Julie & Tim | Fall Wedding at Celebrations Bar, Banquet, & Grill in Imperial, PA

Julie & Tim met on a blind date – set up (of all people) by Julie’s Mom.
Julie half-heartedly went on the blind date – mostly just to make her Mom happy & honestly believing that nothing could possibly come from a date organized by her Mom. At the end of the blind date – Julie was in shock that her Mom had set her up with such a great guy who she couldn’t wait to continue to get to know.

Julie & Tim bonded over a mutual love of video games & movies (basically, all things nerd). They both loved all-things Disney, Star Wars, & the Marvel Universe. It was a match made in pop-culture.

Tim could make Julie laugh like no one else could & Julie realized that she was happiest when she was with him.

Tim proposed by creating an advent calendar for Julie – something to open every day of December leading up to Christmas. On Day 24, Christmas Eve, Julie opened the little door to discover a diamond ring & turned around to see Tim down on one knee. Of course, her answer was a resounding, YES.

I first met Tim & Julie over 2 years ago! Tim’s family rents a house on Deep Creek Lake every year, and in 2018, Julie decided that she wanted to have engagement pictures taken at the Lake while they were there. They had already been engaged for a while at that point, but still had no solid plans for their wedding. I had such a wonderful time with them that evening, that I basically made them promise that when they finally set a wedding date, that they’d call me. And thankfully, they did!

Which brings us to this past Saturday! Despite a pandemic & ever-changing regulations, Julie & Tim were determined to get married – and even when they had to change the time of their ceremony around at the very last minute – they handled the whole situation with grace. Saturday was one of the most beautiful fall weddings I think I have ever photographed – the weather was perfect & the trees were at peak color – I am simply obsessed.

Julie & Tim – I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to photograph a wedding on my birthday for. It was such a privilege to celebrate with you both on Saturday! It’s been a long time since I’ve stood, at the front of the aisle, next to a groom as crazy nervous as Tim – I literally thought he might pass out when you came around the corner Julie! You put so much hard work & thought & planning into your day & it absolutely shone thru – Saturday was perfect!

Can we just talk about Julie’s “non-traditional” wedding dress?! I am simply obsessed with it! Not only did it fit Julie perfectly, but it fit the theme & feel of the whole day perfectly – so much so that I literally cannot imagine Julie in any other dress!

So technically, Tim & Julie’s ceremony time got pushed to be an hour later than they’d originally planned – but it all worked out so perfectly! Just look at the golden glow!!

Julie & Tim did something I have never seen before and I absolutely loved it! They wrote each other personalized vows, but instead of reading them to each other during their ceremony (and in front of all of their guests), they chose to wait & read them to one another after their ceremony. With no one around – in a field glowing with the setting sun – they recited personalized promises to one another & it was simply beautiful.

Every table had a unique lantern with these stained glass Disney scenes – I wanted to scoop every single one up & take them all home with me! They were SO gorgeous!

Personalized POP figure cake toppers?! Yes please!

Along with their amazing Alice In Wonderland inspired cookies – Tim & Julie also gave their guests packages of s’more goodies & invited everyone to cook them over a fire outside. Basically, if you were a guest at Tim & Julie’s wedding – you were treated like gold.

Instead of doing the traditional bouquet & garter toss, Tim & Julie invited all of their guests out to the dance floor (married & single) for a stuffed animal toss (and man, I have never wanted to put my camera down & jump in there & catch something in my entire life!)
It just went along with the theme of Tim & Julie putting their own spin on their wedding day & it made the whole day so much more fun!

If you’d like to see the highlights of Julie & Tim’s engagement session at Deep Creek Lake, MD two summers ago – click here!

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

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Celebrations Bar, Banquet, & Grill in Imperial, PA
Venue Coordinator: Matt Deveaney
Catering: Celebrations Bar, Banquet, & Grill in Imperial, PA
Cake: Bethel Bakery in Bethel Park, PA
Disney Cookies: Maureen Persinger-Connor of Marchka’s Sweet Shoppe
Hair Stylist: Katrina Cahill
Makeup Artist: “Make up by Jenna” in Pittsburgh, PA
Bridal Gown Retailer: Babette’s Gowns in Bridgeville, PA
Florals: Songs From The Garden – Etsy Shop
Invitations: Zazzle.com
DJ: DJ Mike Dunn of Entertainment Unlimited
Officiant: Dr. Steven Parker-Young of Love Is Love Vows in Pittsburgh, PA
Send-Off Ribbons: ExGlow – Etsy Shop
POP Cake Toppers: Courtney Warburton – Etsy Shop
Mothers & Grandparents Corsages: Bridal Blossoms Shoppe – Etsy Shop
Groomsmen Boutonnieres: Maddison Rocks – Etsy Shop
Centerpiece Lanterns: Magical Creations Cafe – Etsy Shop
Guestbook Canvas: Alphabet Canvas – Etsy Shop
Hand-fasting Cords: The Toadstool Garden – Etsy Shop
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA