Only in Fishtown Does a Bride Get Her Cat a Matching Wedding Day Crown

Photography by Danfredo Photos + Films

This Fishtown couple’s wedding was both perfectly Fishtown and perfectly glamorous. Alexa Brooke Rager and Michael David Burke wed in August in an impossibly cool ceremony in Suraya’s garden courtyard. One of our favorite parts? The stylish photos of the bride and her furry feline companion wearing matching gilded crowns while getting ready at Wm. Mulherin’s Sons Hotel.

It’s no surprise the blushing bride included her cat in her wedding day — Alexa is the founder of natural beauty and skincare line Cocokitty Beauty, after all, and she says, her pretty Himalayan cat, Diddy, is her co-founder. “He walks, talks, and acts like a lion,” Alexa explains. We’re happy her regal kitty made a special appearance. See how the rest of this purrfect day unfolded in the gorgeous shots below from Danfredo Photos + Films.

Years ago Alexa and Mike met one night by chance at The Prime Rib in Rittenhouse. It was a rainy night and neither were supposed to be there, but they connected instantly. “The first night I met Alexa she was standing at the bar with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigar in the other,” Mike remembers, “And my first thought was ‘Wow. I must be dreaming.’ I remember exactly what she was wearing.”

Alexa remembers that moment too. She was was instantly intrigued and captivated by his wittiness, smile and boldness. “I can still picture the look on his face when he first walked over to me. He immediately started asking me a million trillion questions. I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing. I’ve never been so instantly captivated by anyone before and haven’t stopped smiling and laughing since.”

Sparks flew, and the pair dated for five years before getting engaged in Central Park in New York, on a trip with another couple. “There had been a torrential downpour earlier that day and it was still rainy and wet. So I was wearing some serious rain boots and gear at the time, “Alexa remembers. Mike got down on one knee, Alexa was first in disbelief but then instantly said yes! “Hearing him call me his fiancé(e) for the first time made me melt,” she says, “I couldn’t sleep that night. He woke up to me staring at my ring. It was pitch dark but it was still shining.”

Almost two years after they got engaged, they wed in a beautiful celebration at Suraya’s courtyard, which seemed to the couple and their 160 guests to be a tropical oasis, “almost a destination wedding.” Ma’lik Singleton sang the chorus of “Love” by Kendrick Lamar while the bride walked down aisle, which was lined with rose petals and greenery. The officiant was Mike’s step-mom, Nicki Burke. The florals included white lisianthus, white anemone , quicksand blush roses, seeded eucalyptus, white astrantia, and silver dollar greens.

At the reception, guests were surprised by their announcement as husband and wife on the balcony above the courtyard, and further so by their choreographed tango for the couple’s first dance to “All Night” by Beyonce (thanks to cool choreography taught by Daniela Galdi.) For decor, they played off of Suraya’s exotic Lebanese decor  and added even more gold: large gold vases filled with flowers and candlelit gold lanterns on the tables, bar, fountain. Hoffman Design Group also constructed a custom swing and greenery backdrop.

Guest danced the night away and sipped signature cocktails and a rose sangria with Spanish rose, lime, mint, seasonal fruit and pomegranate seeds. Dinner included an assortment of small plates passed around, and guests were welcomed to sit anywhere inside or outside. After the celebration, the couple headed to Bali, Indonesia for their honeymoon, before returning to Fishtown, where Alexa is the founder of Cocokitty Beauty and Mike works at Title Insurance.

The Details
Photography + Videography: Danfredo Photos + Films | Venue and Catering: Suraya | Florals: Hoffman Design Group | Bride’s Gown: Katie May, from Revolve| Alterations: Toile | Groom’s Tux: Ted Baker, Nordstrom | Hair and Makeup: Keeley Briaud, Friend and Nemesis | Bride’s Crown: Eden Luxe Bridal | Kitty crown: Lovecrushcrowns |   Rentals: Liberty Event Rentals | Cake: Cake Life  | Music: Ma’lik Singleton (ceremony), DJ Hollywood (reception)  | Invitations: Minted |  Choreography: Daniela Galdi | Hotel: Wm. Mulherin’s Sons Hotel

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