A long time ago, in Princeton, I used to work at a photo studio. Everything was photographed on film with medium format cameras. 24 exposures per roll and all manual focus. And in that studio worked a studio manager named Michelle. Michelle, being an excellent business woman, would keep us in check when it came to overshooting. Medium format film was expensive, developing was expensive, and proofs too cost money. Now you may be saying to yourself, what does this have to do with Ana Sofia's Quincenera? The answer is this, Michelle is her mom and I definitely did not pay any attention to how many photographs I captured. 

Ana Sofia is charming, beautiful, gracious and from what I gather, fiercely loyal and a bit hot tempered. I had not seen her since she was a toddler. Which like any "old" lady I informed her of; by telling her the last time I saw her she was around the height of my knees. That's how I know she is gracious, as she grinned and did not roll her eyes. Ana's dress was stunning. A soft pink with lots of fluff and excellent for twirling, a bonus for pictures and super fun on the dance floor. A sparkly tiara capped Ana's fun and festive style.

You know when you see love in the way someone looks at someone else? Well that's what Ana's dad's eyes were brimming with when he saw her for the first time. The moment didn't last long as Maddy, the dog, was also very interested in seeing her but while it did Dad only had eyes for his little girl. We did all of the posed pictures before the party so no-one would get a glimpse of Ana's dress before the grand entrance. 

And grand it was! Escorted by her brother, Matthew, Ana circled the dance floor surrounded by her cheering family and friends. There are several traditions that commenced at this point. The first, was that Ana's dad removed her shiny golden sneakers (and socks) and replaced them with shiny golden heels, signifying her stepping into womanhood. (She was extremely good at walking in them and a little bird told me she's been wearing them since kindergarten. I on the other hand, can barely make it 10 steps, so I was still impressed.) The second tradition is the gifting of a doll from her mom, symbolizing the last childhood present she will ever receive. The doll is custom made to look like the birthday girl. Dad then gave a speech and everyone got to dinner. 

Dance party! Some people are dancers and some are not. This crowd was both enthusiastic and talented. Ana Sofia danced her heart out and had an obviously fabulous time doing so. Even a certain someone who swore he didn't dance got out there for Ana's birthday.

Closing out the night was a candle ceremony with 15 candles. Ana did a really impressive job with her speech, enough that I'm sitting here wondering if she would proof my blog posts. Her words were thoughtful, sweet, entertaining, and funny. Everyone sang Happy Birthday and Ana blew out the candles. 

Happy birthday, Ana! I hope any wishes you made come true!

DJ: Encore Entertainment & Ultrax Disc Jockeys

Cake:  Cramer’s Bakery 

Florist:  Monday Morning Flower and Balloon Co

Venue: Princeton Marriott at Forrestal 

Katrina and Bobb met at a church function. Ok it was really a singles group set up by a church at the Continental ( bar / restaurant, ) but it's more fun to say they met at church because it's so not the Bobb I know. We've know each other from grade school and he's sarcastic, smart and involved in lots of things but church is not one of them. Theater, baseball, acerbic wit and causing havoc with his sister, Allison, are more up his alley. So ha, Bobb, God works in mysterious ways. ( Bobb if you're reading this please imagine the big cheesy grin on my face that is incredibly happy for you and enjoys giving you a hard time simultaneously. )

A few months ago and over dinner with this awesome couple, I met Katrina, one of the warmest, kindest and most genuine people I may have ever met. She's an amazing opera singer with an optimistic outlook that refuses to let "that's what he said" die, which I appreciate as it still makes me smile every time. Over shared tapas and wedding plans, I realized she a Bobb were a great compliment to each other. 

The day of arrived and it was beautiful, perfect weather. Unlike most of the year, there was no rain or humidity and the temperature was cool. Lynda and I headed over to the Stotesbury Mansion where we found Katrina and her bridesmaids getting ready in the bridal suite on the third floor. After her makeup was done, the fact that she was getting married really hit home and Katrina indulged in a little yell therapy to keep from being overwhelmed and ruining her makeup with happy tears. It worked and everyone had a good giggle too. After getting all buttoned up into her very beautiful and flattering dress, we headed over to Rittenhouse Square for a first look. 

