Sophisticated Elegance - Alyson and Mike's Heartfelt Philadelphia Wedding -Munaluchi Bride

Every couple strives to achieve their concept of wedding day perfection and on some level will succeed in bringing these dreams to life. For Alyson and Mike we couldn’t imagine them desiring anything more – beautiful, sophisticated, stylish and stunning on every level.
Having met online, the then future husband-and-wife-to-be exchanged a countless number of emails, text messages and phone conversations prior to their first date – creating an unbreakable bond that would be the foundation of their relationship.
As time passed their love continued to grow until Mike felt it was time for the ultimate gesture of commitment.
After having taken everything to heart Alyson had told him about her “dream proposal”, Mike remembers with complete confidence how he “had come up with a great idea on how to ask her to be my wife.” Having invited both their parents over to celebrate the Father’s Day weekend of 2015, Mike secretly had more in mind than just a regular family gathering. Upon asking Alyson to stand with him in front of their parents he expressed his love and gratitude, got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife.
The ceremony was full of overwhelming joy and emotion, from a touching moment prior to the start as Alyson and Mike shed tears of affection reading cards written to one another while dressing in their individual rooms, to Mike’s heartfelt vows for Alyson, and of course that first kiss as husband and wife.
The reception left Mike speechless, not only for how stunning his wife looked in her timeless Jovani gown, but also for a secret gift from Alyson – surprising her husband with a boudoir book that certainly completed the night.

Bride & Groom: Alyson Steward & Mike Kane
Occupations: Bride – Administrator at a Community Hospital. Groom – Client advisor.
Wedding date: September 24th, 2016
Wedding location: The Franklin Hotel at Independence Park (Philadelphia, PA)

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal: We met online, and after numerous emails, texts and phone conversations we went on our first date.

Alyson: I had always told Mike that if he did decide to propose, that I wanted something simple and intimate with family and possibly close friends to share in the moment. This was because I am not a big fan of surprises or ugly crying in public.

Mike: I took everything Alyson told me about her dream proposal to heart and I had come up with a great idea on how to ask her to be my wife. It was Father’s Day weekend 2015, and I had asked her parents as well as my parents to come over to our home for a Father’s Day get together, all unknown to Alyson. Alyson did not think anything of our parents just coming over, since they had done it numerous times before. Perfect, because she just went with the flow. Then, I stood up, asked her to join me, which she did apprehensively, and I just thanked her for being the women she is and for loving me as unconditionally as she does.

Alyson: At this point I kind of started realizing what was going on, but made it so hard for Mike to get through and say everything he planned on saying because I just kept saying “don’t do this” even though I did want him to do it. And before I knew it he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him. And of course I said yes! Through all of my tears of joy and happiness.

What is your best memory from the wedding:

Alyson: When they opened the curtains to the ceremony room and I saw Mike at the end of the aisle fighting back tears of happiness. And I just felt so overjoyed to become his wife.

Mike: Was when I was reading Alyson my promises during the ceremony. That was the most emotion I have ever felt in my entire life. It was so emotional in so many ways because every word was so true from my heart.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples: Do not become so consumed with the wedding in and of itself. Make sure you do not lose site of the reason for the celebration. Because we can get so caught up on the details of the wedding, which I am guilty of, but trust me all that matters when they open those curtains/doors on your wedding day, the only thing that matters is the look you and your love give each other.

First Dance song: “I Belong to You” by Lenny Kravitz
Wedding Theme: Classic, Elegant, Black-Tie Gala feel, with sophisticated fall colors; Black, Ivory, Wine and touches out antique gold.