• Posted by Natalie •
MaryBeth & Eric discovered us two Aprils ago at Liz & Brian's wedding in Ocean City, NJ—and we're so glad they did! They had their fingers crossed that even though they met us at the Jersey Shore, we'd be willing to travel to the Lehigh Valley for their wedding this past June. They were thrilled to find out that we actually had an office in Bethlehem, and as we got to know each other, we found numerous other connections along the way. We have had so much fun with these two from their epic engagement session where we criss-crossed Philadelphia to get portraits at over 20 Philadelphia landmarks through to their summer wedding at the Allentown Brew Works. MaryBeth told me recently in an e-mail that it looks like we are stuck being their photographers for life, and we wouldn't have it any other way!
Their wedding was our first time photographing the Allentown Brew Works, which is located in the historic downtown area of Allentown. Jeff, the event coordinator extraordinaire at the Brew Works, was juggling multiple celebrations that day, but still managed to accomodate everything MaryBeth and Eric wanted. We were able to do a First Look on the High Gravity level, including some dramatic portraits with the giant beer casks on that floor, then we went up to FIVE, which is the top floor, for more bridal party portraits. We used the outdoor patio off the first floor for a few more portraits before heading down the the Silk Lounge to regroup (and play some pool and arcade games) before the ceremony.
MaryBeth & Eric had hopes of getting wedding portraits in front of the iconic PPL building where Eric works, and capturing some of the beautiful architecture in this historic part of the city, but just a week before their wedding they found out there would be a jazz festival the day of their wedding covering the two blocks between PPL and the Brew Works. But as one door closes, another one opens. Through a series of happy coincidences and the generosity of the man who owns the building next to the Brew Works, we were able to bring MaryBeth & Eric up to a helicopter pad on that building for some truly unique bridal portraits with panoramic views of Allentown and the Lehigh Valley.
And that was all before the ceremony! We were back in the High Gravity room for the wedding ceremony, which featured personalized vows from MaryBeth & Eric that brought tears to both the bride's and groom's eyes. After that it was time to party! The reception was in the FIVE room, where their design theme of red & black circles showed up all over the place. I love how they were able to incorporate this theme in subtle ways throughout the reception.
MB & E, we had so much fun with you and all your friends & family! We're so glad to be "stuck with you for life", and we look forward to making all your fun and crazy photos ideas come to life in the future!
Red wedding shoes? Yes, please! And how awesome is MaryBeth's crystal necklace, which was her grandmother's? The necklace really completed MaryBeth's look of classic elegance.
You may recognize some of these lovely ladies from Liz & Brian's wedding photos (including Liz herself!) I love how these girls are up for anything, including picking up hot dogs from street vendors on the way to the wedding.
From up here, Allentown is pretty beautiful...
We probably could make a whole blog post featuring our former groom Brian's dance moves (bottom left corner of this group.) We love catching up with previous clients at their friends' weddings :)
