Lexy + Sophie’s (surprise) vow renewal/wedding reception was during the longest day of the year – and they goofed, cheered, and loved from sunrise to sundown. Their 50 closest loved ones traveled from all over the country to celebrate with them, from flower arranging the day before to throwing it back on the dance floor. With an incredible vendor team, the sweetest personal touches, an out-of-this-world menu, and tear-jerker vows (that even made ME cry, for the record), there’s so much to recap that I’m just gonna write this blog in chronological order from the beginning. Doing both photo and video for a wedding this cool was a dream come true!!! Strap in!
When Lexy + Sophie first reached out to me, I was struck by how easy it was to talk to them. Even being total strangers, they were so hilarious and genuine with me right from the beginning. Sophie does drone videography + editing as a hobby, so she was thrilled to find out that I started offering wedding video for 2025! Since she wanted to play around with some of their footage on her own, they selected a Documentary Edit add-on for their package. Check out their Highlight Film above!
The wedding weekend began with group flower arranging. This is probably the only situation where I’d recommend DIY live florals – Lexy is a gardener for a private farm, so she was able to access the fresh blooms and resources to do a mini arrangement workshop with their friends + family. Instead of rehearsal dinner coverage or an engagement session, they asked me to photograph this instead! It was super fun seeing what everyone created with the thrifted vases for each arrangement.
The next day, Lexy + Sophie got ready together in the upstairs loft of Javo Studios in Lawrenceville. Since Javo Studios isn’t usually utilized as a wedding venue, Victoria, their day-of coordinator, and her team from Devoted to You were tasked with turning the industrial studio into a vibrant reception space in the meantime. The final result was so special and perfectly personalized to Lexy + Sophie! Guests were greeted with a bright yellow After the Tone audio guestbook rotary phone, custom temporary tattoos, and flower seed favors! The real showstopper was the main, long banquet table, complete with summery pink linens, multi-color candles, DIY bud vases from the day before, and decorative glasses from All Occasions.
Meanwhile, the AM team was in the upstairs loft with Lexy + Sophie as they finished helping each other get dressed. A lot of couples don’t even realize that you’re “allowed” to get ready together on your wedding day, but it’s one of my favorite moments to capture! It lets you spend the entire day together and really helps calm the pre-ceremony nerves a lot of couples feel. Plus – helping each other complete the final touches is a really sweet memory to have from your day.
L + S really popped off with their wardrobe and accessories, too! Sophie donned an all-white suit and loafers, complete with a floral-embroidered blazer that was a lucky Depop find. Lexy wore a sleek white dress from Luxe Redux, tangerine heels, and the star of the show – a sequined + embroidered floral statement veil by the iconic Madison Chamberlain!
Since they got ready together, instead of doing a first look with each other, they did a first look with both sets of parents! At this point, the guests started to arrive, so we took a few quick portraits of the couple against the brick exterior of the building.
Sophie + Lexy wanted a non-traditional structure to their day, so the guests actually entered to cocktail hour! After we finished their portraits, L + S joined the fun while my video associate Mara filmed guest interviews. The drinks were very important to them, so they recruited their good friend to create custom craft cocktail + mocktail recipes, which were expertly served up by Bubbly Bartending!
Finally, once everyone was seated, Lexy + Sophie made their ceremony entrance from the loft! They had actually eloped in summer 2024, so they played a short video created by Sophie of their vows on the venue’s projector! It was such a sweet, emotional moment – not a dry eye in the room (even from me). Later, Sophie told me that she held it together until she saw me crying, and I felt so bad!! Sophie’s sister and brother-in-law officiated their vow renewal and ring exchange, and the crowd erupted in cheers!
After a delicious dinner catered by All in Good Taste was enjoyed by everyone, L + S snuck away to cut their cake. The base was actually a Costco cake, and one of their friends created an incredible edible floral meadow on top. When they returned to the party, the waterworks started again as we heard heartfelt speeches from their best friend Connor and all four parents. Some parent dances and a big group photo later, the guests were ready to throw down on the dance floor!
While the dancing got started, we were able to sneak away during the last few minutes of sunlight for solstice sunset photos. There was a surprise hearse, which we had no choice but to take some photos with! We frolicked around the streets of Lawrenceville and celebrated the end of the longest day of the year with sparklers!!!
They both returned inside to dance the night away, with bops and bangers mixed by the incredible DJ Winston T! Their college friends threw back shots and joined them for a special performance of Broccoli by D.R.A.M., which sent me right back to 2016. Queer girly pop bops, the new Lady Gaga album, and throwback 2000s hits had guests busting a move into the late hours of the night!
It was truly an unforgettable weekend. Lexy + Sophie did their day 100% their way and are the kind of couple I love working with the most. When you stop thinking about your wedding in terms of what you’re supposed to do, and instead think about it in terms of what you really want to do, it creates a more rewarding, memorable, and truly enjoyable day for everyone involved.
Looking for a photographer who will support + hype up your wedding vision 100%? Drop a line – I’d love to hear from you!! 🙂
VENDOR TEAM
Venue | Javo Studios
Photo + Video | Afternoon Media, with video associate Mara and second photographer Sarah
Day-of Coordination | Victoria with Devoted to You
DJ | DJ Winston T
Catering | All in Good Taste Productions
Bar | Bubbly Bartending
Linens + Table Rentals | All Occasions Party Rentals
Wardrobe + Accessories | Luxe Redux Bridal, Madison Chamberlain, Henne Jewelers, Studebaker Metals
Alterations | Topaz Thimble
Transportation/Shuttles | Elite Transportation
