Gabrielle and Cody planned the perfect Portico Awbury Arboretum Wedding. It was small and intimate, and included all of their closest friends and family.
I met Gabrielle and Cody at Gabrielle’s brother’s wedding, and I did an engagement session with the two of them in Shenandoah (which you can see here), and I absolutely adore them. Their love is so big, it is contagious. They are sweet, and silly, and chill, and I knew their wedding day would be filled with so much joy…and it sure was! Portico was the most enchanting backdrop for their special day.
Let’s Talk About Portico Awbury Arboretum
Portico is a magical venue set on 55 acres of the Awbury Arboretum in Northwest Philadelphia. It is full of stunning woods, gardens, meadows, and the beautiful Francis Cope House. Which serves as the main focus of your celebration. One of my favorite things about the venue, beyond its natural beauty, is that a percentage of the proceeds of events held there go towards the maintenance of the land, and benefit all of the non profits that do good work there.
First Look and Private Vows with the couple
The Victorian Mansion at Portico has a beautiful wraparound covered porch. It was the perfect location for the couple to share their first look, and personal vows. This was such an emotional part of the day. It was full of tears, laughter, and tender moments.
An Intimate Ceremony
The couple planned a super sweet intimate ceremony under an arbor that the groom and his grandfather made (does it get any more adorable) The arbor was covered with the most gorgeous floral arrangement by Daughter’s Floral Design The groom’s dad was the officiant, and you could see on his face that he was thrilled these two were getting married.
The most adorable moment
One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was right when the couple was about to kiss. The Father of the Groom had been instructed to move out of the way as the couple kissed, but he was so overwhelmed with emotion as he pronounced them married, that he just stood there(and he was beaming). Well, apparently the sister of the bride was instructed to make sure that the Father moved, so she ran over, yanked him out of the way, and then instructed the couple to kiss again. It was so sweet and funny.
Cocktails in the Garden, Reception Under the Tent, and Dance Party in the Mansion
Portico has so many unique settings to celebrate the day’s events. The cocktail hour took place in a lush garden, and because we took all of the family photos before the ceremony, the couple got a chance to spend quality time with their guests. Then we moved into the tent area for toasts and dinner (catered by the talented Peachtree Catering) After dinner, the couple shared their first dance on the porch, surrounded by their closest friends and family, and some twinkly lights. After a dip kiss, Gemma from Luv’d Up Dj’s moved the party into the mansion, and the dancing never stopped.
One of my Favorite Details From the Day
This may be my favorite thing ever. The groom’s grandfather grew all of the flowers for the tables at the reception. The year before the wedding he planted seeds, and ran tests to see what would grow best the following year, and make for the best arrangements. The week of the wedding, the couple, and some of their friends and family went to the grandfather’s farm, and spent the day together harvesting the flowers, and then making centerpieces. Is there anything more special than this?
Ready to Plan Your Intimate Portico Arboretum Wedding?
I hope you found this wedding inspiring. It was full of so much joy, and beautiful details. Your day can look and feel however you want it to, just make it you.
And…if you’re still looking for the perfect photographer, I’m here to capture every moment of your intimate wedding day with a whole lot of heart. You can contact me here or learn more about my elopement services here.
Some kind words from Gabrielle and Cody
“Wow, where do we even start with Aimee?! She was hands down the best photographer we could have hoped for on our wedding day! From the moment she arrived, her vibrant and bubbly personality lit up the room, instantly making everyone feel relaxed and at ease. Aimee’s passion for her craft is contagious, and it shows in every stunning shot she took.
She wasn’t just our photographer; she was a part of the celebration! Aimee fearlessly dove into the heart of the action, on the dance floor with us capturing the most unforgettable moments. Her eye for candid shots is unparalleled—she captured the purest, most joyful moments of the day, ones we didn’t even realize were happening.
Aimee, you’re a rockstar! Thank you for capturing our love, laughter, and the wild dance moves in such a beautiful way. If you’re looking for a photographer who goes above and beyond to capture the essence of your day, Aimee is your girl! We couldn’t be happier with the incredible memories you’ve given us.”
