This Couple’s South Philly Wedding Was an Intimate Block Party
When COVID-19 caused them to pivot, they said “I do” in front of their home with 25 guests.
Alicia Mucci and Kevin Montminy’s Queen Village block-party wedding took place amid the pandemic. Photography by Sweetwater Portraits
Philly folks love a good block party and will take every opportunity to throw one, including for weddings. One couple got married at the Woodlands, then led a parade through the streets of West Philly to their reception. Another South Philly duo said “I do” in their garage and held a rock-and-roll soiree catered by Pizzeria Vetri. Then there’s this cozy fall-inspired Queen Village block-party wedding. When the pandemic forced this couple to change their original plans, they decided a small union in front of the first home they owned together was the perfect alternative. Sweetwater Portraits captured their sweet story. Check it out below.
A work event at Reading Terminal Market — complete with DiNic’s Roast Pork and a hand-rolled soft pretzel — was where Queen Village couple Alicia Mucci, a human resources officer, and Kevin Montminy, an accountant for the same company, first met. Alicia, who lived in NYC at the time, was in the Philly office to cover for a colleague on maternity leave. And by the end of the night, Kevin was telling his friends she would be his girlfriend one day. He made good on his promise. A few weeks later, Kevin dropped by Alicia’s desk; soon after that, he invited her on a hike with his friends at Hawk Mountain. And when his friends “bailed,” just the two of them went on a 12-hour “non-first-date hike.”
Kevin also used a hike at Wissahickon Valley Park as the backdrop to his proposal, which took place the Saturday before Christmas 2019. His plan to involve their golden retriever, Miles, got a little messy when the pup jumped into the creek and Kevin had to go in after him — with the ring hidden in his backpack, no less. He ended up popping the question on a scenic overlook, but it was perfect, wet dog and all.
The couple set the date for November 13, 2020, at the John James Audubon Center, with 150 friends and family members. But by May, they knew they couldn’t move forward due to the pandemic. “We saw the writing on the wall and couldn’t handle the unknown and the stress anymore,” says Alicia. They didn’t want to wait any longer to say “I do,” so they decided to keep the same date. “Plus, we had already engraved it on our bands from Bario Neal,” she adds with a laugh.
Their new approach? An intimate wedding in front of their first home together, which ended up being the groom’s favorite detail. The couple sent the 25 guests an invitation depicting a watercolor painting (done by the bride’s mother) of their new venue. (They also sent out new save-the-dates for their future bash at JJAC, planned for December 4, 2021.)
The couple leaned into their at-home venue and the beauty of Philly in the fall for their decor. “There is such a charm about the historic rowhomes and foliage,” says Alicia. “A warm, sunny fall afternoon in Philly, full of golden colors and greenery turning orange, really is this city and our neighborhood at its best.” Florist Eric Schellack of Arrange created a gorgeous ceremony arch filled with textural, seasonal locally foraged greenery and grass plumes, eucalyptus, and dried elements in autumnal hues. Vintage rugs from the Cactus Collective were used for the aisle.
And despite a few hiccups — Kevin had to Shop-Vac the water from the street an hour before the first look — the day went off without a hitch and included a number of special moments. A group of young girls watched the couple say their vows from the jungle gym in the nearby park. There were no virtual guests; Kevin and Alicia chose not to stream their wedding so they could be “amazingly present.” There were drinks from the Roving Bar, finger food from Di Bruno Bros., and dinner from DiNic’s Roast Park (but of course). It all came together to create a day that Alicia describes as “South Philly block-party bliss.”
“The changes we were forced to make allowed us to create the perfect little intimate gathering that we didn’t realize we may have wanted all along,” adds Alicia. “Plus, the most important part is getting to marry your other half.”
THE DETAILS
Photographer: Sweetwater Portraits | Venue: Private home | Florals: Arrange by Eric Schellack | Catering: DiNic’s Roast Pork & Di Bruno Bros. | Bride’s Gown: Carla by Made With Love from Lovely Bride | Bridesmaids’ Attire: Jenny Yoo | Hair: Amy Kinkler | Makeup: Elyse Brooks | Groom’s Attire: Indochino | Cake: The Sugary | Invitations: Chick Invitations | Officiant: Mary Boutselis | Borrowed Vintage Carpets: Cactus Collective | Mobile Bar: The Roving Bar
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