Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Real Weddings Wedding Styles Seasonal Weddings Spring Weddings A Modern, Confetti-Filled Wedding at a Gallery in Philadelphia By Rebecca Dalzell Published on April 30, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Redfield Photography As an event designer, Sara Murray thrives on the stress and excitement of planning a wedding. But when it came to her own, to videographer Ryan Beacher, her goal was to relax. "We wanted it to feel like everybody was just hanging out at our house," Sara says. No hours of dancing, no toasts, no spotlight. The laid-back Pennsylvania natives met in May 2012, when their respective bands (she plays ukulele, he bass guitar) performed at the same Philadelphia club. Even before speaking, they knew of each other—Ryan had used one of her songs in a movie, and she was curious about the filmmaker's unique eye. But their initial interactions were stilted. When Sara tried to chat him up, "he said about two words," she laughs. "I was clueless," he admits. "I thought she was too cool for me." Then she pressed her number into his hand, and it dawned on him that she might be interested. They started dating that fall, and in June 2015, he proposed without fanfare in their bedroom. Since both work in the industry, friends expected an elaborate celebration, but the couple postponed planning when Sara got pregnant. After Brady was born, they chose a date just four months later for the small wedding they'd always wanted. The timing was possible because they fully trusted their vendors, all friends. Sara knew the perfect venue, a white-box gallery near their old Philly home (they've since moved to Audubon, New Jersey), and convinced the manager to fit them in between exhibitions. On the afternoon of Sunday April 23, 2017, 55 guests gathered for a self-uniting ceremony, based on the Quaker tradition, in which the couple acted as their own officiants. After their self-penned vows, they passed a microphone to anyone who wanted to speak. To their surprise, nearly everyone did. "They had such lovely things to say about us as a couple, as a family, as parents," says Sara. "We were sobbing." The ceremony went longer than anticipated, but it didn't matter: They weren't on a schedule. Afterward, they feasted on food-truck fare and sat around talking, music playing in the background, while Brady napped in the next room. "It was so chill—there was nothing remarkable about it," says Sara. In other words, it felt like home. Watch Sara and Ryan's wedding film by Birdhouse. 01 of 20 The Bridal Bouquet Redfield Photography The couple chose a spring wedding date so Sara could have peonies in her bouquet; she also carried ivy, ranunculus, and tulips. Sara's dress was a short-sleeved number by Theia. 46 Pretty Peony Wedding Bouquets 02 of 20 The Heel Fits Redfield Photography Sara wore blush suede shoes from Clarks. 14 Nude Wedding Shoes We Love 03 of 20 Love Letter Redfield Photography Sara held the card that Ryan gave her on their wedding day. The couple have exchanged notes throughout their relationship, celebrating even the smallest milestones. "We have a box of 150 cards that we've written over the years," says Ryan. "We brought them to the wedding." 04 of 20 Puppy Pin Redfield Photography The groom wore a bulldog lapel pin, by TheIvyLeash, which Sara enclosed in her card to Ryan. 05 of 20 With These Rings Redfield Photography Sara's half-moon wedding band hugs her diamond-and-rose-gold engagement ring; both are by Bario Neal. Ryan's matte yellow-gold band is from the same Philadelphia jeweler. 06 of 20 Pre-wedding Snacks Redfield Photography Bags of popcorn, calligraphed by Alyssa Desiderio of GGandgold, awaited guests before the ceremony. After the couple's two-year engagement, the message "this is finally forever" was apt. 25 Delicious Ways to Serve Carnival Food at Your Wedding 07 of 20 Artful Seating Redfield Photography Painted and copper-plated metal chairs, from Maggpie Rentals, filled the ceremony space at Crane Arts. "The aesthetics of the furniture were important to us," says Sara. 08 of 20 Mark the Spot Redfield Photography Florist Erica Maust of Fivefork Farms constructed the ceremony backdrop, which included olive branch, tulips, hyacinth, ranunculus, and anemone grown on Fivefork's central Massachusetts property. 21 Creative Wedding Backdrop Ideas 09 of 20 Bark Up Redfield Photography Even the couple's dog, Millie, was given a chance to "speak" during the service. She later roamed the reception freely. "She had the best time," laughs Sara. These Dogs at Weddings Are So Cute, We Can't Take It 10 of 20 Confetti Kiss Redfield Photography At the end of the ceremony, guests set off confetti poppers from Tops Malibu, an ode to Sara's event-planning business Confetti & Co. 11 of 20 Simple Seating Assignments Redfield Photography Calligraphed place cards pointed guests to their seats, in the only formality of the night. 25 Ideas for the Prettiest Calligraphed Escort Cards 12 of 20 Neon and Balloons Redfield Photography A neon-and-pine sign stood above a DIY balloon installation, which friends made by tying balloons together with twine. 24 Cute Ways to Use Balloons Throughout Your Wedding 13 of 20 Raising the Bar Redfield Photography Aaron Gordon, of 13th Street Cocktails, set up the mobile bar, constructed in a 1976 horse trailer. Serving signature drinks—a mojito, old fashioned, and orange margarita—and flavored ice teas, Gordon took the casual reception up a notch. "He really completed everything and made it feel like a full event," Sara says. 11 Cool Wedding Bars That Served It Up Big 14 of 20 Modern Tables Redfield Photography Stained pine dining tables, which were built by friends Jason Hoak and Kyle Derricott of Maggpie Rentals in their Philadelphia workshop, and loose arrangements added texture to the all-white palette of the reception. 15 of 20 Romantic Setting Redfield Photography Centerpieces of eucalyptus, Italian ruscus, anemone, ranunculus, and tulips brightened the white décor. 16 of 20 The Place Settings Redfield Photography Screen-printed menus, laid on stoneware plates, directed guests to the pizza and barbecue food trucks parked in the courtyard. 17 of 20 Get Inked Redfield Photography Guests had the option of getting real tattoos—an X, O, ampersand, heart, or Saturn—from Red Lotus Tattoo Company. "We had never seen it done before and thought it would be cool," says Sara. They didn't expect so many people to take them up on the offer. "My aunts, my cousins, everybody wanted one," she marvels. "Ryan's grandparents got matching knuckle tattoos!" 18 of 20 Cute Cakes Redfield Photography A petite vanilla confetti cake, from a bakery the couple frequent, was among the four confections on offer, each frosted in a different style with white vanilla buttercream. 52 Small Wedding Cakes with a Big Presence 19 of 20 Photo Booth Fun Redfield Photography Friends mugged with a custom prop in the photo booth, all provided by Ryan's former bandmate. 8 Inventive Ways to Revamp Your Wedding Photo Booth 20 of 20 Sources Redfield Photography Location, Crane Arts Event planning, Confetti & Co. Catering, 13th Street Cocktails; Mission BBQ; Pitruco Pizza Flowers, Fivefork Farms Photography, Redfield Photography Videography, Birdhouse Calligraphy, GGandgold Cakes, Cake Life Ceremony music, West Philadelphia Orchestra Rentals, Maggpie; Party Rental Ltd. Bride's gown, Theia from Lovely Bride Bride's veil, BHLDN Hair, Cabrina Sulimay Makeup, Aleksandra Ambrozy Groom's suit, My.Suit Bride's and groom's shoes, Clarks Wedding rings, Bario Neal Lighting, Genetic Photo booth, Clique Bait Tattoo artist, Red Lotus Tattoo Company Balloons, Oh Happy Day Guys' getting-ready location, Keystone Mini-Golf & Arcade Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit