Philadelphia Wedding Photography | Brian & Shannon's Running with the Santas Wedding

• Posted by Matt & Natalie •

To help get everyone in the holiday spirit, we wanted to share a long overdue post of one of our most unique weddings. Looking back through these photos reminded us just how much we love this crazy couple. Brian and Shannon's big day started off with a pretty traditional church wedding, but by the end of the day they had danced with a flash mob, taken vintage wedding portraits outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art (completing the look with a Rolls Royce, fedora for the groom and faux fur shrug for the bride), had their wedding cake delivered to them by the Phillie Phanatic on the stage of the Electric Factory and had their first dance on that same stage in front of a few hundred (maybe thousand?) people dressed up as Santa Claus and various other holiday characters. To say it was a memorable day may be a bit of an understatement.

Shannon was one of Fairmount Photography's very first clients when we began as a sports team photography business. We've been taking portraits for Rising Stars, her dance and cheerleading school, for the past 5 or 6 years, and it's been so fun to watch our businesses grow together.

We were so excited when Shannon told us she was getting married, and even more-so when she filled us in on her plans. She and fiancé Brian were going to ditch the traditional wedding reception and celebrate at the event where they had met two years earlier and where Brian had proposed the previous year: The Running of the Santas.

Their mid-December wedding day started like any other normal celebration with a traditional ceremony at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Millville, NJ. Shannon definitely looked the part of the winter bride by topping her beautiful A-line gown with an elegant white faux fur stole and a bouquet of red roses. Brian and the guys sported plenty of their own style, wearing gray-striped cravats instead of ties, dark gray, striped pants and jackets with long tails.

After the ceremony though, they threw tradition to the wind, and their personalities really started to shine through.

Everyone filed into the school hall for a holiday-themed flash mob featuring many of the students from Shannon's Dance Studio, plus Santa, a giant gingerbread man and the bride & groom right in the middle. Then the happy couple hopped into the back of a vintage Rolls Royce headed for Philly.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art was the backdrop for their bridal portraits, and Brian totally worked the camera.  The antique car was such a perfect accessory to complete their classic look.  Their hotel was right next to Philadelphia City Hall, so we took a few more portraits there before the real craziness began.

Next stop was Finnegan's Wake Irish Pub, where the Annual Running of the Santas kicks off.  This is where a couple hundred, maybe thousand, people dressed up as Santa and other holiday characters, who have all been drinking since about 1 in the afternoon, "run" about 5 blocks from Finnegan's Wake to the Electric Factory for a huge music festival to wrap up the night.

At the Electric Factory, Brian & Shannon were invited up to the stage so that the Phillie Phanatic and the founders of the Running of the Santas could present their wedding cake and they could have their first dance.  It was a truly awesome experience, and these two definitely enjoyed every minute!

This past year, we had the chance to catch up with this great couple two more times as Brian's sister tied the knot in September and then his brother in October. Since Brian's oldest sister is already married, 6-year-old Troy is the last unmarried Vallery sibling.

Shannon & Brian,  Happy 2nd anniversary! We're so glad that you're part of our Fairmount Photography family. Thanks for including us in your truly epic wedding day, and then recommending us to Brian's siblings.  We look forward to catching up with you again in 20 or so years when Troy ties the knot (and hopefully a few times in between) :)

Philadelphia Engagement Photography: Lindsay & Andrew's Surprise Engagement at Citizen's Bank Park

*Posted by Matt*

About a month or so ago my friend called me to see if I was available the following day to do engagement photos at Citizen's Bank Park. Her friend was planning a surprise proposal at the Phillies' stadium and they needed a photographer to document the whole thing. Well, I'm glad I picked up the phone because it really was an exciting experience to see two people get engaged on the Phillies' field. From the nerves of coordinating everything — Andrew (the boyfriend) had family flown in from California,  getting Lindsay to believe that she was really at the stadium to be interviewed for a newspaper story, getting the jumbotron turned on — paled in comparison to her priceless reaction when she realized what was going on.

The story that was pieced together over the hour or so we were there was that Lindsay teased Andrew frequently about a proposal. Not in a bad way, just for fun. It was obvious that she had no idea a real proposal was actually coming, and absolutely no idea that there was going to be such a unique proposal in such an unexpected fashion.

Andrew and Lindsay, I'm really happy that I was one of the few people that was able to share in such a monumental occasion in your lives. I wish you all the best!

