Sarah & Daniel- Chester County Wedding

Sarah and Daniel’s Chester county wedding day was full of joy and surprises! We started out at Sarah’s parents’ house where the girls, along with Sarah’s dog Macy were getting ready. The energy was light and fun. The hair and makeup team from Fabrizio Salon were putting final touches on the girls. The house was all decorated for Christmas which make for some great backdrops for photos. I also loved having festive small details to include with my ring and invitation shots. We took some photos of all the bridesmaids in a bedroom. Even Macy joined in on the fun! Sarah got dressed and looked gorgeous in her backless gown.

We then headed over to the Hilton Garden Inn in Kennett Square where the guys were putting on their final touches. Daniel was obviously extremely excited for the fun to start. We took a few quick photos here and then headed over to the church.

When arrived at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester just a few minutes ahead of the bridal party. The church was fully decorated for Christmas and I knew it was going to be a gorgeous ceremony. Once the bride and groom arrived, I set up for their first look. Sarah and Daniel decided to do a first look to make sure that most of their photos were done before their ceremony. This was a smart decision, as their ceremony was taking place after sunset. Sarah and Daniel saw each other for the first time in the courtyard at Westminster. The stone facade of the church provided the perfect backdrop for a Chester county  wedding. Daniel was giddy with excitement. We gave them a few moments to themselves before taking family and bridal party photos.

We then took Sarah and Daniel for a little walk for their portraits. Sarah had scoped out a pretty path across the street. This was perfect! There was even a small pond which made for some nice reflection shots. Sarah and Daniel were relaxed and natural together for their photos. They were great to work together.

The ceremony got underway with the church perfectly lit with Christmas lights. Sarah’s very talented bridesmaids even performed during the ceremony, one was a singer, and one played the french horn. After their sweet vows, they sealed the moment with a kiss, and Daniel even gave a fist pump. One of my favorite moments came next. Because it was already dark, Sarah and Daniel decided to have a sparkler exit from the church. These are some of my favorite photos of the day.

We then headed to Loch Nairn Golf Club in Avondale, Pennsylvania. The Great Room looked very festive with long tables and white floral arrangements from Le Style 25. During cocktail hour, we took some time for some lovely night photos with Sarah and Daniel. It was nice to get these done early on in the night. After cocktail hour came the bridal party entrances and Sarah and Daniel’s first dance. As they were going to sit down, DJ Binh from SilverSound Djs announced that Daniel had a surprise in the works. A keyboard was brought out and Daniel sang a song to Sarah that he had prepared. I think the entire room was in tears. It was very sweet. The tears kept flowing as Sarah’s dad gave a memorable toast, followed by the best man and maid of honor.

After dinner and cake cutting, DJ Bihn had the dance floor packed! I loved these photos from the end of the night. Katie and I had such a great day with Sarah and Daniel and their families. It was truly an honor to capture their amazing moments. Please enjoy the photos and slideshow below. Planning a Chester county wedding? Please contact me to capture your day! 

Amy & Eric- Grand Ballroom Wedding- Mendenhall Inn

It may have been chilly for Amy and Eric’s Grand Ballroom wedding at the Mendenhall Inn, but their love warmed everyone’s hearts.

We started at Mendenhall Hotel where Amy and her bridesmaids were getting ready. The moment we entered the hotel, we were greeted by an “Old World” sense of hospitality and charm. We made our way up to Amy’s room and found the girls relaxing and enjoying some snacks. Their hair and makeup by Salon Pasca was looking flawless.  We had perfect light with all the large windows in the suite. I started with Amy’s Bridals by Sandra gown in the bedroom where I hung the dress in the middle of the large tub. Surrounded by mirrors, it took a few minutes to figure out how to get the dress without having my reflection in the photo, but once I did it looked great! I then moved onto jewelry and shoes. Next I asked the bridesmaids to get dressed; they wore beautiful deep purple dresses. Then it was time for Amy to get dressed; her strapless gown fit her perfectly. She started glowing as soon as she put it on! Once her shoes, jewelry and veil were on, we grabbed her bouquet from Frugal Flowers to complete her look. It was filled with red roses, purple carnations and almost black calla lilies. After a few portraits, we head across the parking lot to find Eric. He and his groomsmen were looking great in black suits. Once boutonnieres were in place, we took a few portraits and then head out to find the perfect spot for the couple’s first look.

Amy and Eric had their hearts set on the train tracks for their first look, so I did some research into this option to make sure it was safe. I set Eric up on the tracks and waited for Amy. Eric was so excited while we waited; it was really cute. Amy came up behind him and the couple lit up when they saw each other. They were so happy that they were giddy and it was really sweet. We took some time for couple portraits before asking the wedding party to join us. We then head over to the Grand Ballroom wedding location to meet the family. We took them outside for family formals before the ceremony.

