On a picture-perfect Saturday in late October, Helen and Jason celebrated their Black Bass Hotel wedding day. The inn is so stunning and historic, J & J Studios isn’t surprised that their wedding photography turned out so beautifully! We love the location they chose – it’s one of our favorite wedding venues! 

Meet the Couple – Helen and Jason

Helen met Jason in 2014. “I was living in a little pink house by the river,” she told J & J Studios. “Jason was the contractor who frequently came to my rescue.” The couple began dating in 2015. In April 2021, Jason proposed – and Helen said yes!

The Wedding Location – The Black Bass Hotel

Helen and Jason chose the Black Bass as their wedding location for many reasons. They loved the fact that it’s a local establishment, and that it’s located on the Delaware River. They frequent the restaurant themselves to celebrate special occasions. “Mostly, it just felt right!” Helen said.

Located in Lumberville, PA and directly on the banks of the Delaware River, the Black Bass Hotel is one of the oldest inns in America. Because the Black Bass Hotel was built in 1745, this historic inn even predates the establishment of the United States as a country! The inn has an interesting history to go with its age, as well. You can read more about it below!

A Brief History of the Black Bass Hotel

Here’s a fun fact about the Black Bass Hotel: although General (and later first President) George Washington stayed at many inns in the area, he did not stay at the Black Bass. This is because he was the Commander in Chief of the Continental (American) Army, and the innkeeper at the time was a supporter of the British crown. So, when the future first president knocked at the Black Bass’ door, the innkeeper made it abundantly clear that General Washington was unwelcome there. Oh, well – at least the Black Bass still has a story to tell!

In 1833, a fire damaged much of the hotel building. However, thanks to a brave man named Major Anthony Fry, who removed much of the gunpowder that was stored in the cellar, the hotel was saved from the large explosion that would certainly have demolished it. Later in the nineteenth century, the Black Bass fell into disrepair. The hotel passed through many different hands before being purchased by Herbert “Herbie” Ward in 1949. Herbie, (he went by his nickname) ran the inn until his death in late 2003. It was Herbie who  purchased the hotel’s pewter bar, which was originally in use in the famous restaurant, Maxim’s of Paris.

You may even have seen the Black Bass Hotel on the big screen, though you may not have known it at the time. In 2019, a crew filmed the final scenes of the movie The Upside, which featured actors such as Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman, and comedian Kevin Hart, at the Black Bass Hotel. Given how beautiful and historic the inn and its location are, it’s no surprise that Hollywood noticed and utilized it. We’re only surprised it took this long!

Black Bass Hotel Wedding Attire

Helen chose to wear a high-neck mermaid-silhouette wedding gown on her big day. The simpler front of the dress allowed Helen’s natural beauty to shine forth. The back of the dress balanced its simpler front. The back and the sides of Helen’s wedding gown were deep-cut and lined with lace and beading. The lace and beading on the back and sides of Helen’s wedding dress matched the beautiful designs on her dress’ train, as well. The lace and beading from the dress’ back snaked around the sides to overlap with the body of the dress, a romantic and rich detail. However, our favorite detail on Helen’s wedding gown was the buttons that ran from the bottom of the lace back of the dress to its hem. The buttons were a subtle detail, but an immensely charming one.

Helen decided to have a first look with her dad, rather than with her groom. We loved seeing his smile when he saw his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time!

Jason chose to get a fresh shave the morning of his wedding so he could look his best for his lovely bride, Helen.

Jason looked absolutely handsome in his blue wedding suit and maroon velvet tie, seasonally appropriate colors and textures for autumn. He’d had his hair pulled back neatly in a bun so his bride could see his happy, smiling face as they recited their vows. 

Helen’s favorite things about her groom were that “he [is] funny without having to say much, and super handsome.” We love their love!

Helen wore a cathedral-length veil at the crown of her head. She chose to wear a simple wedding veil design that complemented rather than distracted from the gorgeous details on her wedding dress, and we’re so glad she did!

The Black Bass Hotel Wedding Ceremony

There were little to no wedding jitters at this Black Bass Hotel wedding – Helen and Jason could not keep the smiles from their faces during their wedding ceremony. 

Helen threw her arms around her new husband, Jason, as they kissed as a married couple for the first time. Jason held her close to him, his arms around her waist. 

