I can’t say enough about Stephanie and Mike’s Normandy Farm wedding this Spring. They are such a sweet couple and we had a wonderful time doing wedding photos and video for their special day. I love when people include their cultural aspect to their weddings. Stephanie is Armenian and the wedding was full of fantastic traditions.
Even though it rained all day we were able to have fun with the couple and their wedding party. And we got some beautiful shots despite the bad weather. And Stephanie was always a trooper about it. Even with the fact that she had five stitches in her foot from a recent injury. And so she could no longer wear the blue Manolo Blahniks that she had gotten special. Instead, she and all the bridesmaids wore Birkenstocks. It turned out to be a great choice with all that rain.
Stephanie and Mark met during their time at Penn State through mutual friends. According to her Maid-of-Honors toast, they seem an unlikely match. He is truly the Yang to her Yin! (I get that because that is how Al and I are). And while they may have different personalities they DO share one thing in common: their love for each other! It is just so obvious when they are looking at each other. Most the time they’re smiling and Stephanie is laughing. She is just so full of energy and life and I immediately bonded with her. We knew all this from shooting their engagement session. We think having an engagement session is so important to getting to know each other. And come the day of your wedding, we aren’t awkward strangers to each other.
Traditions make a wedding so special
Stephanie and Mike’s wedding was held at St. Gregory’s Armenian Apostolate Church in Roxborough. Their priest was super nice and let us know the areas we were allowed to stand to photograph. We could actually get close than we typically expect, so we were super excited to get closer angles. We’re always respectful of the churches boundaries and do not intrude in the ceremony at all. At an Armenian wedding, there are different parts to the ceremony. Such as the best man holding a cross over their heads and the priest placing crowns upon them. I love the intimate details of these moments.
More traditions occurred at their Normandy Farm reception. There were a lot of Armenian traditional dances as well as “stealing the bride” and the “bottle dance”. Steph’s Godfather “stole” her away and then ransomed her off back to Mike. The couple seems very surprised by this event LOL. But I think many will agree the bottle dance is one tradition that is Loved! This is where they pass around a bottle of vodka and take a swig!
We’re so blessed to have shot this wedding. And even more blessed to call Stephanie and Mike friends. Congrats you two!
The awesome vendors who made it all possible:
Venue- Normandy Farm
Invitations- Wedding Paper Divas
Florist- Fabu Floras Designs
Hair and makeup- Zara Kay
DJ- Terk Entertainment
Dress- Bridal Garden
Suit- Combatant Gentleman
