Spend any amount of time with Gina & Carson and you will find yourself smiling and laughing. This sweet couple was a joy to work with and their December wedding at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts was a stunning reflection of their vibrant personalities. Their vision combined a refined sense of beauty, with a love of architecture and mid-century modern aesthetics alongside a playfulness that made the day as fun and approachable as the couple themselves!

Gina & Carson created an elegant invitation suite, programs, and custom signage through Minted. Carson is an architect and the couple wanted to make sure that their wedding day details paid homage to his passion. The design they settled on was perfectly elegant with its structural, color blocked graphic in shades of navy, mauve, and pale gray. The groom also created an architectural drawing of the Annenberg Gallery in the Museum’s Hamilton Building for their reception seating chart!

After an emotional first look on the streets of Old City, we took the couple to Cherry Street Pier for portraits. The century-old municipal space has found new life as a mix-use public space with spectacular views of the Delaware Riverfront and the iconic Ben Franklin Bridge. With Carson in his perfectly tailored tuxedo from The Black Tux and Gina in her chic, strapless, lace, Louvienne gown, the couple looked so glamorous! And the bride’s brilliant, monochromatic, scarlet bouquet from Texture Florals really popped against the industrial colors of the pier.

We met the rest of the wedding party over at PAFA. The bridesmaids wore floor-length black gowns and carried sweet little bundles of baby’s breath. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos, with matching black bowties and scarlet boutonnieres. Altogether, the group looked right at home in the sophisticated gallery spaces! The ceremony took place in the Hamilton Building on a gorgeous Antique Oriental rug from Maggpie Vintage set in front of a subtly textured, hand-painted backdrop from Dusted Backdrops. Textured florals encircled the space with billowing clouds of baby’s breath accented with long, arching stems of bold red blooms and gem-like peacock feathers. Gina & Carson’s vows we’re deeply personal— filled with emotional sentiments, heartfelt humor, and joyful promise.

As husband & wife, the couple led their guests into the Annenberg gallery for the reception. Long tables were set with rattan, gray linens, navy blue napkins, and dynamic crimson floral arrangements. In addition to plenty of dancing, guests enjoyed snapping photos in front of the couple’s custom, neon “To the Moon and Back” sign! Ending the night with a little something sweet, the bride & groom cut into a five-tiered, chocolate peanut butter cake from Nutmeg Cake Design. This wedding was a blast to capture and we couldn’t be happier for Gina & Carson!

Modern Winter Wedding PAFA Emily Wren Photography 001