melissa + ray // the logan hotel, philadelphia wedding

I’m so excited to share this wedding with you guys! It’s full of so much pretty, so many great people, and so much love.

Melissa first contacted me a few weeks before her wedding day to see if I was available. Hello, low maintenance bride! Ha! In reality, Melissa + Ray had first decided to have a very low-key day, more like a party and less like a wedding.

Well, that is until their two teenage daughters (one his, one hers) entered the scene. Next thing you know, they were doing the whole bit. The dresses, the flowers, and “hiiiiiiiiiiii!” the photographer.

I was so happy when Melissa contacted me (shout out to my husband’s work bestie, Colleen, who made that happen!) and then decided to book. And when I showed up that beautiful Friday afternoon, my jaw was dropping with all the gorgeousness.

Go ahead, see for yourself..

 

Melissa’s florist: Oh, how I could kiss you!

 

Meet Melissa. She’s pretty great.

 

Meet Ray. Aside from this photo, Ray had a smiled plastered on his face all day. Probably because he was marrying Melissa, and she’s pretty great. (see above)

 

What could be cuter than Ray wanting to take his own photos of their beautiful girls?

 

Melissa + her bridesmaids. There was something SO special about Melissa + Ray’s kids being their bridal party. It was amazing.

 

Melissa was 2 seconds from crying all day. It was the most beautiful thing. I love me an emotional bride.

 

Such good looking guys!

 

Seriously the cutest family I’ve ever photographed. Make sure you guys come back to me and let me photograph you again, mmkay?

 

Ray wanted a photograph by the water fountain. 2 seconds later, they shut it off. We were just in time!

 

So we found another fountain..

 

…and they just got cuter.

 

Ceremony time!

 

The way he looks at her..

 

…and she at him. So much love.

 

MARRIED!!

 

Ha!

 

Melissa is the short one of her siblings.

 

Oh, their details. They were SO FABULOUS.

 

First dance as husband + wife.

 

And now it’s time to party!

 

I had wanted to take them out for portraits again after the ceremony since we only had a few minutes to do portraits of them then. Originally they had decided that it was totally cool + that they didn’t need any more shots. But just as I was preparing to leave, they changed their mind and I’m so glad that they did! I mean, they did get married in the city after all, so a few city portraits are key.

 

Ray convinced the Valet to join them in a photo, and then two random tourists. I love their spirit – the day was all about celebrating their love with.. well, EVERYONE!

 

Melissa + Ray – thank you so much for inviting me into your day. It was beautiful + emotional + full of so much love. I feel honored that I was able to capture the start of your lives together. I wish you so much love + happiness, but you guys have seem to got enough of that already. xo, Lauren

 

philadelphia, pa.

hair & makeup  •  Salon Norman Dee  //ceremony & reception venue  •  The Logan Philadelphia Hotel // florist  • Beth’s Flower Boutique // dj  • DJ Sound  // cake  •  Bredenbeck’s Bakery  // dress  •  BHLDN // bridesmaid dresses  •  BHLDN