Your experience in front of the camera matters just as much as the photos you receive! 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 cultivating lasting memories.

Hey!! I'm Gabriella.

Browse by Category

A couple kisses during their outdoor wedding ceremony at Mountain Springs Lake Resort in the Poconos.

Springtime Poconos Wedding at Mountain Springs Lake Resort

Morgan and Dylan are married! Their Mountain Springs Lake Resort wedding kicked off my 2025 wedding season, and it could not have set the bar higher. I’d photographed Morgan and Dylan once before, at their engagement session the previous summer, and I already knew this wedding was going to be something special. I was right.

A “Mostly” Perfect Forecast

The weather leading up to the wedding was iffy, to put it mildly. After a deep dive into the forecast by their amazing wedding planner Keira and an actual meteorologist guest, the decision was made: the ceremony would happen outside, as planned!

Because Dylan and Morgan chose a first-look-free wedding day (waiting until the aisle to see each other for the first time), we spent the morning running two separate tracks. Wedding party photos, family formals, and portraits took place simultaneously on opposite sides of the venue with myself and my second photographer split up.

What Happens When It Rains During Your Wedding Ceremony?

This is a question I get from many couples planning an outdoor wedding, and Morgan & Dylan’s day is the perfect example of how a good plan (and a great planner) makes all the difference.

The ceremony began beautifully. Dylan was beaming as he watched Morgan walk down the aisle, both of them smiling through happy tears. A close friend of the couple (the person who introduced them) officiated, and the whole crowd was glowing with good energy.

Then, out of a single dark cloud that seemingly came from nowhere, the sky opened up and dumped rain directly onto the ceremony.

Their wedding planner had umbrellas distributed in seconds, but the rain was too intense to push through. Guests made a dash for the venue, which handled the sudden shift with total grace! They opened the cocktail bar early to serve impromptu “ceremony interlude” drinks. Instead of stress, everyone was laughing at the craziness of the moment!

Minutes later, the sun returned. Not a single cloud remained for the rest of the day. (For real!)

The ceremony picked back up right where it left off, with applause greeting Dylan and Morgan as they walked hand-in-hand back up the aisle to finish their wedding ceremony.

Why Hire a Wedding Photographer Who Can Adapt to Anything?

Days like this are exactly why experience matters when choosing a wedding photographer in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania. Weather, timelines, and surprises are part of nearly every wedding day. What matters is having someone behind the camera who can roll with it, stay calm and keep capturing genuine moments no matter what’s happening in the sky.

A quick round of formal portraits followed the ceremony (probably 5-10 minutes) before Morgan and Dylan rejoined their guests for cocktail hour. They wanted to be present with the people who came to celebrate them, not sequestered away for photos during their own party.

The Reception: Dancing, Toasts, and a Sparkler Send-Off

The reception brought all the energy the ceremony had promised. A beautifully choreographed first dance, toasts filled with genuine emotion, and a dance floor that never emptied. After a quiet, private last dance just between the two of them, Dylan and Morgan closed out the night with a sparkler exit!

Huge congratulations to Dylan and Morgan! And a genuine round of applause to their guests, who met a sudden downpour with laughter instead of frustration. It truly was a wedding to remember!!!

The Incredible Vendor Team

Venue: Mountain Springs Lake Resort

Planner: silk + honey events

Stationery: Via Sketch

Dress: Lovely Bride NYC | Newhite

Hair & Makeup: Utopia Salon

Florals: Ornithea House of Flowers

Music: Bachelor Boys Band

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do you photograph outdoor weddings in Pennsylvania even if the forecast calls for rain? A: Absolutely. Some of the most memorable wedding photos come from unexpected weather. As an experienced Pennsylvania wedding photographer, I work closely with couples and their planners to have a backup plan ready, so a little rain never derails the day.

Q: What areas do you serve as a wedding photographer? A: I’m based in the Philadelphia area and photograph weddings throughout the greater Philadelphia area, including venues in the surrounding suburbs and countryside (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York … basically the whole East Coast!)

Q: Should we do a first look, or wait to see each other at the ceremony? A: Both options are beautiful, and it comes down to what feels right for you as a couple. Morgan and Dylan chose to wait until the aisle. We structured their day to get through as many group photos as possible before the ceremony, so only a few remained after they were married.

Q: How far in advance should we book our Philadelphia wedding photographer? A: Popular wedding dates, especially in peak spring, summer, and fall seasons, tend to book up 9 – 12 months in advance. If you’re planning a Poconos wedding and love this kind of authentic, joy-focused photography style, I’d love to hear from you early in your planning process.


Looking for a Pennsylvania or East Coast wedding photographer who captures your day exactly as it happens, rain or shine? Get in touch to check availability for your wedding date. I accept a limited number of weddings per year to make sure I can serve my couples with my whole heart and soul!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

- 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"

Kind Words

- 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"

Kind Words

- 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"

Kind Words