Jan and Ian recently got married at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, and I was lucky enough to capture their memories for them. I would describe their wedding day as romantic, semi-formal, and fun! Jan grew up in the United States, and Ian grew up in Northern Ireland. As a result, their day was an amalgamation of US and UK traditions, and it was perfectly reflective of Jan and Ian's unique relationship.
I started my day off with the ladies at an amazing Airbnb rental in Reading, Pennsylvania. I just don't have the words to describe exactly how fabulous that home was! I had never been there before, but I will definitely be checking out that hidden gem again in the near future. (It would make an incredible venue for a day of photoshoots, both indoors and out!) Meanwhile, my second photographer was hanging out with the guys while they were finishing their preparations at the nearby Doubletree by Hilton.
As soon as everyone was ready, we met up at the GoggleWorks for Jan and Ian's wedding ceremony and reception. The ceremony and reception decorations were simple, elegant, and fun, consisting entirely of personalized elements. In fact, Jan created all of the ceremony and reception decorations herself! Jan threw, glazed, and decorated all of the vases that were used as table centerpieces. She dyed and arranged the sola wood flowers that were used at the ceremony site and as reception centerpieces. She made the guest book, table cards, and ceramic tile table numbers. She even made hundreds of atom-like hanging orbs, to honor Ian who is a physicist! She painted the wedding arch and arranged the flowers and vines that covered it. She painted the chandelier that hung in the reception room. She needle-felted the adorable penguin and bear cake toppers. She even baked the delicious macarons that served as wedding favors for all of the guests! She is one of the most talented and creative individuals that I have ever met, and I am truly in awe of her skills (and patience)! To top it off, the girls even made their own bouquets.
Jan and Ian began their Day #1 as husband and wife surrounded by over 120 of their loved ones. No one was actually local to Berks County, except for me - most of the guests and bridal party members traveled from places such as Philadelphia, Northern Ireland, and other places in the UK. As an engineer-turned-teacher-turned-photographer, I felt right at home surrounded by so many other academics and creatives. I hadn't actually met Jan and Ian prior to that day, but by the end of their ceremony and reception, I felt like I knew them for ages. The (numerous) speeches had me laughing and crying and laughing again, and the dancing was fabulous! The food looked and smelled absolutely amazing. (I didn't actually remember to take a break to taste any - I was having too much fun taking pictures and forgot to take my dinner break!)
Between the ceremony and reception, we managed to sneak outside long enough to capture some great photos of the bridal party, and then of Jan and Ian alone. We made it back inside just minutes before the sky opened up and poured for the next few hours. (I tried my hardest to play it cool while texts of tornado warnings kept blowing up my phone...)
Jan and Ian's wedding day was perfect. I'm so thankful that they asked me to photograph their celebration for them. And, their celebration isn't quite over yet - they are doing it all over again in Northern Ireland this month! Oh, how I wish I could join them.
I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their (first) wedding day.
