Remember the engagement session featuring a puppy with a bow tie? After Goji’s big brown eyes, you’ll remember his people, Abby and Eli. Goji stayed at home for their big wedding day and missed one heck of a celebration right around the corner from where Abby grew up – at ACE Conference Center in Lafayette Hill.
She looked incredible in a marvelous side ruched lace and silk gown and a pair of hot, sparkly Jimmy Choo pumps. She wore all of her mother’s jewelry, including an incredible blue pendant necklace that was an anniversary gift.
There was a truly adorable moment when Abby’s longtime friend came in to see her after she had gotten dressed.
Eli looked so, so sharp in his Boyd’s three piece suit, purple bow tie, and cufflinks that were originally his grandmother’s earrings.
Karen, the wedding planner, made sure that we had plenty of time before the ceremony for lots of pictures without the rush. It was a dream to be able to explore and really indulge in time together and with family.
The two shared their first look at Abby’s parents’ house.
I love this tender moment of Eli brushing the hair back from Abby’s face in front of her family home.
We regrouped at ACE for family and wedding party formals on the rolling hills of the property.
I simply must point out the groomsmen’s awesome purple and yellow argyle socks.
Yes, the day was warm but does that really matter when you have skies like this?!
We golf-carted it out away from the hustle and bustle towards the pond and bridge. This was probably my favorite time of the day with them. Abby, who is so calm that she isalmost stoic was beautifully serene and happy. Eli, one of the many men at the event prone to shedding a few tears, couldn’t keep his eyes off of Abby.
Joan, a rabbi and Eli’s aunt, masterfully officiated her first ketubah signing and wedding ceremony that day. (Abby’s father also gets dust in his eyes occasionally.)
Their Jewish ceremony was a vision! It was held in a huge space so that they could conduct it in the round with their almost 300 guests encircling them. The chuppah was magnificent, dripping with oodles of massive white roses, stock, snapdragons, hydrangea, and lush greenery.
As you can imagine, the reception in the Lafayette Ballroom was likewise picture perfect. The floral arrangements were impressively creative, from the massive floral tree awaiting guests with their place cards to each unique centerpiece – natural arrangements of varying sizes and shapes in white with pops of purple, moss, and wood.
I am always a fan of Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love,” which they used for their impressively choreographed first dance song.
The rest of the evening spun with a hora, toasts (Duff!), a packed dancefloor, a bourbon station, cake cutting, and a crowning ceremony involving both sets of parents since these were the last children of each side to marry.
It was something else and they deserved every second of their amazing day. (I haven’t even mentioned that just days before the wedding they found out that their honeymoon to Thailand would have to be cancelled due to local strife. Without skipping a beat, they had nixed months of gearing up for this trip and replanned a honeymoon instead to Bali and Tokyo.) Superb day and a wonderful couple. Thank you both so much for bringing me along to be a part of it!
When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.
~ Adele, “Make You Feel My Love”
