There is no more perfect setting for a classic Philadelphia wedding than a perfect, breezy September day in Old City. That is exactly what we given for Emily & Steve’s lovely Old Pine St Presbyterian wedding. And although it wasn’t the celebration they originally envisioned with 200 of their closest friends partying at The Shambles, their intimate ceremony followed by a private meal alone was a truly romantic way to tie the knot!
It is always a genuine honor to get to spend the day with any one of our couples as they exchange their vows, but every once in a while, our job gets truly personal. Emily & Steve’s wedding was one of those personal moments. A decade ago, while Ashley was planning her wedding, Steve made it onto the guest list after Emily convinced her that he was a long-term fixture. So ten years later, it meant the world to be able to be present during their private, family-only ceremony on the front veranda for their Old Pine St Presbyterian wedding.
While Steve started the day at their flat in the city, Emily was a few blocks away getting ready in the beautiful walk out basement at Old Pine St Presbyterian church with a few of her closest friends. While the team at Philly hair put on the final touches on Emily’s glam, noir look, we started capturing some of her personal details.
Emily & Steve met over a decade ago, when Steve was looking for a job. Even though the Cole Haan store that Emily was working at didn’t NEED to hire a new guy, she cajoled her manager into hiring him, proving that Emily thought Steve was someone special from the very beginning. So, in a nod to their first job together and the beginning of their story, both Emily & Steve had Cole Haan shoes to wear for their walk down the aisle. After the ceremony, Emily switched over to a sparkling pair of Jimmy Choo heels that Steve had bought her for her birthday. In case you couldn’t tell from the photos, these two are incredibly stylish and complement each other perfectly.
An Outdoor Old Pine St Presbyterian Wedding Ceremony
Because of the impacts of coronavirus and their desire to keep their friends & family safe, Emily & Steve took an alternative approach to their wedding celebration. Emily walked down the aisle in reverse and out the doors of the church for her procession, where a teary-eyed Steve waited in anticipation at their makeshift altar, surrounded by their immediate family. Across the street, close friends were able to look on at the ceremony from a safe distance, helping to keep everyone safe in their bubble.
These two shared beautiful vows and happy tears as the minister shared the stories of how Emily & Steve’s early relationship developed into a lifelong partnership. In the end, they were husband and wife! We stepped off the veranda to take friends & family portraits in the historic graveyard next to the church.
Wedding portraits in a graveyard?
For anyone who has followed along with our work for a few years, you’ve probably actually seen Emily & Steve pop up on our Instagram and blog before. These two modeled for a spooky Halloween wedding shoot that we captured at Knowlton Mansion a few years ago. Knowing this, it was no surprise to us when she shared that she thought the old graveyard alongside Old Pine St Presbyterian would be a beautiful location for some of their wedding photos. Friends & family who were comfortable to do so, quickly took off their masks and grabbed a photo with the couple. And of course, Ashley even got to hop in on the other side of the camera for a change!
After we wrapped up their formals, we wandered around Old City with Emily & Steve for their couples’ portraits. While most of our couples who go to Old City choose to focus their portraits on the iconic & historic buildings in the area, these two were more focused on the fact that they wanted their images to showcase their neighborhood. So rather than marbled buildings, we sought out backdrops among the residential streets and paths that they explore everyday together, with a quick stop off for a shot in Headhouse Square, the original plan for their wedding celebration.
Emily & Steve had all the right attitudes when (re)planning their wedding day – it is ultimately one small chapter in the novel of their life together and the minutiae of wedding plans did not overshadow their focus on their relationship, the inclusion of their families, and their ability to bring people together even when we all have to stay apart. For that reason (& not just the personal connection), we were so thrilled to capture their Old Pine St Presbyterian wedding celebration.
