Jessica & Ryan | August

Photography by Move Mountains Co. | @movemountainsco

Jessica and Ryan wanted their wedding’s sunset color palette (displayed in the bridesmaids’ dresses, florals and invitation suite) to represent how they perceive themselves as a couple: Fun, vibrant, bold and warm.

The Meet Cute: Early 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ryan was walking his dog. and Jessica was getting a drink with a mutual friend. When they ran into each other, the friend introduced Ryan and Jessica before all three of them walked to Rittenhouse Square Park to enjoy a bottle of wine.

The Engagement: Ryan asked Jessica, co-leader of a run club, to take one particular night off in April 2023. Before heading off to their wine tasting at A.Kitchen in Philly, they took their dog, Zucchini, for a walk through Rittenhouse Square Park. At the center of the square — where they had shared a bottle of wine years ago — Ryan got down on one knee. After Jessica said “Yes,” they arrived at A.Kitchen, where Ryan had organized a specialty menu for them.

The Morning Of: Run coach Jessica knew a 5K on the day of their wedding would start the special day off with a bang. The run was also a creative way for the pair to get more quality time with their guests. “In my regular life, my favorite days are the ones that I get to run easy miles with friends,” Jessica says.

The Outfits: Jessica and Ryan wanted their wedding’s sunset color palette – displayed in the bridesmaids’ dresses, florals and invitation suite – to represent how they perceive themselves as a couple: “Fun, vibrant, bold and warm!” says Jessica. Later in the night, an outfit change for the newlyweds was in order. “We both loved the idea of changing into something lighter and less formal,” says Jessica. “Our favorite color is orange, so we got orange shoes as a touch of fun.”

The Favors: The escort cards consisted of mini jars of pickles, hence the clever “Dill death do us part” signage. An avid runner, pickles are Jessica’s favorite snack, as they’re packed with electro-lytes. Former chef Ryan also has an affinity for experimenting with brines. “Our guests were using the pickle juice to make their own pickle martinis!” Jessica says.

The Highlights: Having their dog, Zucchini, as the flower girl with an adorable floral collar was one of Jessica and Ryan’s favorite aspects of the day. Not to mention the ice sculpture of Zucchini guarding the oyster tray. Regarding the entertainment, “We had a DJ, but added a violinist and saxophone player for a live music element, which was epic!” says Jessica.

The Advice: “Without a doubt — if your budget allows — get a wedding planner,” says Jessica. “Introduce a mindfulness practice into your everyday routine so when your big day arrives, it doesn’t feel like it flew by or that you missed anything. Presence is key.”