I like to say that I "live vicariously through the dogs of others." I have three rescue cats, and a canine companion just isn't in the cards, at least not in the near future. So, behold, Volume II of brides, grooms and their beloved pups.
Props to the wonderful photographers represented here as well...
Emma
Casey and pup
Emily E
Cane Corsos
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Jamie and Elana
Sally and Bailey. Photo by Marie Labbancz.
Ellie and Oscar
When it comes to weddings, I adore the classic - dress, venue, styling, and everything that is timeless. Going to Skytop Lodge in the Poconos to help Ashton get ready to wed her Alex was like stepping into forever, as you can see by some of my favorite photos by the illustrious Sarah DiCicco. Hair by Amanda D'Andrea.
Photo of Jessica by Shari DeAngelo.
I have a special place in my heart for Kristina. Her wedding to Tom this June at the Union League as captured by CinemaCake....
Hair by Amanda D'Andrea (of course)....
Cinematography: Dave Williams, Jonathan Sutton, and Ryan Bedard of CinemaCake Filmmakers www.cinemacake.com Editor: Craig Hinkle of CinemaCake Filmmakers www.cinemacake.com Reception Venue and Caterer: Union League of Philadelphia www.unionleague.org Ceremony Venue: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul www.cathedralphila.org Photography: Philip Gabriel Wedding Photography www.philipgabriel.com Florist: Carl Alan Floral Design LTD www.carlalan.com Entertainment: Jellyroll www.bvtlive.com/jellyroll Hair Stylist: Amanda D'Andrea Hair www.amandadandrea.com Makeup Artist: Béke Beau www.bekebeau.com Music licensed by www.Songfreedom.com
I can't say it enough - a wedding film allows the bride and groom to see precious moments of the day that they might have otherwise missed. Philadelphia is blessed to have one of the best wedding filmmakers in the country, CinemaCake.
Caitlin was just ravishing and a delight to work with. Will post more photos from the remarkable Sarah DiCicco when they're available.... enjoy!
Cinematography: Dave Williams, Craig Hinkle, and Angel Lugo of CinemaCake Filmmakers www.cinemacake.com Editor: Angel Lugo of CinemaCake Filmmakers www.cinemacake.com Photography: Sarah DiCicco Photography www.sarahdicicco.com Event Coordinator: Gina Sole www.instyleplanners.com Reception Venue and Caterer: Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia Ceremony Venue: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul www.cathedralphila.org Florist: Evantine Design www.evantinedesign.com Entertainment: Eddie Bruce Orchestra www.eddiebruce.com Hair Stylist: Samantha Caulk Makeup Artist: Béke Beau www.bekebeau.com Music licensed by www.Songfreedom.com
So much goes into preparing a bride for an East Indian wedding. Henna, jewelry, the sari draping....it (almost) takes a village. Dhaval's serene, stately beauty captured in dramatic fashion by Philip Gabriel Photography.
"Spunky glamour on wheels" - that is the way I would describe Emily, who married Jamie in November. Photographer Daniel Moyer had a field day with the colorful backdrop that characterizes the Hotel Monaco in downtown Philadelphia. Here are just a few of those photos that delighted me.
Emily came to me as a daily wearer of false eyelashes, so she was used to a bit of cosmetic magic. Because of her already perfect skin, I was able to do maximum eye and still keep it looking real.
I was particularly moved by Jamie's expression when he first saw Emily - happy tears of "first look" love. And any bride who checks her make-up in the side mirror of a moped is a goddess to me.
Hair by my pal Amanda D'Andrea, Monique Lhullier dress from The Wedding Shoppe in Wayne, florals by Beautiful Blooms.
One of the aspects of my wedding adventures that I most appreciate is the special bond between mother and daughter. I feel very close to my brides, and to their moms, who are often around my age. This is a fundamental relationship worth celebrating, and I'm always moved by a beautiful photo of the bride and her mother.
Meet Christine and her mom Grace. Christine was married this October at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Photographs by Hudson Nichols Photography.
