We are big fans of all our Little Black Book Photographers. Number One Fan status even. But there is something about Brooke Courtney Photography‘s images that I always recognize. They catch my eye in a way no one else can. They warm my heart. They make me smile. It doesn’t hurt that she gets unbelievably good looking couples in even more unbelievably amazing weddings, like this Pennsylvania fête. The love just grows and grows, each time I peek through the gallery!
I thought it was cute that Dan gave me unsolicited sartorial advice the first night we met, by instructing me that brown and black should never go together. Mutual friends had introduced us, we were in our early 20s and ended up talking (well, more like yelling and exchanging “Whats!?” several times over the DJ) for the rest of the night at a fratastic bar called Green Rock in Hoboken, NJ. Two years later, Dan bribed me with sophisticated visions of Lauduree and the Eiffel tower to move to Paris with him for his job. After traveling throughout Europe and making our friends super jealous with obnoxious status updates on Facebook (“Picqu-nique on Le Pont des Arts”), we moved back to Hoboken some years later, and Dan proposed while vacationing in Carmel on the balcony of our hotel room overlooking the Pacific.
We had about 11 months to plan our wedding on May 5, 2012. Yes, it was Cinco de Mayo, and yes, margaritas were our signature cocktail! Anywho, I was never the girl who had dreamed of her wedding her entire life, so I kinda just went with whatever style unraveled. For inspiration, I scoured the chicest of the chic bridal sources, from Style Me Pretty to Martha Stewart Weddings and Town & Country Weddings. Based on this wedding inspiration cramming, I knew I wanted a venue that felt less formal and more rustic-chic, either an old farmhouse or barn, but something that didn’t break the bank. Both hailing from the Keystone state, and wanting to be close to home while being able to get more bang for our buck, we decided to get married in Pennsylvania at La Massaria in Gilbertsville. It was a charming renovated barn venue with a silo, exposed wood beams, grand windows and perfect lighting.
The barn venue pretty much set the tone for everything else. My mama and I were quite impressed with J. Crew’s bridal salon in NYC. My Crystalline dress with… wait for it… pockets! was ordered immediately, and the rest of the wedding followed a classic yet whimsical style (or so I’d like to think!). The flower girls wore J.Crew dresses as well with a silver lace overlay accent and silver glitter ballet flats, the bridesmaids wore seafoam green Julie Dillon dresses from Bloomies, and my husband was looking very James Bond in his custom made dinner jacket.
To be honest, I was nervous that the day would be too stressful, but it was everything I hoped for and more. I really cherished the time I spent taking photos with my soon-to-be-husband Dan before the whirlwind ensued. Our unbelievably cool photographers, Jeff Frandsen and Maddie Broderick at Brooke Courtney Photography made us feel at ease and produced some really cool photos, involving shots with white balloons and tall, skinny trees. Afterwards, some birds confirmed it was meant to be with their beautiful song at the start of the ceremony. Then, with a little champagne, a lot of love, and a TON of dancing, our married life together began…. and we are living happily ever after.
Photography: Jeff Frandsen and Maddie Broderick, Brooke Courtney Photography / Venue: La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf Course / Minister: Father McGee, Malvern, PA / Ceremony Music: Siena Strings / Flowers: Willow & Thistle / Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Jen Kim, Hoboken, NJ, calligraphy4u@hotmail.com / Invitations: Ann Gardner on Minted.com / Escort Cards and Table Numbers: Paper Presentation / Dress: J.Crew Crystalline Gown / Veil: Nina ‘Claire’ Cathedral Veil, Nordstrom / Shoes: Something Bleu, BHLDN / Clutch: Moyna Bag, Housing Works, New York, NY (similar to Shown) / Wedding Ring: Custom by Hoboken Gold & Diamonds / Engagement Ring: James Allen / Hair: Jenna at Adolf Biecker, Main Line / Make Up: Make Me Glam, Tina Collins / Bridesmaids Dresses: Julie Dillon, Bloomingdales / Flower Girl Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl Shoes: J.Crew Glitter Bow Ballet Flats in Glitter Silver / Bridesmaid’s Gifts: J.Crew Refined Silk Cashmere Wrap / Dance Lessons: Javier at Hudson Dance and Movement / DJ: White Label DJs, Nick DiGiulio / Cake: Dice’s Creative Cakes / Mercury Glass Vases and Votives: West Elm / Hotel: Staybridge Suites / Shuttle Bus: Hagey Coach and Tours