While waiting for Katrina to make her way over to the square, Bobb and Kaikatsu (their dog) took some time out to star in a Wharton College music video. So that doesn't happen every day. If anyone ever finds the end project please share. 

Both Katrina and Bobb's faces lit up upon seeing each other for the first time but really the most excited was Kai. She LOVES her people and they love her. Kai is an adorable, excited and well accessorized dog. Check out the bow Katrina's mom made her! She was the star of the show and was very intent on stealing some kisses from her mom. Unfortunately, she could only stay a little while before she had to go home. The rest of the pictures went swimmingly and we finished up right before the ceremony. 

Back at the Stotesbury Mansion (did I mention this place is beautiful, three floors and so many perfect settings,) Katrina and Bobb got married. After being walked down the aisle by her brother, Chris, the nuptials were customized with a Japanese sake ceremony, performed by Bobb's Aunt and officiated by their friend Dave Whitman. Punctuated with humor and laughter, Dave performed the personalized service, a joyful bride and groom exchanged rings and sealed it with a kiss. 

Then they partied. I can't decide my favorite parts. The dancing, especially when Katrina starting dancing with Bobb in the middle of his conversation and he just continued on like this happened all the time. The toasts, or should I say roasts, the speeches were about 50/50 love/jokes. Or maybe the Bohemian Rhapsody rendition, sung by Katrina and all her singer friends (and me if we're disclosing everything but I don't have the voice that they do.) It was an epically good time! 

Thank you for allowing me to be part of such a special occasion, Katrina and Bobb!!

Venue: Stotesbury Mansion

Photographers: Barbara Wentzel and Lynda Bailey

Caterer: Owen Hutchison Feastivities Events

Bar: Ryan McKelvey Stotesbury Mansion

DJ: Adam Oded Philly Custom DJ

Cake: Lesly McDevitt The Sugary Philly

Courtney and Josh are so awesome, I'm not even sure where to start. They met at pub trivia through a mutual friend, own a cat, lift competitively, go to Harvard graduate school and technically got engaged with a cupcake on top of a ring pop. To me it sounds like a great movie!

My first meeting with Courtney and Josh was actually at another wedding ( shout out to Magda + Robbie! ) Courtney, there is no bigger compliment than that you wanted me at your wedding too and I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. You and Josh are really amazing people and it was my honor to be a part of your day.

Upon walking in to Courtney's hotel room, I knew we were in for a great day. Sure it was going to rain, but so what! Everyone was warm, welcoming and ready to party ( or have a cheese break. ) After finishing hair, makeup and getting the bride in a beautiful lace dress, we made our way to the Stone House at Stirling Ridge for the first look. It was as the time, quite rainy, so we picked a very pretty room in which to let Courtney and Josh have their a first moment together ( mostly private, I mean Lauren and I were there taking pictures. ) Josh playfully sneaked up on Courtney, tapped her on the shoulder and when she turned around their smiles couldn't have been bigger! After asking the happy couple to sit on the backs of some chairs, the rain slowed and we were able to head outside. Special thanks to Lauren for letting me borrow her clear umbrella, it made some beautiful rainy portraits possible.

A private Ketubah signing was next with family and the bridal party. Courtney and Josh signed their marriage contract, witnessed by the matron of honor and best man. After being "technically married now" as Courtney said, you could really see how happy they were to be husband and wife. The public ceremony, had the most gorgeous chuppah with birch logs and flowers galore, under which was said personally written vows. ( Josh's actually had some blood on them from a papercut and Courtney's matched the lining of their invitation envelopes. ) My favorite part though, was at the end when Josh stepped on the glass and it went skipping away, twice! I'm not sure it ever actually broke, but after a shrug and grin they made it even more official with a kiss and headed back down the aisle.

