So often we are asked what happens in the case of an emergency on our team’s end. Kasia & Ryan’s absolutely stunning Mansion on Main wedding is a beautiful example of how working with a talented team of photographers like ours can help create continuity of care, even if there is a situation where your lead photographer can’t come through. Although originally meant to be photographed by Ann, Ashley wound up stepping up to the plate when a direct Covid exposure the week of the wedding prevented Ann from being able to capture the day. By the time Kasia & Ryan were married, most Covid protocols were long forgotten by most couples, but keeping everyone safe has always been our priority.
And so it happened, that Ashley walked into Kasia & Ryan’s home that morning to see Kasia transform into a truly stunning bride. It was no surprise after getting to know these two throughout their engagement, their home, just like their wedding day, was meticulously styled and organized, which made getting ready there a truly wonderful experience. Kasia’s thoughtful details throughout the house included a custom letterboard wedding countdown and an entire built-in wall of bookshelves featuring photos from throughout their relationship. But looking past the beautiful decor, it was a bright, spacious place for Kasia & her girls to hang out, share memories, and get dressed.
Speaking of shared memories, Kasia’s bridesmaids had compiled a scrapbook full of them, with each girl having her own spread to write a personal letter and choose photos from the years. They gifted this scrapbook to her before getting dressed and everyone piled on the couch to page through and laugh about their escapades through the years! Before long, the girls hopped into their dresses and headed out in the limo to pick up the guys. Only Kasia, her parents, and lucky Ashley would be riding in the sexy Maserati that her stepfather Stas had rented for the day.
When the rest of the girls were on the way to pick up Ryan and the boys, it was time to get dressed. Kasia’s mother stepped in and helped her into her stunning wedding gown and veil, while Kasia pulled together her own accessories. Before long, we were piling into the Maserati and buzzing downtown to Old City Philadelphia.
Ryan had returned to his childhood home to get ready alongside his groomsmen and parents. While he and his father took turns helping each other into their suits, his mother lingered nearby, waiting to pin them into their boutonnieres. Once everyone was dressed and a few drinks were tossed back, the party bus arrived toting the bridesmaids, ready to take everyone to the Merchant Exchange Building for portraits.
While the rest of their wedding party and family stayed behind on the bus, Kasia & Ryan had a quiet first look and vow exchange, complete with tears and many kisses to calm Ryan’s nerves. Once they got through the emotional bits, these two were all smiles for their portrait session, posing effortlessly together while needing almost no guidance.
We have mixed feelings about doing a bridesmaids’ first look, since so many feel inauthentic, but when Kasia rounded the Merchant Exchange Building to see her bridesmaids gathering in anticipation, the look of glee on their faces was completely genuine. Kasia had kept her dress a secret and gotten into it alone with her mother so that this moment could happen and it was totally worth it! Now that everyone had seen her, Kasia gathered the troops and we captured a series of timeless wedding party portraits before finishing with a few more couples’ portraits on the steps of the First Bank. Before we knew it, our portrait hour was over and we were heading back to the bus so that we could make it to the church on time!
St Mark’s is just a few blocks from Rittenhouse Square, but it feels like it could be a few centuries away. Of all the old churches in Philadelphia, this one, with its stone interior and dramatic stained glass, feels like it comes from another time & place. The gorgeous sanctuary with its large pipe organ and seating reserved for those actively participating in the ceremony was separated from the nave by an altar rail covered in florals and guarded by stone angels.
Despite an emotional first look, Ryan still found himself wiping away tears as the organ music swelled around him and Kasia took her first steps down the aisle with her mother and Stas. These two shared their vows and rings in a traditional Episcopalian service, before recessing down the aisle and sharing a deep kiss on their way out of the church.
After a hoppin’ ride back over the bridge to New Jersey, we were on our way to the Mansion on Main, where Kasia & Ryan would be celebrating their marriage at a gorgeous reception. Before the party got started, these two embraced the early November sunset for some gorgeous dusky portraits on the grounds. As the sky transitioned from pastel purples and oranges to the deep navy blue of nautical twilight, these two continued to wow us with their natural ease in front of the camera.
The party was set, the guests had enjoyed a generous cocktail hour, and it was time to get this wedding reception underway. Shortly after entering, Kasia & Ryan shared in a Polish tradition, playing an alcohol-infused variation of paper, rock, scissors with shots of water & vodka to see who would be the boss in the relationship. Kasia won and the rest is history.