Amy and Eric were married by Pastor Gary Langensiepen in the Mendenhall Inn Grand Ballroom wedding venue. They exchanged vows and said I dos in front of family and friends and sealed it with a kiss. While guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the outdoor terrace area, I was able to get shots of the beautifully decorated ballroom. The tables looked lovely with white linens and giant wine glasses filled with candles. Instead of table numbers, the couple had wine table names and corks for place cards. The sun was starting to set so we grabbed Amy and Eric outside for a few more photos. The light was gorgeous, but fading fast, so I was running through the parking lot to find the best light. We took advantage of every last second of sunlight before heading back to the ballroom.

After cocktail hour in the solarium, the guests were ushered back into the Grand Ballroom while the bridal party got ready for entrances. DJ Adam from Soundfactor Entertainment had everyone on their feet while he introduced the parents, wedding party and of course the bride and groom. Amy and Eric enjoyed their first dance to Roses by The Chainsmokers. They stared into each other’s eyes throughout the whole dance; it was one of the sweetest first dances I’ve ever seen. Everyone then took their seats and dinner was served after a blessing by Pastor Langensiepen. After dinner, Amy danced with her father to Daddy Dance with Me by Krstal Keith and then with her stepfather to Tiny Dancer by Elton John. Eric and his mom danced to I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack. Then the DJ invited all the married couples onto the dance floor for the anniversary dance. I love seeing couples at so many stages of their lives together. Amy’s grandparents were the last dancing with 65 years of marriage under their belts! Amy and Eric then invited everyone over to watch them cut their cake. The stunning creation from Master’s Baker was definitely one I’ve never seen before…the Stanley Cup! The silver cake was so realistic and everyone loved it. The rest of the night was spent dancing, laughing and loving.

I had such a great time getting to know Amy and Eric and really enjoyed capturing their wedding day. Please enjoy the highlights and slideshow below.

Caitlin & Eric- The Washington at Historic Yellow Springs Wedding

Caitlin and Eric said “I do” on a brisk November day at the Washington at Historic Yellow Springs wedding venue. Originally built around 1750, this building served as a colonial inn and tavern and is brimming with history.

We met Caitlin upstairs where she and her bridesmaids were getting ready. While the ladies from Emily Alice Salon  finished up hair and makeup, we worked on shooting the details.  Caitlin’s A-line gown featured a sweetheart neckline, whimsical lace and a crystal belt. After details, we asked Caitlin to get dressed. She looked stunning! She grabbed her bouquet, made entirely from wood, and we took some time for portraits. Then we headed downstairs to find Eric. He and his groomsmen were hanging out so we put them to work pinning boutonnieres. After a few portraits of Eric, we went to set up the couple’s first look. I choose the garden area outside the Washington that featured a large fountain in the middle. Caitlin walked up behind Eric and they both smiled from ear to ear when they saw each other. We went for a walk behind the house to check out the Ruins of the Revolutionary War Hospital. It was so cool to walk through these historic grounds and they also provided an awesome spot for photos. We then gathered the wedding party for photos as well. The girls all wore shades of pink and the guys wore custom suits. They were such a fun group to work with, which always makes my job easier. When I told Eric that my husband graduated with him, he quickly realized that all of the groomsmen knew my husband as well! It was so fun to hear them reminisce. Next, we took care of family formals before heading inside to get ready for the ceremony.

One of the bridesmaids officiated the ceremony which made it very personal. She spoke of how calm Caitlin was throughout wedding planning and how supportive Eric was. The couple said I do in front of family and friends and sealed it with a kiss! While everyone moved downstairs to cocktail hour, we took some time to photograph the dining room. The tables had the cutest pumpkins adorned with succulents from Twig Gardens as centerpieces. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors’ d’oeuvres from Catering by Rich while also getting the opportunity to check out the artifacts of the Washington. When it was time for dinner, Adam from Schaffer Sounds got the crowd excited for entrances. After parents and the wedding party came Caitlin and Eric who went right into their first dance, followed by parent dances. Before dinner, Caitlin’s father gave a toast where he reminded the young couple to always see the beauty around them. Toasts by the maid of honor and best man had the crowd laughing and crying. During dinner, DJ Adam asked each table to nominate a captain to represent their table. The captain’s job was to figure out what one song would get every person at their table to get up and dance and report back to him. I thought this was a great idea and it really did get everyone out there dancing after dinner. One of my favorite parts was when Caitlin’s mother and aunts surprised everyone with a choreographed dance to I Got the Feeling. This got the group even more excited.

I stole the couple away for a few moments to grab a night shot on the gorgeous porch at the Washington before we left. Caitlin and Eric are such a sweet and humble couple that were truly a joy to spend the day with. I hope they enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Please enjoy the highlights and slideshow below.

