Bride and groom kissing in front of Philadelphia’s City Hall building exterior

Brittany + Brandon

RACING TOWARD LOVE

A fateful fitness connection + happily ever after

These two met at a gym, where Brittany was taking classes and Brandon was a personal trainer/instructor. Impressed by his skills and warm smile, Brittany asked Brandon to start working with her. (She wanted to run the Broad Street Run before turning 30, and he agreed to not only train her, but also run the 10-mile race, too.) Long runs turned into lunch, lunch turned into dinner, and soon the duo was spending nearly every day together. After an a-ha moment and one shared roast chicken dinner, everything changed, and they’ve been together ever since. It was important for the couple to get married in Philadelphia—the city that raised them, where they met and home of their faith. They were already huge fans of the Kimpton brand, and they quickly fell in love with the Monaco’s warm hospitality, stunning location with outside elements and catering that’s farm-to-table and locally sourced. They held their rehearsal dinner here, too!

Bride and bridesmaids at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia’s get ready room

Groom getting ready with woman holding his shoulders lovingly

Bride getting ready with the help of other women

Bride and groom kissing on Broad Street in front of Philadelphia’s city hall building

Memorable Details

The wedding day began with Brittany and her bridesmaids doing yoga in the suite, followed by breakfast together and the bride “taking the best bubble bath of her life.” Brittany sent the groom his favorite coffee and donuts to begin his day. Everyone left for the church at 2:30, with the bridesmaids’ bus getting lost for 45 minutes. The beautiful ceremony took place from 3:45 to 5 p.m.

Bride writing note on couch next to window

Groom smiling on chair at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia reception table place settings

Bride exiting front entrance of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

“Choosing the Monaco was the easiest decision we made during our wedding journey.”

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia wedding reception setup in ballroom

Bride’s veil being adjusted by woman and man

Bride and groom kissing on Broad Street in Philadelphia

The ceremony, held at St. Martin DePorres Catholic Church in North Philadelphia, featured 11 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen, four flower girls and three ring bearers. The flowers, provided by the Event Loft of Philadelphia, were arranged with a Tuscan garden theme. Three-tier candles illuminated the aisle, and the altar highlighted a beautiful arch of white roses and garland. The SMDP Choir sang, and a three-piece quartet played during the ceremony. The cellist arranged a piece to which the bride walked down the aisle.

Bride pressing her forehead against maternal figure

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia’s table settings for wedding reception

Bride in wedding dress walking up staircase

Bride being walked down the aisle by woman and man

Bride and groom kissing in Philadelphia church

Bride and groom sitting next to each other on accent chair at Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

The couple most remembers the staff’s “professionalism and delightfulness.” The bride says that, even when she was stressed, everyone was “patient, kind and always imparting wisdom.”

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia wedding reception set up

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia wedding reception setup with table settings

For the reception back at the Monaco, the room was arranged like a Tuscan garden with the 190 guests seated at both round and estate tables. White and pale pink roses adorned the tables, which featured a bounty of candles and garland. The hotel’s chandelier twinkled like starlight, playing off the garden theme. After the joyful festivities, the newlyweds spent the evening in the Monaco Bridal Suite.

Photography By Patronella Photography

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