Year in Review: 2016
We opened 2016 on January 1 in Philly with Katie + Phil + the Mummers, and we closed it on December 31 with Maureen + Jerry in Scranton. They were perfect bookends with 32 wonderful stories in between.2016, for me, was a year of whining, wishing, wondering. A year of weight. A year of wine and whiskey. A year of worrying, wallowing. A year of work--the hardest I've ever done. Here on the other side, it's a year of work that I feel really proud of. And I could not have done it without each and every one of these wonderfully different couples, each with their own unique celebration, each with the trust in me to capture their some of their biggest moments in time.Here's just a select few of my many favorites from the year, starting with Katie + Phil, who kicked off the year in fine fashion on New Year's Day in Philadelphia, and who I now count among my growing group of clients-turned-friends.
After a long, sleepy winter, we entered the spring wedding season with Erin + Bob, down the street from me at the William Penn Inn. And I finally perfected that window shot!
In April, while her beloved Villanova wildcats were securing their NCAA Championship, Jeannine + Ace wed on a perfect spring day at Villanova's chapel, and celebrated after at the Rador Hotel.
Then it was off to the Michener Museum for Alyssa + Mike's wedding, where their daughter Nora totally stole the show.
Toward the end of the month we were back downtown with Gina + Tom at Cescaphe Ballroom.
May brought lots and lots and lots and lots of rain. Which worked for Kim + Pat!
The next day the weather cleared somewhat for Annemarie + Justin's College of Physicians wedding.
And then it poured again for Sabrina + Eric's Ursinus College nuptials, and again, it didn't bother us a bit.
On a Thursday afternoon, Reina + Will eloped at Philly's City Hall, with an intimate dinner afterwards.
June arrived fast and furious, with weddings every weekend, kicking off with Kara + Dan and their wonderfully playful energy at the Audubon Center.
Then I flew off to the land of 1,000 lakes to photograph my dear cousin's wedding. Christa + Jasha put on a gorgeous lakeside affair.
Then back in Philly, super suave Dan + Ali wed at Union Trust, in one of the best dancefloor parties all year.
At the end of June I was traveling again, this time to Annapolis for Brittany + Dan's Naval Academy wedding. (Yes, you've read that right, 3 of 4 grooms in June were named Dan.)
In July I got to catch up with a dear old friend from middle school! Meredith + Steve threw a country club wedding at Meadowbrook in Blue Bell.
Closing out July, the unbelievably sweet Flannery + Fino tied the knot and celebrated at Overbrook Country Club -- with an equally adorable flower girl.
When September struck, we opened with a double-header unicorn weekend, starting with Kim + Dan's (another Dan!) completely perfect -- though HOT -- Water Works wedding.
The next day was equally hot, and equally gorgeous. Fortunately Kristen + Mike married along the Delaware River, so I was able to hop in to cool off while getting some riverside portraits!
After a quick trip to Martha's Vineyard with my husband, I returned to Bridget + Steve's downtown Philadelphia wedding at the Sheraton. We got to hang out on rooftops!
In October I got to work one of my favorite venues all year -- the Reading Terminal Market -- where Sherry + Greg danced the night away.
Then it was down to Rehoboth Beach for Kelly + Jim's intimate family wedding. And despite the rain, we got on the Jolly Trolley for some fantastic portraits.
Then in mid-October I was back close to home at Normandy Farm with Nikita + Frank, who threw a raucous, colorful party.
Jacquelyn + Mike had a stunning October day for their vows at La Massaria at Bella Vista. The only thing missing was their cute pup, Archer.
At the end of the month, Lauren + Cameron threw a lovely cocktail party at Stotesbury Mansion to celebrate their nuptials.
In November it was back to Cescaphe with Alicia + Rob -- with a cameo by Philly Jesus.
Then we headed to Avalon for the second part of this awesome November double header, where Emily + Craig threw a rager at the Windrift.
Lauren + Pat came to me from two of my other most favorite couples ever, and their wedding did not disappoint! We had to shoot all the portraits after dark, which was definitely a fun challenge for me!
Then Nicole + Bob had a beautiful late-November day for their Northeast Philadelphia wedding, complete with a ceremony at Nicole's alma mater, Nazareth Academy.
December held THREE weddings, which may be an all time high, starting with Kara + Ryan at cozy Cairnwood Mansion.
Then on the last weekend of 2016 I had a glittery double header with two New Year's weddings. Starting with Jaclyn + Mark at Barn on Bridge.
And last, but never ever least, I got to count down to the New Year with Maureen + Jerry, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
Thank you all for a wonderful year! I can't wait to see where 2017 takes us.