Allison & Anthony- Red Clay Room Wedding

Allison and Anthony’s Red Clay Room wedding fell on a beautiful day full of beautiful people. We started at Allison’s parents’ house with the ladies getting ready. Salon by Dominic did all the girls’ hair and was putting the finishing touches on Allison’s makeup when we arrived. We started with the dress…a stunning Casablanca gown with beaded lace appliqués accented with Swarovski Crystals, pearls, and silver backed sequins over Luxe Satin. I just loved the pearl encrusted spaghetti straps; such an unexpected and delicate feature! Then I grabbed her shoes and jewelry. Allison had beautiful heels for the day, but also custom made Nike sneakers with her soon-to-be last name on them. They were a gift from Anthony. I also had to get a few shots of the family dog, Kooper. He was very friendly and fluffy! Once makeup was done, we went upstairs to get Allison and her bridesmaids in their cute bride and bridesmaid tank tops. Then everyone went to get dressed. We stepped out so Allison could get into her gown. Her mom and sisters helped her get her shoes, jewelry and veil on. We grabbed her bouquet from Fresh Designs Flora and Events which was overflowing with white and pale pink roses, peonies and ranunculus. I don’t know if it smelled or looked more amazing! We asked everyone to step out of the room so Alan, the videographer from VideoGems Videography, and I could focus totally on Allison. She looked amazing and was so natural in front of the camera…she made my job easy. Next we stopped at Anthony’s mom’s farmhouse; it was gorgeous! There were horses everywhere and the barn and pond made for fantastic backgrounds for photos with her bridesmaids.

Now it was time to make our way through the crowded streets of Kennett Square to get to the Red Clay Room wedding venue. With the Mushroom Festival in full swing, we had to maneuver around lots of closed streets, but we arrived with plenty of time. Guests were being seated in front of a beautiful gazebo along the banks of the White Clay Creek. There were programs, water and even beer for guests as they arrived. The chalkboard read “grab a program and a beer, our wedding day is finally here!” They even had custom Allison and Anthony beer cozies! The couple exchanged vows in front of their family and friends and sealed the service with a sand ceremony. As guests head to cocktail hour, we gathered both sides of the families for formals. Then we had some fun with the wedding party before taking Allison and Anthony off for some portraits. I took them straight to the small covered bridge that I had been eyeing up before the ceremony. I knew it would be perfect if the clouds would just get out of the way. We had to be patient, but finally we got some sun and I wanted to make the most of it. Allison’s dad came out and told us we better get inside before we missed the reception.

While the wedding party got ready for entrances we met DJ John Scibello, who filled us in on the order of events. The parents danced their way in, followed by the wedding party and finally the bride and groom. Then everyone’s attention was directed to the screen over the dance floor where a video of Anthony’s proposal played. They then enjoyed their first dance to “To Make You Feel My Love,” sung by Garth Brooks. Anthony danced with his mom to “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton and Allison danced with her dad to “I’ll Be Your Man” by Zac Brown Band. After the blessing came the speeches. Allison’s matron of honor and twin sister spoke about the special bond that twins have, they’ve been best friends since day one and they share everything….even Anthony! You see the two dated for about a week back in 6th grade.  Allison’s older sister also toasted the couple and gave Anthony some great gift ideas for future anniversaries. Last, came Anthony’s brother and best man. He spoke of how he’s always looked up to Anthony and loved playing baseball with him. He said that Anthony had some pretty great home runs during his baseball career, but non as impressive as the home run he landed in Allison.

While guests enjoyed a delicious spread by Capozzoli’s Catering, I shot the rings and some other details of the reception. After dinner DJ John got everyone on the dance floor; the kids were really tearing it up. And everyone loved doing the Polka for the dollar dance! After some more dancing, the newlyweds took a break to cut their gorgeous cake from Master’s Baker. Allison and Anthony had some cake smashing fun, but not into each other’s faces. They surprised everyone and smashed the cake into the faces of the matron of honor and best man! It was hilarious!

Allison and Anthony were such a fun couple to spend the day with and I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to photograph their wedding day. Please enjoy the highlights and slideshow below.

Hannah & Erik- French Creek Golf Club Wedding

Hannah and Erik’s French Creek Golf Club wedding was simply elegant and fantastically fun! We started the day at the Hilton Garden Inn where everyone was getting ready. Hannah and her bridesmaids were relaxing, listening to music and joking around when we arrived. They all had t-shirts on that said “after this we’re getting pizza”…I could tell they were going to be a fun group. Rachel Carbrey from Salon Nova had done the ladies makeup and Alyssa Gallen did their hair; they looked gorgeous! I started with the dress, shoes and other details. The bridesmaids’ sequin rose gold gowns made the perfect backdrop for my ring shot! Hannah would be getting ready at the venue so I got a few shots of the girls in their t-shirts before heading to meet the guys. Erik and his groomsmen were getting ready in a separate room at the hotel. They were looking very stylish in their navy blue tuxes and all very excited about their Penn State University socks. After a few portraits of Erik, I had him open his gift from Hannah. A very fetching rose gold watch; do you see a trend starting?

