People featured this Elkins Estate wedding! Read all about Rachel and her dad’s surprise father-daughter tap dance.
Every so often I photograph a wedding that feels like our very own version of a royal wedding, and Alex and Rachel’s Elkins Estate wedding was exactly that. There was a breathtaking arch of cherry blossoms framing the ceremony, a reception full of grand and carefully curated details, and a day that flowed so seamlessly from start to finish that choosing just a few favorites to share here was honestly hard.
If you followed along with their welcome dinner, you already know these two. Alex and Rachel live in New York City, Rachel grew up in the Philadelphia area, and they brought everyone they love to Elkins Park, Pennsylvania for a full wedding weekend. (You can see the first night here: Elkins Estate Rehearsal Dinner in Philadelphia.) By the time the wedding day arrived, I felt like I was celebrating with friends.
A slow, sweet morning before the Elkins Estate wedding
There were definitely some nerves and a whole lot of excitement that morning, so I loved that the early hours gave them both a chance to breathe. Rachel spent the morning surrounded by her bridesmaids, the same women who had been by her side in all the weeks leading up to the wedding. They popped champagne in matching pajamas, and the laughter in that room was exactly what everyone needed.
Meanwhile, down the hall, Alex and his groomsmen had their own version of getting ready: a full editorial photoshoot. These guys brought the energy, and you can feel how excited they were for the day ahead in every frame.
A classic look and a perfect pair
Rachel has such a naturally elegant way about her, and her gown was a perfect reflection of that. It had a lace corset bodice that flowed beautifully into a delicate train. Her bridesmaids wore different shades of pink, each one chosen to suit their own style, which brought the wedding’s soft color palette to life. Alex matched Rachel’s classic look in a traditional black and white tuxedo with a bow tie, and together they looked like they had stepped out of a storybook.
Before the ceremony, Alex and Rachel shared a first look, and then they each had first looks with their wedding party. There were happy tears, big hugs and a few sweet, quiet moments in the middle of a very full day. Seeing them together for the first time was just a reminder of how naturally these two fit.
A cherry blossom ceremony full of family
Their ceremony is one of my favorites I have ever photographed. Alex and Rachel included plenty of beautiful traditions, but they also made sure the details felt true to them. That cherry blossom arch was a showstopper, and with this historic mansion as the backdrop, it really did feel royal.
My favorite touch? Their grandparents are such important parts of their lives that they asked their grandmothers to be their flower girls. Watching those two women walk down the aisle was one of the sweetest moments of the whole Elkins Estate wedding, and it said so much about how much family means to Alex and Rachel. The moment they became Mr. and Mrs. Silverman, confetti and cheers filled the air, and it was the best possible send off into their next chapter.
Why I love photographing an Elkins Estate wedding
William Elkins built Elkins Estate in 1898 as a private Gilded Age mansion just outside Philadelphia, and as a wedding photographer, I could not get enough of it. Every room, staircase and window gives you something gorgeous to work with, and the grounds are just as dreamy. For a couple who wanted a day that felt grand and intentional, I can’t imagine a better fit.
A candlelit Elkins Estate wedding reception
The reception was the perfect shift from a romantic ceremony into a warm, lively celebration. Pink and white roses covered the tables, and candles and chandeliers gave the whole room a soft, romantic glow. As soon as guests walked in, the energy picked up, and the dance floor stayed busy all night long.
This wasn’t just a beautifully designed day. It was a celebration that brought two families together, and you could feel that in every hug, every toast and every song.
Alex and Rachel, thank you so much for trusting me with your entire wedding weekend. From the welcome dinner to the last dance, it was an honor to be there for all of it.
