Real Weddings: Liz & Mike

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Can bacon become a lemon? Surely it can, as this was the case when Liz, formerly Bacon, became Mrs. Liz Lemmons in fall of 2019, when she and Mike wed in Philadelphia, PA before 192 guests. The handsome couple first became an item while obtaining their MBAs at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Mike was immediately smitten with Liz, while she began falling for him, his passion, determination and all around friendly, upbeat personality. He proposed in 2018 during a spring getaway in Miami, where his whisked her off to sample fine wines in the cellar of one of their favorite restaurants, The Forge. For their wedding vision, the couple set their sights on the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts; and used the venue as a major source of inspiration. They selected chic, minimalist but traditional décor to allow the paintings and sculptures of the museum to speak for the space. Liz and Mike got to have an intimate photo session for their first look. Then, in a classic white Romona Keveza gown from Kleinfeld’s, Liz was escorted down the aisle and given away by her father at their ceremony. Liz’s cousin, a professional guitarist, played song selections whilst her childhood minister married the couple. As cocktail hour began, guests were ushered into another room for the reception. Mike and Liz had a custom logo crafted that featured slices of bacon and lemons, a nod to their food-based last names. The bacon-lemon motif was used many times, adorning various stationery and even the cocktail napkins. Once the couple was officially announced into the reception space, an elevated but raucous night of dinner, speeches, cake, and dancing carried the wedding late into the night.

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black african american bride Liz black groom Mike hugging holding first look long white chic classic wedding gown married marriage tuxedo

black bride Liz portrait getting ready floral bouquets flowers wedding gown chic silk romona bridal dress getting ready

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Wedding Details

LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: elevated, unique, chic

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

MENU: Hors d-oeuvres included Nashville hot chicken sliders, Peking duck spring rolls, kobe beef montaditos, tuna tartare, and olive oil sweet cakes; dinner included baby arugula and watercress salad and tomato-cheddar soup shooters, short ribs, sea bass, or spinach pappardelle; finally, a late night snack of Philly soft pretzel bar

DESSERT: Mascarpone cheesecake, salted caramel chocolate tart, and a raspberry pot de crème

FIRST DANCE SONG: “As” by Stevie Wonder

INSPIRATION: The arts, their venue and autumn

SPECIAL FEATURES: Liz’s cousin, a professional guitarist, played at the ceremony; stationery and signage from their friend’s design company featuring their customized watercolor bacon and lemon logo; guest book was a coffee table book of PAFA, their venue, and the couple now have it displayed in their home; table numbers were hand-painted by Liz; customized welcome bags

HONEYMOON: Mini-moon to Grand Cayman Islands; actual honeymoon postponed due to COVID

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