We arrived at the French Creek Golf Club wedding venue and found Hannah, her mom and sister in the bridal suite. While the ladies enjoyed a snack, we took Hannah’s Casablanca gown outside. The fit and flare gown made of beaded lace appliqués on Chantilly lace over soft tulle featured a sweetheart neckline and cap sleeves. It looked amazing hanging on the door of the beautiful cottage next to the pond. It was time for Hannah to get dressed so we figured we better return her dress. We stepped out of the bridal suite, along with the videographer from Abominable Productions, so Hannah could get dressed. When we stepped back in, she looked stunning. Hannah’s mom then helped put her veil in. The cathedral length veil was nearly 100 years old! Hannah was the 6th person in her family to wear it and the first wore it on the very same day (August 19th) in 1930. Once all of her jewelry was on, we asked Hannah to open her gift from Erik. He had a wooden box engraved with their names and wedding date and inside it were tons of love letters. He took the time to write letters for different times in their lives; she would continue to discover this gift for years to come. He also surprised Hannah with tickets to Frozen the musical. You see, Erik proposed during the movie Frozen! We then grabbed her bouquet from Flourish Flowers so we could get started on portraits. Hannah was excited to see a sweet surprise from the florist…a charm with the couple’s initials and wedding date. The bridal suite had beautiful light so it was great to work in. When we finished we brought Hannah’s dad in to see her and then the rest of the bridesmaids in and they all gushed over Hannah.

I found Erik in the groom’s suite and took him out to the courtyard to get ready for the couple’s first look. Hannah approached Erik from behind and they both looked ecstatic when they saw each other.  Then we brought out Nala, the couples’ dog. My assistant, Katie, was so excited to work with a dog! She used treats and lots of praise to get Nala’s attention and I think it worked pretty great. After that we used the beautiful historic spring house and pond for portraits. The options were endless as the scenery was so lovely. I just adore the photo of Hannah and Erik across the pond with that antique veil flying in the wind. Next it was time to get the wedding party outside for group shots. We started with the full group in front of the barn, and then moved on to Hannah and her bridesmaids. Once finished, we sent them inside to relax before the ceremony. When it was the guys turn, they had lots of ideas. They were very excited to throw around the PSU football so I could get some action shots. My assistant even made a pretty great catch from the groom so I could capture him throwing a perfect spiral!

While we waited for ceremony time, I grabbed some detail shots of the French Creek Golf Club wedding reception space. The tables had white tablecloths with rose gold vases filled with baby’s breath and rose gold votives surrounding them. There was a rose gold piñata guest book for guests to leave notes and advice for the newlyweds. And I absolutely loved the copper mug favors that doubled as place cards. We head outside to the ceremony site when guests started to arrive. Hannah and Erik had a wine box ceremony where they locked a bottle of wine and love letters to each other in a wooden box. The box is to be opened on their 5th anniversary or if they are going through a hard time. After the ceremony we gathered the families for photos and then set off to cocktail hour. Guests enjoyed hors’ d’oeuvres and the signature drink, Moscow Mule, on the all-weather stone terrace room with candle-lit fireplace.

After cocktail hour the guests slowly made their way into the elegant ballroom. After the wedding party entrances, Hannah and Erik went right into their first dance to “Love is an Open Door” from the movie Frozen. They were so cute singing the parts to each other and having a ball. After Hannah danced with her father and Erik with his mother, it was time for toasts. Hannah’s dad started the night, followed by her sister and maid of honor who spoke of how the couple met in chemistry class in high school. Then the best man challenged Erik to make a free throw right on the dance floor in front of everyone and he made it! Now that’s something I haven’t seen at a wedding before. Erik’s dad closed out the toasts by announcing the winners of the golf outing earlier that day.

Dinner ended and the real fun was about to begin. We see lots of bands and DJs at weddings, but this was our very first dueling piano. The Philly Keys were awesome! The duo brought all the fun and good vibes of the dueling piano mentality such as song requests, sing alongs, crowd participation, and great musicianship. The crowd loved it and so did I. We practically had to tear Hannah and Erik away from the dance floor to cut their cake. The four-tiered Master’s Baker creation featured a rose gold silhouette of a bride, groom and their dog on top. After cutting the cake, Hannah threw her bouquet; Erik retrieved the garter and then put it on his Penn State football before throwing it out to the single guys. Then it was right back to singing, dancing and fun for the rest of the night.

Thank you Hannah and Erik for choosing me to photograph your French Creek Golf Club wedding day; it was truly such a unique celebration and I enjoyed every minute of it. Please enjoy the highlights and slideshow below.

Lindsey & Frankie- Barn on Bridge Wedding

Lindsey and Frankie’s Barn on Bridge wedding was full laughter, tears and surprises! Lindsey and Frank met at a wedding where Lindsey caught the bouquet, Frankie caught the garter, and the rest is history. They said the really cool part is their first meeting was fully documented with photos and videos since it was at a wedding! Now almost exactly four years to the day, they would say their I do’s.

We started our day at Lindsey’s parents’ home where the girls were getting ready. Samantha Green did the girls hair and Josie Armato was finishing up makeup. After saying hello to Lindsey’s cat, Lily, we grabbed her gown and set off to find a spot to hang it. After shooting some of the details, we were sure to get a few of the girls in their robes before having everyone get dressed. Lindsey’s Casablanca gown featured stunningly intricate beadwork decorating the sweetheart neckline bodice, juxtaposed with a soft stretch chiffon and tulle sheath skirt. She wore her grandmother’s bracelet, her mom’s veil, and the garter that she caught the day she met Frankie. She looked perfect! We spent some time on bridal portraits before heading out to meet Frankie.

