So when the forecast was calling for rain on Saturday, I started to get pretty nervous… before this past weekend, I had actually never shot in the rain! Jessica and Brad, being the super-cool couple that they are, didn’t seem too worried about the weather. I emailed them about a week before the wedding, and they had already purchased umbrellas and were looking into indoor locations; I was so proud of them!

As I was stuck in transit from Denver to Philadelphia, I didn’t get to give them as much feedback as I would have liked regarding the latest indoor locations they were considering until the night before their wedding. When I arrived in PA and finally got to do some of my own research, I fell in love with the inside of the Luzerne County courthouse! We found out the courthouse is closed on the weekends unless you make an appointment in advance, but I begged Jess to make a last-minute attempt to get us in, and miraculously Brian was able to use his family’s political connections to make it happen. The location was so beautiful, we didn’t even need to use any of the other spots we were considering, though we did sneak outside for a bit during the reception to get some rainy-day shots, since the cute umbrellas had, in fact, already been purchased 😉

Now that I’ve talked everyone’s ears off about the rain, let’s talk about the couple! To start, I was completely BLOWN AWAY by how gorgeous Jessica looked on Saturday. She seriously has the most beautiful smile; Brad is quite the lucky guy!

I was very happy to have Jim join me for this wedding as a second shooter, and he photographed the boys getting ready. As for Brad, I guueessss he is an okay-looking dude … he and his boys sure do wear some goofy looking socking though, hehe, jk 😉

The ceremony took place at the East End Primitive Methodist Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I have to say, after this wedding I was considering converting religions. This officiant was just ridiculously nice compared to most Catholic priests. He even brought out some extra AA batteries for me after I somehow managed to mix my dead ones with the live ones in my bag. I was at a loss for words besides a simple “thank you,” and he replied, “It’s my job.” I disagree, it was above-and-beyond, and I only wish I could work with people like him more often.

After the ceremony, it was time for the photos I was waiting for! It’s part of my style to make a big deal out of the bride-and-groom and bridal party photos, and we really rocked it at the courthouse! I also dig the couple of photos I snapped as everyone was running out and back to the limo in a frenzy afterwards. Totally worth soaking booking it down the stairs to beat them to the bottom and soaking my camera for these killer expressions! Even Jim made a cameo!

The reception was at the Waterfront Banquet Facility in Wilkes-Barre, and I thought the couple did a great job dressing the place up. Their guests/bridal party were also a particularly lively bunch, which made for some really FUN reception photos!

We did step outside in the rain to get a couple of shots quickly, and then back to the party inside!

Sorry, I just can’t resist posting a TON of these reception photos!

To Brad and Jess: Thanks for making me feel so welcome at your wedding! You two have such unique personalities, and now you have the perfect wedding photos to match. Your happy/fun spirit translated into every single image, and it’s always an honor working with couples like you. I know you were a little concerned to be my first PA wedding after our move to Denver, but now that we can see some of the final images, I hope you can’t even imagine things having gone any differently. I would have been devastated to miss out on such a special wedding and I hope you feel the same about the photos! 🙂