[Engagement] Melissa & Joe – Philadelphia, PA

Despite living in a metropolitan area of 22 million people, I’m constantly reminded of how small our world really is. Melissa is connected to us through two different brides, who belong in two very different circles. But this wasn’t the only amazing coincidence: Melissa and Joe will be tying the knot on OUR five year wedding anniversary…AT THE SAME VENUE! What better way to celebrate your anniversary, than to revisit your old reception venue to finally enjoy the food you never ate (because you were too busy hosting your guests)? This was awesome beyond words.

We met for the first time at a local NJ diner, long before I discovered the fabulous-ness of disco fries. As they went through boxes of my portfolio, I scribbled notes about their wedding day into my moleskine notebook, as I usually do. Then I hear these words (not verbatim): “…engagement…(something, something)…old airplane…(something, something)…ginger ale…(something, something)…Philadephia…”. I looked up from my notes, and watched them flip through my prints as they reminisced about the day Joe proposed…who apparently did it on an old yellow bi-plane. Wowzers.

So they wanted to go back for their engagement session. Who was I to resist?

Couple sits against a biplane during their engagement session at an airfield in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Engagement session at an airfield in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom solo during his engagement session at an airfield in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Couple poses against a biplane during their engagement session at an airfield in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Engagement session at an airfield in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Engagement session at an airfield in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

We went to their place for a wardrobe change, and met this little fella.

Melissa and Joe's engagement session at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Melissa and Joe's engagement session at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Couple sits inside a lobby during their engagement session at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Melissa and Joe's engagement session at the Waterworks in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Melissa and Joe's engagement session at the Waterworks in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.Melissa and Joe's engagement session at the Waterworks in Philadelphia, PA. Captured by NJ wedding photographer Ben Lau.

Melissa and Joe, thank you for inviting us to capture this moment of your wonderful adventure together. We hope you enjoyed spending your day with us, and we hope you enjoy these images as much as we enjoyed capturing them. But most of all, we look forward to spending our anniversary with you guys!

Hope everyone has a great weekend :).

Ben & Karis

 

 

 

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Northern NJ, NYC documentary Wedding Photographer, Educator & All-Around Nice Guy

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