When we arrived at the conference room where Frankie and his groomsmen were getting ready, we knew it was going to be a fun day. The guys were having a great time already and couldn’t wait to head over to the wedding venue. Frankie and his groomsmen wore gray suits with pink ties to match the bridesmaids’ pink dresses. They opted to omit the suit jacket, which was a good call on this HOT July day. A loyal Philadelphia sports fan, Frankie wore Flyers cuff links and each guy had one Flyers sock and one Eagles sock. After a few portraits we head out to meet everyone at Barn on Bridge.

The Barn on Bridge wedding venue is fully restored to enhance the rustic aesthetic of this 18th century barn and features wooden beams and original stone walls adorned by wrought iron chandeliers. Once everyone arrived, we set up Frankie next to a charming creek across the street from the barn. My assistant brought Lindsey over for the first look and it was such a great one! The emotion from the bride and groom was so sweet and I’m thrilled to have been able to capture that moment. While they took a few minutes to say hello, we gathered the wedding party. They were a wild and fun bunch! We made quick work of party formals because of the heat and then sent them off to enjoy some air conditioning. We took advantage of the wooded field and white bridge for portraits of Lindsey and Frank before heading up to get ready for the ceremony.

The Barn on Bridge wedding ceremony took place on the Lower Garden looking out over the creek. Lindsey and Frankie exchanged vows under a rustic wooden arbor in front of family and friends. There were ominous clouds off in the distance so the officiant didn’t waste any time pronouncing them husband and wife. After the ceremony, guests headed up to the terrace for cocktail hour under the tent. Thank goodness for the tent because just as the last guests made their way under the tent, the skies opened and the rain poured down. Guests laughed about the crazy rain as they enjoyed delectable hors d’oeuvres and cocktails by Robert Ryan Catering. The rain began to let up as guests were ushered into the barn for the reception and stopped just in time for the wedding party to line up outside for entrances.

DJ John from Dinardo Brothers Entertainment announced the parents, wedding party and then the happy couple. As the couple got ready for their first dance, Lindsey had no idea she was in for an amazing surprise. Frankie had rerecorded their first dance song, “I Could Die a Happy Man,” with him singing….seriously could he be any sweeter?! Lindsey’s face said it all. Next, Lindsey danced with her father to “In My Life” by the Beatles and then Frankie danced with his mom to “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart. Afterwards the DJ opened up the floor for some pre-dinner dancing followed by a welcome by Lindsey’s dad. He spoke of his love for his daughter and new son-in-law as well as his admiration for the couple who worked extra jobs to make their wedding day possible. During dinner, we heard speeches from the maid of honor and best man and an amazing song by Frankie’s cousin.

After dinner, Lindsey and Frankie cut their cake and then it didn’t take long for DJ John to pack the dance floor. There were some pretty good moves out there, but none better than Frankie’s worm during the garter removal. That’s right; Frankie did the worm just like the very first time he and Lindsay met. Some would say it was love at first worm. ☺  I have to say I can’t wait to see what happens to the people who caught the bouquet and garter….no pressure though. By this time, the rain had resumed and I asked Lindsey and Frankie if they would come outside for some night shots. I was so happy they said yes because I love night photos in the rain.

I have to say, Lindsey and Frankie are two of the sweetest people I’ve had the joy of photographing. It was an absolute honor to be part of their wedding day and I hope they love the photos as much as I do.

Jen & David- Springton Manor Farm Wedding

I had been anxiously awaiting Jen and Dave’s Springton Manor Farm wedding and definitely was not let down. As we drove up the beech and oak tree-lined drive, we saw cows, sheep and goats in the expansive pastures outside an enchanting restored barn. Once we arrived, we strolled around the estate’s gardens and meadows while waiting for the bride to arrive. The fenced fields, stone walls and wildflower meadows create a one-of-a-kind environment and I couldn’t wait to get started.

Jen, her bridesmaids and mom arrived and headed into the Manor House. Renovated and decorated faithful to the farm’s historic background, The Manor House easily balances its classic design with modern amenities. The interior is stunning with carved molding and bronze sconces. We journeyed upstairs to meet the girls; they were busily organizing themselves and steaming dresses. We said hello and grabbed Jen’s dress, shoes and veil. We photographed her floor length A-line dress in an arched doorway and the flowing layers of skirt looked gorgeous. We left the girls to their finishing touches of makeup and jewelry and went to find Dave. He and his groomsmen were on the other side of the house enjoying some spirits and getting dressed. We got a few portraits of Dave before having him open his card from Jen. He laughed when he opened the envelope because they had both given each other dog cards….funny because we later found out that they are both “crazy cat people.”

