to us the night of our wedding. We loved that the venue also offers stays at the Carriage House in which was just perfect for our bridal party and within walking distance to the ceremony. The walk from the Carriage House made the most amazing pictures that day. The town is so quaint and I knew pictures along the water, on the bridge, in front and around Stella and by the PlayHouse were going to be just what I wanted for our portraits.”
Wedding Planning Advice
My advice for other couples is: Stick to your budget. We invited 70 people and ended up with 54 which was just absolutely perfect. A wedding really only matters about the bride and groom being able to spend the day with each other and celebrate the love they have for one another. With the smaller amount of people at our reception, I was able to greet everyone, mingle with all and still feel like my husband and I spent time together reflecting on the night and dancing together.
