A Chance Date Opening for Frances and Chris

Picture this – you’re a wedding photographer about to enter the peak of “Busy Season”. You’re fully booked through the rest of the year. But it’s also COVID times and one of your weddings gets postponed. Therefore it leaves you with one free day! Then, you get an email from a previous client saying “SOS!! WE’RE GETTING MARRIED AND WE NEED YOU THERE!!” This Philadelphia Wedding Photographer opened that email so fast!

Frances and Chris told me they decided to elope in three weeks, since they had to push their big wedding in Ireland back another year. So, they didn’t want to wait any more, and asked if I could be there to capture their big day.

I met them the previous summer when we shot their Engagement Photos at Cooper River Park and immediately developed a friendship with these two. The date they chose for their Elopement miraculously was the same day of the other postponed wedding! I just knew I had to be there for them!

Frances and Chris’ New Jersey Elopement by Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

Frances and Chris chose to have their ceremony at a church that was close to Frances’ heart. Their immediate families were in attendance for an intimate group of sixteen people. The couple had a few unexpected life turns over the past month, so they were genuinely excited and ready to commit their lives to each other.

The day started off sunny and bright. Frances walking up to the church was one of my favorite moments of the day! Her genuine, natural smile showed everyone exactly how she was feeling. Filled with pure excitement! Her mom and Chris’s dad walked her down the aisle. She also carried a locket with a photo of her father attached to her bouquet. It was a perfect moment symbolizing the joining of two families.

Philadelphia Wedding Photographer Captures A Ceremony to Remember

Their ceremony was filled with smiles, happy tears, sweet glances at each other, and words of wisdom showered upon them from their families. Frances and Chris ended their ceremony with their first kiss as husband and wife, followed by happily walking up the aisle together and stepping outside to enjoy a moment alone and soak it all in. 

We gathered their family outside to snap some portraits but we had to move fast because a storm was quickly rolling in! The thunder was rumbling and the leaves started rustling, so we breezed through family formals and were able to take 10 minutes to capture some portraits of the newly married couple. We decided to scramble and get one last group shot on the steps of the church as the first rain drops started to fall, and Frances had a total ‘Vogue’ moment with her veil blowing away in the wind!

Most Requested Photo by Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

We finished the day with Frances and Chris’ most requested photo – a shot of the two of them with their pup Frank, who stole the show at their engagement session. Following their ceremony, Frances and Chris brought their family to their home and hosted a beautiful dinner to celebrate their new marriage. 

To the new Mr. & Mrs. McKinney – It was truly an honor to be able to spend these moments with you and your families. I wish you the happiest years of your lives and an amazing celebration in Ireland!

Vendors:

Bride’s Hair and Makeup – Soffiato Via

Bride’s Dress – BHLDN