A mild day in January……unheard of.  But today for Denise and David’s wedding, it was about 50 degrees.  We met Denise, David and the bridal party at Cairnwood Mansion in Bryn Athyn PA, before the ceremony at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park, PA to do photographs of them, their families and bridal party.  Michael, David’s best man, clued us in on how the couple met.  It seems that Michael’s wife met Denise on the first day of a new job and told Denise that her husband had a friend and they should meet……fast forward to today, their wedding.  After photos at the mansion, Ali Baba limousine from Manayunk drove the couple to the church where they had a traditional Greek Ceremony.  A lovely booklet was handed out to the guests explaining marriage in the Greek Orthodox Church.  Denise’s uncle Nick was the Cantor for the ceremony.  Then is was back to Cairnwood for a great dinner hosted by Robert Fair Catering of Exton PA.  Neo Kyma, a traditional Greek band played both Greek and American music and the guests enjoyed dancing to both.  Denise and David will honeymoon in Antigua.

David and Denise's beautiful wedding bands

Denise before her wedding ceremony

Denise beginning her wedding day

David and Denise share a moment on the balcony of Cairnwood Mansion in Bryn Athen Pa

Fun with the bridal party

Denise and David's wedding ceremony at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park Pa

Throwing rice after the ceremony

Wedding guests at Cairnwood Mansion

Lots of traditional Greek dancing at the reception

A beautiful ending to a great day

‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house, Colleen was preparing to get her a spouse.   It was hustle and bustle at aunt Rita’s in Abington PA.   The girls getting ready.   Then a stretch limo ride by Avalon Limousine Service to Our Lady of Ransom Church in Philadelphia PA.   It poured rain, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the day when Colleen and Chris exchanged vows.   We found out that they met years ago…..maybe 13 or more, while in high school and working at the ACME.   A fun time was had by all at the reception hosted by the Warwick/Radisson in center city Philadelphia.   John from Martin’s Video captured all the fun moments and Ryan from HOT HOT HOT Entertainment kept busy with all the dancers all night.   The cake smash was a little messy though.   Chris, is a nurse at Einstein Hospital and Colleen works for a financial institution.  They will be honeymooning in the Bahamas.

It was a Christmas wedding

Colleen before her wedding ceremony

Colleen and her bridesmaids at Aunt Rita's house

Colleen and Chris exchanging vows at Our Lady of Ransom Church in Philadelphia Pa

Colleen and Chris

Chris and Colleen arriving at the Warwick Hotel

Having fun with the bridal party

Colleen and Dad dancing a traditional Irish dance

A surprise guest dancing with Colleen

“Am I your first Blizzard Bride?”, Liz asked us at the cocktail hour.   We said “yes” at the same time.   It was the largest December snow storm on record in Philly.   24″ of snow….a blizzard.   Chris and Liz’s wedding day.   It didn’t seem to scare a soul because St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church was packed with guests for the 2:30 Mass.   Cescaphe Trolly transported the bridal party of 26, safely to Cescaphe at the Curtis Center at 6th & Chestnut in Center City Philadelphia.

When we arrived at the reception we, along with Pat Taggart of Pat Taggart Video found Liz to let her know that we made it!   She was so grateful……grateful for everyone who made it safely.   Cescaphe had their incredible cocktail hour spread of great food and almost everyone made it to the repection….over 250 guests.  The snow wasn’t an issue as everyone enjoyed dancing to the band Contagious sponsored by Brandywine Valley Talent.   We always like to find out how the couple met but inquiring to a few bridesmaids was a little sketchy.   But we did find out that they met at a bar in Baltimore call the Sky Box.   Liz took a few of her friends there to scope out Chris who was bartending there.   I guess they approved……Liz and Chris will honeymoon in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and San Francisco.   Hopefully NO snow there!

The weather forecast was calling for heavy snow all day

Liz's driveway and street were plowed all morning by Uncle Franny

Liz enjoying the start of her unforgettable wedding day

Liz with her beautiful rose bouquet

The adorable flower girl

Chris and Liz's wedding ceremony at St. Cecilia's Church

Liz and Chris

Liz and Chris in front of the massive Christmas tree at the Curtis Center in center city Philadelphia

A rose petal shower during the first dance

Chris and Liz perform for their guests with the band Contagious

The 35 degree temperature didn’t scare Colleen and Brian and their bridal party, as they gathered for outdoor pre- ceremony  photographs.   The flowers were spectacular and were arranged by A Rose Bouquet in Philadelphia PA.  USA Limo transported the group to the grounds of the Katherine Drexel Shrine in Bensalem PA.   After a great photo session, we all headed to the Townsend Room in Philadelphia PA where the ceremony took place officiated by Rev. Helen Collings of Soul-Centered Weddings. The reception followed immediately with catering by P&P Caterers.  Music for the  ceremony and reception was provided by the Pro’s.  We found out that Colleen met Brian when she went out with Kristy (friend, co-worker and bridesmaid) to Tony’s Pizza in Northeast Philly.   Brian, who is an Occupational Therapist, was bartending at Tony’s.   They will honeymoon in Bermuda.

