“I always dreamed of hosting an English garden party-inspired wedding,” Plan de Ville Founder Catherine Smith shares. And, once Kevin Licari proposed, wedding planner Lauren Zizza Events helped the pair do just that. “Valley Rock Inn is the perfect mix of laid-back elegance, pairing unforgettable design details with a truly top-notch food and beverage program and a sense that you’ve been completely transported somewhere magical.”
Alongside day-of stylist Marisa Engler, Catherine curated a wedding weekend wardrobe that featured custom looks from designers that brought her whimsical vision to life. “Planning the styling and visual details for our wedding was an incredible experience and creative project” she notes. “I did approach every look with a mood board and with the environment in mind.”
The weekend began with a Catholic mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Friday evening. The bride’s childhood priest married Catherine and Kevin before family and friends. “It was so personal and kicked off the weekend in such a beautiful way,” she recalls. Afterward, everyone gathered in celebration in the Rose Garden.
For the occasion, the bride-to-be collaborated with LEIN designer Meredith Stoecklein to create a white crepe column gown detailed with a silk cape. “We customized the ankle-length column gown and added an asymmetrical brass floral waist detail adapted from a brass belt from Twigs & Honey,” she explains. “I sketched the initial idea which was inspired by 1950s Audrey Hepburn going to city hall meets Giambattista Valli’s fall 2011 haute couture collection.”
On her wedding day, Catherine wore a custom Liz Martinez Bridal dress and paired it perfectly with an embroidered overskirt, tulle cape, and cathedral-length veil. “The team at SPINA Bride made this incredible look happen for me, and I am so grateful,” the bride says. “I loved my gown and felt it captured the ethereal, whimsical spirit that I hoped would be felt in every detail of the weekend.” She finalized the look with Verstolo diamond earrings, a Jennifer Behr coronet, and heels by Aquazzura.
Melissa Formica applied an opalescent pink over the bride’s eyes and added highlights to the high points of her face. The glowy look enhanced Catherine’s natural beauty, making the bride feel truly herself. Melissa also styled her hair in gentle waves.
Bridesmaids complemented Catherine in AMSALE ivory dresses of different styles and Nicola Bathie’s Petite Garden Bouquet earrings—a gift from Catherine. Following the ceremony, the bride changed into something fit for dancing, a floral long-sleeved mini dress by J. Adreatta.
On September 17, 2022, Catherine shared a few final moments with her bridesmaids before meeting Kevin in the Rose Garden. Photographer Heather Waraksa set the pair at ease during a sweet first look.
“When I woke up that morning I remember a complete wave of disbelief and joy washing over me when I saw the sunshine,” the bride recalls. “It was a completely perfect day and it channeled into the feeling before and during the ceremony.” Catherine and Kevin exchanged vows under a canopy of greenery in the Shade Garden. A flute quartet played a soft, instrumental rendition of Beyonce’s “Halo,” as they walked back down the aisle.
During cocktail hour, guests were met with Champagne coupes detailed with bundles of baby’s breath. The newlyweds were greeted with smiles and cheers before sitting for dinner surrounded by delicate bouquets of white roses in light-wash stoneware pots by Liv Florally.
“Our reception included dancing between courses which was so much fun. We had a fantastic DJ, who really understood the vibe we were looking for and kept everyone on the dance floor,” the bride remembers. Catherine and Kevin shared a classically choreographed first dance to Dan + Shay’s “You” before cutting their Lulu Cake Boutique cake—vanilla with cannoli cream filling.
“My favorite part of the reception was looking around and seeing every one of the most important people in our own personal stories all together,” she shares. “There was such a relaxed atmosphere, with everyone simply beaming. I was in awe and I will never forget the feeling.”
DJ Joel Lawrence of 74 Events kept everyone on the dance floor all evening before the celebrations traveled to an after-party featuring cocktails and light bites and the next day, the newlyweds flew to Greece for their honeymoon.
