A Fall Pennsylvania Wedding at the Historic Washington Crossing Inn

It was such a gift to travel from California to the east coast to photograph Jayvee and Jonathan’s destination wedding! The two were wed at a Catholic church in their home state of New Jersey. And their reception was at the historic Washington Crossing Inn, right next to the Delaware river in Pennsylvania. This is the famous historical location where Washington crossed the icy river on Christmas night to surprise British troops and help win the Revolutionary War. The charming colonial buildings perched alongside the river were complimented by the rich tones of autumn.
Jayvee and Jonathan made their own personal history about a year ago this October, gathering their friends and family who traveled from as far as the Philippines, France, and Switzerland. I can see why everyone wanted to be there for their wedding; these two are the perfect compliment to each other! As a wedding photographer, one of the joys of my work is to witness a couple that is truly in love and supportive of each other.

The bride’s custom-made dress on a hanger as she gets ready, and her portrait once she put her dress on.
The dress: “My cousin Stefanie “ Tipay” is a fashion designer in the Philippines. She sketched and made the wedding dress for me. The custom-designed wedding dress captured the modern yet classic silhouette with lace and beading details that I had e…

The dress: “My cousin Stefanie “ Tipay” is a fashion designer in the Philippines. She sketched and made the wedding dress for me. The custom-designed wedding dress captured the modern yet classic silhouette with lace and beading details that I had envisioned. The look was completed with a Spanish-inspired mantilla veil with scalloped edges, which I really loved.” – Jayvee

Jonathan’s sister Cat custom made this beautiful wedding invitation suite for us with beautiful calligraphy and vine details.

Jonathan’s sister Cat custom made this beautiful wedding invitation suite for us with beautiful calligraphy and vine details.

The bride with her bridesmaids in fall colors.
The groom puts on his burgundy tuxedo and boutonniere.
Some fall rain as the groom gazes out his hotel window.
Jonathan looked quite dapper in his burgundy tuxedo, and his groomsmen in navy blue.

Jonathan looked quite dapper in his burgundy tuxedo, and his groomsmen in navy blue.

A smiling flower girl hold the glass ring box, while wearing a flower crown.
Jayvee looked stunning in Spanish mantilla veil as she walked down the aisle!

Jayvee looked stunning in Spanish mantilla veil as she walked down the aisle!

The florals: “I wanted the wedding flowers to be modern, organic and moody to fit the beautiful fall foliage. Flora has captured it so well and I was in love with the bouquet!” - Jayvee

The florals: “I wanted the wedding flowers to be modern, organic and moody to fit the beautiful fall foliage. Flora has captured it so well and I was in love with the bouquet!” - Jayvee

The bride and groom hold hands during the Catholic ceremony.
“For the wedding ceremony, we incorporated the Filipino wedding rites and symbols: rings and arrhae, candles, veil and lazo. The groom gives the arrhae (made up of 13 gold coins) to the bride, which symbolizes prosperity that the new couple will sha…

“For the wedding ceremony, we incorporated the Filipino wedding rites and symbols: rings and arrhae, candles, veil and lazo. The groom gives the arrhae (made up of 13 gold coins) to the bride, which symbolizes prosperity that the new couple will share. The candles placed on each side of the bride and groom are lighted to embody the presence of God in the union. The veil is pinned on the couple to symbolize clothing of the two as one. Lastly, the lasso or "lazo" is a rope placed around the couple’s shoulders in the form of an "8" (the infinity symbol) to symbolize everlasting union.” - Jayvee

The bride embraces her mother-in-law during the Catholic ceremony.
Advice about planning your wedding from Jayvee: “Involve your family in the process. We had family members who were happy to share their talents to help make our wedding special. The wedding dress, makeup, invitations and coordination were all by fa…

Advice about planning your wedding from Jayvee: “Involve your family in the process. We had family members who were happy to share their talents to help make our wedding special. The wedding dress, makeup, invitations and coordination were all by family. And we couldn’t imagine our wedding without everyone’s contribution.”

