Taking place at the charming Mercersburg Inn, this intimate winter wedding beautifully blended minimalism with warmth. With just 19 of their closest family and friends, Syed & Zoë created a personal and genuine celebration. From heartfelt speeches to a cozy dinner illuminated by flickering candles, every detail reflected their vision of love and simplicity. It was a day of emotion, connection, and unforgettable moments—a true celebration of their journey together.
Location: Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, US
Style: Minimal, organic, and intimate
Time of planning: 4 weeks
Number of guests: 19 guests
Setting: A historic Georgian mansion
Season: Winter
The story of Syed & Zoë began on a plane ride after a turbulent stretch over the West Coast. They sat in the same row, with no one in the middle seat, and started a conversation. It was a brief exchange but enough to spark a connection. As they continued talking, they discovered they were both from the same part of the east coast. What began as a chance encounter on a plane turned into a first date near their families, where they were both visiting shortly after that flight.
Their entire relationship felt like one big adventure, with the two of them living in different parts of the world, always finding ways to share it all together. On a beautiful summer evening in Paris, while they were out strolling and exploring the city, Syed surprised Zoë with a proposal. Little did she know, their friend from Paris had been hiding nearby with a camera to capture the moment. “I’ve never been so shocked in my life!”
The Vision & Photography
They got married in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, at the historic Mercersburg Inn, during the winter season. With just four weeks to plan after realizing one of their beloved family members’ health wouldn’t allow them to have their originally planned spring wedding in NYC, they quickly changed the plans. The celebration was intimate, with only 19 of their closest family and friends. Their wedding was minimal, organic, and full of warmth, with dried flowers, branches, and soft pillar candles casting a romantic glow throughout the space.
Another special part of the wedding process was being able to fly out the photographer Alina at Fairy & Photographer and the videographer Alesia Films with just three weeks’ notice! Both traveled from the West Coast after a thorough search for the perfect creative team, and it truly made all the difference. “It put us at complete ease knowing they fully understood our vision, and we were not disappointed,” shared the couple. Their talent and professionalism brought the couple’s vision to life in the most beautiful way.
"Alina and Alesia need a special shoutout for being SO incredible and making all our visions come to life and more. A true dream team!"
Couple's Morning & Fashion
The couple wanted their wedding looks to reflect their minimalist style and vision. For the bride, Zoë, personal style played a key role in the decision-making. “I have, of course, been inspired by Danielle Frankel and all her beauty,” she shared. “I think she reflects a lot of the style direction we personally love.” Zoë wore a stunning Danielle Frankel gown paired with Maison Margiela Tabi ballerina flats, natural pearl drop earrings, and a wavy, natural hairstyle. Her bouquet, crafted by a local floral designer Ellen Salvatore Florals, embraced the couple’s love for “ikebana” floral design, adding a touch of elegance and simplicity to the overall aesthetic.
"I was so calm leading up to the day, but got SO nervous the day of the wedding! Feeling all the emotion."
Syed chose a Ralph Lauren burgundy velvet suit, wearing it with Maison Margiela Tabi boots for a touch of unique style. His boutonniere, thoughtfully made by Zoë’s mom, added a personal and sentimental touch. He felt incredibly emotional about the day, overwhelmed by the presence of their loved ones and having everyone together.
One of the most meaningful moments for Zoë was gifting Syed and his dad custom silk pocket squares, each featuring a handwritten letter from Syed’s grandmother, who is no longer with them. She surprised Syed with his pocket square while he was getting ready that day so he could wear it during the wedding and feel close to her. The gesture was deeply emotional, bringing many tears and beautiful, heartfelt exchanges throughout the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place at the mansion, at the base of the grand staircase, setting a beautiful and intimate stage for the couple’s vows. A local cellist played one of their favorite songs as Zoë made her way down the aisle. Surrounded by their closest loved ones, the ceremony radiated warmth and love, creating a truly special moment to celebrate Syed and Zoë’s love.
"It felt simple and just right. We didn’t want anything over the top— just a sweet exchange of our vows and our closest people to be with us."
The ceremony ended with a heartfelt first dance to a beautiful cello rendition of Your Sweet Love by Lee Hazlewood.
Cocktail Hour & Family Moments
Afterward, the couple entered the cocktail hour, followed by an intimate dinner to wrap up the perfect day,
The newlyweds shared some deeply emotional moments with their family, bringing tears of joy all around. Every precious moment was beautifully captured by Fairy & Photographer, whose talent perfectly conveyed the emotions of the day. Her unique photography style made these memories even more unforgettable.
Moments Alone
For the newlyweds, it was important to take a moment just for themselves—away from the guests and the excitement. They strolled through the mansion’s beautiful grounds, enjoying the quiet, serene atmosphere.
As they walked, their stunning portraits were captured, each shot a perfect reflection of their love and connection. These precious moments allowed them to pause, reflect, and truly savor the significance of the day—just the two of them, in their own world, starting this new chapter together.
Dinner
The reception took place in the mansion’s formal dining room, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere. The room was softly lit, with pillar candles filling the center of the long dining table, casting a cozy glow throughout. Choosing to keep things minimal and modern, the couple didn’t use florals, focusing instead on the flickering candles to set the tone.
"We love the “wabi-sabi” concept, and as designers both of us have curated our living spaces and personal style to reflect that. We knew we wanted to have the same feeling for our wedding, keeping it super simple with a focus on “less is more”."
As they shared the evening with their closest family and friends, a playlist of their favorite songs played softly in the background. After dinner, Syed’s dad, Zoë’s 10-year-old sister, and a few of their best friends delivered heartfelt speeches, leading perfectly into the cake-cutting.
"The most memorable part of our day was simply having all of our closest people together in one space. We still get teary thinking about making a quicker, smaller wedding happen for everyone to attend. We wouldn’t trade it for the world and I’m so happy we made that call."
Advice from the couple:
• At the end of the day, the most meaningful memory you’ll cherish forever is how much love filled the room. Don’t get so caught up in the details that you can’t enjoy that.
PHOTOGRAPHER Fairy & Photographer | VENUE Mercersburg Inn | VIDEOGRAPHER Alesia Films | BRIDAL DRESS Danielle Frankel Studio | SUIT Ralph Lauren | SHOES Maison Margiela | RINGS Rigby Leigh | BOUQUET FLORIST Ellen Salvatore Florals | CANDLES Leiters Fine Catering