We headed back over to the girls where the bridesmaids were dressed in dark purple gowns and Jen was ready to get into her gown. The high neckline was covered in lace and tiny beading and the layers of her chiffon skirt looked perfect under her cathedral length veil. Jen’s bouquet from Blue Moon Florist featured an array of white flowers, including peonies, roses and sweet peas. A pin from Jen’s Nana was attached to the stems and was really just the perfect addition. After Jen’s portraits I headed outside to choose a location for the couple’s first look; this is where we met the crew from Chester Springs Video. This father daughter run company was great to work with throughout the evening. Once we got Dave into place under one of Springton Manor’s beautiful old trees, Jen made her way across the grass to him. The wedding party watched excitedly from the patio of the Manor as Jen and Dave saw each other. The smiles on their faces said it all. It is such a privilege for me to be part of these amazing moments. We joined the wedding party on the patio for photos before heading back to the grass for family photos. After we finished up family formals, we set off with Jen and Dave for some portraits. Springton Manor Farm’s historic and natural charm lends itself beautifully to photos. My favorite area was the field of wildflowers. Jen and Dave didn’t even mind going into the tall grass for me! I sent the couple into the house to hide as guests started to arrive.

While guests were arriving, Jen, Dave and their parents joined Rabbi Jon for the signing of the Ketubah. This is a traditional Jewish marriage contract that is signed just prior to the wedding ceremony. While the two families congratulated the couple, we set off to get ready for the ceremony. Jen and Dave were the first couple to get married in the gardens at the Manor House of Springton Manor Farm. Their ceremony took place under a rustic arbor and included the traditional wine ceremony and the breaking of the glass. Guests head out to the yard for cocktail hour with a bruschetta station and passed hors d’oeuvres from Queen of Hearts Catering. The bar was atop vintage wine barrels and Jen’s mom made the cutest centerpieces for the high top tables. I just loved the purple tulips and thought they were perfect for the ring shot. I also loved that there was cornhole, giant Jenga and Yahtzee set up in the lawn for guests to enjoy.

After cocktail hour, the guests made their way into the large tent where dinner would be served. I loved the wooden boxes filled with hydrangeas and roses for centerpieces. Guests took their seats and anxiously awaited the entrance of the wedding party. Parents, the bridal party and the bride and groom were met with roaring applause. Jen and Dave shared a sweet first dance followed by toasts. Jen’s parents welcomed everyone and then her sister and maid of honor was next. She joked about how they never thought Jen would find someone who loves cats as much as her, but Dave might be the first ever “crazy cat guy.” Lastly we heard from Dave’s childhood friend and best man who shared some fun stories from when they were little. The recurring theme throughout all the toasts was the what truly kind souls Jen and Dave are and how happy their family and friends are that they found each other. During dinner, Jen danced with her father and Dave with his mom. I stole the couple away briefly for a few more photos. We head down to the pastures and saw the cutest baby cows. I loved the tree lined road between the fenced in pastures and quickly learned that cows are not very cooperative when it comes to photos. When we got back to the tent it was time to cut the cake. Clay’s Bakery created a truly exquisite four-tiered cake with an abundance of flowers cascading down the side. At first I thought the flowers were real, but then realized that they were edible! With dinner completed and cake cut it was time to dance. DJ Michael Kane from Silver Sounds was center stage and quickly packed the dance floor. We finished our night with photos of Jen and Dave sitting by the fire pits. 

Thank you to Jen and Dave for allowing me to capture your lovely Springton Manor Farm wedding. It was a pleasure spending the day with you and I wish you continued love for years to come.

Kelly & Joe- Normandy Farm Hotel Wedding

I have been excited about Kelly and Joe’s  Normandy Farm Hotel wedding ever since their engagement shoot at the Bethlehem Steel Stacks. I knew their location would not disappoint and boy was I right. Once one of America’s largest and most prestigious private estates, Normandy Farm is now a meticulously restored American landmark and it is beautiful.

We started off with Kelly and her bridesmaids. They were sporting Mermaid Bride and Mermaid Bridesmaid tanks so we had to ask. Apparently Kelly has a love for The Little Mermaid. Maybe that’s why she chose her gorgeous mermaid style dress from Provanias. Everyone had already had their hair and makeup done by Anita M Hair Studio and looked fabulous. We set off with Kelly’s dress and shoes while they enjoyed some snacks and drinks. There were lots of great places to hang her dress…it was hard to choose! I loved her shoes too. One had Mrs. O’Brien on the bottom and the other their wedding date. Once we finished with the details, we asked everyone to get dressed. The bridesmaids wore full length coral dresses and Kelly slipped into her Provanias gown. The floral lace embroidery details were almost as stunning as Kelly. We grabbed her bouquet and started on bridal portraits. She had an amazing array of flowers in her bouquet, including lilies, hydrangeas and roses. Tied to the stems was her grandmother’s wedding ring as well as her uncle’s. The room had a large window that gave us beautiful light so we made the most of it. We finished up with Kelly and then headed upstairs to find the guys.

Joe and the groomsmen were in a suite on the other side of the hotel.  They were dressed in dark gray suits with coral ties to match the bridesmaids. Joe was looking sharp in his navy tie and sneakers. Kelly’s nephew, Michael, was clearly excited to be hanging out with the guys and to be part of the day. We found a few cool spots in the hotel to get portraits of Joe and then headed outside to meet up with Joe’s family. We found a shady spot in front of the hotel for family formals. We started with Joe’s family and then sent him inside so we could bring out Kelly and her family. Then everyone retreated back inside while we went to find the ceremony location. Normandy Farm has beautifully manicured grounds and it didn’t take long to find the ceremony spot. It was simple and green and the perfect day for an outdoor ceremony. Guests were greeted with fruit-filled water and found their seats.

