Megan & Dylan's Romantic Outdoor Wedding | Bryn Awel Manor & Ren & Co. Planning

Shannon Ritter
Aug 17, 2025
3 min read

Updated: 20h

Megan and Dylan, married at Bryn Awel Manor, just over the Delaware border, spent almost two years in the making. I met them at the Delaware Bridal Expo, on the Wilmington waterfront, where we immediately connected. On their wedding day, Megan shared with me that Dylan had looked into having me photograph their marriage proposal. They ultimately got engaged in Chicago, but this meant so much to me that our paths had crossed before they chose me, Shannon Ritter, to photograph their wedding day.

Bride embraces groom from behind under tree, wearing a bracelet and ring. Black and white timeless photograph, serene outdoor setting on the Bryn Awel Pennsylvania wedding venue property. Blonde bride is cuddling on grooms shoulder

During the planning process Megan reached out to ask for recommendations for a wedding planner. I easily suggested Alexis from Ren & Co wedding planning. I worked with Alexis on a campground wedding a year back. When I say a campground wedding, I mean a couple rented a campground for all of their guests to stay for a weekend of wedding festivities. I saw Alexis handle all the details, decorations, rain plans, lighting, event and game execution and even a toilet crisis of the day. While CJ was at the campground wedding, I never saw him. He was always in another location moving, delivering, or making things come together. Thankfully, Ren & Co. was available and made Megan and Dylan's dream day happen.

bride walking out of the bryn Awel bridal suite in a white wedding dress steps outside the green building, surrounded by flowers. Bright, sunny day with a serene, joyful mood. Bride is framed in the door showing just the toe of her fancy white shoes.

Bride and groom in elegant attire hold hands tenderly, outdoors; bride's white dress glistens, groom's navy suit features a floral boutonniere. You are able to view only the couple from the shoulders to their elbows where their hands are embracing each other.

Elegant arches at Bryn Awel Manor make for a stunning portrait location. This is a documentary photograph as the bride is walking to see her groom in the distant garden for the first time on her wedding day. Bride's best friend is wearing a terra cotta dress while holding the bride's gown off of the grass.

Megan and Dylan’s planned a first look to enjoy time together on their day. In the lush gardens of Bryn Awel Manor, Megan was escorted by her best friend, who carefully carried her train as she walked toward Dylan. There, tucked away among blooming flowers and greenery, the couple shared private vows. It was quiet, intimate, and filled with emotion—just the two of them soaking in a moment they’ll remember forever. My second photographer and I stayed outside the garden, at their request, so that they could exchange private vows.

Bride in white gown walks with groom in blue suit. Bridesmaid in rust dress assists with the train. The green garden, just beyond the arches, was the perfect backdrop for the couples private vows which unfolded naturally without direction from Shannon Ritter Photography.

Bride and Groom first look in teh garden at Bryn Awel Manor hold hands and smile at each other in a lush garden setting. The groom wears a blue suit; the bride, a white dress that is off the shoulder. They are holding each others hands before their private vow reading.

Bride in white dress and groom in navy suit exchange vows without anyone outdoors amidst lush greenery in just one of Bryn Awel's Pennsylvania wedding property backdrops.

Bride in wedding dress holds hands with groom, and her purse and vow book. Bridesmaid in rust dress holds train up off of the perfect green grass. Stone building, arches, and grass in background make documentary style photos easy for Shannon Ritter Photography.

Wedding couple hugging after their first look and intimate wedding vows, embracing outdoors, man in blue suit holding vow book, woman in white dress with pearl purse. Green grass and flowers in background at Bryn Awel's wedding venue.

Landenburg's outdoor garden wedding venue hosts an outdoor wedding with Two young girls in white tops and orange skirts carry baskets at an outdoor event. Seated guests watch the girls walk down the aisle. Greenery and a building in the background help to highlight the flower girls in terra cotta dresses.

Bride in white gown holding flowers walks with suited dad in front of the green and stone building at Bryn Awel. Arched windows match the famous arches of the Bryn Awel Manor. Shannon Ritter photography works here multiple times a year.

Outdoor wedding at Bryn Awel Manor just outside of Delaware, hosts Bride in white dress holds bouquet, walking with her dad in black suit and terra cotta tie. Guests watching in outdoor wedding setting.

