Meaghan & Dan’s incredible wedding at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve was the latest in a long line of weddings that began with one we shot in 2017, Katie & Brandon. It’s been a delight to meet more of their friends, and then friends of friends. We almost feel like we are part of the family at this point! Just like the others, this wedding was full of fun and romance and, after the pandemic, lots of dancing!
Getting Ready at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve
It had been a long time coming. Originally scheduled for May 30th of 2020, Meg and Dan had had to push everything back due to the pandemic. The only date that was available for 2021 was March 23rd. They took it. A few weeks later, Michelle Finley called them. She had some exciting news – their original date of May 30th was available again! They jumped on it, and now here we were.
Meg and the ladies started off in the lovely bridal suite at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve, with final touches of hair and makeup. Her lovely details and perfectly elegant wedding dress were laid out for us to admire and photograph. She and her besties wore matching robes, though Meg’s was white, so we made sure to snag a fun bridesmaid photo before sending everyone to get dressed.
Once everyone had cleared the room, Meg slipped into her dress with the help of her mother and twin sister. Then, dad came in. What a beautiful moment between a father and his daughter. Meg also wanted to do a reveal with her bridesmaids, so they all held hands and kept their eyes closed until Meg was in place! Everyone was in awe. She was utterly stunning. It was time now to head to church, so we delayed no further.
Meanwhile, at his parent’s home in Ardmore, Dan was busy getting himself ready too! A gregarious and fun-loving guy, he was enjoying having his buddies all around as he affixed his tie and made sure everything was tucked and buttoned. This group of guys were so much fun to be around and we made sure to snag a quick toast of the good stuff before getting Dan over to the church to await Meg’s arrival.
The Ceremony at Our Lady of Good Counsel
The beautiful church of Our Lady of Good Counsel was the perfect backdrop for Meg and Dan to share their wedding vows. When Meg appeared in the doorway, Dan’s face lit up. Her walk down the aisle was graceful and demure, and she beamed the whole way back at him. You could hear lots of sniffling as people held back happy tears. These two had finally made it!
They exchanged their vows and rings with one another while all those gathered dabbed at their eyes. They shared a fantastic kiss before heading back down the aisle to have a tiny private moment before family pictures. Then it was off to the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve!
Portraits & Reception at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve
Two of Meg’s bridesmaids are AGP brides as well, and they’re both expecting! As is Meg’s twin sister. They’re all due within a week of each other! It was so wonderful to see them and catch up a tiny bit while capturing a bit of the bump as well.
But the stars of the day brought some serious fire to their portraits on the grounds of the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve. Fire named Murphy. That’s right, their lovable pup Murphy got a chance to get some pictures with his newly married humans. He was such a good boy and we got some fun portraits before he had to head back home.
Then Meg and Dan lit up our cameras with beautiful portrait after beautiful portrait. Then, it was party time!
They stormed into their reception, ready to have the best time ever. Their first dance was wonderful and then the band struck up a dance set. That floor was completely packed! A year’s worth of missed dancing and fun exploded in the best way possible. We knew the night was going to be lit.
Meaghan’s dad gave a wonderful welcome toast. The perfect amount of sweet and fatherly love with a bit of ribbing of the newlyweds. Our favorite part was the list that Meaghan had made of her perfect match. She included “tall, but not too skinny, good sense of humor, smart, and dark and handsome.” Dan definitely fit the bill.
Meg’s twin sister also gave a lovely speech that highlighted the way she and Meg cherish one another. Dan’s best man, Isaac, got the crowd laughing again with his speech poking some fun at the groom.
After some beautiful parent dances and cutting the cake, the dance floor reopened and that was the story for the rest of the night. It was an epic evening at the Ballroom at Ellis Preserve for sure.