I had the pleasure of getting the beautiful and photogenic Caitlin Keys ready for her May wedding at the Merion Cricket Club, as seen through the lens of photographer David Campli.
The black and white photos of this venue, in particular, have a classic, old Hollywood quality that will be a pleasure to look at for Caitlin and her new husband Sam Pemberton for years to come. And how elegant is the long dining table pictured below? Need to see more of those at receptions.
Caitlin's exquisite lace dress was a Monique Lhuillier purchased at Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal Salon in New York. I was in love with this one and it fit her like a white kid glove. She looked utterly regal and like any good monarch, she was calm and serene throughout the preparations.
Hair by Allison for Amanda D'Andrea, flowers by Kristin's Wildflowers.
Thank you, Caitlin and Sam - wishing you happiness!
My beautiful bride Katie Stuhlemmer married her fiancé James Dunning last June. The wedding, which was attended by Ms. Martha herself, was held at the Four Seasons in Philadelphia, and is featured in the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings - très chic!
I never miss the chance to sing the praises of a bride who touches up her make-up after I'm gone - way to go, lovely Serena! - and of course I'll always be happy to share photos taken by one of my favs, Tyler Boye. Round that out with hair by Amanda D'Andrea.....
I'm kind of speechless about these photos by Kevin York of recent bride Leanna Lucente. All the elements of a fairytale wedding were in place. Gorgeous, sweet bride - check. Equally gorgeous family - check. Dashing groom Simon with a cute New Zealand accent - check. Venue from the gods (Cairnwood) adorned with beautiful florals by Fleur De Lis - check, warm and wonderful fall day - check.
I am prone to gushing when I'm done with a make-up application, and when I do, the bride usually says something nice, like "it's all your work." My response: "Thank God and your parents." Could not be more apropos in this case. Leanna's mother Lydia is movie star beautiful and her father (yes, a doctor) has the boyish blond haired, blue eyed good looks of, oh, I don't know... Robert Redford. Younger sister Lauren is no exception to the strong Lucente Way Too Good Looking DNA. To top it off, they are all absolutely darling people.
I told Kevin that I would hunt him down "like a dog" to get these photos. (Fun Fact: Kevin was the first photographer I worked with in the Philadelphia area). Consummate pro that he is, he graciously let me have these.
What I love most about Kevin's work is that he went out of his way to capture the bride in portrait. I can't tell you how many wedding photos I see, and all too often, a portrait of the bride is simply missing. It's a shame to overlook, after all that preparation and fussing over the dress, the hair, the make-up. From Kevin:
"Thank you, Béke, so much for the kind words about my work. I also was overwhelmed by how stunningly beautiful the Lucente ladies are. Make-up is so important, and I appreciate that you understand the one of the elements of a wedding day that is so important me, that is, time! Your work is outstanding and your reputation is second to none."
Wow....thanks Kevin! And many thanks to Leanna and her family for asking me to be a part of Team Lucente.
Jennifer Lamberton married Michael Fox last April at the Curtis Center in Philadelphia. Jennifer is a natural beauty with great taste and a loving family and friends - I think photographer Joe Craig captured all of the magic of the moment and then some.
Rebecca Richman of Queen of Hearts was the wedding planner on this one - this means that the day went perfectly.
I was blown away by these photos.....many happy memories, Jennifer and Michael!
The fun part of being a make-up artist - because believe me, it's mostly all work and no play - is working with brides and their families. Such is the case with the lovely Lauren Burtch. I got to know Lauren's mother Bobbie before the wedding, because she came to me for a make-up lesson.
Lauren married Bill on Memorial Day Weekend at Greenville Country Club in Delaware. What a spectacular day (perfect weather), all captured by Kate Callahan .
I must say that I was very moved by Lauren’s reaction to seeing her make-up for the fist time, and I’m glad Kate caught it.
See all the photos on Kate Callahan's blog ...
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I do fall in love with each and every one of my brides, and Megan Ronning (now Doyle) is no exception. I also lost my heart to her mom, Kathy,who is about as darling as a woman can get.
