Meredith Herron Kolmer and Griffin Kern

Written by: Danielle Bouchat-Friedman and Tara Behan
Photography by: Asya Photography

How they met: It took until her junior year at Villanova University for Meredith Kolmer to meet fellow student Griffin Kern. One of Kolmer’s lacrosse teammates made the introduction having no idea at the time that she was introducing her friend to her future spouse. “We started dating my senior year and we’ve been together ever since,” says Kolmer. After they both graduated (Kolmer was a year ahead of Kern) the couple had a long distance relationship for a few years. “Griffin was living in New York and I was living at home,” she says. After a few years Kolmer left the Main Line to join Kern in the Big Apple. “They say 80 percent of Villanova couples get married,” says Kolmer, who is thrilled she and her husband are part of that percentage. 

How he proposed: Five years after Kolmer graduated, Kern popped the question. Kolmer’s family has a Shore house in Ocean City, N.J., and the couple frequently visits during the summer. Although it was Kolmer’s birthday weekend, she had no idea that Kern was set to propose. “My parents have a house on the bay and my grandparents have a house on the beach,” she says. “Griffin and I were going to go out for a run, but he told me we needed to stop at my grandparents’ house first because he left his sneakers there.” Once they arrived he led her out to the balcony with the view of the ocean and asked her to be his wife. Little did they know that they had an audience. “There was a house getting built next door and all the construction workers started clapping and cheering for us,” she laughs.

The big day: Dec. 5, 2015. “My sister-in-law gave me really great advice when I started planning,” says Kolmer. “She said focus on one thing that is really important and everything else will fall into place.” Getting married at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the campus of their alma mater was the most important detail to the couple. One of the limited dates available was Dec. 5, which happened to be Kolmer’s mom’s birthday. “My mom is my best friend in the world, so it really meant a lot to me to get married on her birthday,” she says. A December wedding made it easy to base the theme around Christmas.

— DETAILS — 

Theme: Christmas.

First Dance Song: “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole.

Ceremony: St. Thomas of Villanova Church, Villanova, Pa.

Reception: Philadelphia Country Club, Gladwyne, Pa.

Dress: Pronovias at Elizabeth Johns, Ardmore, Pa.

Bridesmaids’ dresses: Jim Hjelm at Here Comes The Bridesmaid, New York City.

Tuxedos: Black tuxedos with Ralph Lauren bow ties.

Hair and makeup: Amanda D’Andrea Hair, Béke Beau (makeup).

Band: Jellyroll.

Cake: Clay’s Creative Corner Bakery, Berwyn, Pa.

Wedding Planner: Wendy Donaldson, Berwyn, Pa.

Transportation: Philadelphia Trolley Works, Philadelphia.

Flowers: Polites Florist, Norristown.

Favors: Donation to the Navy SEAL Foundation.