Mom stands as her daughter walks down the outdoor aisle at Bryn Awel Manor. Guests are standing for the bride outdoors at a ceremony. A woman in a blue dress and a girl with a basket are notable. Pine trees form the background perfect for a spring and fall wedding. — Megan's mom watches her daughter walk down the aisle while Megan's niece stands on a chair to see as over the wedding guests.

The pictures below, shows what ANTICIPATION by a photographer truly is. I quickly moved around the wedding party once Megan had walked down the aisle. My second photographer was at the end of the aisle to photograph from that direction. I knew that this location/position would give me the opportunity to include Megan's mom in the photo as well as dad, groom and bride all together in one photo.

This Delaware Bride hugs her father, holding a bouquet, at an outdoor wedding at Bryn Awel Manor. The groom smiles, guests watch, and trees provide a lush backdrop.

Bride in white gown holding flowers, has reached the alter and her dad is hugging her groom with an enormous hug facing guests outdoors. officiant Lauren, holds her notes and wedding license papers. Green trees and grass set a joyful scene at Bryn Awel Manor in Landensburg, Pennsylvania.

Two men in suits hug warmly at an outdoor wedding ceremony. An officiant Lauren holds papers, guests watch smiling. Green trees and flowers in the background.

Delaware Bride and groom holding hands under a floral arch, with officiant in a garden setting at Bryn Awel Manor. Guests are seated. Lush greenery surrounds them while they exchange vows.

Bride and groom in a garden setting, smiling while planting orange flowers together as their unity ceremony under a wooden arch with floral decor. Shannon Ritter Photography documents these moments as if she is a fly on the wall.

Bride in white dress and veil reads vows holding a microphone, surrounded by a floral arch outdoors, with a happy expression. Bryn Awel manor has several garden settings as well as an indoor space separate from the cocktail hour space.

Bryn Awel hosted a Delaware couple for an Outdoor wedding scene; couple under floral arch, bridal party in formal wear. Guests seated on white chairs, greenery backdrop, festive mood.

Dip and kiss in the aisle after wedding ceremony at the Bryn Awel garden wedding. Bride in white gown and groom in blue suit kiss amid cheering guests outdoors, with chairs, trees, and bouquet enhancing the joyful scene.

Bryn Awel Manor Bride and groom with family under floral arch in a garden setting. Bride in white, others in formal attire, smiling.

Candid moment captured by Shannon Ritter Photography where the Bride in white dress and veil, groom in navy suit, and a woman in blue pose cheerfully under a floral arch in a green outdoor setting. Yes, you get your silly photos in your wedding gallery.

Bride in white gown with groom and bridal party in blue suits and terra cotta orange dresses, standing on grass with trees in the background, smiling at Bryn Awel Manor

Wedding party outdoors, at Bryn Awel Manor, Delaware Couples Choice Venue. Their bridesmaids in rust dresses, groomsmen in navy suits, bride and groom kissing, joyful atmosphere, lush greenery.

Bridal party walking in one of the fields at Bryn Awel Manor. Bryn Awel allows couples to choose unique locations for their ceremony since their wedding venue offers so many options.

Candid photos are delivered in your wedding gallery when choosing Shnnon Ritter Photography. Three men in suits; two smiling, one playfully reaching across them. Outdoor setting with greenery in the background. Fun, lighthearted mood.

Formal, yet candid, wedding portraits at Bryn Awel Manor get delivered in your wedding gallery by Shannon Ritter Photography. Six men in blue suits, laughing and hugging, stand on grass with trees behind them. They display joy and camaraderie.

Bride and groom frolicking in the field just beyond where they finished exchanging vows in front of their family at the Bryn Awel wedding venue which allows outdoor weddings with excellent back up weather plans. Landensburg, Pennsylvania is just outside of Delaware for couples looking for intimate garden wedding venues

Bryn Awel Bride in white dress and veil holds a bouquet of white and peach flowers, standing in a lush green field with a serene smile.

Formal Bridal portrait of bride in white gown and veil holding a floral bouquet, standing in a lush, green field. She appears serene, eyes closed.

Bride holding a bouquet of terra cotta, white, and peach flowers, with greenery. She's in a white dress with a veil, standing on grass.

