This Cool South Philly Couple Got Married in Their Garage and Served Vetri Pizza for Dinner

The theme: "Garage rock with fancy AF outfits."


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Photography by Elizabeth Gibbs

What’s the only thing that could be more South Philly than a block party wedding? A block party wedding with Pizzeria Vetri catering, that’s what! We love the rock ’n’ roll vibes of this modern South Philly home wedding, which spilled out of the couple’s garage and onto their West Passyunk street. Get in on the fun with photos from Elizabeth Gibbs, below.

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It was a classic girl-goes-to-boy’s-concert-in-Seattle-boy-breaks-the-ice-at-the-dive-bar-across-the-street meet-cute for Valerie Scudder and Dennis Wilson. “I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard with anyone I just met,” says Valerie of their first night hanging out.

“I need her to move to the east coast,” Dennis remembers thinking.

He got close for their first official date, which happened one year later. Valerie flew from Portland (her home at the time) to Philly for Halloween weekend, and the pair spent the holiday hanging out at Garage in South Philly, dressed as Charlie Brown and Lucy and generally having a great time.

“We were immediately hooked on each other,” says Valerie.

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Seven months later, Valerie was officially ready to relocate. Dennis flew to Portland to help her move, and didn’t waste any time popping the question.

“I picked him up at Arrivals and got out of the car to greet him,” she remembers. “He walked around to put his luggage in the trunk and asked me if someone had hit my car. I quickly walked over to see what he was talking about. To my surprise, he was on the sidewalk, down on one knee.”

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The couple also didn’t linger on the engagement, and married four months later in front of 120 guests at their home in South Philly. Two motorcycles adorned with “Just” and “Married” signs flanked the entrance of their garage, which was the site of the ceremony. (Valerie processed from their main bedroom, down a flight of stairs, and straight down the aisle.)

Thanks to the kindness of the folks living around them, Valerie and Dennis’s wedding reception spilled out onto the street.

“Their neighbors were so happy for them they insisted they extend their party out of just their house and make it a block party,” says Nicole Hutnyk of Rabbit Rabbit Crew, the event coordinator for the day. “They didn’t care about noise, timing, anything. They wanted Dennis and Valerie to have an amazing day.”

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Dinner for the evening read like a greatest hits reel of Philly favorites: Pizzeria Vetri turned out margherita and four-cheese pizzas from their portable pizza truck, and dessert for the night was Little Baby’s ice cream and a donut tower from Federal Donuts. The couple swayed to “Question” by Rest Miller for their first dance, and sent guests home with custom posters and kewpie-esque stickers commemorating the day. Honeymoon plans aren’t set just yet (Dennis spends a good portion of the year on tour with his band), and the couple still calls South Philly home.

THE DETAILS
Photography: Elizabeth Gibbs | Event Coordinator: Rabbit Rabbit Crew | Florals: Jollifier Floral | Bride’s Gown: Chic Nostalgia | Hair: Jessica Jones and Calista Clements | Makeup: Britnee Hansen | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Revolve | Groom’s Attire: Indochino | Catering: Pizzeria Vetri, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, and Federal Donuts | Cake: Velvet Sky Bakery | Music and Entertainment: Ryan Grotz and Rodrigo Palmo | Invitations: Minted

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