Ali & Craig’s stylish boho farm wedding in Pennsylvania

Ali & Craig got married at Normandy Farm Hotel, in Pennsylvania, USA. Built nearly 300 years old, this farm is the oldest restored barn in America. The historic charm of Normandy has been left untouched through the years, and the farm has evolved into one of the most cutting-edge event venues in the Philadelphia region. A perfect setting for this couple’s wedding, a match made in heaven.

Beautiful bride Ali wore the Sonoma gown, a strapless lace Australian designed wedding dress from Emanuella by Peter Trends Bridal.

We asked Ali a few questions about her wedding experience, and this is what she shares with our brides to be.

How did you meet your partner and how did they propose to you?

Craig and I actually both attended the same university (Bloomsburg University of PA) but we didn’t technically meet there, we were connected by mutual friends a few years after we graduated in 2016 while out in Philly one night!

Every year me and my three best friends + their significant others do a beach weekend at my friend’s beach house in Wildwood Crest, NJ. In July 2021 Craig planned to surprise me that weekend and he got my friends in on it too! After a long day at the beach, he asked if I wanted to go with him to grab a coffee. Instead of doing that we ended up walking along the water where he proposed. When we got back to the house my friends had decorated the entire place and we had a little party. It was perfect and “so us”, nothing super extravagant or over the top – it was just an intimate time with our favorite people!! Fun fact, the beach we go to there is called Diamond Beach! 🙂

What was your favourite part of your wedding day?

It’s so hard to pick just one thing but I think the first look was probably my favorite. After having the best time ever getting ready with my bridal party, I felt like time stopped for a moment when I got to see Craig for the first time. Craig made me feel so beautiful and it was one of those rare moments of the day where it was just us two alone.

Did you have a theme or concept for your wedding day? What was your inspiration?

Ironically, I personally do not like the “farm” wedding look which may sound confusing given I got married at a place that used to be a farm, haha. I loved the venue for many reasons, but I was determined to make it look like we were not at a farm, I wanted it to be more my style which is more of a boho vibe. When I was planning my wedding in 2021, the boho theme was very popular (a lot of earthy tones, pinks, pampas grass, arches etc). Boho/girlie is also very much my style on a regular day. I’ve always loved olive green which is why I picked it for my bridesmaids, and I’ve always been a pink girl so I wanted touches of pink in my flowers. I loved how it felt feminine but not TOO feminine. My décor vendor, Creamery Hill, and my Florist, Misha, killed it!

How did you find the experience of shopping for a wedding gown?

I did a ton of research before going to shop for a wedding gown, I was addicted to adding dresses to my Pinterest board and looking into designers that I liked. The Sonoma gown was actually one I had pinned and LOVED but you never know if it’s going to look good on you vs how it looks on the model. I knew I wanted to go to DayDream bridal shop in Ardmore, PA because my MOH had gone there for her gown, and she had a wonderful experience. One day while scrolling on Instagram, I saw DayDream posted that they were carrying the Sonoma Gown! It was basically meant to be. I was so excited and could not wait to finally see it in person and try it on. It was the first dress I had ever tried on and it obviously could have been the last. When I looked in the mirror I BURST into tears when I realized I loved how it looked on me. Everyone in the room knew that it was the dress for me. I proceeded to try on a few more for fun but ultimately, I knew I had to say yes to the Sonoma!

Sonoma is a strapless lace and tulle wedding dress with pleated skirt and is the ultimate style of romantic bridal gown, but in this shimmery, textured, and ultra-sexy number, there are many elements to delight and surprise. Australian wedding dress designers and Sisters, Paulein and Monique created the Sonoma gown in soft tulle with an optional layer of extra sparkle in the skirt, giving brides the opportunity to make the gown their own. Brides can also customise the length of the slit, add off the shoulder sleeves and request special sizing.