Formal bridal portraits outside in green garden setting. Bride in white with four bridesmaids in rust gowns holding bouquets, standing on a green lawn with trees in the background, smiling. Shannon Ritter Photography is documenting their day and offers prompts for the bridal party to appear relaxed in photos.

wilmington, delaware bride traveled north to pennsylvania's Bryn Awel Manor for an outdoor garden wedding with terra cotta bridesmaids dresses great for spring and fall weddings.

Bride in white and bridesmaids in rust dresses stand smiling with bouquets on a grassy field, surrounded by green trees.

Two women on the bride's wedding day in a field, one in a white dress, the other in a rust gown, holding bouquets, smiling at each other under a cloudy sky.

Formal bridal portraits at Bryn Awel, Delaware wedding couple's top wedding venue where Two women smiling outdoors; one in a white gown, the other in a rust dress. Both hold flower bouquets. Green grass and trees in the background.

Megan and Dylan took dance lessons to they would have a memorable first dance with their guests.

Bridal entrance at Bryn Awel where Bride in white gown and groom in blue suit dance joyfully in a rustic hall with stone walls for their choreographed first dance. Guests seated, clapping and smiling.

Shannon Ritter Photography captured all of the parts of the Couple's choreographed dancing at wedding in rustic hall with stone walls and wooden floor. Bride in white dress smiles, groom in navy suit twirls her with Bryn Awels stonewalls behind them.

A couple dances at a wedding on a wooden floor. Background features a stone wall, floral decor, and a sign reading "Welcome to the Wedding."

Brother in Law is roasting the bride and groom with hilarious stories that are making the groom hide his eyes and the bride gasp for air. The stone walls of Bryn Awel Manor are behind them adding texture and depth to their wedding photos.

Dylan's brother did something that solved a problem that I see at a majority of weddings. While he did have approximately seven pages typed out for his speech, he did not have a glass to raise. I love how he used the microphone to clink glasses with the couple. More than half of the weddings that I photograph, the person toasting the couple does not have a glass. Love this solution and I wish more people used this solution.

Brother in Law's best man speech where he uses the microphone to toast his new sister in law and brother at Bryn Awel Manor because he forgot his champagne glass.

When the catering gets you the first plate and it surprises the bride and groom with the warmth. If you choose a documentary photographer you will have these moments captured. Bride is holding her dark napkin over her mouth.

Candid toast of the bridesmaid, Maggie, sharing how Megan has been a magnificent friend. Delaware bride and groom can be seen in the distant background cuddling each other while she talks.

Groom in a suit hugs a woman in a rust-colored dress with emotion. Another woman in a white dress watches. Stone wall background.

Dance floor candid photography by Shannon Ritter Photography at Bryn Awel manor was just what the bride and groom wanted.

Dance floor candid photos of bride and groom's family and friends with streamers waving in the air in the bryn awel manor wedding venue with high ceilings and stone walls.

Bryn Awel Manor groom in blue vest with red tie holds sparkler, smiling with a woman in lively party setting. Colorful decor and lights in background.

Shannon Ritter Photography's bride and groom dancing on the dance floor where the bride might be holding the groom up so her doesn't fall over. This Delaware couple loved this Pennsylvania venue just outside Wilmington.

This Delaware couple loved this Pennsylvania venue just outside Wilmington. Shannon Ritter Photography's bride and groom dancing on the dance floor where the bride might be holding the groom up so her doesn't fall over.

Bride "I have never seen my parents dance like they did on my wedding day. Thank you for freezing these moments in photographs forever. Shannon Ritter documentary wedding photographer who gets on the dance floor for candid and wild photos.

Bride in white dress dances with her flower girl in orange, surrounded by guests holding orange streamers at a lively indoor celebration. Rustic stone wall.

People in festive attire wave metallic streamers joyfully at an indoor celebration. A floral dress and arched windows add charm to the scene.

Candid dance floor photography at Bryn Awel Manor. Wedding was coordinated by Alexis at Ren & Co wedding planner working in Delaware and maryland.

This is the text I recieved from Megan when she recieved her final wedding gallery.

"The photos were amazing!! Thank you fo much! I can't believe how fantastic the reception photos were. They were our favorite. It seems like everyone had such a fun time. You captured so much emotion!" She later sent me a text with the picture below with this "I've never seen my parents dance and I tear up (happy tears) seeing how much fun they had. Thanks for capturing it.