Adam & Jess // Elegant Navy Fall Wedding

They had made it a habit to go to Wolf Park every season. They hiked in the crisp air of the fall, enjoying the glorious colors of autumn. They hiked in the cold air of the winter, enjoying the sound of the snow crunching under their boots. They hiked in the clean air of the spring, enjoying the feeling of life springing up all around them. And they hiked in the humid air of the summer, enjoying the smells of green grass, leaves on the trees, and sweat.

Adam & Jess’s normal hiking routine was to stop at a very specific spot. With a gorgeous view, a tree provided the perfect tripod for Adam’s phone. They made it a habit to take a picture every time they were there. It was on one of those hikes that Adam decided to up the ante and make their hiking routine even more special & memorable than ever before.

As he set his phone up to take their regular picture, Adam turned to look at his gorgeous girlfriend. It had been almost 7 years since they met – 5 of those years, he spent chasing her. It all flashed before his eyes in an instant and happiness bubbled over. He literally could not imagine spending the rest of his life with anyone else.

He slowly walked toward Jess, who confused, urged him to move faster – the self-timer was counting down, remember? He walked over & put his arm around his best friend. They smiled for the camera. But wait, something was wrong. It wasn’t taking the picture. Adam pulled away from Jess, she thought, to check his phone. Instead, he pulled a diamond ring from his pocket and dropped down to one knee.

Overwhelmed and eloquent speech forgotten, Adam simply confessed: “Jessica, I love you, Marry me!”

Tears sprung to her eyes and after a moment of shock, Jess responded, “Wait, are you serious right now?”. Adam grinned, “Yes! Will you marry me?” Jess’s eyes grew even larger, “Are you serious?!” Momentum building, for a third time, Adam laughed, “Of course I’m serious – will you marry me?” And finally the reality of the moment sunk in just enough for Jess to say YES.
And that’s when she realized – Adam was taking a video and that’s why his phone never took their photo.

This past Saturday, they officially sealed the deal. They promised that they would spend the rest of their lives together: as lovers, as each other’s cheerleaders, and as best friends. Their families meshed like long-time bosom-buddies. Their friends were prepared to celebrate Adam & Jess late into the night. It was a perfect day.

Adam & Jess: I’ve been looking forward to your wedding since we sat in Starbucks & talked for almost 3 hours. The dedication, companionship, and tremendous love between the two of you is something the world needs so much more of! I loved being a part of celebrating that captivating love. I have no fear that y’all are going to live long, happy, fulfilled lives together.

Can we just pause for a moment to enjoy Jess’s pink shoes?!

So, while I was hanging out with the girls, Ellen was hanging out with the guys!

St. Mary’s provided the most elegant church to have a wedding ceremony!

I love hearing the girls talk before the wedding about their “walking down the aisle” predictions: Will the groom cry? Will he ugly cry? Will tears slip silently down his cheeks? Or will he literally be bursting out of his skin – like Adam – with excitement? I’ve never seen a groom so pumped to see his bride!

Just married excitement!

If you haven’t gotten the feeling that Adam & Jess are the sweetest, most thoughtful couple in the world, allow me to prove it to you. They specifically made sure that we scheduled a visit in to see Annie – the sweet lady who is like a 3rd Grandma to Jess. She was unable to come to the wedding, so Jess & Adam made a point to stop in & see her.

If this isn’t “bridal party goals” – I’m not sure what is!

I feel like there are different “levels” of bridesmaids – some girls simply aren’t sure what to do, but then others jump at any opportunity to make their best friend’s day better. Jess’s bridesmaids definitely fell into the latter category!

How about these handsome groomsmen?

We took this same picture at Megan & Anwar’s wedding, so of course, we had to duplicate it with the girls’ roles reversed!

I could have photographed just Jess all day long – simply stunning!

Remember these two cuties?! Reconnecting with Megan & Anwar was so much fun!

Jess’s bouquet was amazing – it smelled so good all day long & was simply glorious! Gennarelli’s outdid themselves!

Funny story: we went to Chenango Valley State Park for portraits. Adam & Jess had already scoped out 3 spots they wanted to stop for photos, and as we pulled up to the third & final spot, we realized that a motorcycle crew was having a party just up the hill from where they wanted to go. After we took the above portraits and were walking back to the bus, the crew called Adam & Jess up to congratulate them!

DJ Ryan DeLap of Engaged Entertainment blew my socks off at the reception Saturday night. I have been shooting weddings for 9 years and have never been so impressed with a DJ! He did so many amazing things that went way above & beyond what a “normal” DJ does! One of my favorite things he did was play a love story video. After the parents & bridal party were introduced, he played an 8-minute introduction to the bride & groom – highlighting how they met & fell in love, and how Adam proposed to Jess. There was not a dry eye in the room, but I especially loved Adam & Jess’s parent’s reactions to the video!

After Jess stole the show & rapped at Megan & Anwar’s wedding for her Maid of Honor toast, Megan had a crazy high standard to reach (no pressure, right?) I’m proud to say, she completely nailed it! I can’t get over Jess & Adam’s reactions when she pulled out these gigantic “mini” Jess & Adam heads!

DJ Ryan sure kept the dance floor hopping!

And the evening ended with a marvelous glow-stick exit!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Adam & Jess’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Church in Binghamton, NY
Reception Venue: The Holiday Inn in Binghamton, NY
Formal Portrait Location: Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks, NY
Reception Coordinator: Jenny Delgado
DJ & Uplighting: Ryan DeLap, Engaged Entertainment in Binghamton, NY
Catering: The Holiday Inn in Binghamton, NY
Bouquets: Gennarelli’s Flower Shop in Binghamton, NY
Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaids Gowns: David’s Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Tracey Gooley & Michael Libus
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Photobooth: Engaged Entertainment in Binghamton, NY
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA