Wedding Reflections of a Pocono Bride

By: Chandra Palmerino

Choosing a location for our wedding was a decision I didn't take lightly. In my head I had the picture of an elegant, yet simple, garden wedding. We wanted a romantic setting with a cozy atmosphere that would accommodate a small wedding. I also wanted to eliminate down time between the wedding and reception.

That is why I chose the Mountaintop Lodge in Pocono Pines, PA. The beautiful surroundings of the Poconos -- and the ambiance of romance that comes with it -- provided a perfect setting for an outdoor wedding with a reception to immediately follow.

Merrily and Colin at the Mountaintop Lodge were wonderful. I fell in love with the inn the moment I pulled into their parking lot. The back yard was the perfect setting for our ceremony and the inside was beautiful as well! Every room is decorated with antiques and beautiful modern pieces. The Jacuzzi cottages made for a perfect wedding night get away a few feet from the reception.

There were so many things about my wedding that I truly loved. On my wedding day, seeing all of the planning I had agonized over come together was indescribable. When my bridesmaid and matron of honor walked into my room with their dresses on and their hair and makeup looking wonderful, it was breathtaking. My flower girl looked like a little princess and she lit up every room she walked into with her big smile.

When I put my dress on, I nearly cried with the sheer thought of this being the real thing and not just another fitting. I was thrilled with how my dress looked.

My flowers were beyond beautiful. The roses were fresh and fragrant and the hydrangeas added just a touch of light blue and even more to the softness and elegance to the roses. The colors of the flowers complemented my bridesmaids' dresses and my own dress.

The tables were set with pristine white napkins and tablecloths, and the centerpieces completed the look with a touch of elegance and splash of color. I never thought I would look at flowers and set tables and want to cry for the sheer joy of how beautiful they were, but I did.

Our wedding cake was a masterpiece in itself. I had the baker roll the edges of the three-tiered cake with butter crème icing to give it the look of fondant without having to spend the money on the fondant. It was flawless. My florist decorated our cake with fresh light blue hydrangeas, complementing the surrounding tables. Her artistic touch was impeccable.

The ceremony site in the back of the inn was on the side of an apple tree
underneath an all-white tent. We used white folding padded wooden chairs and we strung white Christmas lights up the posts of the tent and around the edges. Merrily and Colin lent us some hanging planters and some freestanding candles, which completed the look and turned our little tent into a romantic garden for our vows.

At sunset, it was magical. As the sweet words of the song, "At Last," played softly, I walked with my grandfather toward my husband-to-be. I could not have been happier with my choice for a location and was thrilled that not only was I marrying the man of my dreams, but having the wedding of my dreams, too.

During our ceremony, two deer approached our tent and stood in the clearing less than five feet from our guests. They busily ate grass while we exchanged our vows and slipped on our wedding bands. Most of the wedding guests noticed the deer and were amazed at how they seemed to watch us profess our love for each other. My family and friends are still talking about it. Where else but the Poconos would your wedding guest list include such beautiful wild creatures as deer?

The night grew a little chillier then we had anticipated for the end of September. We had to move all of our tables inside for the reception, but it actually was much cozier that way. Colin and Merrily accommodated us without the slightest hesitation. They lit the huge fireplace. My grandparents and other guests snuggled around the warm fire, drinking coffee and wine through the cocktail hour. Every bit of food was delicious. Their ability to blend the right spices and herbs is magical.

Every guest commented on how wonderful the food was. Many of them had third and fourth helpings!

When we cut the cake, the guests gathered around us and cheered us on. We danced the night away to old classics and new classics and savored every moment of the perfect day.