A heartfelt ceremony at St. Patrick Church is capped off by a celebration on the water with family and friends.
CJ and Blake at Water Works.
Blake McHugh and CJ Mooney grew up attending Episcopal Academy and Malvern Prep, respectively, so it was natural that their many mutual friends would bring them together. About seven years after their first date, CJ, an insurance broker, proposed with a solitaire Tacori diamond on a July 4 evening on the beach near his family’s summer home. Just two years later, Blake, a licensed mental health counselor, wore a Monique Lhuillier gown and Jimmy Choo shoes as she celebrated with 115 guests at Water Works. “When CJ and I lived in Philadelphia, we would go on runs and walks together along boathouse row and pass by Water Works—we always thought that it was a special and beautiful venue,” says the bride.
With the water inspiring the color theme, pops of blue were seen in the groom’s midnight blue tux and throughout the elegant decor. Tall gold stands and low gold compote bowls were filled with arrangements of white and dark blue hydrangea and roses, with gold mercury votives, string lighting and loose greenery adding to the romantic vibe. After dancing to “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, the newlyweds enjoyed the extensive Cescaphe menu and four-tiered cascading cake before their Key West honeymoon.
Clockwise from top: The groom’s Salvatore Ferragamo shoes; Blake’s Jimmy Choo shoes; round tables were filled with white and dark blue hydrangea, a color theme inspired by the venue being on the water; the bride in the getaway car; a traditional four-tiered cake with cascading flowers was created by Cescaphe; the couple’s rings from Benari Jewelers
THE LIST
Ceremony St. Patrick Church, stpatrickphilly.org
Reception Water Works by Cescaphe, weddings. cescaphe.com
Bride’s Gown Monique Lhuillier, moniquelhuillier.com
Bride’s Shoes Jimmy Choo, jimmychoo.com
Bride’s Jewelry David Yurman pearl and diamond earrings and Mikimoto pearl bracelet, both from Benari Jewelers, benarijewelers.com
Bride’s Veil Monique Lhuillier, moniquelhuillier.com
Bride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Jaclyn, Aleksandra Ambrozy, aleksandraambrozy.com; Makeup: Aleksandra Ambrozy, aleksandraambrozy.com
Groom’s Tux Enzo Custom, enzocustom.com
Groom’s Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo, ferragamo.com
Rings Benari Jewelers, benarijewelers.com
Bridesmaids’ Dresses Jay Godfrey, jaygodfrey.com
Florals Beautiful Blooms, beautifulblooms.com
Catering & Cake Cescaphe, weddings. cescaphe.com
Invitations Papery of Philadelphia, paperyofphilly.com
Linens Cescaphe, weddings. cescaphe.com
Lighting Beautiful Blooms, beautifulblooms.com
Entertainment Strangers, BVTLive!, bvtlive.com
Videographer Gregg Wren, emilywrenweddings.com
Photographer Emily Wren Photography, emilywrenweddings.com
Getaway Car 1964 Rolls-Royce, First Class Luxury Limos, firstclasslimos.com
