The town of Bethlehem is located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley within Pennsylvania and is famous for Lehigh University, steel production, and Christmas traditions. Walking around the town, is easy to spot many historical buildings dating as far back as the 1700s still being used today for a variety of purposes. A recent graduate from Lehigh himself, Shawn has years of fond memories from the area and knew the town would be the perfect place for his wedding with Jeanette. On the morning of their wedding day, we met the couple at the Hotel as they prepared for the day at the Hotel Bethlehem full of elegant decorations tied to it’s past. With beautiful views out the hotel windows, both put the final touches on their looks among friends and family. Braving the wind and cold, we captured portraits of both bride and groom with bridal party among a preserved old village surrounding the grounds of the hotel.
As the time for their marriage drew close, the couple and guests converged on on Packer Memorial Chapel located on the campus of Lehigh. Its Gothic architecture was beautifully lit by stained glass windows giving a dramatic and elegant air to the ceremony. After sermons, the lighting of a unity candle, exchanging of the rings, and a kiss the couple was wed and made their grand exit back out to the university. We walked with them through the heart of the campus to take formal portraits with the many pieces of art that the pair had grown to know so well over past years during their engagement. Just as the sun was beginning to set, we drove up a mountain to the top of the campus to an overlook with views of the entire town and valley below. We then made our back to the Hotel Bethlehem for the reception in the grand ballroom. Entrances, toasts, cake cutting, and more flew by in a night full of dancing and partying to an eclectic playlist of music geared to the tastes of both college friends and family members. We wish the newlywed couple the best in everything going forwards and we were honored to photograph their big day in such an amazing location.
