Clare & Sean | Union League

Bride & Groom during their first dance at the Union League in Philadelphia, PA.
Clare & Sean are like the All-American couple. Over-the-moon in love with each other for all the most beautiful reasons. They’re incredible sweet. Super fun to be around (Clare aka the queen of silly faces)! They have quite lovely, supportive families who treat you like one of their own children! Their wedding day at the Union League in Philadelphia could not have been more perfect!
It’s no secret that I am a sucker for emotional men on a wedding day. Their wedding day was full of them, from Sean’s father giving him a wooden engraved box with a bottle of whiskey and branded glasses to Clare’s dad seeing her in her dress for the first time.
Clare stood in the bedroom just off the main room of the suite waiting for her dad to open the door. Her hair and make up simple and elegant. Her mom helped her step into her dress while her sisters made sure her dangling diamond earrings sparkled. As the door squeaked open her dad stepped back and took in his daughter standing there in her wedding dress. Repeatedly, he choked out “Beautiful. Just beautiful. You are so beautiful, Clare. That dress is incredible.”  It’s moments like these that often have me choking up behind the camera.
I’ve witnessed a bunch of emotional dad’s see their sons and daughters get married. Sometimes there’s silly remarks, sometimes tears, surprise and joy, but I know every dad hugs their kid just a little longer. None of them want to let go.
There were so many great moments during Clare & Sean’s wedding day (like suspender grabbing or when Clare’s veil nearly flew away) and below are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy!
Bride hanging her dress in hotel room on wedding day.
Best man helping groom with his cufflinks on his wedding day.
Bride's mother helping bride with her dress.
Bride's father sees his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress.
Father of the bride hugging his daughter for the first time in her wedding dress.
Dark portrait of a bride.
Bride and bridesmaids walk down rainy alley to church ceremony on wedding day.
Silhouette of a groom preparing for wedding ceremony.
Bride looks at her father wiping tears away before wedding ceremony.
Father of the bride and bride enter the church to walk down the aisle in Philadelphia wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom exchange rings in Philadelphia wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom during Philadelphia church wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom raise their arms and celebrate being named husband and wife.
Bridesmaid screams as she sees bride after being married.
Bride chugs champagne on bus after wedding ceremony.
Groom and bride laugh as bride's veil blows in the wind.
Groom spins bride during wedding portraits.
Portrait of a groom kissing the bride.
Bride and groom hug each other tightly.
Bride and groom are introduced into wedding reception at Union League in Philadelphia, PA.
Bride & Groom during their first dance at the Union League in Philadelphia, PA.
Bride and groom cut cake at wedding reception at the Union League in Philadelphia, PA.
Father of the bride spins bride during their Father/Daughter dance.
Best man tells a funny story about the groom during his speech.
Bride and groom laugh at the best man's speech.
Bride and groom take a moment to themselves during their wedding reception.
Awesome night portrait of Bride and Groom on Broad St. in Philadelphia in front of City Hall.
Don Eaton Band performing at the wedding reception!
Bride crowd surfing on wedding guests shoulders during wedding reception!
Wedding guests dancing during the reception!
Wedding guests dancing during the reception!
Bride pulling groom into kiss him by the suspenders!
Wedding guests dancing during the reception!
Wedding guests dancing during the reception!
Bride dancing and pulling on groomsmen's suspenders during wedding reception!
Bridesmaids dancing during the reception!
Wedding guest wrapping the father of the groom's suspenders around her.
Bride and groom rub noses on the dance floor during wedding reception.
Bride and groom giving the thumbs-up to the Don Eaton Band at the end of their performance.
Bride & Groom during their first dance at the Union League in Philadelphia, PA.
Thanks for looking!
Clare’s Gown: Bijou Bridal & Special Occasions
Ceremony: St. John the Evangelist
Reception Venue: Union League in Philadelphia, PA
Make Up: Face the Occasion
Florist: Valley Green Flowers
Entertainment: Don Eaton Band