On an unseasonably warm (65 degree) day in December, friends and family from all over the world gathered in a beautiful barn in rural Pennsylvania to celebrate the love between a couple who met a world apart in Ethiopia. Melody was running a non profit and teaching English when she met an Ethiopian man named Dereje (Glad) Getahun who eventually won her heart and her hand in marriage. After many long months, they were able to navigate the visa process and make the move back to Pennsylvania, to meet in this barn to pledge their lives to one another.
Every detail of this wedding was absolutely breathtaking. The live music played as guests entered the ceremony was beautifully ethereal and created a feeling of magic that matched the decor perfectly. Speaking of the decor, I have never been more impressed with wedding day details than I was on this day. Kim Bakke of The Cottage Gardner is so talented it’s crazy. Seriously, look around any frame of this video and you will see her magic. I’m a fan. It’s always great to work with other passionate creatives on a day like this. I had the pleasure of meeting a fantastic still photographer and friend of the family named Kasey Ivan of Kasey Ivan Photography. I check out his work prior to the wedding and was immediately a fan of his work. The light and whimsy, natural light soaked work I saw in his portfolio was a great fit as soon as I showed up and saw the stylings of the day. Kasey’s style behind the camera was very warm and relaxed and as far as his wardrobe stylings, they were spot on too. *People joked as they noticed we were basically dressed almost identically even though we had met moments prior.
At the end of the day I was so incredibly thankful to have been a part of this beautiful event in this couples life and felt that I gained a few new friends. I am excited for the next step in their journey together and so glad we have a couple more awesome people back in the NEPA area!
Much Love!
-Pete