It wasn’t long before the seats were filled, Joe and the groomsmen were in place and we were ready to go. Kelly was escorted down the aisle by her father, Bob. The ceremony was short and sweet and I loved the part where Father told them that marriage is HARD! He got a good laugh, but he also made a good point. Marriage takes hard work, compromise and love. After the ceremony we grabbed the families for a few more formals and then sent them off to cocktail hour. We had some fun with the wedding party before releasing them also. Then it was time for the bride and groom. You could tell how at ease Kelly and Joe are with each other and how very much in love they are. They were up for anything and I loved it! My assistant thought I was crazy when I asked Joe to lift Kelly up onto a 6 ft. wall, but they were game and the results are amazing. After dodging traffic in the parking lot, we let Kelly and Joe catch the tail end of cocktail hour.

While everyone enjoyed hors devours and drinks, we snuck into the ballroom where the reception would be held. The Normandy Farm Hotel wedding reception space embodied a modern farm-chic vibe. The huge wood beams overhead were covered in white lights and the rustic hardwood dance floor gleaned. Simple and chic centerpieces included wine bottles wrapped in lace atop slabs of wood. The couple’s initials and heart-shaped fingerprints shone on the dance floor and an awesome cupcake tower was lit up in its own private space. DJ Chris Marx was getting ready for entrances while guests found their seats. Parents and the wedding party were introduced, followed by Kelly and Joe. They went right into their first dance and surprised everyone! The couple had been practicing their first dance for months and it certainly paid off. This was the best first dance I have ever seen! Once the wedding party was seated and Kelly and Joe caught their breath, the best man and maid of honor gave toasts. During dinner Kelly danced with her dad to Loved Her First by Heartland and Joe danced with his mom to Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton. Then we stole the couple away for a few minutes to catch the last bit of light for the day.

Once dinner was done, DJ Chris got the dance floor bumping! He got everyone excited for the bouquet toss, garter removal and the garter toss. After that, the couple cut their cupcake and the catering staff filled the room with tons of amazing looking desserts. The rest of the night was a party! One of the most fun moments was when the DJ played S.O.B. by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Apparently this is a favorite of the groom and his groomsmen because they rocked the dance floor. We grabbed Kelly and Joe one more time to go outside for night photos. As usual, they were happy to come along. I took advantage of a perfect full moon as the background for a perfectly beautiful couple.

I have to say that this was one of my favorite weddings. Kelly and Joe are so fun to be around and their joy is truly contagious. I feel honored to have spent the day with them and I know they will continue to have fun together. Congratulation Kelly and Joe! Please enjoy some highlights and slideshow below! 

Stephanie & Brad- Loch Nairn Greathouse Wedding

Stephanie and Brad’s Loch Nairn Greathouse wedding was almost as sweet as they are. Having done the couple’s engagement session, I was really excited to spend the day with Stephanie and Brad.

We started at the couples’ home where the girls were getting ready. While Stephanie, her mom and  bridesmaids took turns getting hair and makeup done by Gloss, I grabbed her dress, shoes and jewelry. Stephanie’s Allure Bridal gown had a pleated satin bodice and cascading ruffles with horsehair edging. Her navy blue heels matched the bridesmaids’ Bill Levkoff dresses and she had navy blue Toms to change into later in the night…smart! Stephanie wore a necklace that Brad gave her when they first started dating, a pair of earrings from her mom, and a pearl bracelet that Brad gave her that day. We didn’t get to see Stephanie open her gift from Brad, but her maid of honor said it was really cute because the couple opened their gifts together while talking on the phone. The pearl bracelet had a silver charm with Stephanie’s initials and Brad was really excited about a bottle of wine from his favorite winery and a vintage world map for them to mark their travels on.

Once Stephanie was dressed, we grabbed her bouquet from Anne Ottley Floral Design; it was filled with yellow daisies, white peonies and anemones. Then we headed into her bedroom for bridal portraits. There was beautiful light coming in through the window and we created a perfect white background with her down comforter. I had Stephanie sit on her bed with all those layers of dress surrounding her and it was amazing. I could’ve played with that dress all day, but it was time for us to go see Brad.

When we arrived at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Brad and his groomsmen were waiting in the limo. I snapped a few pics in there and then stole Brad away to the church for a few portraits. Soon guests started to arrive and the groomsmen got to work escorting family and friends down the aisle. Once everyone was seated, the bridesmaids made their way down the aisle. Stephanie’s dad walked her down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. I always love to see the look on the groom’s face when he first sees his bride. Stephanie and Brad were married during a traditional Catholic mass. Father Costa talked about how the two met at work and that Stephanie was first attracted to Brad’s eyes because they looked so kind. Brad wasn’t sure it was a good idea to date a co-worked, but eventually they ended up together. Stephanie loves how Brad always calms and balances her, makes her feel safe and always sees the good in people. Brad loves Stephanie’s bubbly personality, how supportive she is and her beautiful hazel eyes. They both agreed that they make each other better people. After the ceremony, we did family formals and wedding party photos on the alter.