The wedding party takes a stroll in front of the historic stone buildings that sit along the Delaware river at Washington Crossing Park.
The bridesmaids and bride show off their fall bouquets at Washington Crossing Park.
The groom and his groomsmen at Washington Crossing Park.
The bride and groom stroll through the fall leaves by the Delaware river at Washington Crossing Park.
Jonathan planned to propose to Jayvee on a trip to Spain. He was a bit nervous about her engagement ring setting off the metal detector when going through airport security. Luckily it went through and he proposed to her on a balcony in Mallorca.

Jonathan planned to propose to Jayvee on a trip to Spain. He was a bit nervous about her engagement ring setting off the metal detector when going through airport security. Luckily it went through and he proposed to her on a balcony in Mallorca.

The bride and groom on the bridge at Washington Crossing Park.
The bride and groom walk across the bridge over the Delaware river at Washington Crossing Park.
The groom and bride cross the street through the historic buildings at Washington Crossing Park.
The bride and groom stop for a portrait and a kiss amongst the fall foliage at Washington Crossing Park.
The bride and groom in front of their wedding venue the Washington Crossing Inn.
A portrait of General Washington inside the historic Washington Crossing Inn.
All the bridal bouquets on the mantle during the wedding reception at Washington Crossing Inn.
The bride and groom’s wedding reception welcome table with family photos at Washington Crossing Inn.
The favors: We are such foodies and we wanted our favors to reflect that. So we had homemade jams as our favors and we picked Banana Nut Bread and Blackberry Bourbon Vanilla for the adventurous.”

The favors: We are such foodies and we wanted our favors to reflect that. So we had homemade jams as our favors and we picked Banana Nut Bread and Blackberry Bourbon Vanilla for the adventurous.”

Wedding cocktail hour on the patio in October at Washington Crossing Inn.
The bride and groom’s entrance to their wedding reception at Washington Crossing Inn.
The bride and groom’s wedding dinner at the Washington Crossing Inn.
The bride takes to the dance floor with guests during the wedding reception at Washington Crossing Inn.
The wedding cake and cake cutlery at the wedding reception at Washington Crossing Inn.
“I surprised Jonathan with a sushi groom’s cake since we both love Japanese food. The Gingered Peach Bakery did such an amazing job with the details, they even had ginger and wasabi on the side!” - Jayvee

“I surprised Jonathan with a sushi groom’s cake since we both love Japanese food. The Gingered Peach Bakery did such an amazing job with the details, they even had ginger and wasabi on the side!” - Jayvee

Bride and groom cut the cake at their wedding at the Washington Crossing Inn.
“Our hearts were full and it was one of the happiest and emotional weekends ever! We truly felt the love and warmth of our closest family and friends who traveled from many corners of the world to celebrate with us. It was a time for reconnecting an…

“Our hearts were full and it was one of the happiest and emotional weekends ever! We truly felt the love and warmth of our closest family and friends who traveled from many corners of the world to celebrate with us. It was a time for reconnecting and making memories with our new extended family.” - Jayvee

Happy Anniversary Jayvee and Jonathan!!

Vendor Love

Planning by the extraordinary Diane of Bustled Events
Venue and catering, Washington Crossing Inn
Wedding invitations designed by the groom’s sister, who is a professional photographer in Raleigh, but also has a background in design: Catherine Nguyen and you can see her madly chic Russian River wedding here.
Florals by Flora
Bride’s custom designed dress, TIPAY
Bride’s shoes, Betsey Johnson
Make-up, Zsa Zsa St. James
Bridesmaid Dresses, RenzBridal
Wedding Cake, Cramer’s Bakery
Groom’s Cake, Gingered Peach Bakery
DJ, DJ Sanchez of M3 Crew
Videography, Solo Koo

Sonya Yruel is a professional wedding photographer, photographing couples in love and families for over 14 years. She’s based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and also travels to destination weddings. Contact Sonya here.

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