Modern Romantic Wedding at the John James Audubon Center

Gerri and Joe… where do I even begin? From the moment I met Gerri and Joe, learned about their wedding vision, and felt their radiating personalities I knew that we were a perfect match. Over the months of wedding planning, their big day was getting closer and closer. I even had the pleasure of capturing their engagement session in Cape May, NJ too. You can read more about that here. This Summer, Gerri and Joe’s Modern Romantic Wedding at the John James Audubon Center was utter bliss. A historic venue with modern and romantic touches to make it the most stunning wedding day.

John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove

The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove is definitely one of those hidden gem beauties. It blends together their passion for preserving history, the arts, and nature. They focus on nature preservation and take a lot of pride in their land, landscaping, and greenery. The John James Audubon Center never wants to take away from the history of the property, which dates back to the 18th century. It is the perfect wedding venue in Pennsylvania if you’re looking for breathtaking views and historic charm. You can read more about the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove here.

Modern Romantic Wedding at the John James Audubon Center

The history that is behind the John James Audubon Center makes it especially unique when it comes to taking photos. There is so much character and depth everywhere you turn, that it never is a dull moment. Now, this isn’t the first time that I’ve photographed a wedding at JJAC, although each and every time I am completely blown away by its beauty. You can check out Lisa & Rob’s wedding at this venue here.

Getting Ready

I arrived that afternoon to greet Gerri and her bridesmaids as they got ready. Radiating with pure joy, Gerri was grinning from ear to ear as she was surrounded by her entire support system. These moments are always so precious, so I really recommend cherishing every second of them. Joe got ready at the Hilton Garden Inn with his groomsmen as they got prim and proper for their big day. Luckily SCP had their second shooter to be able to capture every moment between Gerri and Joe.

First Look & Portraits

Joe and his groomsmen traveled to JJAC to meet up with his beautiful bride-to-be for their first look. A moment that can be so impactful, emotional, and beautiful. You can read more about first looks and their impact on your wedding day here. Since there was some time before the ceremony, this was the perfect opportunity to dedicate this time to some portraits. The sun was shining, and the happy couple was beaming. Seems like the perfect combination, don’t you think? Gerri’s gorgeous dress by Jenny Yoo paired perfectly with her minimalistic bouquet by Kim Harris Glasson. The white florals really stood out against all the greenery in the bouquet which I just loved.

Ceremony & Reception

Beneath some trees out on the lawn at JJAC was an arch that waited for Gerri and Joe to arrive. Prior to the ceremony, I always have the bride and groom hide so that guests don’t see them beforehand. Of course, not long after, Joe walks down the aisle and everyone awaits the beautiful bride. Wedding guests turn around as they hear music and see Gerri walking down the aisle, arms locked with her parents. Their ceremony was just as romantic and beautiful as their love story and was a special one to witness.

While guests enjoyed a brief cocktail hour, I snuck the newlyweds off to the grounds at the JJAC for some golden hour portraits. As the sun set and the light grazed their skin, this was their moment. The reception space opened up for guests and we made our way back where we watched Gerri and Joe have their first dance as husband and wife. The remainder of the night was spent celebrating on the dance floor with their friends and family, relishing this moment.

Full vendor list at the bottom