Archive for May, 2008
Emelia + Jay 05.18.08 (Part 2)
The reception was at Appleford Estate in Villanova, PA. It was such a delight to once again work with the remarkable design team of Kendall Brown of Eclatante Design and Donna O’Brien of Beautiful Blooms. I though this wedding was a perfect example of following a color theme with style. Pink and purple were incorporated in various hues in all the décor and flowers. The festive Chinese lanterns were the crowing glory! The catering was by Max Hanson. Their food presentation was amazing and it tasted as good as it looked. (I’m such a foodie). Check out the ice sculpture. It was used for a buffet presentation during the cocktail hour. It really looked like an architectural feat to construct!
These colors are my favorite! And to see all these lovely details using these colors makes my eyes SO happy! Can I come back to visit often?? 
Emelia + Jay 05.18.08 (Part 1)
It goes to show how beautiful a wedding can be rain or shine! I POURED most of the day for Emelia and Jays wedding and only stopped for 15 minutes when we did the couples portraits (call it luck). Their ceremony took place at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, PA. Photographing at Orthodox churches is always a delight. They are just aglow in gold. Jay borrowed his fathers BMW Z8 to drive to their ceremony. Friends attach some cute old fashioned cans to the back of the sports car.
Oklahoma is OK
Last week I flew out to Oklahoma with a few of my staff to photograph a really big, beautiful and Pink Oklahoma wedding. It was my first time visiting the state and I was so impressed with the graciousness of the “Okies”! I also was struck by how flat everything was. Definitely not a place for skiing! On our first day there Jessica, Megan and I had brunch with several Oklahoma wedding photographers. I was looking forward to hearing how different our worlds would be, but I found that being a wedding photographer is probably pretty much the same everywhere. The only difference I found is that in Oklahoma they don’t have one hour cocktail hours. Thanks Tara, Christian and Shannon for sharing your world with us! The rehearsal dinner was in Oklahoma City. Jessica shot this great image of a “van-vertisment”. We also visited the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. Our wedding in Oklahoma was Very big so I needed 4 shooters. Shannon Ho was our “Oklahoma Shooter”. Thanks so much Shannon for your beautiful work. With 4 shooters it will be awhile before I can share any images of the wedding, but I promise it will be worth the wait!
Lauren + Adam 05.10.08 (Part 2)
I must say I was totally blown away when I entered the ballroom of the Union League to see the breathtaking flowers and décor by Nancy Saam. The usually very dark ballroom was all aglow with white tulips. It was very grand, yet so spring like. It was my first time working with event planner Lynda Barness of I Do Wedding Consulting. She kept the day running perfectly; it was a pleasure as I was able to just concentrate on capturing all the moments of the day! After the cake cutting the couple were surprised with a visit by one of the Philadelphia mummer groups. Adam really got into it; donning a Mummers hat and microphone. Lauren and Adams motto for their wedding was “Live, Laugh, Love” and everyone certainly did!
Lauren + Adam 05.10.08 (Part 1)
I need to do another 2 part wedding. Lauren and Adam had so many fantastic and unique details of their Philadelphia wedding that I would really like to do a slide show. My May is so busy with tons of unbelievable events that it seems like I’m running in place and will think about a slide show for my blog sometime in July. I will share some teasers for now. I knew I was in for a treat when I say Laurens Ulla-Maija Couture gown hanging in the doorway. I’ve always loved this designer because the fabric has such an amazing sheen. Ulla-Maija gowns seem to glow in photographs. You can see how Lauren glowed as she descended the stairs of her parents’ home to her fathers waiting arms. Lauren wore her mothers mantilla, which goes to show taste is timeless! I cannot rave enough about the astounding job that Nancy Saam did with the flowers for this wedding. If you love the vines that graced the aisle of Saint Patrick’s Church wait until you see Part 2 in the Union League!!! After the ceremony Laurens mom surprised her with a bagpiper (Perfect for a Duffy bride). The bagpiper led the way for the bridal party to walk to Rittenhouse Square for pictures. The couple then dropped by their center city town home for a picture in front of their home. Very romantic! Right around the corner was one of Philadelphia’s famous murals. They always make a great backdrop for artistic pictures. Lucky me!!! I have many more surprises in round 2!