Philadelphia Wedding Photography: Matt & Lynda's Rose Valley Wedding

• Posted by Matt •

Matt and Lynda's Fall wedding at the Old Mill in Rose Valley was special to me because I have known Lynda's dad and stepmom for quite some time. Mr. and Mrs. Rayer are both entrenched in the arts in Philadelphia, so there was a certain level of validation that came along with being chosen as Lynda and Matt's wedding photographer! It was also special for Natalie, who got married at the Old Mill a couple years ago!

Lynda and Matt ended up with snowy engagement photos during one of the rare snow days last year, so even though it was still pretty cold the day of their early November wedding, we were happy to see a little bit of the sun! The bride got her hair and makeup done at Karma Salon & Spa in Media before heading back to the Radnor Hotel to finish getting ready. Meanwhile the groom got ready at his parent's house in Media.

The guys had some funny groomsmen portrait ideas (like showing off the groom and groomsmen matching argyle socks) so we spent a good amount of time laughing while doing that.

Then it was off to the ceremony at Nativity BVM Church in Media. They decided to have a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony followed by family portraits right inside the church. Nativity BVM is such a gorgeous church, it was so easy to get great pictures while we were there!

Next up was our favorite part of the day as we headed to Tyler Arboretum for bridal party portraits. All of the fun sculptures and pieces there lent themselves nicely to some funny bridal party portraits and some really beautiful bride and groom portraits as well. Keeping with their big ideas for portraits, all of the guys had superhero t-shirts for a groomsmen photo!

The reception took place at the Old Mill in Rose Valley and the couple did a great job of making that unique as well. Instead of a cake they had a cupcake display, they had mini pumpkins as table numbers, Tastykake pies as gifts for people to take home and much more. They also had one of the best sets by the Mummers at a wedding I've ever seen!

Matt & Lynda, thank you so much for making us a part of your big celebration! You had so many creative ideas for your wedding and your photos.  We're so glad you trusted us to help bring them to life!

Philadelphia Engagement Photography | Greg & Meredith's Temple Basketball Engagement Portraits

• Posted by Natalie •

When Greg and Meredith shared their idea for having their engagement portraits at Temple University's basketball arena, I was so excited.  And a bit relieved -- I had been planning ideas for TU basketball-themed engagement photos since we found out they were engaged!

Though Meredith isn't even a Temple graduate, TU basketball has been a central part of their relationship since they joined our group of season ticket-holders in 2009 and proved themselves to be excellent hecklers. In other words, they fit right in.

As Temple sports super-fans (they even go to all the football games!), it was only fitting that we use the Liacouras Center, where all the home basketball games are played, to showcase their love for each other. We had lots of ideas, but we can only show you a few of our favorites here since we don't want to give away their save-the-date plans!

Afterward, we used Temple's campus for some more traditional portraits.  We were so lucky to get a mild day, even though it was early December.  Walking around campus, we were able to get a nice mix of urban engagement portraits, pictures with elegant architecture and even a few that look like we were in the middle of a park!

Greg and Meredith, I can't believe we have to wait nearly a year for your November wedding!  We're so excited to be a part of your big day!

Patrick & Sarah | Fall wedding at the Desmond in Malvern

• Posted by Natalie •

Patrick and Sarah's elegant ballroom wedding at the end of October was such a happy, beautiful day.  They tied the knot at St. Patrick's Church in Malvern, which is one of my new favorite churches!  The beautiful lights, the variety of angles and the welcoming and warm atmosphere bumped it right up to the top of my list of best Philadephia churches for photos.  As an added bonus it's near a lot of top places for wedding portraits.

Patrick & Sarah chose Valley Forge Park for their wedding portraits, which was a perfect complement to their fall wedding.  The changing leaves created a beautiful backdrop for this fun-loving bridal party.  I love that the parents of the bride and groom came along for the portraits as well.  There was just so much love for this sweet couple!

Their wedding reception was at the charming Desmond Hotel, in Malvern, which is just outside Philadelphia.  It was a great setting for an elegant reception, where the decor was primarily white with pops of deep reds and purples.  They also had an awesome wedding cake. It featured a variety of Philadelphia landmarks plus the Temple University "T", which earned major bonus points from Matt and I who are fellow alums.

Patrick and Sarah, we're so glad you took Greg & Meredith's advice!  It was such a pleasure getting to know you and your wedding was just perfect from top to bottom!  We look forward to seeing you next year at your friends' wedding!