Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding | Monique Graber & Kamil Zolnik

Everyone who has attempted to plan a wedding in the last two years has a story about rescheduling and the heartbreak that brings. For Monique and Kamil, their decision was even harder because Monique’s mom was in poor health. It was uncertain if she would be alive to witness their Cescaphe Ballroom wedding. However, fortune smiled upon this beautiful family: Monique’s mom was not only alive, but the most well she has been in years. Take that pandemic!

Getting Ready for the Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding

It was the rainiest Memorial Day Weekend, possibly ever, when we grabbed our umbrellas and drove out to New Jersey. Monique wasn’t about to let the rain ruin her day. She was all sunshine and joy. Her incredible dress with its many flowing layers of glittery tulle hung with great care. We absolutely could not wait for her to put it on. Monique has such a sweet spirit, and it was a joy to watch her be so immensely happy on her wedding day. Especially with her mom there and despite the pandemic.

There was an audible gasp when she got dressed. She looked utterly amazing, and it flowed from the inside out. After a quick call to the other half of the team, it was decided that they’d try to dodge the raindrops and continue with their outdoor first look. It ended up being a great call!

Meanwhile, Kamil and his groomsmen and mom were getting ready at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. They were all enjoying the sort of quiet morning. The rain had let up as they started getting dressed, so the excitement had started to creep back in. Kamil showed us the gorgeous pocket watch his mom had given him as he finished buttoning up. His mom helped him pin on his boutonniere and smiled at her son all dressed up for his Cescaphe Ballroom wedding. It was time to get on the bus and head to the first look!

First Look at the Water Works

Despite a mist in the air that occasionally condensed into bigger drops, there was such a feeling of excitement in the air. Kamil was in place under the Water Works pavilion at the end of the walk overlooking Boat House Row. Monique was such a trooper as she made the long walk around to get to him. She was all smiles though. Her day was here and despite less than perfect weather, there was nothing that was going to keep her down.

Sometimes a first look happens and there are tears of joy, sometimes there are shouts of excitement, and sometimes there is the perfect quiet of two souls connecting. Monique and Kamil’s first look was the latter. You saw it in the way their eyes sparkled, the smile on Kamil’s face, and the tenderness of the embrace they shared. We knew that this Cescaphe Ballroom wedding was different. It was pure joy.

The rain cooperated with us enough that we were able to quickly take a lot of portraits and even knock out wedding party! Now it was time for the ceremony.

The Ceremony at St Peter the Apostle Church

Monique and Kamil were married in a traditional Catholic mass, but their church nearly stole the show. This beautiful church was the perfect place for these two to join together as husband and wife. One unique moment was actually entirely unscripted. During the offering to Mary, both Monique and Kamil’s mothers joined them at the altar for the Ave Maria. It was a beautiful sight as these three women prayed to the blessed mother, and two families truly joined together to make a new one.

After the most triumphant of exits, we lingered for family formals before finally making our way to the party!

Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding Reception

It is such a delight to be capturing wedding receptions again, and this one was a ton of fun! Monique and Kamil started things off right with a choreographed first dance. It was beautifully done and set the tone of the night. Monique’s mom gave the blessing and her father a brief welcome. Her brothers performed some standup, I mean, gave a toast in their sister’s honor. Kamil’s siblings honored him for his steadfast and caring nature. Monique and her dad shared a special dance, as did Kamil and his mom.

Once the cake had been cut, the dance floor came alive. Everyone was ready to cut loose and they did just that all night long.