Want to know the thing that still gets us excited after all of these weddings? It’s not immaculately designed details although this wedding was full of those. It’s not show-stoppingly beautiful brides, although Alex was an absolute vision in her gown. And it’s not an absolutely delightful wedding party, although they definitely make a day so much more fun. We’re absolute suckers for a deeply feeling groom, and Matt just may have been the most emotional guy we had a chance to photograph all year. So, although every other aspect of this wedding at The Lucy was tops, Matt made it all even better.
We started our day at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, where Alex and Matt were getting ready in two separate suites. Alongside Alex was her wedding party, her mother, and Matt’s mother. As we arrived the girls were all in matching pajamas, ready to pop champagne and get the party started. While they were doing that, we set to capturing all of Alex’s gorgeous details, from her pale blue ribboned shoes to her heirloom pearls.
When it was time to get ready, Alex sent most of her girls out of the room and just had the help of the mothers and her to make the Bonner. These ladies helped her into her beautifully tailored dress with a gorgeous structured statement bow on the back. When we had talked about her wedding day, Alex told me more than once the “back is where it’s at” and she was not joking. All pulled together, Alex was an incredibly polished, elegant bride, with nary a hair out of place.
Just as much as Alex was calm, collected, and polished as she was getting ready, Matt was wound up. But in a good way. His luck was just as immaculate, his family was just as excited, but Matt was fighting back a tear all morning long. Even as he buttoned up his jacket, laughing at himself while he wiped away a tear, Matt kept saying to us “I don’t know why I’m so emotional.” Knowing how excited he was to be marrying the love of his life and how absolutely stunning Alex looked, we had a pretty good idea why he was feeling all the feels.
With the gorgeous façade of the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia as their backdrop, Alex and Matt had their first look tucked into a pristine marble corner. Matt had barely turned around before he started welling up at the sight of his beautiful bride. Alex, the calmer of the two of them, gently wiped away his tears as they united in an embrace. After Matt took a moment to collect himself, both of their immediate families stepped out onto the stairs for a series of portraits before heading out for more portraits in Old City.
Old City Philadelphia is just as elegant as Alex and Matt, so the Merchant Exchange Building was an obvious first choice for their portraits. Plus, when you have 21 people to post together, you need a pretty epic space to fit them all in. But the real magic happened after we sent the bridesmaids and groomsmen back to the trolley and Alex and Matt finally had the chance to be alone for a few minutes. When given the opportunity, these two have such an is about them we found ourselves not even having to pose them most of the time. When it works, it works and Alex and Matt work so well together.
Getting ready at the iconic Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia? Check. Stunning portraits in front of Old City Philadelphia’s most identifiable historic site? Check. It almost seems obvious that these two would get married at the beautiful, historic Basilica. And that’s just what they did. As Alex walked down the aisle beaming, arm in arm with her father, Matt continued to cry happy tears as his bride approached. In a particularly poignant moment, Matt stepped forward to where his mother was watching Alex walk down the aisle and they embraced as he wiped away a tear and waited with a determined, loving grin.
After they walked down the aisle, Alex and Matt burst out of the church to a crowd cheering and applauding them. Then they walked right across Race Street into the heart of Logan Circle for a few more portraits together. There are not many spots in the city with better views than Logan Circle. Of course there is the lovely fountain, facing east you have City Hall, facing west is the Art Museum, and just north of the circle is the formidable Free Library of Philadelphia. In just 10 minutes we had captured dozens more amazing couples portraits.
We absolutely love working at The Lucy. The interior is so fresh, modern, and has a great layout. The staff at Cescaphe knows how to throw the best party. No one is ever hungry and guests love being greeted by a statement champagne wall. But Alex and Matt took their Lucy wedding to the next level. Beautiful towering arrangements of roses and hydrangea were everywhere, candlelight abounded, and their magnificent four-tier wedding cake was a mixture of structured floral buttercream and playful rainbow sprinkles.
And no matter how classy these two were or how elegant their event was, they still managed to tie in their deep love for Philadelphia sports. With an Eagles football ice sculpture and Phillies jerseys coming out during cocktail hour, as the Phillies were winning their way through the playoffs on this night, the reception had more of an air of a jovial home game than anything.
Alex & Matt, we hope that your life is full Philadelphia sports wins, more love than you know what to do with, and all the happy tears Matt can cry. Thank you for the honor of being your photographers!
The Team that made this Cescaphe Lucy wedding awesome included:
Photographer: Ashley Gerrity Photography | Getting Ready: Bride- The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia Groom- The Cambria Hotel | Reception Venue: The Lucy | Florist: Beautiful Blooms | Entertainment: Dreamtime – EBE Talent | Stationery: Chick Invitations | Caterer: Cescaphe | Transportation: Cescaphe Trolley | Videography: Ashley Gerrity Photography | Dress Boutique: Bridal Garden | Wedding Rings: Winthrop Jewelers | Hair & Make up: Jacqueline Michelle & Co |
