Simone a Joel are perfect for each other. They are completely complimentary to each other. As Simone explains it, “He’s a tree and I’m a tumble weed.”
We began at Jericho Mountain Orchids in Bucks County, where the couple met for dance lessons leading up to the wedding. It’s a glorious place with fantastic grounds and obviously very lovely owners to let Simone and Joel come by before the wedding day. It’s really wonderful to get these wedding pictures finished before the ceremony. It allows us so much freedom and keeps the happy couple from neglecting their guests during cocktail hour.
They chose the lovely Glen Foerd Mansion in Philadelphia for their ceremony and reception. They said that it felt like the right combination of indoor and outdoor and the perfect size for their guests. I couldn’t agree more.
Simone wore a Maggie Sottero gown from the first boutique she visited (one of the very first she tried on).
I fell in love with the florals from Boxwoods. The purples, blues, yellows, and greys worked fabulously together and had so many textures that you just wanted to reach out and touch them.
Not long before the wedding I was saying that I wanted a wedding party with a man of honor and a best woman? Simone and Paul have known each other since they were in elementary school together and Lauran is Joel’s sister.
It was a bit too cold and blustery outside so they wed in the drawing room, presided over by Joel’s brother, Dan. Readings by friends and family included “And Then You Are” by Hafiz, “Patagonia” by Kate Clanchy, “The Invitation” by Oriah.
After the ceremony, we took a few minutes to get pictures around the grounds of the mansion. The place is so beautiful. The historic building gives it oodles of character and then you top it off with a rose garden and fantastic views of the Delaware River.
The couple was introduced down the grand staircase into the drawing room. They then totally wowed their guests with the incredible tango that they had been practicing. It started with a coquettish display of her little blue shoes and his demand that she join him.
Dinner was scrumptious. It was all catered in-house by Conroy Catering.
Simone’s father helped create the placecards out of shells. Tables were named after islands the couple had travelled together.
Guests then moved into the conservatory for dessert and dancing. Synergetic provided the music and lighting. Having seen the place in the day and night, Synergetic made the already impressive glass room look phenomenal. Rich colors coated the ceiling and dancefloor. Lighting can really make an incredible difference at a wedding.
Simone and Joel shared the parent dance as they swayed along to Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.
And of course you can’t expect me to forget about the cake and dessert bar. Yum!
It was a great day. Simone and Joel, I’m so happy you found your perfect compliment. I know you’ll have a fabulous time dancing and adventuring all over.
And then You are like this:
A small bird decorated
With orange patches of light
Waving your wings near my window,
Encouraging me with all of existences’s love —
To dance.
~ Hafiz, “And Then You Are”
