{"id":278180,"date":"2026-09-03T14:18:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:18:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/278180\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T14:18:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T14:18:39","slug":"a-whimsical-dino-wedding-at-the-academy-of-natural-sciences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/278180\/","title":{"rendered":"A Whimsical Dino Wedding at the Academy of Natural Sciences"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNews<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Fossils wearing bow-ties and a floral jungle made for an epic celebration at the soon-to-close museum.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"academy<\/p>\n

The newlyweds stole a moment away among the dioramas in the Academy of Natural Sciences\u2019 North American Hall. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

Not many people dream of getting married in the shadow of a monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex, but \u2014 as the wedding of Rachel Kinney and Samuel Beckley proved \u2014 they really should.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Julia Kay Design<\/a> dreamed up the invitations. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

When the two self-professed science nerds landed on Dinosaur Hall at The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University<\/a> in Logan Circle for their venue, they knew they had to lean into their passions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This asymmetrical ceremony arch was the work of Best of Philly-winning florist Margaux St. Ledger<\/a>. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to keep the whole event elevated and mature, without losing the inherent whimsy and magic that you get when you decide to have a \u2018dinosaur wedding,\u2019\u201d Rachel says.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Guests found their tables in a grand display that set off the party\u2019s prehistoric theme. \/ Photograph by Kimberly Hidore Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

The couple, who met when a Johns Hopkins University professor paired them up for a group project, dated for eight years before getting engaged in 2025, during a hike along the Maine coast.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Rachel and Sam posed in front of their welcome signage. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

For much of Rachel\u2019s life, milestones like this felt beyond reach. She lives with cystic fibrosis, a genetic condition that, if not for very recent medical breakthroughs, would have seen her unable to live long enough or be healthy enough to even consider the possibility of getting married. So her doctor was a very special guest: \u201cAt the start of our reception, I took a moment to deliver a surprise thank-you to him for everything he has done, and for making the whole evening possible,\u201d Rachel says.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This vintage-style four-tiered cake by New June<\/a> featured flavors like cardamom pistachio cream. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

There were other surprises in store for guests, like a watercolor portrait artist and a visit from the Prehistoric World Reptile Zoo<\/a>, which brought 10 live animals to the cocktail hour, including a blue-tongued skink, a pygmy hedgehog, and an endangered sulcata tortoise. \u201cIt was important to me that our guests not just have a chance to interact with fossils, but living creatures as well,\u201d says Rachel.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

Lest the fossils feel left out, Rachel commissioned a seamstress on Etsy to make dino-sized bow ties. \u201cI had this idea that for our black-tie wedding, the dinosaurs should be dressed up too,\u201d says Rachel. \u201cAmazingly, the Academy agreed to let us do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The platform of the Hadrosaurus foulkii \u2014 who wore a custom bow tie for the occasion \u2014 was covered in a jungle-like burst of textural foliage and flowers, a combination that carried over into the mixed table centerpieces. \/ Photograph by Kimberly Hidore Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

St. Ledger created lush meadows for the dinosaur displays using soft mosses, draping ferns, and moody blooms, with delicate flowering vines creeping up the fossilized feet. \/ Photograph by Kimberly Hidore Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Menus by Julia Kay Design rested on china from Citrine<\/a>\u2019s Layla collection \u2014 whimsical, butterfly-rimmed plates that were in keeping with the event\u2019s nature-inspired vibe. The chargers are natural travertine. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Angy Prints<\/a>\u00a0personalized slices of agate stone with each guest\u2019s name. \/ Photograph by Kimberly Hidore Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even the table numbers felt like they were from a different time period. \/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dancing in front of the Tyrannosaurus rex\u00a0\/ Photograph by Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

Ed. Note: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University announced<\/a> on September 1st that it will close<\/a> the museum at the end of this month.<\/p>\n

THE DETAILS
Photography: Lauryn Reifinger Photography<\/a> and Kimberly Hidore Photography<\/a> | Venue: The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University<\/a> | Event Planning & Design: Deevents<\/a> | Florals: Margaux St. Ledger<\/a> | Catering: 12th Street Catering<\/a> | Cake: New June<\/a> | Gown: Pronovias<\/a> from Jaehee Bridal<\/a> | Tux: Brooks Brothers<\/a> | Hair & Makeup: Bride Squad LLC<\/a> | Rings: Dana Walden Bridal<\/a> | Invitations & Menus: Julia Kay Design<\/a> | Entertainment: Andrea Levine Artists<\/a> (string quartet); Bachelor Boys Band<\/a> | Live Watercolor Portraits: Alexandra Kunz Art<\/a> | Live Animal Encounters: Prehistoric World Reptile Zoo<\/a> | Videographer: E&E Visuals<\/a> | Signage: Rosier Event Rentals<\/a> | Tabletop Rentals: Citrine<\/a> | Dinosaur Bow Ties: Twinkle Mingle<\/a> | Place Cards: Angy Prints<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Published as \u201cRachel & Sam\u201d in the Summer\/Fall 2026 issue of Philadelphia Wedding.<\/p>\n

Get more great content from Philadelphia Wedding:
FACEBOOK<\/a> | INSTAGRAM<\/a> | NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n

Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Philadelphia Weddings’ guide to the best wedding vendors<\/a> in the city.<\/p>\n