Gina and Blake’s wedding was one of the most fun with the most fun-loving couple we’ve photographed in recent memory. You don’t want to miss their first look and amazing Cescaphe Ballroom reception!
Getting Ready at Sofitel
Gina and the ladies greeted us with gusto when we arrived to begin our coverage of her Cescaphe Ballroom reception & more. Her chic wedding dress was hung with care in the bedroom, though the ladies were downstairs finishing hair and makeup. The delicate lace on the illusion bodice was utterly stunning. All her carefully curated details were waiting for their moment in the spotlight as well. Everything came together to realize Gina’s vision for the day. It was one that had been put on hold with a pandemic, but now it was here! And she couldn’t have been more excited.
She cheerfully dressed, the dress slipping on like a glove. By the way, there have been a few weddings where the ladies have had hair and makeup in a conference room and left the hotel room clean and empty for details – this is a great trend and we’d love to see more people do it!
With the help of her mom, she was zipped and her buttons were fastened. Then it was time for the first look!
Blake meanwhile was his effervescent self as he got ready with the guys. His cheeky smiles and boisterous laugh were seen and heard often. He was so excited to get to Gina. So he quickly dressed and walked over to Rittenhouse Square to wait for her.
First Look & Portraits in Rittenhouse Square
Friends, this first look is awesome. Not because of the innate beauty of the pictures, though we do love them, but because of how Gina and Blake reacted to seeing each other for the first time. We’ve seen grooms cry, brides dab tears away, we’ve seen tender hugs and kisses, and the fun-loving “give us a spin so we can see the whole thing!”, but Gina and Blake were next level.
When Blake turned and saw her, he burst out laughing saying, “Dayyyyyuuummmmmmmm!!!” They both pulled away from one another with some “smack that” dancing. Gina told him, “I told you, you didn’t even know!” and he agreed, “I didn’t even know”. It was so genuinely them, and fun. Their portraits were a blast, and we convinced them to have a couple tender moments, but it was mostly a ton of laughter and love.
Their wedding party brought the same energy, even throwing a football around with some people hanging out in the park. Then it was time for the Cescaphe Ballroom reception following their ceremony.
Cescaphe Ballroom Ceremony
The Cescaphe Ballroom reception promised to be off the chain, but first we had to actually get these two lovebirds married. Blake beamed the whole way down the aisle, saying hi to friends as he went. When Gina made her way down the aisle, there was a round of applause. They’d finally gotten to the altar. Their friend officiated the Cescaphe Ballroom ceremony and we captured each moment of their vows and that great first married kiss. Then it was time for the Cescaphe Ballroom reception and the party to get cranked up!
Cescaphe Ballroom Reception
The Cescaphe Ballroom reception was every bit the amazing evening that we thought it would be. Gina and Blake followed their wedding party into the reception to famed Eagles play by play man Merrill Reese announcing them, with sparklers going and each chugging a drink. Blake’s unabashed love of Smirnoff Ice was on display for all to see, and was frequently referenced throughout the evening.
They shared a tender first dance, followed by parent dances. Then it was time for the Cescaphe Ballroom reception to get lit! Everyone was on the dance floor the whole time. It got a little sweaty, but that’s the sign of a really good time. All too soon, it was time to head home, but not before we got a little Philly sports talk in. Gina and Rachel will be besties forever now.
Congratulations Gina & Blake!
