Jes and Chris exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at the Kula Kamala Ashram in Reading, Pennsylvania. They got married on Earth Day, which is pretty appropriate considering how prominent nature and spirituality are in their lives. This was my first time visiting the ashram, and as soon as I stepped inside I fell in love with the colors, the smells, and the overall sense of calm that existed there. This was the perfect place for Jes and Chris to be wed in the presence of their loved ones - including Jes' son Ronan who played an important role in their celebration.
Their decorations were simple yet beautiful, and created a romantic backdrop for their very personalized celebration. Because the reception was taking place inside the ashram, strict rules had to be followed regarding the ingredients and preparation of the food. In addition, no alcohol was to be served. That didn't have any impact on the celebration, though, and I witnessed some of the best dance moves I have ever seen.
Mother Nature decided to bless them with ample amounts of luck (i.e. rain) on their wedding day, so our outdoor portraits were kept to a minimum. These were rescheduled for another day, which is shared in Part 2 of their blog post.
Without any further delay, here is a selection of photos from their wedding day. Congratulations, Jes, Chris, and Ronan!
Big thanks to the following team of people for working together to pull off this amazing wedding celebration:
Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC
Videographer: Brian DiRenzo, Artistic Hands
Venue: Kula Kamala Ashram
Florist: The Rustic Bunch
Cake Artist: Amanda Blake, Savory LLC
DJ: Greg Nyce
Hair Artist: Iris, Salon EveLeila
Makeup Artist: Alisha, Alisha's Spa Euphoria
Wedding Dress Boutique: Adrianna Papell, Macy's
Groom's Tuxedo: Men's Warehouse
Officiant: Sudha Allitt, Ashram Co-Founder
Henna Artist: Yenna Hill
Harmonium Player: Charles Feenstra
Readers: Sam Watson, Felicia Walk
"Lord of the Rings": Ronan Ayres