Rachel & Ted had the kind of wedding day that October couples dream of – a perfectly balmy day with just the right amount of sun kissing the front lawn of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. And after they were an absolutely great sport during their drizzly autumn engagement session the previous year, it’s exactly what these two lovely people deserved! From the moment we walked into their rooms at the Marriott Philadelphia West, we knew that the day would be even better than we had hoped for – both were in joyful boisterous moods and their friends & family matched that awesome energy.
Getting Ready at the Conshohocken Marriott
And personally, we were so grateful that the energy was so high, because this was a bittersweet day for our team. Rachel & Ted’s wedding was the final wedding that would have our own Rachel working behind the scenes with Ashley before she was off on her next adventure since beginning her ten year career at Ashley Gerrity Photography. From minute number one, we knew we were ending our time together on a high note.
Before we even left for Philadelphia Cricket Club, Rachel was absolutely beaming and seemed like she could have been content hanging out with her mother and bridesmaids all day. There was no nerves or anxiety to be found – just a crew of ladies living their best lives while sipping champagne and getting to play dress up for one of the most important days of their lives.
In another room, just down the hall, Ted was even more relaxed (if it was possible). It seemed like the biggest stress would be tying his tie properly. But he did and once he was all pulled together in his timeless navy three-piece suit, he jostled the guys into action so they could also prepare to head over to Philadelphia Cricket Club for the festivities to begin.
Arriving at the Philadelphia Cricket Club
Both Rachel & Ted wanted to wait until the moment when she was walking down the aisle to see each other for the first time, but also wanted to enjoy as much as their cocktail hour as possible. It’s a common request that we encounter on wedding days and one of the best recommendations that we can make in this case is to take as many OTHER photos as you can before the ceremony. Thankfully, these two were game. Separately, we were able to capture beautiful portraits at Philadelphia Cricket Club of Rachel & Ted along with their respective wedding party and family members. One of our favorite moments during this took place as we captured Rachel with her grandmother, who genuinely lit up with joy seeing her beautiful granddaughter as a bride.
An outdoor wedding ceremony with a jaw-dropping Chuppah
Once the photos were taken, it was time to get married. At Philadelphia Cricket Club, there is a beautiful front lawn that stretches out before the clubhouse and it is the perfect spot for an outdoor ceremony. The Chuppah was absolutely overflowing with textural wildflowers and greenery with a eye-catching backdrop of the club’s brick facade. Guests were all abuzz as they awaited Rachel’s walk down the aisle.
It is a long, winding walk – emerging out of the archways of the Philadelphia Cricket Club, walking along the outside of the audience before turning and looping back up the aisle. But arm in arm with her parents, Rachel made the trek as normally stoic Ted bit down on his lips to hold back a deluge of glee. As soon as she stepped under the Chuppah and alongside him, he erupted into a broad smile that didn’t leave his face for the rest of the night.
Their ceremony, officiated by a close family friend, was personal and poignant. Filled with stories of their early exploits in high school, Rachel listening to Ted make announcements in the morning and racing (literally) to get his attention, to a more grown-up love story, supporting each other through life’s achievements and hardships. Once the rings were exchanged, the vows traded, and the glass shattered, these two sauntered down the aisle together and into a life of happiness.
After a few group photos in front of the Chuppah, we sent Rachel & Ted’s wedding party & family to join in the cocktail hour on the back side of the clubhouse. On the huge outdoor patios over looking the pitch, high tops were settled with flowers, and guests were buzzing about excitedly. It was our chance to take in the beautiful grounds of Philadelphia Cricket Club with Rachel & Ted during their couple’s photos. We captured a few sunset moments on the front lawn, posed in between the perfectly manicured plantings, and taking advantage of the building’s beautiful facade for a series of stunning portraits.
The Perfect Party
Then, it was time to party. With a formal dining area separated from a huge dance floor by huge archways and a centerpiece staircase for entrances, the ballroom at the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s St Martin’s Clubhouse has a really unique that lends itself to a really awesome reception. As the party was started, all of the wedding party & parents were the center of attention as they came down the staircase to thunderous applause, but that cheering was nothing compared to the excitement of the crowd when Rachel & Ted blithely danced down the staircase and right into their first dance. The guests joined in on the dancing and events naturally progressed into a raucous hora!
That hora was a pretty good preamble for the rest of the night. Although everyone was entranced by the lovely speeches given by Rachel & Ted’s fathers, her sister, and his brother and no one could stop talking about how delicious the dinner at Philadelphia Cricket Club was, the real highlights of the night happened on the dance floor – and continued to happen until the very last moment of the reception.
Rachel & Ted, the two of you have been such a joy to photograph and get to know over our short time together, but the love that you have for each other is obvious from the first moment. We wish you a lifetime filled with joy & happiness.
The professionals who made this Philadelphia Cricket Club wedding awesome include:
Photographer: Ashley Gerrity Photography | Getting Ready: Marriott Philadelphia West | Reception Venue: Philadelphia Cricket Club | Florist: Pickells and Posies | Entertainment: EBE Talent – DJ Jon Mulhern | Stationery: Minted | Transportation: ACE LimousineDavid Thomas Trailways | Wedding Dress: | Dress Boutique: Bijou Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: Badlgey Mischka | Wedding Rings: Rosnov’s Jewelers | Hair & Make up: Lather Philly |
