Kristen + Danny | The Philadelphia Horticulture Center

Kristen & Danny met during their college years at Penn State University. They actually lived across the street from each other and 5 years later, Danny proposed to Kristen in the garden behind their house. For their wedding, the couple wanted to capture the juxtaposition between Philadelphia's amazing architecture and beautiful gardens. They chose to get ready at The Ritz on the Avenue of the Arts in the heart of Philadelphia. We spoke in depth about where they wanted to see each other for the first time because the Jay-Z, "Made in America" concert was happening on the Philadelphia Parkway that day and we were a bit worried about the traffic. City Hall kept coming up. Philadelphia's City Hall is within walking distance of the Ritz and provided the perfect mix of architecture & privacy that Kristen & Danny wanted for those first moments together on their wedding day. Kristen & Danny's first look is one of my favorites! The emotion of the moment is clear & I am grateful that I was able to document this for them. From City Hall, we headed to Fairmount Park, the location of the Philadelphia Horticulture Center, where the ceremony & reception would follow. I love the Horticulture Center; the grounds are beautiful and the venue is a working green house! It was just perfect for the Philadelphia garden theme that Kristen & Danny wanted their guests to enjoy. Following an intimate inter-faith ceremony, guests were treated to a night of amazing food by Stephen Starr Events and entertainment by Renaissance Orchestra.

~ from the bride ~ "Everybody said (your wedding day) would fly by – and it did! But it was incredible to have all the people that we care most about under one roof. We knew we'd have a nice time at the wedding, but we ended up having a blast. Our goal was to have a wedding that didn't seem too labored, wasn't too formal and was comfortable and inclusive for all. I think that the Horticulture Center was the perfect location for our rustic but beautiful wedding."

Stationary | Cloudfish Studios

Gown | Melissa Sweet

Bridesmaids | Bill Levkoff

Wedding Bands | Halloween

Hair & Makeup | Daneen Jensen & Associates

Groom's Attire | Michael Kors

Getting Ready | The Ritz Carlton, Philadelphia

First Look | Philadelphia City Hall

Ceremony & Reception | Fairmount Park Conservancy / The Philadelphia Horticulture Center

Catering | Stephen STARR Events

Wedding Band | Renaissance Orchestra