For Jill and Patrick Doolittle September 19, 2020, was a day that they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. It’s a memory that they will share with their children and that their children will share with their little ones. J&J Studios was happy to be able to cover the couple’s epic wedding and begin documenting the couple’s beautiful love story in December 2019 when we shot the couple’s engagement photo session.
My Partner in Crime, My Best Friend
There is an intriguing ancient Chinese myth that states that love is magical and when two people are meant for each other fate will eventually bring them together. For Jill and Patrick fate brought them together on Saint Patrick just over three years ago at McGillin’s Olde Alehouse in Center City. McGillin’s is one of the oldest pubs in Philadelphia known for they’re fine brew and rocking karaoke machine. If you’re from the area you’ll know that McGillin is the place to be if you’re looking for a good time on Saint Patrick’s Day. If you ask them to describe the first time they met they’ll both say that there was an undeniable instant connection. A connection that quickly blossomed into a whirlwind romance.
From attending summer festivals together, dressing up in matching Halloween costumes to simply hanging out with friends and family the couple has done everything under the sun together since the first day they met. In fact, every weekend for the three years they’ve known each other both Patrick and Jill take a walk to their favorite art museum where they talk about everything under the sun.
We asked the beautiful bride what she loved most about her soon to be husband. With a twinkle in her eye, she told our team that Patrick was her partner in crime, her greatest supporter, and her best friend. “ I can do everything with him and also nothing at all and still have the time of my life,” were her exact words. According to Jill some quirky facts about the couple is that when they dine out they have to go to restaurants where they can sit right next to each other because they hate sitting on opposite sides of the table. Another fun fact about the couple is that in their free time they enjoy going to the dog park and watching the dogs play.
She Said Yes
The big proposal is perhaps one of the most sentimental moments a groom and bride will ever have. Of course, the days leading up to a marriage proposal can be intoxicating. The mere thought of upgrading the relationship status from girlfriend to fiancé literally gives you butterflies. As always love conquers all. Patrick’s grand proposal took place at the Assembly Rooftop Lounge, an elegant hotel bar in Philly overlooking the skyline.
Jill was under the impression that she was attending a fundraiser. Patrick recruited the help of friends and family to keep things a secret and get Jill to the location. However, when she arrived at the Assembly Rooftop Patrick was standing at the end of the balcony on one knee.
Iconic Philadelphia Engagement Photo Shoot
Last year, the couple contacted us to set up a scenic engagement photoshoot in a special place that really meant a lot to the both of them. The Philadelphia Art Museum engagement session was definitely one for the books. It was on those very walks up to the Philadelphia Art Museum every weekend since they first met that allowed the couple to develop an unbreakable bond. Also, we were able to capture some breath-taking pictures of the engaged couple at the Fairmount Water Works that beautifully depicted the overflowing love that Patrick and Jill have for each other.
Planning for the Big Logan Hotel Wedding
Of course, the most important thing when planning a wedding is to make sure that the bride and groom enjoy every minute. Luckily for the Dolittles, they had the help of both of their families to assist in planning the wedding of their dreams.
Originally, Patrick and Jill had their heart set on a big wedding ceremony where they could invite all of their friends and family to share in their special moment. However, due to the pandemic, they had to significantly scale back their 200 headcount guest list. Rather than put their wedding day on hold, one night over beers the couple decided to just get married in three weeks.
Eager to become one, Jill and Patrick began planning their wedding. However, the couple had to plan with safety precautions in mind because of COVID-19. For everyone’s safety, the couple planned to only have immediate family and the bridal party attend the ceremony while other guests would be invited to share in the occasion virtually on Zoom. This was the perfect solution because it allowed everyone they loved to still be there for their special day.
St. Augustine Church Wedding
Jill and Patrick tied the knot at St. Augustine Church in Philadelphia in front of their close family and the bridal party. They were married by a priest and exchanged heartfelt vows that moved those in attendance. The bridal party wore simple yet sleek black attire but it was the bride who stole the show by embodying a true sophisticated queen in her stunning white gown as she was walked down the aisle by her father and united with her King. Jill wore a simple yet sophisticated gown while Patrick was dapper in a polished black tuxedo.
Before the wedding ceremony, the J&J Studio Philadelphia photographers snapped pictures of the bride, groom, and the wedding party at the Philadelphia Art Museum which was a symbolization of their love. We also snapped numerous photos of the bride and groom with their families and bridal party in front of the church and the surrounding areas.
Everyone knows that pictures can say volumes. Perhaps some of the best photos that were taken after the Philadelphia wedding ceremony were the shots of the bride and groom with the city as the backdrop such as the photo under the traffic lights and the picture of the couple near the crosswalk. These photos best capture the pure and intense love that Jill and Patrick have for one another.
Our photographers also took some shots of the bride and groom standing in front of the Assembly which is the hotel where the couple first got engaged. What we love most about this J&J Studio shoot is that it was really important to the clients to get photos at places that were sentimental and played a major role in their love story.
Logan Hotel Wedding Reception in Philadelphia PA
Jill and Patrick’s wedding day was nothing short of exquisite. The ceremony was held at the Logan Hotel in Philadelphia which is located in the center city which took the couple back three years ago when they first met. The majority of the guests wore custom masks that were inscribed with the bride and groom’s names and wedding date.
The Logan was the perfect environment for Jill and Patrick’s special day with its gorgeous intimate outdoor spaces and luxurious ballrooms. The real party began on the rooftop where everyone was able to snap personal photos and enjoy the open bar. The spacious rooftop space comfortably accommodated everyone and our photography team was able to capture some spectacular photos of the bride, groom, and the guests right under the clear Philadelphia skies. Although this wasn’t the wedding reception that Patrick and Jill had in mind when they originally began planning their wedding they were very happy with the outcome.
So How Was It Working With Jill and Patrick?
Working with Jill and Patrick on their La Carte wedding ceremony was a very pleasurable experience. Although we are amid a pandemic we were able to help make their wedding special by successfully capturing the vision they had for their wedding ceremony and reception visuals. For Jill and Patrick, these photos weren’t just something to put in a photobook or hang on the wall in their home but they really wanted us to help them create special mementos that they kind of told they’re love story. We wanted to create personal mementos that they could cherish forever and possibly even share with their children.
The couple was also happy with our service. “John was awesome, he made us feel comfortable and allowed us to have fun with the shoot. We had a blast,” Jill recounted at the end of the wedding reception. We are thankful to Jill and Patrick for trusting us with the visuals for the most important day of their lives as well as for allowing us to shoot their engagement session.
When is your big day? If you’re preparing to tie the knot and you’re searching for a Philadelphia wedding photographer to document your special day and truly bring your wedding visuals to life then look no further. Contact us right away for a consultation. We would love to further discuss the details of your special occasions with you and your significant other.
