Autumn in Pennsylvania means gorgeous fall foliage, pumpkins, cider…and unpredictable weather patterns that can change at a moment’s notice.
This can leave brides and grooms completely stressed out as they struggle to find the perfect outdoor fall wedding venue, complete with a convenient and attractive indoor option should the weather turn sour on their big day.
After months of searching, Jaclyn and Joe were at their wits end. They found themselves at Franklin Commons’ front door, hoping that they had finally found the venue for their early November wedding. One look at our Courtyard, and they were in love with our outdoor space. Now, did we have the room indoors to house their entire guest list in case of inclement weather?
Of course! We showed them our Bistro, which is the perfect backup location should your dreams of an outdoor wedding get rained out. The icing on the cake was our expansive menu options, courtesy of our friends at Drexelbrook Catering. They offered all of the couple’s fall favorites, from the very first appetizer to the final sweet treat at the end of the night.
First, Some Fall Favorites
On the big day, the weather held out, allowing Jaclyn and Joe to say their “I Do’s” in our beautiful green Courtyard. As husband and wife, they led their guests into our Campus Walk, where several passed hors d’oeuvre options and two delicious fall appetizer stations awaited them.
At the Risotto Station, chefs served up made-to-order portions of Creamy Risotto Milanese sautéed with a selection of toppings including Broccoli, Diced Chicken, English Peas, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, White Beans, and Arugula. The Mashed Potato Bar was a huge hit as well, with servings of Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes with topped with guests’ choice of Caramelized Onions, Smoky Bacon, Scallions, Sour Cream, Shredded Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, Southern Pepper Gravy, and Salsa Verde.
Mouthwatering Main Courses
After guests made their way into Franklin Hall and the bride and groom were introduced, we served a tasty seasonal salad of Butter Lettuce with Roasted Pears, Aged Cheddar, Candied Walnuts, and Citrus Vinaigrette.
The salads were followed by a choice of three mouthwatering entrees. Our Tuscan Chicken was Pan-Seared with Shallots, Garlic, and Rosemary finished with a Lemon Champagne Sauce. The Atlantic Salmon was coated in a Mustard Maple Glaze. And for the vegetarians, we offered a Grilled Vegetable Napoleon served over a Fresh Marinara Sauce.
Delectable Desserts To Cap Off The Night
Thankfully, there was plenty of time for dancing, so that the guests could work up an appetite for dessert. We pulled out all of the stops for Jacklyn and Joe’s Sweet Endings Station. In addition to a stunning cake from The Master’s Baker, Drexelbrook Catering served freshly made, piping hot Belgian Waffles topped with Cinnamon Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, and Hot Fudge.
As the evening wrapped up, our servers carried platters of mini treats for guests to savor. With options including Warm Cookies, Chocolate Mousse Parfaits, S’Mores, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels, Tiramisu, Petit Fours, and Decadent Truffles, there was definitely something for everyone! There were plenty of guests who enjoyed devouring their desserts around the fire pit as the temperatures dropped. What a wonderful way to end a perfect fall day!
Click here to book your fall wedding at Franklin Commons today!
