City Hall Elopement

It is Monday January 4.

Ping.

Text message, “my dear friends Sean & Phillip are getting married March 4 and doing a small civil ceremony downtown after 10 years together. I’d love to gift them professional photos as a wedding gift- just because they’re doing a civil ceremony doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be special.”

That was it.

As someone who has spent the last decade photographing weddings (primarily large events) a two month heads up and a guest list of two dozen was a very freeing experience.

This wedding was a little wink from the universe, something or someone telling me that this year- my first full year back to photography after a 3 year hiatus (Credits include 3 babies in a row, and a pandemic) was going to be ok. More than ok, actually. The people I was meant to meet would come to me, and Sean and Phillip kicked off my 2023 wedding season in the best way possible. Baby steps, you know?

This was also one of the few times in my career that a photography package was given as a gift, and I cannot complete this blog post without thanking Allie and Alex for making these images happen with their generosity. Beautiful and Lifelong friendships are what keep us young (science backs this up in many multi-generational studies) and as a wedding photographer I get a front row seat to the multi-faceted nature of love.

Sean and Phillip still got the full wedding experience from me, even though sean said, “If it was up to me none of y’all would be here right now.” in his vows.

And dang, I’m glad I got to be there. I’m glad this love of nearly a decade has been formalized and documented and celebrated because these two deserve it.

It was a gusty March morning when I arrived in Philadelphia.

It was a whirlwind 4 hours from there, but moments that stand out in my memory: Matching underwear (which also matched the lining of Sean’s suit!). hugs in the bathroom. a mother’s tears. a father’s support. sibling love. badass shoes. Free-styled vows. windblown hair. city hall kisses.

It was the perfect day because it was perfectly them. And tHAT is what a wedding should be.

I love you both,

JL