Boat House Row

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words Photography

The Four Seasons Hotel sits right on Logan Square in center city Philadelphia which marks the beginning of Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  At the other end of the Parkway is the Art Museum. The Parkway and the museum was made famous in the movie Rocky with the scene of him running up the steps of the Art Museum and jumping around triumphantly. On a Saturday afternoon in the height of wedding season you can see at least 2-3 bridal parties on the steps of the Art Museum steps taking their formal portraits. We wanted to stay close to the hotel, however, we wanted to avoid the overused Art Museum. Therefore we went with Boat House Row off to the side of the Museum along the river. The Boat House is where all the row clubs have their houses and were you can see a multitude of runners and bikers on an early Saturday morning. The row clubs are beautiful structures and are surrounded by flowers (which luckily were still in bloom) plus there are a number of interesting monuments.

A couple of things were working against us in terms of getting all the shots we wanted. We had limited time. Since our ceremony was at 12 that left only 1-1.5 hours to get shots. Due to all the rain the day before the grass and grounds were wet, muddy or soggy in most parts. And though I know you get your dress professionally cleaned I was not up to getting my dress or shoes muddy or soiled. Because of the time constraint Roosevelt was really concerned with keeping on schedule which inhibited him from totally relaxing in some of the shots. Add on to this that one of  my shoes started to cut into my foot which meant I was bleeding limping bride did not make things better, However, despite this we were able to get in some really great shots.

Roe was a dear and carried my train the whole time we were out there.

This shot shows off the beauty of my bouquet. While we were out there a lot of the joggers yelled congratulations and commented on how beautiful we looked. Its great being a bride and groom!

        

However, we did slip in time to act silly.

And talk on the cell phone

One of the themes that Edmund wove through our pics were shots of Roosevelt and I holding hands, I think they truly captured the tenderness of intimacy of some of the moments that we shared throughout the day and are some of my favorite shots.

First Look

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words

We did not plan ahead of time how or where we would do our first look so it was very last minute how it went about. It occurred in the main lobby of the Four Seasons right at our appointed time to board the limo and take our couple shots. There was a huge convention at the hotel that week which wrapped up the previous day so it was a little chaotic in the lobby with the departure of guests.  I found a little alcove to hide in till I saw Roosevelt and the photographer come down to the lobby. As guests walked by I got smiles, strange looks, and words of congratulation. I was just so nervous, this was the moment Roosevelt would see me all decked out in my gown. I just hoped he would love it.

I was so overwhelmed at this moment that I was desperately trying to hold back the tears. 

This was the first time either of us had seen what the other was wearing and we just stood back and took it all in from the other.

At first we were not going to have car service for the day, but Roosevelt and Kathy really insisted that it would make getting around so much easier. I am so glad we did.

Roosevelt kept his suit a secret all during its making. I was looking at all the little details that he had incorporated into the suit. One thing we had discussed about his suit and agreed upon was that he would not have a boutonniere, we are both not big fans and think they look a little prom-ish. Also we wanted to set him apart from his groomsmen so he went a pink pocket square.

Look how excited both of us are!

Together finally.

Getting Ready : So Fresh and So Clean

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words

As I was up in room 841 Roosevelt was down in 423 after running around the city that morning doing last minute errands. What those errands were I still don't know but I know he was out and about and I was worried that he would be late for our pre-ceremony shots. But he got back to the suite in time and Edmund went down to capture some shots of him.

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Roosevelt had his suit custom made for the wedding and the tailor talked him to getting suspenders which I absolutely loved.

Roosevelt wore his father's tie tack. I am glad he had that nice touch, you rarely see men these days wearing them which is a disappointment. I have found memories of playing with my grandfather's tie tacks.

I love this picture of him. You can see his freckles which I am just crazy about it. I have had a freckle obsession since I was a little girl.

My husband loves his Gators and I knew they would make an appearance at the wedding. They were a rich brown to accentuate his suit.

Roe wore the cufflinks I bought him. These were my first gift to him when we started dating. I got them on etsy from lizzybleu and they are made from actual typewriter keys.

I love this photo it shows off his nice broad shoulders. As my grandmother loved to say "He was as sharp as a tack" LOL

Then it was time to meet in the lobby.

Patient and Calm

This is one of my favorite shots from the wedding (done by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words).

It is a portrait of patience and calmness which is ironic since my husband always says I need to practice each more. But on this day in the midst of all the excitement, I was truly patient and calm. After a long engagement of almost 17 months our day had come and we would end the day as man and wife. I was ready in mind, body and spirit and when you are so sure and confident in your choice in every way the only thing you can be is calm.

Getting Ready : The arrival of the flowers OOOHHH GOODIE GOODIE!

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words unless noted

There was a knock at the door and it was Kathy my wedding planner with the bouquets. My florist was the talented Marie Huss from Flower Sculpture. After my wedding planner Marie was the second vendor I hired. I found her via one of her ads in a wedding magazine and after going to her website I was captivated. Marie had the romantic look using big beautiful fluffy flowers that I was aiming for in the look of the wedding. But what really sold me was a picture of a large soft pink bouquet on her website made up different garden roses. When I saw that I knew I had to hire her.  Plus Marie was so easy to work with and extremely patient in holding my hand through all the design changes.

But this was the day I would finally get to see my bouquet in person and Marie didn't disappoint me.

The one thing I didn't realize was how heavy bridal bouquets can be, which I was to find out the hard way during the ceremony. But I absolutely LOVED my bouquet and the smell was divine!!!!!!

After that Edmund left to get shots of Roosevelt getting ready.

Getting Ready : I wasn't the only one busy in the suite

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words unless otherwise noted

There was quite a bit of activity going on the suite besides my getting ready.

My mother came by early to assist with any last minute needs I may have had. I had planned on pressing my aisle runner the night before but was too pooped from all the excitement and activity from the rehearsal dinner. So my mom doing what she does best, which is being my mom,  took over the task upon her arrival.

I purchased my custom aisle runner over a year before the wedding and it was a purchase I seriously hemmed and hawed about because of the expense (starting price with some companies is $200!). Luckily I was able to find bellcreation who did a wonderful job modeling it after the one used in her own wedding.

After my stint in the makeup chair it was time for mommy. My mom has never had her make up professionally done. In fact there are few occasions in my life that I remember her even wearing make up. Even when she does the most she will wear is lipstick, so this was a real treat for her.

One of my bridesmaid was also there getting ready with me. I met Fran in graduate school at a hair salon in Maryland. I was a walk in and was assigned to Fran's chair. Little did I know how that minor event would be so life changing. Fran has been my rock and beacon of light through so many dark times in my life.  I could not have been blessed with a better friend so it was really special for me that she be there standing next to me at my wedding.

After we were all prepped there was a knock at the door.

Getting Dressed

All photos by Edmund Moon of Daily Thousand Words unless noted otherwise

It was time to put Nora on!!!!

I was just so happy to finally have my dress on I couldn't believe it.

Stacey doing my bustle.

Getting the sash to stay was a little tricky because of the material. It kept slipping out of the bow so we had to double knot it.

When I finally saw myself in my entire outfit, I was so overwhelmed that I started to cry. It was not until I was in the dress that it really hit me. I AM GETTING MARRIED TODAY!!!!