European-Inspired Garden Wedding in the Heart of Pennsylvania

High school sweethearts Nicole and Ed tied the knot in a whimsical celebration that brought European elegance to Pennsylvania. Beautifully captured by Magnolia Rouge Vendor KIMBERLY HIDORE, their September wedding unfolded across two iconic locations—TYLER GARDENS and CAIRNWOOD ESTATE—capturing the essence of a romantic garden soirée, thoughtfully designed with a balance of timeless charm and playful personality.

Nicole and Ed’s love story began as teenagers growing up in the same town. They didn’t meet until high school, but once they did, their connection quickly deepened. Ten years later, the pair have grown together through life’s many seasons. “It’s really been the adventure of our lives,” Nicole shared.

Their proposal took place in California’s wine country—an impromptu yet heartfelt moment during a trip through Yosemite and Napa Valley. Ed popped the question at 10am at the stunning Del Dotto winery, with the help of the winemaker who happened to be nearby. The celebration that followed was filled with wine, sunshine, and plenty of joy.

Though they initially dreamed of a wedding in Europe, Nicole and Ed wanted to make sure their closest friends and family could celebrate with them. They recreated the romantic European garden feel close to home by hosting their ceremony at Tyler Gardens and reception at CAIRNWOOD ESTATE. Tyler Gardens, with its boxwood mazes, fountains, and statues, evoked the charm of French and Italian design. CAIRNWOOD, a grand French chateau-style mansion, added a sense of heritage and opulence that brought their vision to life.

Nicole got ready with her sisters, mom, and bridesmaids in one of Cairnwood’s beautifully appointed rooms. “Looking out at the grounds, with the morning sunshine streaming in and Norah Jones playing in the background, I was filled with such peace,” she recalled. Meanwhile, Ed’s morning was filled with laughter and nerves, which were eased by the support of his groomsmen and photographer.

Their first look took place on Cairnwood’s grand staircase—an emotional and joyful moment, shared in front of their wedding party gathered above on the balcony. “Ed was sweating, I was giggling—it was perfect,” Nicole said.

Nicole wore an elegant gown by ESSENCE OF AUSTRALIA, chosen for its simplicity that would let her bouquet take center stage. Ed wore a classic tux from THE BLACK TUX, while bridesmaids added a whimsical touch in mismatched greens and florals. As a devoted gardener, Nicole had dreamed about her wedding flowers for years. She intentionally planned their September wedding to align with dahlia season, and her bouquet was a showstopper.

COUNTRY BLOOMS brought their floral vision to life with lush arrangements in soft whites, greens, and vivid dahlias. A floral arch framed their ceremony at Tyler Gardens, and greenery adorned Cairnwood’s staircase, tying together their garden theme from start to finish.

The couple’s first dance and parent dances took place in CAIRNWOOD’S grand foyer before everyone was ushered outside for dinner. Their classic white, vintage-inspired Lambeth cake was a sweet highlight, and Nicole kicked off the dancing with a surprise backflip!

With a lively DJ and saxophonist combo, the dance floor stayed full all night. Nicole even made an outfit change midway through the reception to keep the energy going.

Under blue skies and surrounded by boxwoods and fountains, Nicole and Ed exchanged vows at Tyler Gardens. Guests were greeted with lemonade and iced tea as a violin duo set the mood. The couple stood beneath a floral arch in front of a stone fountain, creating a dreamy setting for their heartfelt ceremony.

The reception at Cairnwood Estate was a magical extension of their ceremony vision. Guests were welcomed with the sounds of a saxophone player and the clink of coupe glasses during cocktail hour. Three signature cocktails—Hugo spritz, pomegranate margaritas, and a smoked old fashioned—set the celebratory tone. A champagne tower at sunset added an elegant touch.

Dinner was served al fresco on the estate’s terrace under a canopy of twinkling lights. Long tables, candlelight, and speeches from loved ones made for a memorable evening. “Our friends are our family, so we wanted everyone seated together to celebrate this special meal,” Nicole shared.

Though they didn’t wed in Europe, the newlyweds made up for it with a whirlwind honeymoon through Lake Como, the Swiss Alps, and Oktoberfest in Germany. “We’ve never been the type of couple to relax on vacation,” Nicole laughed. “So we made sure to jam-pack this trip with as much adventure as possible!”

“Nicole and Ed’s day was pure sunshine. The two high-school sweethearts were joyful from start to finish, and the effortless day truly felt like a joining of hearts and families. Nicole’s vision for the wedding was perfection. Though the two dreamed of a destination wedding in Italy, they decided to make sure all loved ones could be included, and instead hosted their celebration here. Cairnwood Estate was the perfect venue, dripping with old-world elegance and romance. Nicole is a gardener and loves flowers, and her floral choices of the day truly reflected this passion. Her organic, dahlia heavy bouquet was the perfect September dream, and the florals enhanced the architecture of the venue. My favorite aspect of the day was the completely al fresco dinner on the back patio. With string lights above and hundreds of candles adorning the table, the romantic dinner certainly was out of a dream. Nicole and Ed’s wedding was one of my favorites I have ever photographed—not just because of how beautiful the day and details were, but because of how these two love each other and their family and friends. Their celebration was a love story in every way.” KIMBERLY HIDORE