2015 was quite a bittersweet year for me, a little bit like a classic country song. I lost a few things that were really important to me, but I also gained some wonderful new friends, clients, and opportunities for the new year. The highs this year are some of the highest ever, and much of that is thanks to my amazing clients. I had a truly wonderful year with MKP, including some of the best couples and venues yet.
And so, as we bid adieu to 2015, here’s a walk down memory lane with all those wonderful people. There was no way I could pick a favorite couple of photos from any of these weddings, so these are presented chronologically and with no particular favoritism. You’ll just have to visit all the links and pick your favorites for me. I guess it’s a good problem to have!
We kicked it all off with MaryKris + John, and could not have eased in to the wedding season any better. Their intimate Old St. Joseph’s ceremony and Hotel Monaco brunch reception were a beautiful, low key start to my year.
Followed by a complete blow out with Simona + Travest at the Crystal Tea Room, a new venue for me this year, and one that I can’t wait to get back to. (We even got them featured over on Philadelphia Wedding Mag’s blog).
And after a good night’s sleep it was off to see Liz + Sam wed at Aldie Mansion in Doylestown among their most beloved friends and family.
In June, Angela + Andrew beamed on their picture-perfect summer wedding day at Spring Mill Country Club. They too graced the Philly Wedding Mag online blog AND my favorite photo-nerd blog, Moment Junkie, because they’re just so adorable.
Then it was off to the countryside, for Ian + Jen’s DIY barn wedding at Landis Valley Village + Farm Museum inside the Yellow Barn. It was a hot Lancaster day so the revelry spilled out of the barn and on to the lawn.
On the 4th of July we celebrated AMERICA and NORA + MATT at the Barn on Bridge. And boy did things get patriotic.
Scotti + Kyle made their dog Pixie an honest dog at a ceremony at Centre Bridge Inn on the river in New Hope.
And there’s so much to say about Abby + Trey, who planned an utterly beautiful, eclectic, welcoming affair at the Rodale Institute. I have many, many photos of them embracing their friends and family in a group hug we’ve named The Treybigayle.
In late July, I had the absolute pleasure of shooting Bridget + Bryant’s truly classic Pen Ryn Estate wedding. We were low on time for their portraits but high on gorgeous golden hour light, multiplied by their truly visible Newlywed Glow.
Valerie + Charlie had a Cescaphe Ballroom wedding, one of my favorite venues in Downtown Philadelphia. We hit up some truly unique portrait locations after church–first the skyline from the Schuylkill River Boardwalk and then for some cold brews at Frankford Hall.
Kimm + Burton got married at the Bally Spring Inn, but Burton’s son Blake really stole the show when he drove his tiny Mustang down the aisle to deliver the rings.
We had a double-header on Labor Day Weekend, starting with Heather + Jon at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, another new venue for me this year, and an instant favorite.
Then the next day Kristen + Josh got hitched at St. Thomas of Villanova, on the campus where they met and fell in love. Then it was off to People’s Light and Theatre where Kristen + Josh were finally told the location of their surprise honeymoon — Hawaii!
After a quick anniversary trip with Greg and the dogs, I headed up to the Barn at Boone’s Dam in Bloomsburg to celebrate with Kevin + Lisa. Kevin + Lisa are dear friends of ours, and it was so nice to get to be such an integral part of their day.
On October 3rd, the meteorologists were predicting Hurricane Joaquin would be an unwelcome guest at Heather + Wes’s wedding. While it was a little cold and windy, we were able to get some awesome photos because the Mann Center served as such a unique venue!
Sarah + Eli’s Highlands Historical Society wedding was a perfect blend of tradition and whimsy. We had the most beautiful October light spilling in to the venue’s formal gardens during portraits, what a dream!
The October blitz continued with two couples who are very close to my heart. First I headed down to Baltimore for Patti + Russ’s perfect Cylburn Arboretum wedding. Patti and I have been friends since high school and I just love these two to teeny, tiny pieces and had such a blast being their Phoguestrapher. Russ asked if we could recreate a photo from The Wire, which is probably one of my favorite requests ever.
I got home from Baltimore, unpacked, re-packed and took off for Mexico for my sister-in-law’s destination wedding. Andrea + Larry’s nearest and dearest spent a week in Cancun sipping tropical drinks and toasting to the happy couple.
After a cancelled flight and an extra 24 hours among the palm trees, I was back in good old Philadelphia for another double-header wedding weekend. Alicia + Joe made me feel like a part of the family all day as we toured around Philly for their portraits, ending once again at the elegant Cescaphe Ballroom for their ceremony and reception. And a sweet shot of Alicia and her parents was Philadelphia Wedding Magazine’s picture of the week.
Then Patricia + Vince enjoyed a chilly but gorgeous wedding day at the William Penn Inn. I just love those twinkle lights!
And lastly, but certainly not leastly, I spent part of the Thanksgiving weekend with Kaitlyn + Alex at their gorgeous Greek Orthodox wedding (complete with crowns!) and their reception at Drexelbrook. Kaitlyn + Alex stood on a wall, I laid in a puddle, a grand time was had by all!
Thank you all for being such a wonderful part of 2015. I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store, with even more wonderful, happy couples. I’ve got big things coming your way, including a new space in Manayunk, expanded family photography offerings, and hopefully a personal project or two. I hope you’ll stay along for the ride! Remember, you can keep up with the goings on on Instagram and Facebook.
I’ll be kicking off the 2016 wedding season in style — on New Year’s Day in the heart of Philadelphia with Katie + Phil — and I couldn’t be more excited!
If you’re feeling super nostalgic, you can go check out the 2014 Year in Review, the 2013 Year in Review, the 2012 Year in Review, and the 2011 Year in Review!