Megan married Christopher last September (okay, so I'm a bit late on this post) at Old Saint Mary's Church in Center City, followed by a reception at Appleford Estate in Villanova. Megan was every bit the classically elegant bride; her timeless style is captured by Sarah DiCicco, who has a way of making every wedding she shoots look like a spread out of Town & Country. The one shoulder gown was breathtaking.
Megan's delicate hairstyle by my talented friend Amanda D'Andrea, her eye-popping floral by my other talented friend Margaux St. Ledger of Fleur De Lis. That pretty cake and the catering was courtesy of Jeffrey Miller.
Megan, you are a dear, dear person and I wish you and Christopher the best!
Ah, Liza Fischer, now Vecchio, where do I begin? Bride-to-be, spitfire on wheels.... and dare I say "potty mouth?" A girl after my own heart.
Liza didn't have the best arrangement for a place to get ready for her wedding at Artesano Iron Works, and since my studio lends itself well to a party, I suggested that she bring her group to my place. That was a relief to her super wedding planner, Angela Malicki, another larger than life personality (I knew they were made for each other). Also a coincidence, perhaps, that her photographer Scott Lewis, the Carravagio of wedding photographers, as I like to call him, had his office right across the hall from me (he was a delightful neighbor).
As you can see from the photos below, we had a rockin' good time, and to make it even better, my pal Amanda D'Andrea was there to work her hair magic. What you can't see, or should I say, what you didn't hear, was Liza's rather saucy response when she saw her make-up for the first time. I won't repeat it here, but I will say it went something (exactly) like, "I &%# love it." And I love her....
Meet Tiffany Bistocchi, a high-style bride with skin as smooth as silk. She married her fiancé Michael Murphy on July 30th at Knowlton Mansion.
When I saw the magical pictures taken by Erin Moulden (she came all the way from Arkansas) my heart melted, because lo and behold, Tiffany not only had a pressed powder on hand for touch-ups, but the proof is in the photos - she used it, and looked oh so elegant while doing so. And check out the gorgeous dress.
Speaking of gorgeous, Amanda D'Andrea knocked it out of the park with Tiffany's hair..this chic style just blew me away.
You are my idol, Tiffany!
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More blog-worthy engagement photos, this time of lovely Rachel Fendell and her fiancé Jonathan Satinsky who will be married on March 24th. This pre-marital bliss was captured by the one and only Alison Conklin.
Love the dreamy quality of these pictures, and Rachel's sparkling eyes. Plus, you've got to love the enthusiasm for rainy day shoots, which, as you can see, really paid off.
What's even more fun about this is that Rachel is good friends with Stacey Cutler, the bride-to-be featured in my previous post. The two met through through mutual friends and have, according to Rachel, "been gabbing about our weddings for months." She refers to Stacey as "the Philly wedding expert."
And if that's not enough in common, Rachel and Stacey are both marrying a Jonathan. Now that takes some planning!
Saw these engagements photos of my bride-to-be Stacey Cutler, taken by the phenomenal Mike Smith of Ash Imagery and had to share. Stacey will marry Jonathan next May 12th at the Lake House Inn.
As often happens, Stacey scheduled her trial run on the day of her engagement shoot - smart! This means she has the killer combination of brains AND beauty...
How ethereal and mood-appropriate can you get? Mike captured the couple's "high on love" moments perfectly....
Once in a while, wedding professionals get to "cross the road" and be the client. Case in point: Rebecca Richman (née Druckenmiller). Rebecca is a top notch wedding planner for the Queen of Hearts Wedding Consultants team and married her man Dan last March.
Rebecca could not have been more at ease (expected, considering, but you never know...!) as she was getting ready. Because she's beautiful to begin with, we kept the make-up soft to accessorize her incredible blue eyes and porcelain skin.
Of course, I was thrilled that Rebecca chose me to do her make-up, and even more thrilled that photographer Laura Eaton captured it all on film.
