Find out how Barbie’s Philadelphia wedding would look like today and see how Philly event pros envision Barbie’s wedding.
Art Credit: Madison Mitchell
C’mon Barbie, let’s get married. Do you want to know how Philly event pros envision Barbie’s Philadelphia wedding? Of course, we’ve imagined this glam moment since we were young.
After all, Ken and Barbie have been together since 1961. Now, the accessorized pop culture icon with her fashion forward clothing is trending once again since her Mattel debut.
Certainly, the forever young runway-model-turned-astronaut-turned-dentist is sparking nostalgia and a stylish new wave, Barbiecore—glamor in pink with bold palettes from fuchsia and flamingo to bubblegum and blush. And the mindset of seeing life through plastic rose-colored glasses and permanent pearly white smiles. Obviously, we couldn’t be more excited to share wedding details.
Photo credit: The Curtis Atrium/Matt Genders Photography
Philadelphia Wedding Venue
As a visionary, it’s fitting that Barbie would choose The Curtis Atrium, a Philadelphia wedding venue in Old City to celebrate since it once housed the Curtis Publishing Building, headquarters of Ladies Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post. Just like Barbie, the ballroom reflects timeless elegance. In traditional Barbie fashion, let’s talk things all Philadelphia wedding and Barbie with some of the top Philly wedding vendors. So, let’s dive into what local experts envision as Barbie’s Philadelphia wedding (and Ken).
First, what would her wardrobe look like? After all, Barbie is an influencer with more than 3 million followers.
We turned to Wendy Ianieri Salerno, owner of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo in Bucks County, Pennsylvania to find out.
“Barbie is an icon and as such, she would definitely have two dresses,” Salerno said.
Photo credit: Kitty Chen Couture/Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo
“For the ceremony, I see her walking down the aisle in Primrose by Kitty Chen, a mermaid style in silk Mikado with puff sleeves and dramatic cathedral length cape. This dress is stunning and fit for this classic queen,” she said.
The Reception and Barbie’s Wedding Dress Change
“For her grand entrance into her magical reception, she changes into Dominique in the Morilee Signature Collection, by Madeline Gardner, a show-stopping ballgown with endless diamond-like sparkle to light up the room and matching cold shoulder glittering long sleeves.”
“This dress also allows for the perfect twirl during their first dance as the new Mr. & Mrs,” said Salerno. For her bridesmaids they would have the signature Barbie bubble-gum pink!”
Photo credit: Madeline Gardner/Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo
But what about Ken, you ask?
According to Franco Salerno, owner of Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, he dons a legendary look.
“If Ken Carson walked into Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, we would suggest the following attire for his marriage to Barbie,” he said.
Jacket: Trim fit Ike Behar black shawl tuxedo jacket
Pants: Ike Behar skinny fit tuxedo pants
Vest: Matching Ike Behar black vest
Shirt: White fitted microfiber shirt
Bow tie: Classic black satin bow tie
Shoes: Patent leather or velvet slip on loafers
Accessories: Black and silver cuff links and studs
“The Ike Behar trim fit shawl lapel tuxedo jacket is classic, timeless and perfect for a Ken-Barbie wedding. The satin on the lapel, buttons and double besom pockets add a touch of style and class. The skinny fit pants should be short enough to display some ankle when wearing the slip-on loafers. As for whether Ken wears the patent leather version or the velvet version of the shoes, we will leave that up to Mr. Carson. As we tell our grooms, ‘after all, it’s your wedding and you should create the look you are most comfortable with,’” Salerno said.
The Reception and Ken’s Change of Attire:
As for the reception attire, we think Ken should lighten it up, literally.
Ken will lose the Ike Behar shawl lapel jacket and replace it with our Saavi white jacket with black peak lapel and black pocket square. We would also switch the white microfiber shirt with a black version of the same style shirt. The black shirt and pocket square will blend in well with the black peak lapel of the white jacket. Finally, we would keep the vest for the following reason: when the party starts, people tend to get having the vest on will still let Ken look all dressed up if he takes his jacket off on the dance floor.”
Wedding Day
Now that we have covered Ken and Barbie’s fabulous couture, let’s take a step back and get a sense of the whole scene. For that, we reached out to Trilogy Event Design Owner & Event Planner Randi Martin, Philadelphia wedding planner. Meanwhile, close your eyes and imagine her vision:
Barbie arrives in a pink limo. The church is filled with white flowers (a lot, no even more) as a pink runner drapes the aisle. Naturally, Barbie’s bridesmaids are in pink holding white bouquets.
Barbie’s golden retriever puppy, Taffy
“Certainly, her golden retriever puppy named Taffy is in the wedding,” Martin said. Onto the reception!
The Reception
The soiree channels Barbiecore with pink uplighting, pink table linens, white napkins and hot pink chargers. However, centerpieces are white flowers. Accordingly, guests are greeted with pink signature cocktails of cotton candy champagne with a pink and white floral wall for photos.
Cotton candy champagne
Alternatively, signature drinks would include Malibu rum,” said Kim Savino, in charge of Drexelbrook Event Sales, a nod to Malibu Barbie.
Next, “Ken sweeps Barbie onto the “pink dance floor with ‘Barbie & Ken’ in Mattel’s Barbie font,” Martin said.
Photo credit: A to Z Party Rental
Reflecting a similar theme, A to Z Party Rental Customer Experience Associate Brittny Carr’s inspiration shows pink hues taking center stage. Silver accent decor and gold bling chargers and flatware. In addition, tons of flowers highlight their vision board design room sample settings.
Flowers are certainly a focal point.
Photo credit: Matlack Florist
“I think Barbie would want opulent, bright, high-end flowers,” said Matlack Florist Designer Meghan Holmes of West Chester. “A few examples would be Pink Floyd roses, pink ranunculus, Pink Eva spray rose, Ashley Garden roses, Jules Elie peony and pink or white hydrangea,” she said.
Wedding Cake
And what’s a party without cake for Barbie’s Philadelphia wedding? We turned Zoë Lukas, Whipped Bakeshop Creative Director & Founder to find out the details.
“If I was lucky enough to plan Barbie & Ken’s wedding cake, I would suggest an on-trend vintage style cake in shades of soft pink and white, with at least four tiers, that incorporates delicate hand-piped florals,” Lukas, of Fishtown said.
Photo credit: Whipped Bakeshop
“That style works especially well because Barbie is very style-conscious, and vintage cakes are definitely trending right now. I would also suggest a light dusting of iridescent glitter to add some extra glam that Barbie and Ken would love,” she said.
“As far as cake flavor, we’re definitely making our ever-popular funfetti cake, customized with all pink sprinkles and filled with strawberry or raspberry meringue buttercream (Ken can choose which pink filling he likes better),” Lukas said.
Photo credit: Whipped Bakeshop
“Natch, Barbie will be having an engagement party, wedding shower, and bachelorette bash, so I’d also plan for some fun decorated cookies, cupcakes and cakes inspired by her iconic looks of the past, like her iconic 1959 black and white chevron swimsuit. We’ll include pops of hot pink or purple, and you guessed it, glitter! We may pull out our Pink Champagne cake recipe from our archives for this as well – perfect for B+K to pair with some bubbly,” Lukas said.
Art credit: Madison Mitchell
In a word, Barbie’s Philadelphia wedding would be legendary.
What the future holds? Who knows. Perhaps a Malibu honeymoon and some rollerblading but we expect Barbie to pursue more job opportunities. Especially since she earned her pilot’s license and most recently became a judge.
Finally, as Barbie, in her Cat Eye sunglasses, and Ken drive off in their convertible Corvette to their Dreamhouse, we know they’re just getting started.
