This couple’s ethereal spring wedding at HollyHedge Estate celebrated the bride’s Chinese heritage with an unforgettable performance.Antonia and John, styled by Nancy Amoroso.
When Antonia DePace began planning her spring 2023 nuptials to John Pilling, she knew that she wanted to pay tribute to her beloved grandfather during their wedding at historic HollyHedge Estate in New Hope.
Antonia and her bridesmaids
“We had Lion Dancers perform, which was a nod to my Chinese roots,” she says, “The Philadelphia Suns surprised everyone during the cocktail hour, which is the same group that I grew up watching with my grandfather. He was very involved in Philly’s Chinatown community. He passed away before I met Johnny, so it was super special to share that with him on our wedding day. ”
The cake had alternating flavors of vanilla almond and chocolate.
Dancing has been a part of the couple’s love story since the night they met, when John asked Antonia to dance just as she was about to leave a birthday party at Manayunk Brew Pub. On the date of their five-year anniversary, he proposed to her with a brilliant round-cut diamond while on vacation in Puerto Rico.
Mirrored signage designed by the bride and her cousin, Julia McGee
After a year-and-a-half engagement, the bride and groom exchanged handwritten vows in front of 133 guests at a ceremony officiated by Antonia’s family priest, Father Sylvester Peterka, from St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church in Germantown.
After the reception, the newlyweds hosted a late-night dance party at New Hope live music spot Havana.
The List
Ceremony & Reception HollyHedge Estate, hollyhedge.comBride’s Gown Flora Vera, The Sample Rack, thesamplerackpa.com; after-party: Mari Mi Bridal, marimibridal.comStylist Nancy AmorosoTailor Omid HaidariBride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka, Bloomingdales, bloomingdales.comBride’s Jewelry Earrings: Olive and Piper, oliveandpiper.com; belt: The Sample Rack, thesamplerackpa.comBride’s Purse Custom, Simitri, simitri.comBride’s Veil The Sample Rack, thesamplerackpa.comBride’s Hair & Makeup Hair: Donna Fitzpatrick, Lotus Hair & Skin Studio, lotushairandskinstudio. com; makeup: Jennifer Kochenour, JKO Beauty, jkobeauty.comBride’s Skincare Avery Graham Aesthetics, averygraham.com; Victoria Roggio Beauty, victoriaroggiobeauty.comBride’s Tan Baked, bakedtanning.comGroom’s Tux Ralph Lauren, Macy’s, macys.comGroom’s Shoes Nordstrom, nordstrom.com Rings Hitched, tryhitched.comBridesmaids’ Dresses Bella Bridesmaids, bellabridesmaids.comBridesmaids’ Gifts Jane Win Jewelry, janewin.comGroomsmens’ Tuxes Alfani and Perry Ellis, Macy’s, macys.comFlower Girl’s Dress MarryShe, marryshe.comFlorals Hannah Spivak, Brkfst in March, brkfstinmarch.comLion Dancers Philadelphia Suns, phillysuns.orgLive Illustrator Dallas Shaw, dallasshaw.comInvitations Truly Engaging, trulyengaging.comLighting Signature Event LightingEntertainment Ceremony: Petya Ivanova; reception: DJ Bishop, djbishop.com
Lion Dancers performed in a nod to the bride’s Chinese roots
The lemon and cannoli flavored cake by Palermo Custom Cakes.