Jason and Helen positively beamed as they walked up the aisle hand in hand. Guests threw confetti made from dried flower petals in celebration of the newlyweds.

It’s easy to see that Helen and Jason are best friends who are deeply in love with one another. It’s also easy to notice that these two are true partners. You can tell that they value each other as equals because they naturally stood side by side.

Black Bass Hotel Wedding Photography

Helen and Jason’s guests seemed to follow their color palette, which was incredibly considerate! Many, like Jason, also wore navy blue and other, similar colors.

One of the benefits of choosing the Black Bass Hotel for a wedding is its proximity to the Delaware River. Not only does the hotel sit directly on the banks of the river, the beautiful Lumberville-Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge spans the Delaware. The river is also ideally situated right beside the Black Bass Hotel. As you can see from the photos below, the pedestrian bridge makes for a lovely wedding photography spot! 

In the background of these photos on the pedestrian bridge, you can see the gorgeous Black Bass Hotel. Notice how it clings to the land just above the waters of the Delaware River. 

We’ll be the first to admit it – J & J Studios loves a dip! Having one member of a couple dip the other is not only romantic, it’s also a dynamic pose for photographs!

J & J Studios is not only talented at wedding photography, we’re also resourceful! We noticed this large puddle on the ground and how it reflected the sky. So, we decided to use it to take mirrored photos of Jason and Helen.

The muted reds, browns, greens, oranges, and yellows of the trees and their leaves and the grass below made a perfect, soft background for Jason in his navy suit and Helen in her ivory dress to stand out. The more natural, rustic background also made a lovely juxtaposition to this elegant couple and their couture attire.

The Black Bass Hotel Wedding Reception

From the moment they entered their wedding reception, Helen showed her excitement about being married to Jason. In fact, “marrying each other” was their favorite part of the day, Jason and Helen told J & J Studios!

Jason and Helen began dancing their first dance as newlyweds after entering their Black Bass Hotel wedding reception. Their faces beamed with love for one another!

Helen and her father’s dance ended with her dad kneeling in front of her. This tender gesture from a father to his daughter on her wedding day charmed everyone.

Jason held his mother close during their mother-son dance. 

Unlike most newly married couples, Helen and Jason definitely needed two hands to cut their cake. That’s because they used an actual sword to do it! We think they did a really good job!

Helen’s mom is definitely a daredevil. She licked the blade of the sword that Jason and Helen used to cut their cake!

Helen and Jason’s wedding rings are so lovely. The simple white gold and diamonds are a perfect match, just like Jason and Helen! The diamond on Helen’s engagement ring is in a bezel setting. Though bezel-set rings look incredibly modern, this style of setting is the oldest type used in jewelry making. The history of the bezel setting dates back thousands and thousands of years. 

As their intimate wedding took place in late October, Jason and Helen included a fire pit at their wedding reception. The fire pit became a place for guests to warm themselves on the Black Bass Hotel’s outdoor terrace. The fire pit also became a place for guests to gather and converse with one another.

When asked what their favorite part of their wedding day was, Helen and Jason told us that it was “marrying each other!”

Helen continued with her second favorite part of their wedding: “I was overwhelmed by the feeling of love from all the people around us. Thanks to distance, COVID, etc., many of our family and friends hadn’t met before the wedding (not even our parents!).” The couple cited that seeing their loved ones celebrate, share stories, and have fun was truly something special that they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives.

When the couple took their leave from their Black Bass Hotel wedding reception, Helen’s dad took both of Helen’s hands in his and kissed them. We’re thrilled we captured this tender moment!

Jason and Helen had one piece of advice for engaged couples planning their own weddings. “It’ll all be worth it!”

Congratulations to the Newlyweds – Helen and Jason!

Congratulations, newlyweds! J & J Studios wishes Jason and Helen all the love and happiness in the world as they embark on the journey of their marriage together. We hope they enjoyed their wonderful wedding day, and cherish the photos J & J Studios captured during it for a long, long time!

Contact J & J Studios Today!

We here at J & J Studios were honored that Jason and Helen chose us to be the wedding photographers to photograph their special day! If you enjoyed this selection of the Black Bass Hotel wedding photography J & J Studios captured for Jason and Helen, you can contact us here. We’re so excited to hear all about your love story and capture it forever!