There are so many components that are considered, researched, and decided upon as a young couple who has moved along in their relationship journey prepare to solidify their union through the official ceremony, joining themselves in marriage. One key consideration is where they will hold their wedding reception. Where would the most ideal venue be which would best represent their tastes, their vision, and their needs? Well as this young couple, Levi and Avi, found out, the achieved all of these considerations by holding a Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding.

This beautiful facility is located on North Second Avenue in the heart of Philadelphia, PA.  A Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding offers a traditional ballroom affair with an Old World style. The first of Cescaphe’s venues, Joe Volpe transformed the once renowned Imperial Movie Theater into the acclaimed venue it is today. Its Northern Liberties location is just steps from some of Philadelphia’s most popular restaurants and entertainment destinations. Cescaphe Ballroom exudes luxury with its vaulted cathedral ceilings, crystal accented chandeliers draped in pearls, antiqued brass hardware, hardwood flooring and painted columns that add a grand feel to the space. With two adjoining cocktail spaces, guests can float between the graciously appointed lounge indoors and an outdoor garden courtyard complete with chef attended action grill before being awed by the main ballroom, with its floor to ceiling bar and duel green rooms overlooking the room high above the dancing and candlelight. A Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding affair combines traditional opulence that exceeds all expectations. I’ll share more of Lexi and Avi’s wedding reception a bit later, but for now I’ll start by highlighting some of the other facets of the wedding process proceeding that lovely celebration!

THE BRIDE…

There a few times in a bride’s life that can compare to the excitement and the anticipation of preparing for her big day. While of a wedding will of course involve two people, in this case a bride and a groom, the bride inevitably becomes the focal point in the festivities. This then means the bride must make selections and preparations that will help showcase her and outline how she will appear for her invited guests and family, while also putting her in the proper mood to ready for all the excitement yet to come. Selecting the perfect dress, the right jewelry, beautiful shoes are some of the accoutrements that set the stage for the perfect attire. Along with that is the careful selection of the close friends or family who will be an integral part of the process by serving as Bridesmaids. Once they are selecting they are a valuable source of support and encouragement for the blushing bride as she readies herself for the big day ahead of her.

THE GROOM…

As important a wedding day is for a bride, the groom is an integral part as well, and similarly has to ready himself for the onslaught of ceremony and reception activities amongst the invited guests of friends and family! And similar to his future bride, the groom must make decisions as to how he wishes to present himself. While there usually is less challenges regarding selecting the proper outfit to where that a bride usually experiences, the groom must decide the look he is trying to achieve – traditional, upward fashionable, or something completely out of the box that represents his individual taste. It can be a very wide gambit he goes through until he settles on just the right look. After that, he too must decide who he wishes to share his special day and supply the moral support for what he is about to undertake. This can be challenging and fun all at the same time! But for the most part after careful consideration, choices are made, and from the photographs below, it appears the groom has made the best choices to help share his special day.

BEFORE THINGS START…

Before the Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding begins, and the flurry of activity for this special day begins, Lexi and Avi made an excellent decision of doing their more formal poses and wedding pictures prior to their ceremony. And fortunately they were equally wise to choose one of the leading wedding photographers in Philadelphia, John Ryan of J&J Studios of Philadelphia. John an award-winning photographer, recognized for his beautiful images and ability to capture memorable moments in a variety of special events. More to come in a bit about John Ryan. For now, let some of his formal shots below show the skill and talent he has for this beautiful bride, handsome groom, and the friends and family that are part of their bridal party.

There are more photographs to share, but just from the brief selection I shared above so far you can see the innate talent that John Ryan exercises to the multiple phenomenal shots he has captured. The choice of poses, lighting, setting, mood are all intricately captured to create such memorable moments that Lexi and Avi will be able to share for many many years to come! The goal of a great photographer is not to overly influence the photographs they are looking to create but to blend a happy medium of their knowledge and expertise with the wishes and desires of the clients they are working with. It’s important for the photographer to get to know and understand the people he is working with in order to keep the session and the end resulting photographs natural, impressive, and memorable.  That said, it’s now time to move on to the rest of the activities that have so caringly been captured by John Ryan.

THE CEREMONIES…

Yes, as I’ve indicated above, there were actually two ceremonies, each honoring the individual religious affiliation and heritage of Lexi and Avi. How wonderful to co-mingle these two backgrounds in the same day and capturing the moments of each that are so important to this couple, their families, and their friends. And they were blended so naturally in a simple change of setting which lent to and honored their respective affiliation. Right down to the blessing by the priest performing the ceremony to the the traditional breaking of the glass by the groom for good luck!

And now the other ceremony –

THE RECEPTION…

Well, after the pre-wedding planning was under way, decisions were made, various facets decided upon and booked, and the preparations and planning completed, it was time for Lexi and Avi and their friends and family to finally enjoy a well-deserved celebration! It was time to party! And party they did! The Cescaphe Ballroom Wedding had officially begun, and it was time for the loving couple to get comfortable and enjoy mingling with the invited guests to acknowledge this wonderful life journey they were well underway beginning!

 

As you can see, this bride and groom rightfully had a fantastic day celebrating their union as husband and wife and beginning their journey as a married couple. And what a way to begin that journey! Classic attire, beautiful settings, party fun, food, and drink, all captured at a beautiful venue. As mentioned much earlier, Levi and Ali chose wisely in selecting a very talented, creative, and exemplary photographer, John Ryan of J&J Studios of Philadelphia.

John’s talents are very well known in the Philadelphia market. However, it doesn’t end there. John’s gifts are sought after throughout the rest of Pennsylvania as well as the outlying areas of Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. Actually, John has traveled far and wide to capture the memories of many couples in countless venues and settings. And in all kinds of weather in all of the four seasons as well! John’s gifts are not only employed for weddings alone. John’s reputation stretches over into other special events as well – Engagements, Private Parties, Corporate and Sporting events, Bar & Bats Mitzvahs to name just a few. If you would like to learn more about what John can do for you and your special event, please visit his website at J&J Studios of Philadelphia today!

There were many vendors that provided their expertise and valuable services to Lexi and Avi to help them make their dreams come true. If you’d like to learn more about them and their specialties, please see the vendor breakdown below and their contact information.