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Willowbrook Fall Wedding Client Review | Courtney & Josh

  • Writer: Shannon Ritter
    Shannon Ritter
  • Jan 19
  • 3 min read

Courtney and Josh married on September 20th, where I documented this deeply meaningful and beautifully personal Willowbrook wedding, thoughtfully planned

pastor laughing at the grooms written vows to his bride that got a good laugh from the bride too

by Kristin Lewis of Eventfully Yours. The bridal suite is LARGE at Willowbrook which allowed Courtney to get ready and have a first look with her bridal party. The suite allowed me to create photographs to document Courtney's bridal party pinning a memorial pin, in memory of her late father, on her bouquet and shedding a few tears.

bridal party pins a memorial cross and pin to honor her late relatives. In the background you see the bride having final touches put on her makeup
wedding dress is laying on the floor with the brides toes going into the small circle hole on the floor. You can see the bride's bare legs from her thigh down.
two women in elegant dresses adjust a bride's gown in a room with dark stone walls in the bridal suite at Willowbrook 
and white curtains. A chandelier hangs overhead.
Smiling bride in her white pajamas applies makeup in ornate mirror. Background features a large mirror with cosmetics. Bright, cheerful atmosphere with two mirrors showing the bride's smiling face.
mom in elegant silver dress help a smiling bride with her gown. Stone wall and white drapes set the background for this Joyful, intimate moment at Willowbrook's bridal suite.
Woman in purple dress arranging vibrant flower bouquet with purple and pink blooms. Indoor setting with soft lighting. Elegant and focused bridal suite moments.

Woven throughout the wedding were heartfelt “something old, new, borrowed, and blue” details, including the bride’s mom’s pearl necklace (a gift from her late father), a cherished cross charm from her grandmother tucked into the bouquet, and a touching butterfly motif lining the aisle in remembrance of her dad, inspired by their song Butterfly Kisses.

Purple rose with butterfly decor on chair at outdoor wedding in the trees of willowbrook in Bridgeville, Delaware. Guests are seated, blurred bride and groom in background. Festive mood.
Courtney wrote the most flattering review of my, Shannon Ritter Photography, wedding services:

WE ARE SO IN LOVE WITH OUR PICTURES!!!!! They are absolutely beautiful, perfect, and more amazing than I could have ever imagined!!

Bride in white gown taps groom in blue suit on shoulder in lush green garden by the pond at Willowbrook, creating a joyful surprise moment.
Bride has just tapped her groom on the shoulder and he has turned around to see his bride for the first time. His face is surprised with a melting hear. Bride's arms are out to show off her bridal look.
The groom wears a light blue suit with floral boutonnière and is smiling from ear to ear looking at his bride's face. We see the back of the bride's hair with long mermaid curls down her back.
Bride and groom embrace in a forest setting, surrounded by lush greenery and a stone waterfall. The scene feels romantic and serene at Willowbrook Wedding Venue
Bride in lace dress kisses groom in light blue suit at a garden wedding with the willowbrook stone wall, surrounded by greenery and white chairs, both smiling warmly.

My husband and I both have a photography background, so finding the right photographer for us was very high on our priority list. During the selection process, I made a list of over 20 photographers to look at (many of whom were very talented and had great photos), but right from the beginning, Shannon stood out to us. When we looked at her portfolio, we noticed that not only were her photos beautiful and technically sound, but she did such an amazing job of capturing the emotion in her photos, something that was really important to us.

Bride giggling while her step dad, wearing dark gray suit, older man in a suit laugh and wipe tears together in a garden with bokeh lights. The setting is joyful and relaxed.
Bride and groom kiss in with the willowbrook custom stone wall garden setting with archways and greenery. Bride in white dress and groom in blue suit. Romantic and serene mood.
Bride and groom smiling, holding hands, walk down an aisle outdoors just after being pronounced husband and wife with cheering guests and bubbles. Trees and fairy lights create a joyful setting.
A couple embracing joyfully, dressed in wedding attire. The man wears a suit with a boutonniere, standing behind the bride while leaning in to whisper in her ear. The woman in a lace bridal gown, against a blurred background, standing in front of the groom and leaning back into her groom with their noses touching over her shoulder.

From about 10 minutes into our first meeting with Shannon, we knew for sure she was the right photographer for us. She was flexible, nice, and so easy to talk to. We asked her a million technical questions, from how she handled lighting to what camera and lenses she uses, and Shannon didn’t hesitate at all, which gave us complete trust and confidence in her to capture our day.

A bride and groom stand with an officiant in front of a brick wall. The bride smiles and giggle and the groom appears emotional with his hand holding his face with pink flowers nearby.
Willowbrook bride smiling in mirror, holding makeup brush. Cream top, decorated mirror. Background: table with handbag, hair tools. Joyful mood.

For both our engagement pictures and our wedding, Shannon made the pictures so much fun. She set them up in a way that felt so natural, and you can see that in the photos. On our wedding day, she did an amazing job of providing clear direction and getting people in the right place quickly, while still keeping it light, fun, and professional, which is not easy to do with large group pictures. Our family and friends had only positive things to say about working with her.

Wedding party poses outdoors; bride in white gown, groom in light blue suit, bridesmaids in purple dresses, groomsmen in blue suits. Wedding party all looking towards the bride and groom who are standing in the middle of the group.
Bride in white dress and groom in light suit is ready to walk in between the rows of their bridal party. Bride is looking at her groom with a cute smirk. The photographer is peeking in between the bridal party.
Bride and groom walk joyfully beneath bridesmaids holding flower bouquets. The outdoor setting features a grassy lawn and trees.

All throughout our wedding day, Shannon did such an exceptional job of capturing all the little moments, looks, and smiles. Not only are the photos amazing, but they captured the emotion of the day so well. When I look at them, I feel like I am reliving our wedding day all over again, and they bring back so many amazing memories. There are so many moments I didn't even know Shannon had captured until I saw the pictures, and we are so grateful!

17 Wedding party attendants in a forest; bridesmaids in purple dresses, groomsmen in blue suits. Bride and groom in the center, surrounded by trees.

She also really listened when I told her about little details I had planned for the day that had meaning, and made sure to capture those in the photos as well. She even picked up on a story I told in our vows and had us recreate the picture I referenced during our portraits, which was really cool.

groomsMan's brother, best man,  in navy suit holding a sheet of paper beside a Miller Lite can on a table. Background features a blue and beige setting.
Groom in a light blue suit, seated at the sweetheart table, holds his head in emotion while his brother shares funny moments of them being brothers. Candles, flowers, and food are on the table with a festive background.
A couple leans in to kiss at a wedding table with "MR & MRS" sign, floral bouquet, and candles; romantic setting with white drapes.

We had such a wonderful experience working with Shannon, and we truly appreciate what a wonderful job she did! We are still trying to figure out how we are ever going to pick which pictures to hang in our house because we love so many of them and don't have that much wall space! All of our family and friends that we have shown them to so far have loved them too and have complimented what an amazing job Shannon did!! Not only are the pictures incredible, but she has been amazing to work with throughout the entire process. We can't wait to work with Shannon again in the future!

Bride's mother wipes a tear while she is seated in rows at an outdoor willowbrook garden wedding, holding a bouquet. Others appear attentive. Both mothers of the bride and groom can be seen watching their children get married.
The Bride and groom, from the chin down, exchanging vows in front of an officiant. The bride holds her handwritten note that she is reading to her groom. Background shows a brick wall.

See Courtney and Josh's formal wedding portraits here SOON.

 
 
 

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