Joanne Mina Kim, a handbag buyer at Macy’s, and Steven Maurice Levinson, a VP at Société Générale, swiped right on each other on Tinder in 2013. The pair dated for six-and-a-half years before he asked Joanne to marry him on a hike in Topanga Canyon.
When it came to choosing a venue for their wedding, they loved that the Philadelphia Cricket Club allowed for indoor and outdoor elements. “We loved the manicured lawn against the beautiful brick building and the ballroom with a high, arched ceiling. As our wedding was in the summer, I envisioned our wedding day filled with lush, colorful flowers, bringing the English-garden feel,” Joanne says.
The bride-to-be decided early on to incorporate her mother and future mother-in-law in her wedding day wardrobe. Since Joanne’s mom is an amazing designer and seamstress and made her own wedding dress, it was an easy decision to have her make her daughter’s ceremony look. To gain inspiration, they looked at collections from Oscar de la Renta, Reem Acra, and Monique Lhuillier. The finished product was a beautiful, light, airy gown with floral appliqués.
For the reception, Joanne altered Steven’s late mother’s wedding dress. “She passed away in 2009, and I wanted to remember her in many ways on our special day. Along with the dress, I wore her jewelry throughout the wedding weekend,” the bride explains. Steven wore a Giorgio Armani tuxedo, Sarar cufflinks, and a Rolex watch.
On the big day, the couple decided to forgo classical ceremony music. The family and wedding party walked down the aisle to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud,” and the bride made her way while “Marry Me” by Train played. During the service, Steven said, “I do,” too early and the officiant, his uncle, hilariously said, ‘No, not yet Steven— I worked really hard at this; hold on a second!'” Joanne remembers. Everyone burst into laughter, and it only continued when the groom was about to break the glass, as is the Jewish tradition, but it fell out of the bag and broke on impact with the ground.
After being announced as Mr. and Mrs., Joanne changed into her sentimental second dress, and everyone made their way to the elegant ballroom for the seated dinner reception. Steak, crab-crusted tilapia, or a veggie risotto were the entree options, and once everyone had their fill of savory, mini pastries and the raspberry wedding cake were brought out.
For après-dinner entertainment, an 11-piece band kicked off the party. The newlyweds had their first dance to “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay and everyone joined them at the chorus and didn’t stay off the floor for the rest of the evening.
Once the formal reception came to a close, remaining partiers headed to Le Méridien, where a space was reserved for the after-party for more fun.