We arrived at Loch Nairn and quickly shot the room while waiting for the limo to arrive. The Loch Nairn Greathouse wedding venue is a very unique structure with beautiful windows that allow sunlight to drench the room. Gleaming plank floors, adorned by tribal oriental rugs; gabled ceilings; huge overhead beams and museum pieces of local art all add to the beauty of this facility. Double French doors lead to the fascinating Round Room which is totally enclosed with glass doors, overlooking the golf course. The tables were adorned with beautiful centerpieces and wine bottles filled with lights. While guests enjoyed cocktail hour, we head out onto the golf course for more photos. Everyone was sure to grab a signature cocktail, Something Blue, beforehand. This group was so relaxed and fun to work with; I knew it was going to be a fun evening. After group photos, we sent the wedding party to cocktail hour and spent some time with Stephanie and Brad. They were so sweet and natural together which makes my job easy! It was almost time for dinner, so we sent the couple back up to the Greathouse to get ready.

When we went back into the Greathouse, we were excited to see Matt and The Bachelor Boys band. We’ve worked with them a few times and they are always so great. We got into place because introductions were about to begin. After parents and the wedding party, Stepahnie and Brad made their grand entrance and went right into their first dance. They looked into each other’s eyes the whole time…it was so sweet! Stephanie’s dad welcomed everyone and congratulated the bride and groom, and then dinner was served after the blessing. Toasts were given by the Maid of Honor, Best Man and Stephanie’s brother before getting into parent dances. Stephanie surprised her dad with the song Sunshine on My Shoulders because that is the song he taught her to dance to. Sunshine is also Stephanie’s nickname and when the family went hiking, Stephanie would always ride on her dad’s shoulders.

Cake time! Stephanie’s Aunt Maureen of Maureen’s Custom Cakes made the small cake that the couple cut and fed to each other. It had white ruffle layers and small yellow flowers cascading down the front. They also had a cake made by Sweet Magnolia Bakery that was served to the guests. While cake was being served, everyone gathered on the dance floor to watch the bouquet and garter toss. After that we took the bride and groom outside for more photos. We went across the street to an open field and even took photos in the street. Stephanie twirled in her gown and said, “It’s like a grown up tutu!” Don’t worry; my assistant was on traffic watch. We all went back inside so the couple could enjoy the band. Everyone was enjoying the live music and table 13 totally rocked the Wobble.  We ended the night by taking Stephanie and Brad outside one more time for some night shots. The couple danced under a huge oak tree; it was a perfect ending.

It was honestly such a pleasure to spend the day with Stephanie and Brad. I thank them for choosing me to photograph their wedding day and I know they will keep their sweet love going for years to come.

Allie & Bryan- Concord Country Club Wedding

Allie and Bryan’s Concord Country Club wedding fell on one of the only nice days in May. Seriously, this month was all about the rain. Allie and Bryan lucked out! It sprinkled a little after the ceremony but was soon gone and gorgeous. I was glad that the weather held because the weeks approaching their wedding day had been stressful for them.

We started out with Allie getting ready in the lady’s locker room at the club. Allie’s dress was made by Justin Alexander. I just loved the beaded top and full skirt. Allie had already had her hair and makeup done at Fabrizio Salon and Spa. She arrived at Concord Country Club with just her mom and maid of honor. She decided she didn’t want a large audience to start the day. I felt that this was a smart decision. Often times the getting ready room can get a bit chaotic and overwhelming. We spent some time with the three of them and then had some time for bridal portraits. Allie’s dress looked stunning on her!

I then took some time to go see Bryan and the guys. They were all ready for the ceremony. We spent some time shooting while they were pinning the boutonnieres (always entertaining). After a short time with the guys, we headed to the ceremony site.

The ceremony site was absolutely stunning. It overlooked one of the fountains on the golf course. There was a breeze and the puffy white clouds hung overhead. It really was an amazing site. The ceremony went off without a hitch. Right as the ceremony was ending, some large clouds rolled in. We decided to take a little break before photos to let the storm pass. It was only a matter of a few minutes and we were back outside.

We spent some time with family photos and bridal party. Allie was feeling a little too hot. We decided to save her and Bryan’s portraits for a little later during the reception. This would give Allie a chance to relax and also would give us an opportunity to go out when the light would be the best.

The reception got underway with toasts and first dances. The room was decorated with hydrangeas and roses from Matlack Florist. The best man had the room in stitches with his mile long speech and stories of the past. DJ Mike from Must be the Music DJ’s  had the dance floor packed the entire night. Allie’s dad even lead the floor in the Cupid Shuffle.

I got to take Allie and Bryan out on the gorgeous Concord Country Club wedding venue grounds during sunset. The photos from this portion of the day really are my favorite. Allie and Bryan were wonderful to work with and really did not need any direction during photos. I loved spending the day with them and getting to know them over the past year. I wish them so much happiness. Please enjoy some highlights from their wedding and a slideshow below.