Julie and Rob - Philly Hotel Monaco wedding

It was really just a few weeks ago that we were dealing with one of the snow storms with about 4" of snow coming down - on top of the piles of snow already there.  During this weekend, I met up with Julie and Rob for their engagement session in Old City, Philadelphia.  Fast forward to their wedding at the Hotel Monaco.  While we didn't venture outside because of the rain, we made great use of the Hotel Monaco's gorgeous decor. As I started the day with the Julie and her bridesmaids, I could sense the calmness.  Everything came together and went off without a hitch.  The flowers by Carl Alan, were stunning, but definitely shadowed by how great Julie and Rob looked.

The band, Burnt Sienna, kept the dance floor packed the entire night.  They were such a hit, the wedding guests wouldn't let them finish and insisted on an encore.

It was a great wedding and I was so happy to be part of their day!

Val and Jason - Curtis Center Wedding

Val and Jason's wedding was my last wedding shoot of 2013.  And let me say, it was an awesome day to close out on!  Not only did I get to see a past couple of mine (Kathy and Anthony - Val's brother), but the weather was great, we got to take wedding pictures at Citizens Bank Ball Park and the Phillie Phanatic showed up to the reception at Cescaphe's Curtis Center in Philadelphia.  Oh and they had some great beer available to them from Kona Brewery!

Jocelyn and Alan - Center City engagement session

I've known Jocelyn and Alan for a few years now.  We play on the same summer softball league in Philadelphia.  I've made some good friends through different teams like this, but these two are my first to turn to clients! I met them at their place in Philadelphia, not far from South Street.  We started the afternoon off with lunch at an amazing crepe place (they're like tiny pancakes ;) ).  After, we walked around Center City for a while and just casually stopped in different places.  The first stop was on Addison St.  During the day, it's a nice side street with a pretty tree canopy, but at night, all of the trees are light up with Christmas lights, that really make the street take on it's own life.

Meandering around a bit longer, we ended up on Broad St, with City Hall behind them.  As we made our way back towards their apartment, with a random look around, I told them to go down the stairs of the subway entrance.  A little reluctant, they did and when they came up, we were all happy with the final image!

I can't wait to be part of their wedding next year!

Karin and Mike - Philadelphia Westin Wedding

Karin and Mike came to find me through some mutual friends about a year ago.  After meeting up and shooting their engagement session around the Azalea Garden in Philadelphia, I was asked to be part of their wedding day too.  I was stoked because I had a really good time getting to know these two! The day of their wedding felt like it came up so quickly (I'm sure every one of you bride and grooms can say the same thing).  My good friend and very talented photographer Ashley Bartoletti was able to be my second photographer (which I think is ALWAYS a plus to every wedding).  As we started out the day with the ladies getting ready, the rooms at the Westin in Philadelphia were very active.  The make up team did an amazing job with the ladies, and the guys had a great and relaxed time too.  The flowers provided by Carl Alan were stunning.   As I finished up with the ladies getting ready, Ashley followed the guys over to Rittenhouse Square where Karin would see Mike for their first look.  After a little monkey business in the park, the guys let Mike head off to see Karin.

I'm personally a fan of allowing the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding - I think it allows them a chance to really get to spend some good private (while being documented) time before being rushed into the hustle and bustle of the wedding.  Now, don't get me wrong, I still love the emotion and surprise of see that look on the grooms face as his new bride walks down the aisle too.  Karin and Mike's first look was awesome though.  He was so surprised and genuinely excited to see her and as soon as they saw each other you could just tell that the nervousness melted off.

Following a few portraits and group shots, we took the bus down to Race Street Pier, which is where Mike had proposed to Karin.  The sun seemed to know that we needed a little cooperation that day because when we needed sun, it was there, when we needed a little shade, the clouds rolled in.  A quick stop to Broad Street for the classic Philadelphia City Hall background, then back to the Westin for the ceremony and reception.

Both went off perfectly and so smoothly that it there's no description even needed.

Here's their preview:

Amanda and Ben - Wedding

Amanda and Ben were married just a couple of weeks ago at the Ballroom at the Ben in Philadelphia.  As I've known Ben for a long time,  I was especially honored to be part of this wedding. Don't have time to write much now - but enjoy their preview!

Venue - Ballroom at the Ben