The Story of This Please Touch Museum Wedding Begins and Ends at Bob & Barbara’s
When your first date includes Citywide Specials, so does your wedding after-party.
Is there anything more beautiful than the blending of two cultural traditions into an event that singularly represents a unique couple? This two-day celebration, culminating in a Please Touch Museum wedding that puts the brightest hues of fall brilliantly on display, mixes the Indian and Irish heritages of the bride and groom in such vibrant way. See more of the magic for yourself in the photos below by Sweetwater Portraits.
Simran Dhillon and Kevin Godshalk had a quintessentially Philadelphia first date: After meeting online, they headed to Bob & Barbara’s for Citywide Specials. Simran, an attorney, felt at ease with Kevin, an accountant, right away. “He was so handsome, witty and down-to-earth,” she remembers. Kevin, for his part, thought Simran was intelligent, funny and, “of course, beautiful.”
The pair dated for a year before Kevin popped the question in Rittenhouse Square. (The park holds special meaning for the couple because it was where they both first said, “I love you.”)
One year later, the happy duo were wed in ceremonies celebrating both of their heritages. The weekend kicked off Friday with an Indian-American wedding, a nod to Simran’s family, at the Central Jersey Sikh Association. Rather than the customary red of Sikh weddings, Simran opted to wear a more modern blush-toned lehenga, custom-made in India. Kevin rode a horse in the baraat, a traditional groom’s wedding procession
Saturday’s Catholic ceremony was held at Old St. Joseph’s Church in Old City to honor Kevin’s Irish-American roots. Kevin wore a custom midnight blue tuxedo, while Simran donned an elegant Reem Acra gown.
Three hundred guests joined the couple for a color-laden reception at the Please Touch Museum. Elephants, a symbol of good luck in India, appeared on the invitations and as the escort card holders; they were also handed out as end-of-night favors in the form of custom cookies. The lemon, raspberry and vanilla buttercream cake was adorned with cascading roses, dahlias and zinnias in sunset hues.
Event designer Lora Horst chose champagne table linens, amber-tinted goblets and burnt orange napkins to complement the warm colors of the museum’s Memorial Hall. “Mumbai mules” — made with pomegranate juice — and “Irish mules” — made with whiskey — served as the signature cocktails, and the evening capped off where everything began, with an after-party at Bob & Barbara’s. “It was a true full-circle moment,” Simran laughs.
THE DETAILS
Photography: Sweetwater Portraits | Event Planner & Designer: Laurel & Elm Events | Florals: Devon & Pinkett | Bride’s Gown: Reem Acra | Hair & Makeup: True Beauty Marks | Groom’s Tux: Enzo Custom | Catering: Moghul Catering (buffet luncheon after Indian wedding); Brûlée Catering (reception) | Cake: Isgro Pastries | Transportation: Klein Transportation | Videographer: Tweed Weddings | Tent: B&B Tent and Party Rental | Henna Services: Mehndikälogie | Furniture Rentals: Maggpie Rentals | Music/Entertainment: David Watson (bagpiper), Jina Brass Band (baraat) and the Bollywood Jazz Ensemble (cocktail hour) all booked by Jainsounds; DJ Ravi Jackson (reception) | Invitations: Jolly Edition | Cookie favors: The Flour Pot
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