Philadelphia Bridal Show: 3/28 at Sofitel Hotel Be there!

I don't do very many bridal shows. I love meeting 100s of brides face to face but it hard to find the time and energy to do it. And let me tell you that I take my shows quite seriously. If you've been to one, you'll know that I come prepared with a room. Yes, a room. Walls and sofa and all! I guarantee that you won't see anything else like it there. I want you to be able to sit down, take a load off, peruse some albums, and feel relaxed to ask any questions at all.

Tomorrow is my second and last bridal show of the spring. You should absolutely come out if you want to check out some hot bridal fashions at the fashion show or take care of some of those nagging tasks on that mile long to-do list or if you want to meet with me in person to find out if I really am five feet tall.

Here's the lowdown:

What: The Ultimate Center City Bridal Show
When: Sunday, March 28th, 2010 from noon to 4pm
Where: Sofitel Hotel 120 S 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA
This hotel is one of Philly's most luxurious venues. It's beautiful.

So come on out and find me. Look for all the green and I'll be close by…

Lindsay + Josh: Bellevue Wedding in Center City Philly

Have you heard of this little place in Center City called the Bellevue (technically, it's the Hyatt at the Bellevue)? Nothing special, just absolutely stunning architecture, fantastic service, and top of the line everything… Okay, so maybe it is something special.

The Bellevue puts on some splendid weddings and I'm here to show you some images from Lindsay (great name, right?) and Josh's wedding.

Some weddings just need to be in color. Others are just screaming to be in black and white. This was a black and white wedding. So many of my favorite pictures from the day were just made to be black and white. Take away the color and you immediately focus in on the sentiments of the day: the love, the humor, the pride, the bliss, and the fun.

We started with the ladies as they prettied themselves while Josh and Lindsay's little Avery looked on. The ladies wore tea length navy blue v-neck dresses and carried light pink roses in their bouquets. Lindsay wore a gorgeous silk number with a beautiful lace bodice detailing and some superb Manolos. She carried her own bouquet of light pink roses and accented with white denrobium orchids.




There's something about Lindsay… Yes, she looks like an absolute princess and she was getting married in this glorious marble and crystal palace, but she was so low key, so funny, so absolutely down to earth and just enjoying the day. And you could tell this was the way she was all the time. Definitely no bridezilla here.



The fellas were getting gussied up in their room as well. Simple black tuxes with navy blue vests and ties, and Josh in silver.



Yep, Josh is a stud.


The bridal party hopped on over to Love Park to enjoy the gorgeous day and take some formals. Lindsay and Josh opted to see each other beforehand but Lindsay didn't want much of a production out of it.



And you can't go to Love Park without the obligatory LOVE statue picture.


We returned to the Bellevue and took some pictures in the median on Broad Street with City Hall in the background. A beautiful woman in a white dress always commands attention.


Their lovely wedding was held in the Rose Garden Room of the Bellevue's 19th floor. Have you ever seen such chandeliers?



Guests moved into the conservatory for cocktail hour. This place looked like an indoor version of a cute Parisian street. This is not your typical hotel mingling area. The food looked divine. There were passed hors d'oeuvres as well as a carving stations for steak, one for caviar and smoked salmon, and another for cheeses, meats, olives, and breads.


The reception was held in the recreated Rose Garden Room.


Lindsay and Josh started the festivities off with Ray LaMontagne's "You Are the Best Thing".


The reception was a blast. Some crowds dance but some crowds dance. This one fell into the latter group. And It wasn't just those who were out shakin' their thang. These people had rhythm and looked like professionals. I even had to ask one of the guests if there were professionals in front of me because they looked so good out there.


Those who didn't get out on the dancefloor were severely reprimanded:


And of course the cake…


Even little Avery was included in the festivities.


The day was glorious. Lindsay and Josh – you two were glorious! Thanks so much for letting me be a part of it all!

And baby
The way you move me, it's crazy
It's like you see right through me
And make it easier
Believe me, you don't even have to try
~ Ray LaMontagne, "You Are The Best Thing"

Come out to see 'Godspell'

Do you live in Drexel Hill, Springfield, Media, Ardmore, Wynnewood, Swarthmore, Bryn Mawr, Bala Cynwyd, Narberth, Havertown, Marple, or thereabouts? You do? Awesome! Then you probably know about the show going on at St. Bernadette's in Drexel Hill. And this is the last weekend. (gasp!)

It's Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak's Broadway musical, Godspell, put on by the St. Bernadette's Players and featuring a talented cast of 30+ local thespians. The popular musical follows a series of parables from the Bible with modern references and a vibrant color palette. Check out these pictures.















Enticed?

Come on out tonight, tomorrow, and/or Saturday at 7:30pm at 1035 Turner Ave
in Drexel Hill, PA. You can reserve tickets by calling 610-446-1982. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for people over 65 years old or under 12 years old. I'll see you there.

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day
~Godspell, "Day by Day"

Bree + Scott: Engagement Session at Longwood Gardens

So a few things to mention about an engagement session I did at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA earlier this month.

1) Bree and Scott are majestically tall (5'10" and 6'5", respectively). I am not.
2) I can't believe this was the first time I had ever shot an engagement session here – the place was gorgeous. We arrived on a Sunday on the opening day of their Orchid Extravaganza. There were so many people but we found some perfect moments when the crowds moved away for mere seconds.
3) Scott is Marine and Bree agreed to share him with me on one of their last days together til the wedding in October. They met online in 2006 while he was over in Afghanistan.
4) This couple is equal parts cute, snarky, and awesome.

Okay, you didn't come here to read. Without further ado…



(Yes, those were big, white, billowing orchids behind them.)

Scott, take note: hyacinth are some of Bree's favorite flowers. Seems like she melted as soon as we walked into one of the rooms in the conservatory and we were surrounded by those fantastic smelling flowers. To me, that means spring and I couldn't be happier!








Bree was perfectly dressed for the conservatory. They keep it nice and humid but we ventured outside and there was still snow on the ground and a bite in the air. Look at my little trooper, Bree. We found a corner where the grounds crew has moved a bunch of metal chairs and benches into one corner. All that repetition is a photographer's dream and I just couldn't resist.


Scott is either a good influence or a bad influence. I was tickled pink that he got her to overcome her fear of a Longwood Gardens detention and walk around roped off section for some beautiful pictures.


Yep, I was working on this great pano of the conservatory when this hottie couple jumped right in front of my frame. Ah, well…


We finished up by the DuPont House. The old brick was beautiful. Scott was able to get some giggles out of Bree with some horse noises – I'll let them explain that one to you.


All in all, I had a great time with these two. Bree has to be without her beloved Scott for the next 7 months while he's stationed in Honolulu (jerk!). The next time he leaves the area will be with his new wife and pooch as they both pick up and move to Hawaii. Keep your eyes glued to the blog for their wedding pictures at Pen Ryn Mansion this fall. It's just around the corner…

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
~ Winnie the Pooh