This didn't happen at rehearsal

Early in the morning of rehearsal day - the day before the wedding - Zoe and Zach awoke to the loud yelling of Zoe's father. They ran into the kitchen, looking for him. "Where are you?" she yelled. He came in from outside and told her that a water pipe snapped while he was changing the filter. This meant there was no running water at the mountain house where the reception would be held the following day, and Richard was very upset.

Upon hearing what had happened, Zoe calmed down immediately. "I was totally fine," she said. "I thought he was hurt the way he was screaming. I said that pipes could be fixed."

The bride was right. Richard knows the town plumber. He called and begged, and the pipe was repaired later that morning.

Awestruck

The couple wrote their own vows, and kept them secret from each other until their wedding day. Zach went first, and Zoe was first deeply touched by how emotional he got while reading them. Then as she continued to listen, Zoe was stunned: Their separately written vows were remarkably similar. Both promised to "play hard," both acknowledged that mistakes would be made along the way, and both spoke of their desire to start a family.

Discretionary spending

A bargain: Zoe and Zach's wedding was the very first for new wedding planner Francesca DiSalvo-Follmer. She wanted the experience, so she did it for a tiny fraction of the normal rate.

The splurge: "Food is very important to us," Zoe said. "We wanted a focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients."

The getaway

After that engagement trip to Tuscany, the couple, who live in South Philadelphia, decided to keep their honeymoon regional. They enjoyed an extended weekend in Eagles Mere, Pa.

Behind the Scenes

Officiant

Brian Krick, friend of the couple, Philadelphia

Venues

Ceremony: The Chapel at Worlds End State Park, near Forksville.
Reception: The bride's parents' vacation home in Eagles Mere, Pa.

Catering

33 East, Williamsport, Pa.

Photography

Street Light Photography, Williamsport, Pa.

Music

Mike Walton Productions, DJ Brian Cooper, Scranton