Hello there
One night in summer 2010, Adrienne's friend and coworker Alex attended a bachelor party. Alex was hanging out with Kirk, a friend since their grade-school days at St. Anne's in Port Richmond, and before long he was telling Kirk how great Adrienne is, and how great he thought they would be together.
Back at work at Ciardi Ciardi & Astin on Monday, Alex gave Adrienne, a bankruptcy and corporate litigation attorney, Kirk's phone number. And with Adrienne's permission, gave hers to Kirk.
A couple of days later, Kirk, a technology specialist at a Center City firm, called. "It was actually kind of a terrible phone call," Adrienne said. "He said I kept talking. I said he didn't say anything, so I had to keep talking."
With their mutual friend telling them he was sure they were a perfect match, Adrienne and Kirk didn't give up after that false start. They played phone tag the rest of the week. Then on Saturday, Adrienne, who grew up in several Montgomery County suburbs, sent Kirk a text: "Are you doing anything?" Turned out Kirk was meeting friends in Center City, where Adrienne lived. He invited her to join them.
The conversation was so much better in person, and being part of a fun group of guys took the pressure off Kirk, who is now 36, and Adrienne, now 28. Adrienne liked Kirk's funny, laid-back manner with his friends, and she really liked the way he treated her. "He was buying me drinks, opening the door, offering me a seat. And he definitely made me laugh."
When the evening was ending, Kirk offered to walk Adrienne home. In the middle of Rittenhouse Square, he stopped her for a kiss.
How does forever sound?
In April 2011, Kirk suggested dinner at Thyme with friends. Before they headed out, he told Adrienne everyone else had canceled.
At the restaurant, Kirk told Adrienne he was going to hang up his coat. He came back, they enjoyed dinner, and the waitress brought their check.
Adrienne says it was Kirk's turn to buy, but he flashed her a big smile and pushed the little black folder to her side of the table. "You got this, babe," he said. Adrienne laughed. She opened the folder to see the check, and found a ring inside.
Kirk took out the ring, and took a knee.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked.
"Yes," Adrienne said.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
"Yes!" she said.
The restaurant staff and other patrons burst into applause. Their waitress brought champagne.
Kirk paid.
The couple caught a cab to Noche in midtown, where more than 30 friends and family members were waiting to celebrate the engagement.
It was so them
The couple were wed in a Catholic Mass at St. Anne's, the church Kirk grew up in. Kirk's nine nieces and three nephews, ages 3 through 16, all had roles, from carrying the gifts (the wine and host for Communion) during Mass to ring bearer, flower girl, and junior bridesmaid. These were the kids who had asked Adrienne early in the relationship if she was going to be their new aunt.
The tables at Tendenza were decorated with centerpieces made by the bride and her sisters-in-law: tall clear vases with flowers and crystals on the outside, and white and silver branches, some of which lit up, inside. Since everyone knew the couple had booked a DJ, the 223 guests were surprised when the band Lost in Paris took the stage. The couple had heard the band play in Atlantic City, and Adrienne was so impressed she asked during the intermission if they did weddings.
It was the presence of so many family members and friends that really made the celebration special, Kirk said.
Awestruck Kirk will never forget the moment he saw Adrienne walking down the aisle in her wedding dress. "It was surreal, and a happy time," he said. "I was excited."
After the ceremony and pictures, the couple and their bridal party had half an hour to themselves in the bridal suite. It was the calmest time in a hectic day, Adrienne said. "It was like a mini-reception, and we got to relax. The formality was over, and we could finally just have a good time."
This didn't happen at rehearsal
The couple's first dance was to "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera. As a surprise to her groom, Adrienne hired two opera singers to perform it live.
Discretionary spending
A bargain: The DIY centerpieces.
The splurge: The band was four times as much as the DJ they had booked, but Adrienne and Kirk say it was absolutely worth it.
The getaway
The couple, who now live in South Philly, spent a night in Atlantic City right after the wedding. They will spend two weeks in Italy this spring.
Behind the Scenes
Officiant
The Rev. Michael S. Olivere of Divine Mercy Church, Philadelphia
Venues
St. Anne Parish, Philadelphia
Reception Tendenza, Philadelphia
Catering
Tendenza
Music
Lost in Paris, West Chester
Photography
Koala Photography and Photo Squared, both of Philadelphia and New York
Flowers
Essence of Flowers, Delran
Dress
Mon Cheri, Coronet Bridal, Feasterville
Invitations
Wedding Paper Divas, www.weddingpaperdivas.com.