A Main Line couple weds among Chester County’s autumn foliage.

Words by Gina Lizzo

Matt Ewald and Rachel Manier found each other when they were assigned to the same project at the consulting firm where they both worked in 2018. Matt says he knew after their first date that they’d be married one day. “I knew it was time to propose when I realized I didn’t just want to be with her forever—I couldn’t live without her,” he says.

Five years later, they were cohabitating in Philadelphia, where they found their first dog, Mia, as a stray running along the city’s iconic Kelly Drive. On September 29, 2023, Matt brought Rachel to a weeping willow tree at the same spot where they found their furry friend, and he proposed. “We always told each other that after we adopted Mia, we became a family. So it only felt right that we went back to that spot to make it official,” Matt says.

The occasion caught Rachel by surprise, she remembers. “My face hurt for a whole week from smiling so much that day.”

The two love the outdoors, so a venue that reflected that shared interest—along with nature’s stunning fall palette—was a must. Once they toured the Brandywine Manor House in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, which dates back to 1740, they knew they’d found the place.

The property features four outdoor ceremony spaces, so nature is on full display in the fall—and the foliage was at its peak for Matt and Rachel’s October 18 nuptials. “It had the fall vibe that we wanted while offering the elegance and sophistication of a formal wedding that we were going for,” Rachel says.

On the morning of the big day, the bride-to-be dressed with her five bridesmaids, all clad in a rich chocolate-brown hue—which perfectly fit the season and was later selected as Pantone’s Color of the Year. The bridal party was also joined by Rachel’s 87-year-old grandmother, who served as the flower girl. “It meant the world to her to get ready with all the girls, and we wanted her to feel as important to the [occasion] as she has been to us in my life and our relationship,” Rachel says.

Matt donned a suit and custom boutonniere with a hidden photo of Mia, a small gift from his betrothed. “Since [Mia] wasn’t able to be at the wedding, [Matt] wore her in his pocket, so she was there celebrating with us in spirit,” Rachel notes.

Before the ceremony, the pair met outside for a “first look,” a tradition where the groom and bride get an early glance at each other. “The anticipation and nervousness surrounding the day melted away once we were able to be together and take it all in,” Rachel remembers. That quiet moment became one of the most treasured memories for both of them.

The couple tied the knot surrounded by a rainbow of foliage and crisp white floral arrangements. Inside, the manor barn provided the perfect backdrop for a rustically chic celebration. Throughout the planning process, the newlyweds had given attention to every detail, such as incorporating photos of their fur child Mia as the table numbers and directing friends and family to their assigned seating with a custom table chart that read, “Our favorite people, please find your seat,” adorned with photos of the couple. Guests sipped signature cocktails before dancing to a live band that kept spirits high all night long.

As the evening closed, the newlyweds surprised their guests with a stunning fireworks display that lit up the night sky. “It truly was the fall fairytale we were hoping for,” Rachel says. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day.”