Barn on Bridge Wedding | Tonya Moken & Matt Goswick

Some weddings are special. Just like being a parent, as a wedding photographer, we aren’t supposed to choose a favorite. And in all my years, we’ve tried to love all of our couples, equally. . . but being a part of Tonya & Matt’s Barn on Bridge wedding was just a little bit our favorite for the year. Not to mention, Tonya & Matt had us working with an amazing professional team, including Vault & Vine, Robert Ryan Catering, and our friends at Elegance Artistry!

It’s not every day one of our own gets married, so the whole team was just a little more involved in the process. As Tonya tagged along as one of our assistants, we would get weekly updates on the planning process, hearing all about how prep was going with the Robert Ryan team over at Barn on Bridge, and learning more about what an amazing baker Matt is as they tested out recipes for their cookie table. Not only did we have a little bit of extra attachment to Tonya & Matt because of our real life friendship, but as you’ll see, their wedding was gorgeous, too!

The Bridal Suite at Barn on Bridge

One of the cutest elements at Barn on Bridge that only the wedding party gets to experience is the lovely little house that has been converted into a bridal suite! With pale pinky-peach walls and beautiful window light, it’s hard to top this space for getting ready.

When we arrived to get started, Tonya had all of her beautiful details laid out and ready for us. Her cascading wildflower bouquet from Vault & Vine had charms to represent both her and Matt’s families tied onto the ribbon in honor. She had hand-cut the detailed overlay for her wedding invitation. One thing that Tonya had learned from assisting on weddings is to ask your florist for a few spare blooms to help us style invitations. These, along with ribbons & lace to match the rest of her decor helped us to pull together the detail images beautifully!

While we were busy shooting details, Sara & the Elegance Artistry team were putting the finishing touches on Tonya and her sisters’ wedding day looks. Although no one else knew it, Tonya had actually planned a style change mid-day, so she’d be going to her first look with her hair one way & then to her ceremony another!

Meanwhile, at a nearby hotel, Matt was getting ready, too. No one would know from watching him on his lovely wedding day, but he was barely recovering from a terrible round of food poisoning. . . But nothing could keep him from his wedding day!

Matt started the day with a straight razor shave at his hotel before getting into his perfectly fit suit. While everyone assumes that hair/makeup will be part of a bride’s preparations, getting a proper shave is a great idea for any groom who wants a little pampering to get him into the right mindspace for his wedding day!

Portraits & First Look

Just across the street from Barn on Bridge is a beautiful green space along the edge of a wooded stream. We get the most beautiful portraits in nature and lucky for us, Tonya & Matt were willing to brave a little overgrowth to get the perfect photo! (We learned this on their engagement adventure, when we hiked all over Bushkill Falls and even climbed into a few waterfalls for truly epic portraits.)

After an emotional first look, we were joined by Tonya & Matt’s family & wedding party to round out a perfect wedding portrait session.

An Outdoor Barn on Bridge Wedding Ceremony

We’ve had the chance to be a part of several weddings at Barn on Bridge this year and Tonya is the third member of the AGP team to have a Barn on Bridge wedding, so you know that we love the space. One of the best parts of working here is their gorgeous outdoor wedding area.

The wedding party processes out of the big red barn and down a grassy aisle to a beautiful backdrop of greenery. But Tonya & Matt had made an already gorgeous ceremony space even more beautiful with a floral arch from Vault & Vine filled with perfectly colorful wildflowers and greenery.

Their wedding ceremony had an incredibly personal message, as Matt’s father, an ordained minister, delivered their sermon and led them through their vows. As they made their way through deeply personal vows that had everyone tearing up just a little and laughing out loud a lot, Tonya & Matt were married!

Inside the Barn for their Wedding Reception

Everyone knows that the ceremony is just the beginning of the fun on a wedding day and Tonya & Matt’s wedding was no exception. Their reception was full of great music, beautiful toasts, and so much dancing!

But the centerpiece of the reception was the Pittsburg cookie table. In homage to Matt’s family tradition, Tonya & Matt and their families spent the weeks leading up to the wedding baking away in their kitchen, making over two hundred dozen cookies for their friends & guests to take home as a wedding favor. These cookies were beautifully arranged around a Kitchenaid mixer overflowing with more wildflowers!

Needless to say, we all went home happily sugared up from our own cookie goodie bags from Matt & Tonya! (And a new favorite cookie, the Oatmeal Carmelita!)

Matt & Tonya. Mr & Mrs Goswick. Friends & teammates. It’s hard to pick a few words to end your blog post with, because the story for us will continue on. . . But it is our hope that your story together transcends all time and is filled with more joy than you know how to handle! xo Ashley

Their special day was made possible by these wonderful vendors: Photographer – Ashley Gerrity Photography– Venue – Barn on Bridge – Florist – Vault and Vine – Catering – Robert Ryan Catering – Bakery – The Masters Baker – Videographer – Candid Imaging – Entertainment – Diamond DJs – Hair/Makeup – Elegance Artistry – Dress – Venus Bridal / Bridaltown – Bridesmaid Dresses – Amsale – Rings –Dyers Jewelers