A Boho-Chic Location 215 Wedding Inspired by the Rising and Setting Sun

Vee (left) Rodriguez and Zing Gocking took portraits on the steps of the First Bank of the United States before their Location 215 wedding. / Photography by Peach Plum Pear Photography

Nzinga “Zing” Gocking and Vidalina “Vee” Rodriguez aimed to commemorate the golden hour — the time just before the sun rises or after it sets — for their late-spring wedding at Location 215, an industrial event venue and photo studio in Callowhill. “The range of warm, soft colors and glow experienced during that time captured everything we were looking for in a color scheme,” Zing says.

The celebration, photographed by Sabina Sister of Peach Plum Pear Photography, was the culmination of a decade-long relationship. The pair met while working at Target in Abington and had their first date at Johnny Rockets on South Street in 2012. Vee, a law enforcement officer, proposed to Zing, an account manager, on Thanksgiving in 2019. “I did my best to keep it a secret until it was time for everyone to share what they were thankful for,” Vee says. “When it was our turn, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.”

The couple’s besties wore dresses from Show Me Your Mumu and JOE Joseph Abboud tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse.

One hundred guests watched as the pair shared their vows and said “I do” before the venue was flipped for the reception.

To dream up their boho-chic wedding, the couple worked with the team at Papertini, who paired the colors of the sky at dawn and dusk with “a variety of textures in both our florals and decor,” Zing says. Details included coral velvet tablecloths, light pink gauze runners, pink protea, roses, tulips and pampas grass, both natural and dyed bright pink.

Round tables were outfitted in coral velvet tablecloths, while farmhouse tables were dressed with light pink gauze runners.

The minimal, modern welcome sign and seating chart drew on the shapes and colors of the sun at various stages.

For their sweetheart table, the couple sourced the sign bearing their last names from Conshohocken’s WestNinthVintage on Etsy. As for the centerpieces, Papertini’s florals added texture to the tables.

Each place setting was finished with a shot glass and mini liquor bottle in a velvet bag.

Night Kitchen Bakery created a peach-and-cream-colored red velvet, devil’s food and funfetti cake. Pampas grass and dried palm leaves topped it off.

Seeing the decor for the first time was one of the biggest surprises for the pair. Another one: best man Aubree Horton’s speech. Horton is typically full of jokes, but his touching remarks showed a more sentimental side and how much he loves the couple.

Zing and Vee also had a surprise for their guests: They changed into new looks after cocktail hour, with Vee switching to a sleek dress from Ida Torez (who also designed her ceremony gown) and Zing rocking a jumpsuit by Zhivago. “We decided to change our outfits to get ready to party!” Zing says.

THE DETAILS
Photographer: Peach Plum Pear Photography | Venue: Location 215 | Event Coordination: Lauren Hudnell of Classic Events by Lauren | Event Design & Florals: Papertini | Catering: 12th Street Catering | Cake: Night Kitchen Bakery | Gowns: Wtoo by Watters from Suite Bridal (Zing); Ida Torez from TK Bridal & Alterations (Vee) | Rings: Brown & Co. Jewelers | Hair: Bounce Dolls by Michelle-Nichole | Makeup: Xavier Martinez of Beat by Xavier | Invitations: Minted | Officiant: Cindy Kalinoski from Susquehanna Officiant | Transportation: Philadelphia Trolley Works | Music: DJ King Leo | Neon Sign: WestNinthVintage on Etsy

Published as “Nzinga & Vidalina” in the Winter/Spring 2024 issue of Philadelphia Wedding.

Get more great content from Philadelphia Wedding:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | NEWSLETTER

Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Philadelphia Weddings' guide to the best wedding vendors in the city.