On a perfect Sunday morning, we began a special day with Jennifer and David at the Rittenhouse Hotel, right off Rittenhouse Square in downtown Philly. Here's a view from the top floor, looking out on the Square and the city beyond:

It's a beautiful location, and we enjoyed capturing their celebration. Our story begins with their meeting in the hotel lobby, seeing each other in their wedding day finery for the first time:

Following that beautiful meet-up, we spent a little time capturing some portraits in the lobby area, where dramatic locations were readily available:

After an extensive set of family photos, and the Ketubah signing, it was time for the ceremony in the ballroom upstairs, where gorgeous details and careful lighting design allowed us to capture some storytelling imagery, with only a minimal use of flash:

Very beautiful.... Then, while we photographed the cocktail hour downstairs, the amazing crew at the hotel transformed the ceremony setup into the equally impressive reception configuration. It all happened quickly, and was a great demonstration of the staff's well-practiced teamwork. In the few minutes before the guests entered, we had an opportunity to capture the reception setting and some of the careful details:

Soon, it was time for Jennifer and David's energized entrance, and a brief first dance, soon joined by their many guests:

And of course, the evening included:

These guys know how to have fun! Much dancing, toasting and merriment ensued, none more entertaining than David's impromptu speech to his guests, at once gracious, emotive, joyous, and imaginative... Jen was right there, enjoying the moments with her new husband:

Toward the end of the party, the crowd formed around them to express their love, hope and joy, summing up all the meaning of an exceptional day:

Our thanks to Jennifer and David for allowing us to tell the story in images. Locations matter-- and people matter even more.

We returned to Morristown to photograph Erin and James, a great couple who brought lots of joy and energy to their wedding celebration. We started at the Morristown Hyatt for some getting ready images, including these portraits:

Looking at those smiles, you can feel the excitement and joy... And if you need some more evidence, check out Erin with her girls:

Meanwhile, Keith was downstairs in the lobby with the guys, and since this was FIFA World Cup time, they were focused on the match:

Then it was off to Bernardsville for the ceremony at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a beautiful church with gothic detailing:

This made for some very dramatic scenes, along with some spontaneous moments of fun:

All leading to the kiss and exuberant exit:

Now we return to Morristown, where we spent a little time strolling outside with Erin and James, just letting them enjoy each other while we captured images with our long lenses, they really made it so easy:

That's just beautiful, the way it's supposed to be!

Time for the reception, with some nice details to set the scene:

And our newlyweds savor the moments of their first dance:

Out come the props, for some serious goofing with all their friends and family:

And some beautiful slow dance moments also:

Love is in the room, with Erin and James surrounded:

It was a great day! Thanks, Erin and James, you guys are the best...

We spent our Memorial Day weekend in the Philadelphia area, photographing two beautiful weddings on consecutive days. The first was Melissa and Matt's celebration, headquartered at the Villanova Conference Center, which includes the beautiful Rose Mansion:

Shelley captured some getting ready moments, and took advantage of a stairway in the mansion to make a graceful portrait featuring Melissa's gown:

At the same time, Keith was nearby at the Villanova Chapel, with its tall spires, where Matt struck a pose:

Soon, Melissa arrived at the Chapel with her dad, ready to climb the steps and get married:

The Chapel is a classic beauty, with really nice available light, letting us make a record of the ceremony without the intrusion of flash:

Working as a team, we were able to find a lot of interesting angles, hiding behind columns and using our long lenses:

And with a meaningful kiss, they made their exit, with the usual phalanx of guest "photographers" snapping away:

Then, it was back to the conference center for some portraits. It was very warm and humid, but Melissa and Matt were total troupers, and we had a nice time exploiting the beautiful garden and grounds:

A resident family of geese allowed us access to a striking vertical sculpture, for a full length and close up view:

Shelley made this beautiful shot at the end of the portrait session, framing M&M with green:

After cocktails, the garden took on a magical quality as the light began to fall:

And it was time for the reception, beginning with Melissa & Matt's entrance and first dance:

Soon they were joined by their guests, still lost in each other, and savoring the moment:

Just a couple frames from the party that ensued, it was a lot of fun:

Of course there's more to the story, but a quick overview makes clear that this was one special day for Melissa, Matt, and all their friends & family. A happy ending, and a new beginning:

Since we live in Glen Ridge, it was a very convenient commute for Raiza & Eric's celebration at the Glen Ridge Women's Club, a lovely, tasteful and historic venue right on Ridgewood Avenue. They hit the weather jackpot, with a beautiful day in April, and it was great to feel the joy, not only from Eric & Raiza, but also from their friends and family. 

Shelley started with some getting ready pix at their home, once again finding the nice light for some unposed portraits before Raiza left for the club, she's a beauty:

Meanwhile, Keith was already at the club with Eric and his son for last minute detailing and a few posed shots:

Eric's son was the ringbearer, so he was in charge of this beautiful handmade box, designed by Eric:

A couple shots from the ceremony-- we still got some great moments, working around all the competing amateur guest "photographers":

After the receiving line, we used some of the cocktail time to take a little stroll on Ridgewood Ave. -- Raiza and Eric did a great job of working the camera:

Back inside, we had some fun capturing some of the simple but beautiful details that brought so much character to the reception room-- love the simplicity combined with attention to nuance:

Here's an energized entrance shot at the start of the party:

And a selection of images from the party that ensued:

Big fun for all, with some nice Caribbean flavor mixed in... 

In addition to putting together a great wedding day, Raiza & Eric got their list of album images figured out in record time. It was our pleasure to deliver their finished album just 2 months after the wedding! These two have a great future, and we appreciate the opportunity to make a record of their celebration!

We enjoyed our day with Amy and Craig, who reside in our nation's capital, but returned to New Jersey for their wedding celebration. Craig waits excitedly at the church, while Amy the Glowing Bride travels in the limo:

A couple shots from their ceremony, a beautiful church makes such a difference:

And now we go to The Manor in West Orange-- it's always great to return to this outstanding venue. We spent a little time with Amy and Craig, making some casual portraits, not really posing, but just letting them be themselves:

What a fun couple, it was so easy to create beautiful images...

Locations matter, and this is clearly illustrated at The Manor, where the architectural and culinary details provide endless opportunities for dramatic images:

And, they have the great staff to go along with all that beauty and taste...

Here are a few images from the party, including the first dance, and lots more carrying on as the day continued. A great party always begins with the bride and groom, and A&C were bringing the joy for all their guests. Glad we were there to capture the story!