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Weddings are always fast-paced. A 200-person wedding and even a small, sweet-and-simple elopement can feel like the day is jam-packed with events and crazy moments. Liz and Brandon’s colorful and romantic Philadelphia wedding at Terrain was quite the hectic ride: bride Liz was an hour late because of a kidney stone (yikes!). She was in pain the morning of her wedding, made a beeline to their nearest urgent care, and was diagnosed immediately. Instead of postponing the wedding any further–or worse, canceling it–Liz soldiered on and enjoyed her big day with Brandon like there was no big crisis going on. She trudged on and after their reception, Brandon whisked Liz away to the ER to get her patched up completely. What a whirlwind!

Jessica Manns Photography captured all of the moody fall styling (and Liz’s strength, no doubt) and we thoroughly reveled in the wedding artistry. Liz was adamant on dark flowers, lots of greenery, and an antiquated feel with a hint of modernity and she mused that Terrain was the perfect venue for their vision. We’re so glad Liz and Brandon had their team of expert vendors backing them, along with supportive family and friends. By the looks of these amazing photos, you couldn’t even tell what was going on behind the scenes.

How did you meet?

Brandon and I got set up by a metal friend that thought we might get along. Our phone numbers were exchanged and after some time debating, Brandon finally texted me and the day after, Brandon asked if I wanted to go see a movie and meet half way (I was living in Philly, he was living in Atlantic City) I said sure! So we saw “The Jungle Book” and went to a diner and drank coffee for a few hours afterwards. I knew then that he was the one I was going to marry and he later told me the same thing.

What is your proposal story?

Brandon texted me around 9 in the morning shortly after I had got to work asking if I wanted to go to Royal Tavern for dinner (where we had one of our first dates) and I said “it’s a little early to think about dinner, but okay” and the day went on. I got home from work and Brandon told me he had a really cool idea for a promo photo for his band and he wanted to take it before we left. I looked like a mess, I had an old t-shirt on, my hair in a messy bun, but whatever, we went outside to a cool wall by our house and there were some people sitting on the corner and he said he felt stupid and I was just pressuring him to take the photo so he did anyway.

We got in the car with our dogs, made our way over to dinner and parked by another ‘cool wall’ and he said “can I take a photo here before we go?” I said “sure”. He asked me to tilt my head back and squeeze my eyes closed and to keep them closed, he would say “tilt back more”, or “hold still” and he said “okay got it” and I opened my eyes and he was down on one knee with a ring and shot a polaroid all at the same time. it was a surprising moment, he really, really had me fooled. The photo is awful, but I’m so glad we have it to look back on now!

What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?

We just wanted our wedding to feel special and we wanted it to almost feel like a big dinner party with all of our closest family and friends. I think we succeeded on that since we still have people tell us to this day how special our wedding was. We splurged on our catering (Terrain) because everyone loves good food!

What were your favorite parts of the day? 

Hard to say what my favorite parts were. I got blessed with a kidney stone and was in urgent care when I was supposed to be getting my makeup done and it kind of put a damper our whole day, but Brandon and I did get to have our own afterparty in the ER as soon as our reception was over. There’s little moments that I enjoyed:

-The woman who was with me as my ‘day of person’ provided by terrain was a god-send, she was there every moment I needed something and I felt like I was in the best hands considering the surprise kidney stone, she made the day feel like a breeze

-Brandon hates his facial hair but knows I love him with a mustache so, he seeing him for the first time when the doors opened for me to come down the isle was an amazing surprise!

-My brother holding the back of my dress so it didn’t get mud on it when Brandon and I were taking portraits.

-My dad and I kept asking each other when the song would be over for our father daughter dance and were both hoping the song would stop or speed up

-Seeing all of our out-of-town family and friends was great, I am so thankful for everyone who was able to be there and share these moments with us.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?

Don’t sweat the small stuff! Little things may go not-as-planned on your wedding day but whatever happens, happens and you have to try and enjoy it as much as possible. I learned the hard way with the kidney stones, and the unexpected snow storm the week before, but I’m thankful for the day we had and that we got to make it our own. Little details that you won’t remember, don’t worry about them because chances are, your guests won’t notice them either. If you have a guest book, don’t forget pens or markers, because then no one can sign it (also learned the hard way). And if nothing else, drink lots, and lots of water to prevent kidney stones!

Photography: Jessica Manns Photography | Ceremony and Reception Venue: Terrain at Styers | Catering: Terrain | Floral: Splints & Daisies | Stationery: Natalie Eyerman | Videography: Ryan Halbe | Wedding Cake: Vegan Treats | Reception Musicians: Remixologists | Photo Booth: Book n Gram | Hair: Lauren Vasso | Makeup: Caitlin Anthony | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero | Bridal Salon: Aimee Michelle Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: BHLDN | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein | Submitted via: Matchology