Jonathan - yep, the officiant - and Cecil had arranged for the pianist to play a lively song while the 11-year-old ran around the upper balcony and down the aisle to each guest. In another twist, the cocktail hour took place before the ceremony, allowing guests to soak up the sun (customized fans were offered as favors) before stepping inside for what the couple calls a “boisterous” ceremony.Ĭase in point: The charging of the rings (during which the rings are typically passed around the room for guests to bless) was a raucous event. Son Kaz got the hue memo, too, donning a vibrant purple tux for the celebration. ![]() The palette was mirrored in the decor, with potted orchids accenting the blue tables and serving as gifts for the 150 guests. “I may be 41, but my favorite color has always been pink, so I went for it,” says Lauren. “The goal was to create a joy-focused event, filled with fun and the opportunity to ask for support for our marriage from the people we love,” says Lauren, whose hot-pink Sachin & Babi gown set the festive mood. They chose the American Swedish Historical Museum at FDR Park for their cheerful celebration. A little over a year after that, on July 2, 2022, the happy couple said “I do.” They dated for two years before Joe popped the question at their South Philly home on Mother’s Day weekend 2021 - with Cecil, Kaz and Lauren’s dad, Stephen, on hand for the special moment. “But it all worked out - and we knew we could make a marriage work after living through the pandemic together.” “Little did we know that the pandemic was coming, and moving in would mean total immersion in parenting together, virtual school and being isolated from our networks,” says Lauren. ![]() Joe moved in with Lauren and her two boys, Cecil and Kaz, within six months of their first date, in fall 2019. Jonathan clearly saw the writing on the wall, because Lauren and Joe’s first date at Barcelona Wine Bar on East Passyunk quickly turned into a commitment. Lauren, the president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, and Joe, an electrical engineer at PECO, separately played along with Jonathan’s wishes, agreeing that he could officiate their “supposed” wedding. That’s why, when they were finally single at the same time in spring 2019, Jonathan introduced the pair - with the contingent that he would be guaranteed to officiate their future nuptials. Put another way, their future officiant knew they were perfect for one another. Lauren Swartz and Joe Long knew that mutual friend Jonathan Grode would officiate their wedding before they even knew each other. But her hot-pink wedding dress wasn’t the only unique aspect of the festivities read about all the fun below. Okay, so that’s not quite how the memorable line from the cult-classic film Mean Girls goes, but we like the idea of sporting this bold hue on Big Days - particularly if you’re the one saying “I do.” And this bride did just that for her celebration at the American Swedish Historical Museum in South Philly, photographed by Rachel Van Anglen of Van Anglen Photography. Photography by Van Anglen Photographyįor weddings, we wear pink. Joe Long posed with bride Lauren Swartz, in her hot-pink wedding dress, during their South Philly union.
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