Right before Halloween we had the opportunity to work with two amazing people, Dawn & Giancarlo, on their wedding. Sarah met with them prior to their big day and took a few minutes to shoot some quick engagement photos during a “get to know you session”, and luckily they were able to meet at their reception space, the Phoenixville Foundry, beforehand to see the venue in the daylight. The site is a blend of industrial character with modern elements throughout, including the steel sculpture garden and truss bridge that we made sure to capture that day!
We knew we’d be working against daylight savings time and possibly even too early a timeframe for the perfect foliage setting, but we were hoping for some gorgeous sunsets above the grand setting of the Foundry and some incredible foliage if at all possible!! Thank goodness we have these few and sunny engagement photos to look back on, you’ll see why later on in this post…
So, as Dawn and Giancarlo’s wedding day unfolded we had perfectly cloudy skies that morning, and we were keeping fingers crossed for no rain.
We started out with each of our subjects, Sarah with Dawn and Peter with Giancarlo, and we could already feel the emotional high. The getting ready process was simple, everyone very organized, and we were able to grab early portraits of the families and bridal parties to help move the day along. Even Dawn and Giancarlo’s pup made its debut!
We got to the church and experienced a very heartfelt sermon, one in which you can tell the Bride & Groom have history. So many stories to share and so much goodness coming from them both. Everyone you meet just gushes over these two!
Then we headed to the reception and wouldn’t you know it…RAIN! Yep, it poured. No chance of photos outside. Not even those cute, holding the umbrella ones in the misty rain…it was just way to stinkin wet. So, we had a plan. Actually, Peter had a plan! He saw this huge steel column that was a great backdrop to Dawn (D) & Giancarlo (G). You see, G’s family had worked in the PA steel industry way back when and the Foundry was built upon that very same steel. Perfect backdrop, and perfect improvise!
The setting itself was stunning. There are these beautiful light fixtures amongst these gorgeous steel structures, in this wide open space that includes a 2nd floor with balcony – seriously, amazing!
D & G were one of the first couples to have their reception at this new venue in Phoenixville, PA (Chester County) and I’m sure there will be many more to follow. Joan Kelly and her crew at the Foundry were phenomenal, very kind and professional.
The food stations were super yummy, and the details even more impressive! Dawn went above and beyond with her fall theme, and we chose to show you some of the adorable hand made items like their table decor, centerpieces and name tree (adorned with leaves for the guests to find their seats). They brought the outside in. On this rainy night it was perfect!
Some of our other favorite details (we see these often, but in different ways) were the wedding frames of their family. D & G’s families were an integral part of their planning and it wouldn’t have been a celebration without them and their history!
At the end of the day, all you could feel was this warmth and love surrounding them.
Maybe it was the heat of the dance floor and their non-stop DJ, or possibly the room drenched in candlelight, but I think it was mainly about the Bride & Groom and the love and kindness they share which comes right back to them ten times over.
Congrats D & G! We know that you have nothing but wonderful memories that lie ahead.
Once everyone started arriving they were treated to lemonade and sweet tea, and had the chance to make their marks on the creative artist canvas that was part of the splashes of color I mentioned earlier.
We thought this was such a great idea and a fresh twist on the signature frame matte you see often! The ceremony took place along side of the CT River, and it was such a beautiful setting! Doesn’t this yellow color rock?! The wildflowers just POP off the backdrop of the dresses! Morgan is so good with the details, and she really wanted her earth-friendly elements to show throughout the day. The flowers were inspired from a local farmer’s market, and their natural beauty was surpassed only by Morgan’s.
The bridal party was a super fun group who seriously looked like they just stepped off the pages of Vineyard Vines or J. Crew. We had a blast with them and hope to see them at more events in the future!
For those of you just dying the see the “green” themes and personal touches, here they come! Morgan and John used these dove name/table cards hung from tree branches so their guests could find their seats, but they also doubled as favors! LOVED it! The doves were made from natural, biodegradable fibers embedded with seeds. So, the paper RECYCLES and the flowers bloom – awesome!
Ok, so of course there would be more wildflowers…check out the table above and the cake below. Oh, and did I mention the mason jars holding the flowers? And I almost forgot to say that they are huge METS fans too (in case you almost missed it)!
I don’t know if they rehearsed their dance or not, all I know is that John is a surprisingly great dancer! You half expect it from the ladies, but not the men! Go John!
This was one of the most incredible tented receptions we’ve photographed in a while. I think it had something to do with the details of the day, the weather, the couple, the party — yup, everything!
Morgan and John, we were honored to share your day with you and to capture all of the memories. Best wishes for a wonderful and wild time together on this earth!