While waiting for introductions to the reception, Lauren told me a story about how she had just witnessed one of the older male guests, swipe his finger through the cake and lick the icing off his finger! I was flabbergasted! We went over to look and sure enough, there was the finger mark, all the way down to cake! Lauren was not sure who it was, I think she was in shock. The reception was perfect. I learned about how Courtney and Magda ( the matron of honor) were originally frenemies, which I still find hard to believe as they are both extremely nice people. And that Josh's grandmother does not approve of the best man's facial hair. And that all of Courtney and Josh's guest know how to boogie. The energy on the dance floor was contagious and continued until the very end of the night!

The perfect day. I'm so happy for the two of you!!

Hair: Diaz Hair

Makeup: Sarah Munoz for Sarah Jeanne Makeup

Venue: Stone House at Stirling Ridge

Photographers: Barbara Wentzel and Lauren Kearns

Flowers: Jardiniere Fine Flowers

DJ: Anthony Battista for Eclipse Events

After talking to Anna, I knew we would be a great match. Which is, in my opinion, very important for your wedding day. When choosing a photographer, number one, you should like their images and number two, their personality. Not only will you spend more time around your photographer than anyone else that day, the more comfortable you are, the better the images. Anna and I had a lot in common, a love of art, video gaming and animals. We bonded over some Starbucks and I was very excited for her big day by the time we left!

After spending all summer landscaping and getting ready, the festivities were at Anna and Cosimo's house in Lake Hopatcong, NJ. The house is on a hill overlooking the lake and lugging rocks and mulch and flowers up and down that hill was some pretty serious exercise. They did all the work themselves and did an amazing job. It was gorgeous!

The things Anna and Cosimo love the MOST are each other, Dave Matthews (I know if they could they would follow Dave around all year, every year.) and their Morkies, Baxter and Dexter (Anna makes their food and they have a better wardrobe than I do.) It was very important for them to have both Dave and the dogs involved. 

With a Dave song playing and surrounded by their closest friends and family, Anna and Cosimo tied the knot with a friend officiating. Their fur-babies made two adorably clad (in custom tuxes!) ring-bearers. I love a small, intimate wedding. The vows were said, kisses shared and then it was time to party!

The first dance was, (you guessed it) Dave Matthew's "Steady As we Go" and everyone joined in towards the end. It was obvious that the whole group had such an amazing time eating, drinking and dancing the night away.

It was an honor and pleasure to be involved in telling their story.

Special thanks to Jeri Houseworth for the referral and Lauren Kearns for photographing with me!

Invitations: Tessa Brown

Dress: Galina Signature from David's Bridal

Earrings: Swarovski

Necklace: Amazon

Dog's Tuxes: Amazon

Cellist and Dad: Vladimir Panteleyev

Photography: Barbara Wentzel + Lauren Kearns

DJ: Nick Cavaleri - Be The Good Entertainment

Guitar: Nic Freeman

Catering: Chef Ken Salmon

Tower of French Macarons: Sweet Expressions

What can I say about my beautiful niece? She's the best! A serious, smart and strong little girl with 8 teeth and a serious will to walk. It won't be long now that I will have to chase her with a camera instead of have her sit in one spot. There was some chasing during our session, as she can crawl, but Daddy helped us out by putting Poppy back in the good light again and again. She did a great job and put up with me for about hour, including outfit changes, which, as parents know, is a long time for a nine month old. 

Could her outfits be any more perfect? This is one trendy well dressed kid. If only overalls looked that cute on me. And the lacy pink dress was so well coordinated with Mom and Dad. I can't tell you how happy that made me, it really pulled the image together to make a beautiful family portrait. 

Halloween is coming up and Poppy, Jen and Paul are prepared, with several different options based on weather. We only did pictures of one, and what an adorably awesome costume it is. She's a lamb! Can ewe believe it! A baaaaaaaby sheep!

I cannot wait for her 1st birthday, cake smash session! Or maybe ice cream as she loves the Little Baby Bum Ice Cream Song already.