My mission as a wedding photographer in Philadelphia is to help happy couples celebrate life's biggest joys with high quality photos and a dang good time. I believe the experience is just as important as the photos and that you deserve beautiful, lasting memories.

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bride and groom embracing with a kiss on their wedding day surrounded by greenery in new york.

East Coast Summer Wedding with Reception Dress Change

Introducing… THE MOHAMMEDS!! 🎉 Mark & Simone officially tied the knot over the summer and their wedding day was a celebration to remember. With heartfelt moments and high-energy dance floors, their day was filled with love and fun. Here are some highlights from their wedding!

The Dress Reveal

One of the most memorable moments of the day was when Simone revealed her wedding dress to her bridesmaids — and none of them (not even her maid of honor!) had seen it before the big day. When Simone walked out in her gown, the reactions were unforgettable. The room instantly filled with gasps, tears, and excitement as her friends took in how beautiful she looked. It was such a sweet moment to capture!

The First Look

Mark was so eager to see his bride — he nearly turned around too soon. During their first look, you could see his anticipation build until they finally saw each other. Their love was clear in every glance and hug. Capturing these moments is one of my favorite parts of being an East Coast wedding photographer.

Heartfelt and Fun Vows

Mark & Simone’s vows were filled with both emotion and humor. They made each other — and all of their guests — laugh and tear up. One standout moment was when Mark quoted a line from one of their favorite songs, and Simone immediately sang along as he spoke the words. Everyone in the crowd couldn’t help but smile and laugh.

Dancing Down the Aisle

After saying “I do” and jumping the broom, Mark & Simone danced their way down the aisle as newlyweds. This trend has been gaining popularity in summer weddings, and it always brings a burst of energy to the celebration. Their guests were clapping, cheering, and celebrating with them the whole way down the aisle.

High-Energy Reception Entrances

The energy kept building as the reception began. Mark & Simone had a large wedding party, and each group made sure their entrance was memorable. By the time the couple entered, the entire room was on their feet, cheering and celebrating. Summer wedding ideas like this — where guests stay engaged and excited — are always a hit!

Parent Dances First

Instead of going straight into their first dance as a couple, Mark & Simone chose to start with their parent dances. Simone and her dad danced to an upbeat Caribbean song that had the whole room smiling, while Mark and his mom shared a heartfelt slow dance. This unique choice set a fun and sentimental tone for the evening.

The Stunning Reception Dress

Later in the night, Simone surprised everyone by changing into a custom silver and purple reception dress. It was a show-stopping moment when she re-entered the reception, and her family and friends loved the outfit change. We also took a few nighttime portraits before she hit the dance floor again. If you’re planning a summer wedding, a second reception outfit is a great way to add a special touch to your celebration.

Vendors:
Photography: Gabriella Marie Photography
Venue: Larkfield
Florals: Pedestals Floral Decorators
Dress: Pantora Bridal / FD Fashion House
HMU: Holsia
Cake: Batter Up

If you’re currently planning your wedding and looking for inspiration, check out my portfolio or listen to my podcast, The Busy Bride. Whether you’re gathering summer wedding ideas or searching for an East Coast wedding photographer who captures candid, emotional moments, I’d love to chat about your vision!! Fill out my contact form here and let’s make your wedding day unforgettable 🙂

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- kristen & jared

“Hiring Gabriella as our photographer was the single best decision we made on wedding day. Because we had an intimate elopement at town hall, it was important to us to capture the small details and intimate moments in a way that we could look back on our day and feel like we are reliving it. Well, Gabriella’s work does just that. She exceeded our expectations and we could not be happier with our gallery. She gave updates and clear expectations along the way so that we were never left wondering what next steps were, and was timely with getting sneak peaks and the full gallery back to us. We are an introverted couple who is not used to being in front of the camera, and Gabriella was super patient and made us feel at ease throughout the whole day. Her communication style is to be seriously commended. She also went above and beyond to scope out of the venue and found the perfect spot for us to do our private vows in. We don’t have a single negative thing to say about our experience. If you are considering working with Gabriella for your special day, do it!!

"THE SINGLE BEST DECISION"

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- RYlie & ryan kelliher

We LOVED working with Gabriella for our Wedding photography! From our first video call, she made us feel totally at ease about the whole process, and it was clear she had a ton of experience. We do not consider ourselves very photogenic, but Gabriella got AMAZING pictures from our Wedding and an Engagement shoot. She’s fun, friendly, professional, and everything you need in a Wedding photographer (or for any other event). Cannot recommend her highly enough!

"SHE MADE US FEEL TOTALLY AT EASE"

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- AARON & LYDIA

“Gabriella is the BEST photographer and we could not have asked for anyone better to capture our proposal! I had intentions of interviewing multiple photographers, but after seeing her work and talking to her over the phone, I immediately booked with her. Her passion for photography is so evident. She goes above and beyond to make your shoot about YOU. She does a great job of taking control and guiding you with poses that you will love, and her candid shots are unbelievable. She had a smile on her face the entire time and we felt like a close friend was there doing this for us. Would recommend her 100 times out of 100!

Gabriella was absolutely amazing. She made the photography session so easy and effortless. Her personality is so warm and inviting, she made us feel so so comfortable during these pictures. Gabriella went above and beyond for us and I’m so grateful my significant other found her as a photographer. I would highly recommend!”

"SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND"

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