REAL WEDDING SPOTLIGHT: Regina and Jeff’s Tuscan Sunset Reception

Regina and Jeff met through mutual friends at the 2013 Ultra Music Festival and it’s been laughs and crazy cool dance moves ever since. Their reception was held in the Grand Ballroom where 375 guests were treated to fireworks, live music, and a prosecco truck amongst other fun details. We talked to the newlyweds to get a look inside their Tuscan sunset-themed bash.

1. Tell us about the engagement. Where did it happen? What made it so special?
   Last spring we bought a house in Philadelphia and we renovated it over the summer. The day after we moved in Jeff suggested we go out to dinner to celebrate. When I came home before our dinner date I found candles lit, the lights dimmed, and a vase of roses on the kitchen table. When I turned around to thank him he was down on one knee. After I said yes, he suggested we go up on the rooftop deck for celebratory drink where our families and friends were waiting to congratulate us. It was so amazing to have our families and friends there to celebrate this monumental moment with us.
2. How long did it take you to plan your wedding?
   We planned our wedding up until the last minute lol. It took us a little over a year.
3. We love the Tuscan Sunset theme that you chose. What was your inspiration?
   Before we got engaged we took a trip to Italy and fell in love with the Tuscan countryside with its rolling greenery and romantic feel. When it came time to planning our wedding, we wanted to transport our guests to the Tuscan countryside by bringing in tons of greenery, flowers and Italian statues. We captured the classic feel of Tuscany by pulling colors from the sunset with peachy pinks faded into violets and sky blues with flecks of gold as accent details. We incorporate these ideas into each room we used at Springfield Country Club and changed the color scheme in each room to match the fading sunset. The outside entrance had tressels hanging from the ceiling where greenery and flowers dangled among tons of potted plants. In the lobby, we wanted to create an Italian garden aesthetic. We put benches, candles, potted plants with flowers, Italian statues, and a water fountain in the middle. For cocktail hour, we wanted the feel of an Italian market. Finally for the reception, we had greenery everywhere. Dripping from the chandeliers, trees coming out of the tables. It was absolutely beautiful and exceeded all of my expectations!
4. Why did you choose to have a country club wedding?
   I was looking for a destination-wedding feel yet something still close enough to the area to be easier for all of our friends and family to attend. They had everything we could have wanted including, an on-site restaurant/bar for the after party and rehearsal dinner, an on-site hotel for our out of town guests, a golf course for the groomsmen to play golf and a spa for the bridesmaids.
5. What are some fun details you added to make your day unique?
   Our wedding had tons of extra fun details that were pulled from our theme and our desire to have a good time. At the beginning of the evening, our guests were greeted outside the Springfield Country Club by a Roving Prosecco Bar and as they headed into cocktail hour a man playing the accordion helped set the mood. During cocktail hour, prosciutto was sliced fresh like in an Italian market. The cocktail hour ended with a firework display and trumpets played by Chico’s Vibe lead guests in Grand Ballroom for the reception. After a great meal and a lot of dancing, we ended the night with a surprise Smoked Bourbon Bar for Jeff because his favorite drink is bourbon on the rocks.
6. How did you feel when you saw each other for the first time on your wedding day?
   [Regina]: Excited and happy! As soon as I saw him, he melted all of my anxiety away. He looked so handsome and I couldn’t wait to be right next to him. [Jeff]: Overjoyed. I cried. It was the best moment of my life.
7. Were there any ethnic, religious, cultural or family traditions in the ceremony? While we were planning our wedding, we were looking for ways to honor our moms during the ceremony. A friend of mine told me about the Presentation of Flowers to the Blessed Mother. We thought the idea was perfect and each gave a rose to our moms. I also gave one rose to my grandmother.
8. Where on the property did you have your first look?
   We did our first look in the Ceremony Garden, which is the Springfield Country Club’s newest space for outdoor ceremonies. It was super romantic and we loved the landscape.
9. What was your favorite part of the reception?
   [Regina]: I loved it all, but my favorite part was when the entire dance floor danced to Poison Ivy, twice! This dance is a family tradition performed at every family wedding so I was thrilled when it happened at mine. It originated from my dad when he performed it at his own wedding with his groomsmen.
   [Jeff]: Our first dance.
10. What was your reception menu?
    First Course: Arugula, endive, Treviso, port wine poached pear, sliced plum, goat cheese, crisp prosciutto served with sherry vinaigrette
    Second Course: A duet of horseradish crusted filet mignon and roasted salmon with teriyaki citrus glaze served with roasted tournet potato and pattypan squash & baby carrots
    Dessert: Wedding cake and assorted desserts
11. What is your favorite scenic photo op spot on the property?
    There are too many to choose from. However, the golf course itself offers an amazing backdrop and there are endless places to choose from that don’t seem like you are on a golf course. If I had to pick one my favorite place on the golf course would be the willow tree because it creates this soft, ethereal atmosphere.
12. Did you use any on-site amenities? (Hotel, Spa, Golf Course or Tavola for your after party)
    Of course! The hotel is within walking distance to the club, which was so convenient for our out of town guests. My husband and his groomsmen played on the golf course the day before the wedding. Everyone from the wedding went to Tavola for the after party.
13. What were your guests most excited about?
    The Espresso Martini Bar, the Smoked Bourbon Bar and Cheesesteak Station were a hit! Guests loved the look of the ice luge and the biscotti served with the Espresso Martini Bar. Having the option to smoke the bourbon brought a novel yet elevated touch to the guest experience. The Cheesesteak Station was a great recovery meal for guests after all the booze and dancing.
14. What was a helpful wedding planning tool/resource for you?
    We found the best resources for planning our wedding were people. Since we knew it was going to be a big wedding, we surrounded ourselves with a great group of people to help plan and execute our wedding. Nancy Steinmetz our on-site coordinator, Shannon Wellington our wedding planner, Sue Davis our florist and all of their amazing staff are just a few out of the many that helped create the wedding of our dreams. We owe it all to them!
15. Do you have any advice for couples still in the wedding planning process?
    [Regina]: Enjoy the process and don’t get too stressed out. Everything will work out and whatever is meant to be is meant to be. There is only so much planning you can do. Enjoy your special day!
    [Jeff]: Don’t get stressed out. Make sure you communicate with every vendor, your family and your fiancé.

Because it takes a village… here’s a list of Regina and Jeff’s amazing vendors:

• Photographer: Krista Patton Photography
• Videographer: JPG Videography
• Florist: Fresh Designs
• Baker: The Master’s Baker
• Makeup Artist: Autumn Rogers, Beauty By Autumn Rose
• Hair Stylist: Lauren Thornton, freelancer
• Dress: Bijou Bridal & Special Occasion
• Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka
• Groom’s Tux: Thellenza & Stefan Ndini (custom made)
• Wedding Planner: Shannon Wellington
• Wedding Coordinator: Nancy Steinmetz, Springfield Country Club
• Rings (wedding bands): Radcliffe Jewelers
• Invitations: Papertree Studio
• Rentals: White Glove Rentals, The Roving Bar, Eventions
• Linens: Nuage Designs
• Lighting: JMW Entertainment
• Ceremony Entertainment: Organist, Norbert Elberson; Soloist, Erin Collins; Musicians, Paul Baldino (trumpet) and Barbara Murray (violinist).
• Reception Entertainment: (Band) Chico’s Vibe, (DJ) Schaffer Sound Disc Jockeys, Pasquale the Accordion Player, and Poser Photobooth