As COVID-19 restrictions rise once again, the Carriage House in New Hope is pivoting to offer socially-distant micro-weddings.
Erica Segal and Michael Gibralter canceled their wedding twice due to the ongoing pandemic, but on Oct. 18, they finally tied the knot at the Carriage House. They reside in Jersey City, while Segal’s parents live in Yardley and Gibralter’s parents live in Westchester, New York. The couple wanted an outdoor, picturesque setting in a location that would be a one-hour drive for all guests, and they were able to celebrate with family in front of the Delaware River on a gorgeous autumn day.
“I can’t say enough about how perfect it was to have the wedding at the Carriage House. It was beautiful,” said Segal, a real estate attorney. “We had 14 people. I think for a small wedding up to 25, it is the ideal location. As days get cooler, it still works to have the ceremony outside using heat lamps on that special balcony with the waterfall in the background. We had dinner outside on the covered patio next to the balcony, but they seemed to have dining space inside. I loved having an event coordinator, Lulu, who helped me with everything. She made it so easy, so I could just enjoy the day.”
She and Gibralter, who is in pharmaceutical development, met online three years ago, striking a chord when they discovered their mutual love for live music. They got engaged a year and a half later at a concert during Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Their original wedding date of April 4 was postponed three weeks prior because of COVID-19.
Their next wedding date of September also fell through, especially because they originally planned a large wedding with 190 guests. Since the couple wasn’t sure when the wedding reception would take place, they decided to go ahead with their marriage, which was attended by immediate family. The ceremony was performed under the traditional Jewish chuppah. During the ceremony and reception, a band of vocalists and guitarists Clare Maloney and Nate DeBrine filled the air with the couple’s favorite music – Grateful Dead.
“Not only was the event beautiful, we also loved staying at the Carriage House. It was so easy to plan and so affordable. The way to have a wedding or special event at the Carriage House is to rent all three rooms. Then there is no event fee, the entire space is given to your party and you get the benefit of using the wonderful event coordinator from Ghost Light Inn, the ‘sister’ inn to Carriage House,” said Segal. “Their larger suite was so spacious. It had two stories, a fireplace, and a full-size kitchen, which was ideal since it was used by an outside caterer, Fancy Fig. All the rooms had balconies overlooking the river.”
When normal life resumes, their larger wedding reception will take place at the Audubon Center in Valley Forge, since they couldn’t get a refund when the date was changed.
Photos from the big day can be viewed here.
Click here for more information on the Carriage House, located at 8 E. Mechanic St., New Hope.
