I Do: Lauren + Aaron | Morris House Hotel, Philadelphia

With the snowy week we’ve been having, it’s hard to believe it’s still autumn for a few more days. I wanted to revisit the season by blogging Lauren and Aaron’s fall wedding, which took place at a boutique hotel in Philadelphia with endless character and charm — Morris House.

I was lucky enough to spend time with the couple and their closest friends and family at a welcome party celebration the evening before their wedding. I love when I’m asked to photograph rehearsal events, because I always end up getting to know the couple on a more personal level, which makes wedding day interactions even more intimate.

Lauren is so sweet. And down-to-earth. And ridiculously smart. And hilarious. She has this grinning “Lauren” face that she does when she is really happy (and she was, of course, really happy), and it made me smile until my cheeks started to tremble from too much smiling. So basically, what I’m saying is, homegirl is so awesome, she made my face twitch. At the end of the night, when I was saying my goodbyes, Lauren escorted me to the delicious dessert table and asked the caterer for some to-go boxes so I could stuff my face with homemade macaroons and red velvet cupcakes on the car ride home. Be still my heart.

And Aaron. So thoughtful and humble, with such an immense group of support around him. I wish there was footage of the toasts during the reception, because they were some of my favorites ever. The kind of speeches that are just so sincere, your heart feels like it’s going to explode into a million pieces (in a good way).

At the end of the night, I was sitting in my car — shoes off, because I’m classy— eating pink macaroons while scrolling through photos on the back of my camera. Nights like these remind me that I’m lucky to be surrounded by such generous, warm individuals (and not just because of the box of treats).

Mushiness aside, here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

venue: Morris House Hotel // catering: M Restaurant // cupcakes: Brown Betty Dessert Boutique // pies: The Night Kitchen Bakery // florals and centerpieces: Sullivan Owen Floral & Event Design // rentals: The Party Center // music: Mike Christie // strings: Joe Kauffman // officiant: Sheldon Novek (the groom’s childhood Hebrew teacher) // wedding dress: Alberta Ferretti // shoes: Badgley Mischka // hair: Giovanni & Pileggi // groom’s attire: Calvin Klein // shoes: Allen Edmonds