A California couple returns to their native Pennsylvania to tie the knot and celebrate with family and friends.
Words by Gina Lizzo
It was Liv Kompa’s cousins that first introduced her to Dan Bechek, their neighbor growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Little did they know that eight years later, Dan would join their family.
Sparks flew between the two when they met in the summer of 2016, but Liv, who was about to graduate from high school, lived in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and the 300 miles between her and Dan seemed—far. So they went their separate ways, but whatever had ignited between them a year earlier was set ablaze, and eventually the two relocated to Orange County, California, as a couple, after Liv finished college.
Approaching their six-year anniversary in 2023, Dan decided he would propose on May 6. “I had known for a while that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Liv,” he says. “It got to a point where I couldn’t imagine not coming home to her every night to eat dinner together and watch Netflix.”
Finding the perfect ring was easy, Dan says. “Liv is very close to her sister, Kristin, and they had planned their weddings since they were kids—down to the exact little details.”
Kristin also advised Dan to make sure Liv got her nails done and wore something nice for the big moment. “I wanted to have all that but still some element of surprise,” he says. He asked his mom to schedule a photo shoot at a scenic lookout in Newport Beach, which Liv would inevitably “force” him to take part in.
“It was the perfect excuse to get me dressed up without raising any red flags,” Liv says with praise. “While we were taking photos, the photographer had me face away from Dan for a shot, and when I turned around, there he was—on one knee. Getting engaged felt like the perfect next step in a journey we had already been building together.”
The couple knew they wanted to be surrounded by their families on their wedding day, so choosing a venue in Liv’s native Chester County was an easy decision. They both fell for Loch Aerie Mansion, a dreamy, historic estate in Malvern, characterized by breathtaking architecture and a timeless, romantic feel. Built in 1865 for Philadelphia businessman William E. Lockwood, the 6,552-square-foot home was constructed from Pennsylvania blue marble and limestone.
“Planning a wedding from 3,000 miles away [had] its challenges, but I was lucky to have my mom and sister as my dream team,” Liv says. “I had a very specific vision for the day; they went above and beyond to bring it to life.”
Inspired by the venue’s rich history, Liv and Dan leaned into a vintage-inspired aesthetic, using antique frames for signage and designing a custom newspaper as the program. “One of the most special details was my Pop-Pop’s Porsche, which he originally bought for my Mimi,” Liv says. “Having it there felt like a tribute to both of them and brought so much [meaning] to the day.”
For most brides, the morning of their wedding is spent anxiously hoping the entire day is perfect. When that late-summer day came around, Liv felt the exact opposite. “Everything already was perfect—I was marrying the man I was completely sure of, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us,” she says.
At 5 p.m. on September 1, 2024, Liv walked down the aisle as one of her closest friends, professional performer Skyler Shields, sang Justin Bieber’s “Lifetime.” Waiting for her were Dan and another dear friend, Kara Sardella, who served as the officiant.
After Liv and Dan exchanged vows, they headed indoors for the reception, where 192 guests sipped signature cocktails (accompanied by custom napkins printed with a 2017 text from Dan that read, “I’m gonna marry you Liv duh”) and danced well into the dark hours.
During the toasts, Dan’s best friend gifted the newlyweds a watch that he had stopped at the moment the couple shared their first kiss as husband and wife.
“For Dan and me, the most important thing was getting married in front of our closest family [members] and friends,” Liv says. “It brought us closer to the people we love most.”
