[teaser] Kathy + Dan: Engagement session around Philadelphia City Hall

It was just a wee bit warm for Carrie + Matt’s Philly e-session the other day. No worries, though – we all survived and have some utterly awesome pictures to show for it. Stay tuned!

Julie + Chuck: Engagement session at Ocean City, MD

Chuck approached me last year with one of the best inquiries ever. He and Julie were guests at Katie & Seth’s wedding, had been engaged for longer than their parents would like, without a venue or wedding date, and just knew that they wanted awesome pictures. I kind of insisted they get a wedding venue and a date so I could be a part of it.

We planned their engagement session at the beach. Though Chuck’s not such a fan of sand, this was something that was particularly important to them since Chuck proposed to Julie on the beach about two years ago. I’m amazed that she was able to take off the ring and keep the proposal a secret for a few days – something for just the two of them to share together.

We met up at the inlet in Ocean City, Maryland for a fantastic session.



They had cruised the boardwalk earlier that day and found a kite especially for the session. I love it when we get to use awesome props like that!


There were some great rocks right at the edge of the beach. We had been warned that we might get a little wet. These two were totally game!




I’m a bit disappointed that I had to explain “canoodling” to them, but they figured it out. (By the way, it means cuddling, kissing, being adorable together, etc. See below.)


A quick change later and we were by the boardwalk for one of those sunsets that are so classically “beach”. (They should know, they had just come back from a pre-honeymoon trip to Hawaii filled with ziplining, snorkeling, surfing, and sunrise walks on the beach – the time change didn’t quite work for them.)



I always say that a beautiful woman in a white dress can get do just about anything. I may have to revise that to simply say ‘two people in love can do just about anything’. I had scoped out a fabulous old carousel (The Trimper Family’s Carousel from 1912) on the boardwalk. As we arrived, the guy there was closing up. He asked what we were up to and was happy to gave us a free ride. We had the whole place to ourselves. It felt like magic.



We ended our evening as the sun was setting behind Ocean City; boardwalk on one side of us, ocean on the other.



Julie and Chuck, see you in September for a wedding that represents another side of things – mountains! I can’t wait!

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

[teaser] Triana + Ankur wedding at Philadelphia City Hall

Triana and Ankur were married at Philadelphia’s City Hall last week. They are incredible. Here’s proof:



More soon!

Julie + Jorge: engagement session around the Philadelphia Art Museum

Some people luck out with good looks, a love of their lives, perfect light for their engagement session, and a fantastic photographer. Now allow me to introduce you to Julie and Jorge. (In case there was any question, Julie and Jorge meet all of the preceding qualifications.) Julie’s eyes are some of the blueist I’ve ever seen. They’re just incredible.

These two met at a bank in Boston, where Julie was working. After a few tries, Julie relented and agreed to go out with Jorge. She never imagined that she would be salsa dancing with this smooth Venezuelan a few dates later. Several years later, Jorge proposed to Julie in front of that very bank. They’ll be married in Boston next July (not at the bank). They call Philly home now, which was why it was important to use one of the most quintessential Philly spots for their engagement session – the Philadelphia Art Museum right outside of their front door.

We started at the azalea garden. It was a bit warm but get a load of this light!



We shimmied a bit behind the art museum…


…got front row seats to Boathouse Row from a charming gazebo…


and took in the fantastic view of the Schuylkill River, Waterworks, and Boathouse Row below us…




And this was all before we voyaged to the front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.




We wrapped it up on the way back to their place, stopping for a smooch or two along the way for good measure.


They love this freshly gilded Joan of Arc statue just outside their building. (Those still stuck on what to get them as an engagement present - find them a little replica and thank me later!)


It was such a great evening. Thank you both so much and special shout out to Bev and Chuck for referring them!

When love has fused and mingled two beings in a sacred and angelic unity, the secret of life has been discovered so far as they are concerned; they are no longer anything more than the two boundaries of the same destiny; they are no longer anything but the two wings of the same spirit. Love, soar.
~ Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

[teaser] Kathy + Dan: Engagement session around the Philadelphia Art Museum

There are soooo many images from Kathy and Dan’s extended engagement session around Philadelphia’s Museum of Art that I hardly know where to begin. Here is a mere peek into our time together.

Carolyn + Jeremy: Philadelphia Wedding at St. Thomas of Villanova and the Down Town Club

“Rain” doesn’t even begin to describe the weather on Carolyn and Jeremy’s wedding day. We’re talking torrential downpour, gale force winds, sheets of water and fierce gusts. A downright tempest.

Regardless, Carolyn and Jeremy took it in stride and the day was an absolute blast. If they were phased at all, they didn’t show it. This is the same couple from the engagement session around the Penn campus a few months ago. The day was beautiful, fun, quirky, and hilarious. You’ll see…

I started at Carolyn’s parents’ house in Villanova where the ladies were getting ready. Jeremy and the guys were at the Omni Hotel in the city. Carolyn had some of the most elegant details – Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes, No. 19 Chanel perfume, some glamorous bling, a chapel length veil, and a stunning one shoulder asymmetrical number by Alma Novia by Rosa Clara.








Don’t let the glamour and glitz fool you, Carolyn was laid back and prepared…


The sky opened up between the house and the church, the beautiful St. Thomas of Villanova on Villanova’s campus.









Our original plans were to take pictures around Boat House Row and at the Philadelphia Art Museum steps. That was not happening. Carolyn and I simultaneously came up with doing the formals at 30th Street Station.




The reception was held at the Downtown Club in Philly. In addition to seating cards, guests’ pictures were displayed on boards with table numbers.





The florals by Long Stems Florist were beautiful.


And the food… Check out the seafood buffet on ice. The table numbers were labors of love by Carolyn and Jeremy themselves, the Bostonians paying homage to Philly with liberty bell lanterns.


The bridal party was something.


Carolyn and Jeremy shared their first dance to “Say Hey” by Michael Franti & Spearhead which turned into a bridal party dancefloor shindig.




This started the night and it got even better. This group got down – complete with belly laughs, breakdancing, perfect speeches, outrageous props, a full Viennese dessert room, and all around hilarity. There are simply too many pictures of it all.







Even the cake was superb.



It was an incredible day. Rain? What rain? Thanks again, Carolyn and Jeremy.

My momma told me don't lose you
'Cause the best luck I had was you
And I know one thing that I love you
~ Michael Franti & Spearhead, “Say Hey”

Hair and Makeup: Kristen Pinciotti

Wedding Gown: Alma Novia by Rosa Clara

Wedding Shoes: Manolo Blahnik

Invitations: Checkerboard

Florist: Long Stems Florist

Transportation: Philadelphia Trolley Works

Ceremony: St. Thomas of Villanova Church

Reception: Down Town Club

Catering: Down Town Club

Band: G-Force

Wedding Cake: Down Town Club