Katie and Chris are the best kind of people. They are warm and genuine and thoughtful and have amazing taste too. Katie brings warmth into every room she walks into without even trying — she’s the person who makes sure everyone around her feels taken care of, and on her own wedding day too. Chris has a quiet confidence and is the life of the party, looks at Katie like she is the world, and is every bit as thoughtful as she is. Together, they have the kind of energy that makes you feel right at home in their company. They’re a little goofy, are so loved by their people, and can communicate with just one quick glance at the other.
Oh, and they (Katie… but we love a supportive husband) both love pink. And a party. And fireworks. So going in, I knew this that their Bluestone Country Club wedding day was going to be a very good day.
From the moment I arrived, the getting ready suite was a hive of activity, and I loved every second of it.
The perfect playlist was going, hair and makeup was in full swing, and every detail was organized inside a custom monogrammed trunk with the bride’s brand new last name inside. Katie was surrounded by so many of her favorite people to start the day, just like she had dreamed! I got to work on the details (did I mention I was obsessed with all the pink?) as hair and makeup wrapped up, while my second photographer, Ashley, headed over to the guys as they finished tying bow ties and sipped on beer to beat the summer heat.
I mean this as the highest of compliments when I say: Katie is Barbie in human form.
Obsessed with pink, beautiful inside and out, thoughtful, and so incredibly kind to everyone she meets. So when she stepped into her gown with her mom and sister zipping her in, she didn’t just become a bride, she became Wedding Day Barbie. The dress was made for her: sparkle, the most stunning beading, and a skirt that twirls exactly the way you’d want it to.
As soon as she was ready, we had a bit of a parade down from the bridal suite into the courtyard.
Katie started her first looks with her wedding party, sharing jewelry for everyone to wear that day and handwritten notes for each of them— exactly the kind of small, specific gesture that tells you everything about who she is. From there, we headed to the lobby so Katie could see her dad for the first time that day, before stepping outside to share a first look with her groom, Chris.
This might have been one of the sweetest moments of the entire day.
The second Chris turned around, he burst into happy tears, and the two of them sank into an embrace that gave the exact energy of coming home after a long day— comforting, warm, and like everything is right in the world. They’d chosen to write their own vows to share privately, and I was honestly a little relieved that it was just the two of them that could hear them. My eyes were already a little misty just from the first look and these moments were too sweet to be photographed through blurry eyes. Soon, their wedding party joined for group photos, we moved through a few family portraits, and everyone headed inside to cool off before the ceremony.
Chris had one request for their florals, and it made the entire ceremony space.
While finalizing their design, Chris asked if it might be possible to install florals on the wall behind where they’d say their vows, intertwined with greenery. It was the perfect touch. As guests arrived to champagne and warm sunshine, their celebrant summed up the ceremony best: she shared that the way these two look at each other always feels like a moment meant just for them, and that we were simply lucky enough to be present for it. Big smiles, a few happy tears, rings exchanged, and Katie and Chris were officially husband and wife.
We were off to Cocktail hour next! If you know Bluestone, you know their cocktail hour is next level.
It kicked off with a slider bar, sushi bar, and fry bar, plus a charcuterie spread that could feed a small army. Soon, guests took their seats in the ballroom, we slipped outside for the golden light (and their brand new bling), and Katie and Chris twirled their way through golden hour portraits before heading in for the reception to kick off with one of the most HYPE entrances I’ve ever witnessed with everyone on their feet cheering.
At their engagement session, we’d talked about how Chris and I happened to be at Penn State at the same time — a fact that completely slipped my mind until the dance floor opened and gave me full flashbacks to my college days, which were of course spent entirely on academics and never anywhere near a frat house basement. The dance floor had that exact energy, in the best way. While sweet dances, toasts, and a cake cutting kicked things off, once the dance floor opened, it was officially party time. Through all of it, Katie and Chris were either hand in hand or within arm’s reach of each other the entire night.
The night ended with a literal bang. Several, actually.
Katie and Chris surprised their guests with an epic fireworks show. The two of them sank into each other’s arms as the sky exploded in color, sharing a few kisses, an iconic dip or two, and a moment to rest together and just be in it.
I adore these two, and I cannot wait for you to scroll through their joyful, pink, summery wedding day at Bluestone Country Club.
A shout out to the vendor team before we get to the good stuff:
Venue & Catering: Bluestone Country Club | Bridal Gown Boutique: Oleg Cassini | Bridal Gown Designer: David’s Bridal | Groom’s Suit Designer: Vera Wang | Groom’s Attire Shop: Men’s Warehouse | Bridesmaid’s Attire: Azazie | Hair and Makeup: Mane Bridal | Floral Design: A Floral Affair | Dessert: Ann’s Cake Pan | Reception Entertainment: Smooth Event Group
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