This DecaDe+ Love Story Called for a Hometown Celebration
David & Kennedy on the rooftop of the Bok / May 31, 2025
When Kennedy Wong and David Barone got engaged over Thanksgiving 2023, Kennedy was first excited about eliminating the title “girlfriend”. When you’ve been dating your high school sweetheart for over a decade, the upgrade to fiancée is warmly welcomed. “I was always dreaming about getting engaged because we were dating for ten years,” mused Kennedy. “I guess I just never thought about what I wanted for a wedding.”
They enjoyed being fiancés over the holidays, but were jilted in the new year when they realized that choosing a wedding venue would be competitive. Being one of six children, David was no stranger to competition, but this was like looking for a Christmas tree; the good ones go first. They were eager to decide when they’d get married, but they first had to narrow down where.
They both grew up in the suburbs of Philly, and the Italian Market neighborhood has now been home for the couple for nearly five years. It didn’t take much debating to realize there was only one place to have their wedding.
Less than ironically, they chose somewhere that, much like the relationship between high school sweethearts, was packed with history. Once they officially started venue shopping, they quickly set a date for May 31, 2025 at the Bok. It was in Philly, it had sentiment, and it was less than a mile from where they lived.
Photos captured by Morina Photography
Already, the symbolism was strong. Formerly known as Bok Vocational High School, it’s likely that a few other pairs of students turned spouses wandered the same halls that David and Kennedy did on their wedding day. The school was constructed in 1936 for local students pursuing trades from culinary to carpentry to cosmetology. Bok Vocational High School was closed by the School District of Philadelphia in 2013. However, its legacy of the trades remains, currently housing over 200 businesses from woodworkers to hair stylists. It’s also home to a tattoo parlor, a coffee shop and a rooftop bar that’s become a city staple.
The meaning and creativity represented in their venue was not intentional, but it was serendipitous. Much like the artists that muse within the walls of the Bok, Kennedy and David (but mostly Kennedy) were now facing a blank canvas when it came to vendors who could bring a wedding to life.
David watched Kennedy pour over every detail for the next year and a half and add her own stylistic touches as well as personal touches to the couple. “This was a surprise party for me,” joked David.
When it came to her vision, Kennedy didn’t have her heart set on anything, but she knew she loved the black and white look. Eventually, she decided she wanted to juxtapose classic neutrality with bright spring florals. Self-described as “not a DIY person”, Kennedy did most of the planning, but hired Classic Events by Lauren to execute day-of.
The Ceremony
When it came to choosing a church for the ceremony, that’s something else that seemed meant to be. Kennedy’s mom has always had a strong affinity for Saint Rita, even gifting David a Saint Rita pendant a few years back. “The National Shrine of St. Rita is right off of Broad Street and my mom is obsessed with that Saint. It’s gorgeous and really close to the Bok Building,” said Kennedy. “It was just kind of perfect.”
When the day finally arrived, the church was fitted with enough red roses to fill the Bachelor Mansion. Another serendipitous coincidence, that was thanks to the Feast of St. Rita celebrations in the weeks leading up to the date. For a modern love story and a day filled with whimsical details, their ceremony was steeped with tradition and romance.
A Picture’s worth a thousand words
From the church, guests were taken via school bus to the Bok for cocktail hour. When guests entered the gymnasium and found their seats, they were greeted with a surprise. Every seat had a polaroid picture of the guest with either David, Kennedy or both. Some photos even went back to David and Kennedy’s infancy. Guests were floored by the intentional gesture, and more time to enjoy and exchange polaroids during cocktail hour ended up being a core memory for everyone in attendance.
Polaroids and place cards guided guests to their seats at king’s tables
So High School
The reception hall came with tables and a disco ball, and while both are equally as important, much more is needed for a full reception.
Chairs, linens, glassware, silverware and even the dance floor came from South Jersey Party Rentals. The black and white dance floor ended up being a key design component and tied in the bridesmaids dresses and traditional tuxedos. The aesthetic was a playful contrast of modern style against a 1950’s gymnasium.
The chalk board signage was done by chalk and spray paint artist Woodzi Art and complimented the seasonal blooms by Ruby Rivers Floral.
“This was a surprise party for me.”
The dance floor is a famous place at a Barone wedding, and David and Kennedy’s was no different. When guests were not on the dance floor, they were exchanging polaroids with one another, enjoying Italian catering by Piccolo Trattoria, and laughing along to heartfelt speeches. Many siblings and friends also took the mic at the rehearsal dinner, in addition to Kennedy and David’s brothers who served as man of honor and best man at the wedding. “My favorite part of the whole weekend was the speeches,” said David.
After her dance with her dad, Kennedy had a trick up her sleeve, surprising her mom by pulling her onto the dance floor. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place, and it wasn’t from the onions in the late night snacks. Italian hoagies and cheesesteaks were later provided by Lorenzo’s.
Cheesesteaks provided by Lorenzo’s, dessert by Piccolo Trattoria.
From the polaroids to their Philly skyline watercolored guest book by to the decor and dance floor, every moment was curated to fit David and Kennedy’s unique love story. The aesthetic and details are one thing, but the feeling in the air was something that can only be described as being ten years in the making. And they celebrated by throwing the party of the decade, which could never be complete without disco balls and cheesesteaks.