Stacy + John 05.09.08
May has been a very busy “wedding” month for me, with several events most weekends. This is my first season with a BLOG and I really love sharing the beauty and uniqueness of every event. There is so much prettiness to share! Last week they had predicted a “Nor’easter” rain storm for Stacy and Johns wedding day but Stacy was not going to let that put a damper on her wedding day. She envisioned a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club and come rain or shine she was going to have it. She had 100 umbrellas for guests overnighted so she could still have her outdoor ceremony facing Long Island Sound. It poured and poured all morning and most of the afternoon, but about 5 minutes prior to the ceremony the rain suddenly stopped, Though there was not enough time for the venue to put out chairs, Stacy and John were able to have their wedding outdoors with all their family and friends looking on. Stacy wore a gown by Melissa Sweet which had the sweetest back detail. Her bridesmaids dressed in teal and all had different bouquets. John got teary eyed when he saw Tracy walking down the aisle with her mother. (The always chokes me up) After their ceremony it began to rain again, but that did not deter the couple from taking a stroll under their new umbrella.
Alisa’s Bridal Shower 05.04.08
Well, there’s a first time for everything. I’ve never been commissioned to photograph a bridal shower and this was an incredible first; afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia. Check out the Sylvia Weinstock cake with candy birds and butterflies. Everything was edible, but it must be difficult to eat such a beautiful work of art. Alisa arrived in an adorable Betsey Johnson gold part dress. I have always been a big Betsey Johnson fan! Guests were treated to a delish Matino Martini in her honor! Her bridesmaids brought a tear to her eye when they presented her with a sentimental storybook of her single life. Say tuned for Alisas amazing October wedding. I know I can’t wait
Tara + Phillip 05.03.08
Tara and Phillip had so many unique details to their wedding; I would never include them all in my blog (it could go on for days)! I knew it was going to be special when I arrived at her mothers’ home and there was a bride and groom paper dolls in their mailbox to greet me! Her invitation arrived in a box with silk roses and those same roses were incorporated into her flower girls gown and hair AND her mothers gown. Tara was radiant in her Pnina Tornai gown from Kleinfeld Bridals in NYC which also was adorned with silk roses. She had custom tuxes made for her pet boxer and her little infant nephew (check out his little black shoes)! Tara had a special cake topper made for her husband Phillip who is a hockey player and a wine connoisseur. I loved the hockey field grooms cake! Her reception was at the historic Morris House Hotel in Philadelphia. The lush flowers and décor were by the always amazing Beautiful Blooms. Check out how beautiful the gazebo was adorned with apple blossoms. After the cocktail hour the couple even had a dove release!
Michelle + Craig 04.26.08
I loved Michelle’s “goddess” gown! It was just the perfect gown for her. Her bridesmaids also had “goddess” gowns in a beautiful lilac. Her mom embroidered the monogram that was sewn into her gown. A couple with strong ties to the city of Philadelphia, Michelle and Craig took photographs all around town prior to their ceremony. They started at the Rodin museum and went on to Broad Street for the famous “Philadelphia City Hall” shot! For a very special photo, the couple stopped by the restaurant where they had their first date. He kissed her hand on the corner. There ceremony and reception were held at the Cescaphe Ballroom. They made their grand entrance to a pyrotechnic display! She gave her guests a choice of a book, yummy jam or bird ornaments. Very unique!
Stephanie + Frank 04.25.08 (Part 2)
I love ceremonies in the boathouse at Bonnet Island Estate. They are so timeless. Stephanie and Frank were just beaming as they greeted each other at the end of the aisle. After the ceremony, the couple invited all their guests to join them in the garden for a group photo. A funny note, every wedding always has one little “glitch”. For Stephanie, the strap to her gown broke during her first dance. She had the kind of gown that the bodice would not stay up without the strap. Check out the bottom 2 dance pictures. Frank found it very hysterical! Luckily for Stephanie one of her guests was a professional seamstress and came with a sewing kit. Note to self: remember to bring a sewing kit if wearing a dress with spaghetti straps!
[…] Purple linens can be lovely and tasteful, as photographed by Marie Labbancz: […]