Mother of: Joe
Venue: Library of Philadelphia rooftop terrace
Vibe: Black tie
Dress: Alexander by Daymor

The day Joe and Amanda got engaged, Kristine asked her son and future daughter in law if they had thought on where they wanted to tie the knot. The response was instant: the rooftop of the Library of Philadelphia.
“I didn’t know that even existed as a venue! It was the perfect location for them,” Kristine says. “Joe was born in Philadelphia, but at age 5, his family moved to South New Jersey. He moved back to Philly with Amanda. “He loves his city and never wants to leave. It was the perfect location for them.”

The formal wedding took place in June 2024 and the couple gave Kristine carte blanche to chose whatever dress she liked. She went to Jan’s Boutique in Cherry Hill, New Jersey armed with lots of photos. “None of those choices panned out,” she recalls. “There was one dress I was just about set on, but I wasn't crazy about the fabric.”
She was about to call it quits for the day when a sales associate suggested an off the shoulder graphite colored sheath from Alexander by Daymor (style 1257)featuring a flourish of ruffles at the neckline.
“I knew I wanted a little drama and felt like the top of the gown gave me that without it being over the top,” Kristine says.

And despite the fact that one shop told Kristine you can’t have comfort and elegance, this mother of the groom says her gown gave both. “It was so comfortable, and I felt like myself in it.”

The memory that stands out for Kristine from that incredible June night is Joe and Amanda, dancing their first dance at sunset with their beloved Philadelphia skyline as the backdrop. “It was magical!”