Good morning!
I am so, so excited to share Taylor + Adam’s wedding day blog with you. This was my first trip to La Massaria at Bella Vista in Gilbertsville, PA and I’m hoping it will be the first trip of many. This wedding venue is absolutely stunning. You can tell that there’s been so much love put into the ambiance of this place which makes for a gorgeous backdrop when it comes to photos.
Next to the main building is a stone house which has a cozy little bar and grill downstairs and bride and groom suite’s upstairs. The bridal suite is full of gorgeous light and created so much potential for those gorgeous detail shots.
Taylor + Adam chose to write each other their vows to be read in private instead of reading them at the ceremony. I love capturing these sweet moments.
When Taylor and I formed her wedding day timeline, she requested that she have a first look with her dad before having a first look with Adam. I’m so glad my face is hidden behind a camera most of the day because moments like this make me tear right up. I’m so lucky that this is my job and I get to play witness to some of life’s most precious and memorable moments.
There were many places around La Massaria that would have served for a good first look spot but we loved this walkway and cute little stone building.
One of the best perks about doing a first look before the wedding ceremony is it gives you extra time to get all the bridal party pictures out of the way. Not only is the light better if you have a late ceremony but it also allows you to spend time at your own cocktail hour.
Moe and I found this tree and just had to. Shoutout to the MOH as well who saw this tree and said “I love that for Taylor” and marched right up to someone unpacking a truck to inquire as to how long they would be there so we could have access to this spot.
I always ask the bridal party “Are you jumpers or are you not jumpers?” and Taylor responded “Oh, we are jumping!” I don’t get when people aren’t jumpers. How do you not love an action shot?
It took a couple of tries but we managed to get everyone in the air at the same time. That’s not an easy task fo ra big bridal party.
Once we were done taking the bride and groom photos, it was time for the ceremony to begin. La Massaria has a gorgeous patio area for outdoor ceremonies.
The reception area is GORGEOUS. I don’t know what I was expecting when I first saw the outside of La Massaria at Bella Vista but it wasn’t a modern rustic/medieval setting. The tiny tea lights set into the stone walls almost give you that castle feel. You wouldn’t even think all of those descriptions mixed together would work. Rustic, medieval, modern, castle. How does that work? I don’t know. But it does at this wedding venue and I’m in love with the ambiance.
Before the wedding guests were allowed upstairs from cocktail hour, Taylor and Adam took a moment to admire the reception area by themselves.
We had so much fun at the reception and the food was so good!
Most of the day was cloudy with a couple of sprinkles here and there. We had originally talked about sunset photos out on the patio but I didn’t think we had any chance of getting one with how the weather was behaving for most of the day. The sun literally peeped out right at the end of the night and we were able to sneak out and capture some gorgeous shots.
Moe and I had so much fun at this wedding!
I want to give a special shout out to Carlie and Denise who helped coordinate this entire day. Denise was constantly checking in with everyone, us included, and her efforts didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. It was an incredible day.
I highly recommend checking out this venue if you’re looking for the perfect spot to get married.
Venue/Catering: La Massaria at Bella Vista – http://lamassaria.com
Dress: Sabrina Ann Couture – http://sabrinaann.com
Rings: Blue Nile/Kay Jewelers/Manly Bands
Invitations: Minted
Cake: Dices Bakery
Shoes: Bloomingdales
DJ: Adam Moyer – Sound Factor
Flowers: Flowers by Scott