Colleen relaxing before her ceremony

Receiving a special gift from Mom

The wedding mascot

Brian arriving with his groomsmen to meet Colleen

Brian and Colleen

The wedding party at Katherine Drexel Shrine in Bensalem Pa

Colleen and Brian before the ceremony

The wedding ceremony performed by Rev. Helen Collings

Colleen and her friends from Little Flower High School

Colleen being serenaded by the boys

When we arrived at PineCrest Country Club, it was snowing like crazy and Sherry ( the coordinator at PineCrest) met us at the door.   Brett and her sister Erica along with Brett’s mom and Eric’s mom were in the bridal suite with hair and makeup artist Daneene Jensen   Shortly after, Eric and his brothers arrived  to begin the big day.   When Brett was dressed, we set it up so that Eric would see her for the first time in her bridal gown.   It was cold and snowing outside, but being the good sports that they are, Brett and Eric went outside on the  beautiful covered deck to take some photos with the snow covered golf course behind them.   Then it was time for their ceremony which was performed by Wilson Kratz of Journeys of the Heart.   He spoke of how Brett and Eric met in 2001 at grad school at Johns Hopkins.   They were friends first then became inseparable.  They both are animal lovers and even made a donation to the Humane Society in lieu of favors at their wedding.   We learned that Eric likes to “fix” things around the house and Brett likes taking care of the house.   They had an intimate reception with entertainment provided by Kevin Henley of Schaffer Sound Productions.   They plan on taking a few days off from work to go to the Poconos and possibly take a honeymoon cruise at a later time.

Brett and Eric seeing each other for the first time on there wedding day

Watching the snow fall.

Winter wonderland at PineCrest Country Club

Brett and Eric before their wedding ceremony

Brett and Eric

The bridal party

The ceremony was performed by Wilson Kratz of Journeys of the Heart

The toast

Eric's brother Greg doing "the worm"

Brett and Eric with friends

Pointsettias and the smell of pine.   White lights and holly.   And….a Christmas wedding.   Dana and Jim chose December to get married.   They met on February 2  nine years ago at a dance in high school.   Dana went to Archbishop Ryan and Jim, Father Judge.  When asking the bridesmaids (whose makeup looked fantastic,  by the way,  thanks to Erin Konzelman of Salon Zen in Warrington PA) for a little info about the couple, they said…. “they have just always been together.”   Today they made it official by exchanging vows at St. Matthews Church in Philadelphia.   Cescaphe Trolly transported the entire bridal party to Marsico for an energetic reception where Mark from Celebration Sound  DJ Entertainers kept the music going and dance floor packed all night.   The lobby of Marsico was decorated with a huge christmas tree.   A few bridesmaids agreed that Dana and Jim work way too much and way too hard.   However, they find time to enjoy going to Phillies games, Wildwood, a yearly family vacation in Ocean City NJ, Chickies and Pete’s and something called OCMD ( (Ocean City Maryland.)   They are both very devoted to their friends and their black lab puppy Pearl.   Something you probably don’t know about them is that Jim’s favorite song is Love Shack and Dana loves New Kids on the Block.   Dana and Jim will honeymoon in Disney World.

Dana preparing for her wedding

Dana with her bridesmaids

Dana before her wedding ceremony

Pearl the wedding mascot

Jim and his groomsmen arriving at St. Matthew's Church in Northeast Philadelphia

The bridesmaids arriving at the ceremony with the Cescaphe Trolly

Dana and Jim's wedding ceremony at St. Matthew's Church in Philadelphia

Jim and Dana's first dance at the Marsico ballroom

The girls

Dana and Jim's wedding rings and invitation

It was the day before Thanksgiving and all thru the house……Cairnwood Mansion, that is.   As Katie and her bridesmaids got ready, Isabella the little flower girl, was bouncing a balloon around the room.   Cairnwood Mansion was nicely decorated with flowers by Beautiful Blooms.   We had Katie sneak up on Brandon from behind and tap him on the shoulder and when he turned around he saw Katie for the first time in her wedding gown.  It was a magical moment for both of them.   Because of the rain, we did some photos of the families and bride and groom on the covered porch that overlooked the garden.   Then it was time for an intimate ceremony officiated by Maria Odillia Romeu of Journeys of the Heart.   She spoke of how Katie and Brandon met 4 years ago at a bar called the Rusty Nail, and have been together ever since.   After a fabulous dinner hosted by Culinary Concepts of Philadelphia, everyone danced all night to the entertainment with Richie Abrams of Cutting Edge Entertainment.   It was fun as always, working with Scott, of Scott Gifford Video.   We found out that Brandon makes his own beer and that it was served during the reception.

