Melanie looked just like I remembered her. She is my youngest sister’s friend and has been since grade school but I haven’t seen her since probably her junior prom, when I photographed Bria and her friends before the party. The chance to be a part of Melanie’s wedding was something I was super excited for! 

Watching her walk down the street with Scott to begin our pictures was the best. You could tell they were a couple. Not just because of the beautiful lace dress and the handsome blue suit but because of the way they walked and talked together. Like a radiant team of two ready to take on whatever 2020 threw at them. Including the rain that had been happening all day. Good news, the rain tapered off just as we were beginning pictures! 

( Did you know that having an overcast sky is not a bad thing in photography? It creates a giant softbox in the sky and nice soft light. In fact, unless you are photographing at golden hour, it is often preferable to sunny skies. )

Scott, turns out, grew up one town over in Mt Laurel. He met Mel at a bar in Philly. Funny how small the world is sometimes. He’s got a great smile, a close family, a fabulous sense of humor, and is totes into Melanie. I only just met him but he’s good people, you can tell. 

The Shambles is an historic open air street market in Philly’s Headhouse Square. Iconically incorporating some of the history of the city they live in and love, this is where Mel and Scott said their vows. Surrounded by immediate family, Mel’s dad walked her down the aisle to Scott. Officiating was Scott’s parents next door neighbor. In a beautiful and intimate ceremony, they exchanged rings and promises. Officially married!

After some family pictures, we headed over to The Twisted Tail. And here I’d like to give a big thumbs up to them. The original plan was a bigger wedding at a different venue with lots of dancing and friends but … 2020 happened. So things changed a bit. The Twisted Tail was supposed to be the location of the rehearsal dinner, it was special to Mel and Scott, they really like it there. When Twisted Tail heard that the original plan was not going to work out, they really went out of their way to make this wedding as special as they could. 

Scotts’ nephew was the emcee and introduced the new husband and wife into the room and their first dance. Parent dances were next and then everyone said a toast. It was perfect!

Congratulations Mel and Scott! Thank you for letting me be a part of your celebration!

Hair / Makeup : Moxie Blue Salon 

Venue : The Twisted Tail

Cake / Cookies : Night Kitchen Bakery

Soooo, look what I found! Junior prom! LOL This is medium format film. I was 22, 23 when I took this?? (Don't do any math!)

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

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

Welcome to the world, Madeleine! It was so nice to meet you and see your parents again. After being such a beautiful model for our session, I hope you slept the whole night through. Congratulations, Alexandra + Mark!