The Ashford Estate is a gorgeous destination wedding venue that makes a wonderful setting for a wedding. Leeron and Matt had just that, a wonderful wedding and an amazing celebration. The bride, the groom, the families, and the place… PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT!!! I really can’t say enough about this entire experience. Working with Leeron, Matt, and their families has truly been a pleasure and a joy for me. They are so full of life and share amazing love for each other. Documenting their day was easy given that there are so many beautiful elements around the grounds of The Ashford Estate. it was important to Leeron and Matt that we spent some good time making photographs. Their gorgeous ceremony was in the beautifully restored barn also located on the grounds. Donna from Beautiful Blooms did a wonderful job designing and decorating the inside of the barn. The chuppah canopy the couple was married under, that Donna designed, was hands down one of the nicest I have seen.

The party was ROCKIN”!!! LA Starz from EBE Entertainment was amazing! The dance floor was packed ALL night. The Ballroom, well I think the pictures will speak better then my words… I will just add this once again, Donna from Beautiful Blooms really helped to make it over the top. Well done Donna, the room was a work of art.

Leeron & Matt… Thank You Thank You Thank You! It’s been so much fun working with all of you. I look forward to finishing your books with you.

things couldn’t be better in my world right now. I already had the most AMAZING wife and daughter, and now adding to that I get a beautiful son to round out my family. I never thought that the coolest part about having a second child would be to watch your first enjoy the second so much. my daughter riley is in love… I can’t express the joy it brings to watch her love her new brother so much. the moments that have with each other are priceless. I finally know what it feels like to be rich… I feel like the richest man alive, and I have a feeling it’s only going to get better…

I hope you don’t mind something different on the blog… it’s been awhile since I have shared photographs of my family and I thought now would be an appropriate time. with how busy life has been these past few years its rare that I find time to share photographically much of what is going on in my personal life. here are a few images I made during these past few weeks.

a small glimpse into my life lately…

I owe a BIG thanks to the nurse who helped to deliver mason for taking this next photograph. thank you, thank you, thank you! you have no idea how rare it is for me to make it into a photograph.

riley girl opened a toyz r us catalog and pointed to this and asked for it for her birthday.

my princess is THREE already. this is a bitter sweet time for me… I wish I could keep her at this age forever.

The Elkins Estate, located in Elkins Park, Pa, just outside of Philadelphia is a one of a kind space that offers a very unique setting for a wedding to take place. For a couple like Elena & David, who had a very romantic way about them, the elegant estate was perfect.

Elena & David had a beautiful ceremony sharing traditional elements from each of their backgrounds. Elena is Greek, and David, Jewish and the Rabbi did a wonderful job incorporating elements from both religions. It was moving to witness the two come together as one and see the love their families share for them. Their day was filled with their closest family and friends. Documenting this day was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever been part of. It was an honor to be with Elena & David, capturing these moments that only happen once, and being able to preserve these memories for them to enjoy for many years to come.

Ever since I had my daughter and soon to welcome son into our lives, I have become much more in tune with documenting moments that happen in my life and others lives so that our children have memories forever. Giving our children the gift of remembering who we were, is the best gift in the world.

Speaking of capturing moments and preserving life… It was nice to document Elena & David’s wedding alongside my good friend, Nick of Video One Productions. It’s always a great day working with you guys. I can’t wait to see the film you put together.

Elena and David selected an awesome team to help create and ensure their day was perfect. Festivities Catering was fabulous as usual… Dawn & Meredith really did an unbelievable job with making sure everything was happening when it needed to happen, and keeping everyone where they needed to be. Well done team FEAST!!! Do I really need to mention how GORGEOUS the flowers and decor were… just take a look! OffShoots always seem to blow me away with their delicate and unique touch. The floral decor is never overpowering but is always the perfect balance to compliment the bride, groom, bridal party, space, and the environment they are designing within. Valerie and Paola… you are AMAZING! Love Love Love what you do.

Last but not least… This party wouldn’t have been a fun night without some kickin’ tunes! High five to Brian from Cutting Edge Entertainment for getting the dance floor packed and keeping everyone partying. Great to work with you Brian, looking forward to doing it again!

Elena & David… Thank you! It was an amazing day and a day I couldn’t imagine missing. I wish you both all the best in your years to come.

The Westin Philadelphia. Center City Philadelphia couldn’t have been a more perfect setting for Jill & Josh’s winter wedding. There’s not much I can say that would better describe their day than what our photographs depict. EVERYTHING was absolutely PERFECT! Loved every second of every minute of Jill & Josh’s wedding. It would have been tough to plan a more perfect day… Their ceremony and celebration was at the gorgeous Westin Hotel, where we got to spend the day with Stewart who is the coolest cat in town and his amazing staff. As cold as it was outside, you would have never known it with how warm and inviting Brian Kappra and Evantine Design made the space feel. The hotel was sparkling, the flowers were as fresh as a spring day, and the love of these two families coming together was radiant. Well done Brian, you did it AGAIN, another spectacular event!

As you will see from the images below, there were moments happening all around. I could make an album just from the images we made from the time we arrived until Jill was dressed and jeweled up. One of my most memorable moments from the day was when Joy, Jill’s mother, gave to Jill a piece of jewelry that her grandmother had left to her. Jill’s grandmother  had wanted her to wear this on her wedding day. These moments between Jill and her mother were moving to document and the images we created are priceless. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing what my good friend Tim Sudall of Video One Productions captured at the same moment. In my photographs I can feel the love these two women have for each other, and the love they share for Jill’s grandmother. But being able to hear their laughs, and see their cries that Tim recorded, brings another whole level to reliving the moments they shared.

Being part of a day like this reminds me why I love what I do. Thank you Jill and Josh. Thank you for asking us to be part of this wonderful day. It was an honor to be with you and share in the love you both have for each other. I hope you will enjoy these photographs for all of your years to come.

Town & Country Weddings… Philip Gabriel Photography… Hot off the press!

WOW! I feel very honored to have our work published in this beautiful national publication. Out of all the amazing photographers in the world, they chose to publish our work… I’m touched!

If you haven’t had a chance to see the article on the news stands, please take a moment to check it out. To view more photographs from Sarah & David’s gorgeous wedding that was held at the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard, click here: http://philipgabriel.com/blog/2010/10/21/cruise-terminal-at-the-philadelphia-naval-ship-yard-wedding-sarah-david/