Katie before her wedding ceremony

Katie with her bridesmaids

Brandon and Katie

Katie and Brandon

Sealed with a kiss at Cairnwood Mansion in Bryn Athyn Pa

Katie and Brandon in the library with the bridal party

Fun with the bridal party

Katie and Brandon's first dance

Katie and Brandon are toasted by the best man

It was a foggy night at Cairnwood Mansion

Fifty eight degrees, mild, blue sky, and a pink sunset reflecting off the water.   A beautiful spring day….you would think!   Five days before Thanksgiving and Christine and Kevin had the most beautiful weather for their wedding.   Father Paul Kennedy of St. Katherine of Sienna Church helped put flowers on the guys at the back of the church.   Father Ron Ferrier, longtime friend of the brides family, assisted Father Kennedy in con-celebrating the Mass.   The photo session of the bride and groom and bridal party couldn’t have been more perfect at the river in Bristol PA and Christine and Kevin were good sports about sitting on the rocks for that perfect sunset photo.   Jay and Mary Ellen and their staff at the Emerald Room were so kind and friendly as always and as guests arrived, they were treated to some great music by the Wilmington Sting Ensemble.   Steve the DJ kept the dance floor hopin’ and Phil, Skip and Brian from All Occasion Video had a neat thing going by projecting the reception LIVE on a screen.   After a little inquiring, we found out that Christine and Kevin met three years ago when Christine was waitressing at Nicholl’s Seafood Restaurant and Kevin was the cook.   It is his family’s business.   They will enjoy are great honeymoon in St. Marteen.

Christine before her wedding ceremony

Christine with her maids of honor

Kevin arriving at the ceremony

Kevin with his groomsmen

Christine and Kevin's wedding ceremony at St. Katherine of Sienna Church in Philadelphia

Miss Leahy's students attended the wedding ceremony

The bridal party at Bristol Park

Christine and Kevin

A great sunset on a great day

Christine and Kevin's first dance at the Emerald Room in Philadelphia

They met at Penn State and from all the time they spent together at Penn State, you would think that Jim also went to Penn State, but he didn’t.   After asking several of the bridesmaids, no one seemed to know where Jim went to college other than knowing he went to college somewhere in New Jersey.   So what does that have to do with a wedding?   Not much, other than 7 years ago to the day of their first meeting, on an unusally mild fall day in November, Jillian and Jim said “I do” at Queen of the Universe Church in Levittown PA .  After the ceremony, Bella Limousine of South Jersey, transported Jillian and Jim and their entire bridal party to Belle Voir Manor in Bensalem PA in a stretch Hummer for an exciting reception.   The dance floor was pretty active with music provided by Chris of Schaffer Sound.   Martins Video captured the action. Because Jillian and Jim are both teachers, we also heard thru the grapevine that they plan to honeymoon in June after school lets out. Destination…..undetermined at this time.

Jillian before her wedding ceremony

All the bridesmaids with Jillian

Flower girl Olivia, too cute

Jillian with her maids of honor

Jim and Jillian's wedding ceremony at Queen of the Universe Church in Levittown Pa

Jillian, Jim and friends after the ceremony

Jim and Jillian's first dance

Jim dancing with his mother

All the wedding guests at Belle Voir Mansion

They met at Penn State about three years ago.   Today, they celebrated their wedding beginning with the Chinese tradition of the groom “buying” the bride with cash offers to the bridesmaids.  It took Brad a little while to gain access to the house where Lan was getting dressed.  But, he finally bought his way past her bridesmaids and saw Lan for the first time in her wedding gown.   After a few photos of the bridal party outside on the porch, we headed in town to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  It was a hazy day after having so much rain, but the rain held up long enough for us to get photos of the bridal party and Lan and Brad.  The gazebo behind the Art Museum made for a perfect location with boathouse row in the background.  At the top of the museum steps, we did the photos of Lan and Brad and the bridal party with the city as the backdrop.  A quick stop to LOVE Park then it was over to the Municipal Building to get shots with the large monopoly pieces and huge dominos.  Then it was off to Lai Lai  Garden in Blue Bell for a fun reception with entertainment by Cosmic Entertainment, and they surely kept everyone entertained all night with activities and giveaways.  Lan changed into a traditional red Chinese dress for the ramainder of the reception.  Lan and Brad already had their honeymoon turing all over Europe for about three weeks.   Also, Brad is in the Army and just returned from a tour in Iraq.

Lan and her bridesmaids waiting for Brad

Brad and his groomsmen arriving at Lan's sister's house

Lan and Brad at the Art Museum gazebo

Brad with his groomsmen and high school friends

Brad and Lan overlooking Boathouse Row in Philadelphia

Bridal party arriving at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Lan and Brad

On the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Fun photo at Love Park

Lan and her girlfriends at Lai Lai Garden in Blue Bell Pa