Cairnwood Estate
Brandy and Antoinette
Cairnwood Estate
Photographing My Best Friend’s Wedding at Cairnwood
Some moments in life feel too big for words, but you try anyway because they deserve to be remembered. Photographing my best friend Brandy’s wedding was one of those moments.
Brandy and I met my freshman year of high school, and over a decade later, we’ve seen each other through every stage of life: teenage awkwardness, first jobs, heartbreaks, career changes, big dreams, and quiet moments in between. When she told me she was marrying her incredible wife, and that she wanted me to not only be her bridesmaid but also her lead photographer, my heart just about burst.
And then she told me the venue: Cairnwood Estate in Pennsylvania. If you’ve ever been there, you know it’s like stepping into a Gilded Age dream. Built in the late 1800s, Cairnwood’s grand stone exterior, sweeping staircases, and ornate architecture make you feel like you’ve wandered onto the set of a period film. The manicured gardens and golden light spilling through those massive windows create this kind of timeless elegance that makes any wedding feel like a fairytale. Honestly, I think any couple who gets married there would feel like royalty.
But for me, the luxury of the day wasn’t just in the venue. It was in the people.
I spent the morning helping Brandy get ready, laughing with the bridal party, sneaking candid photos when no one was looking, and then stepping into my role behind the camera as the day unfolded. Balancing being both a bridesmaid and a photographer is a bit like dancing. You move in and out, switching roles seamlessly, soaking in the joy while preserving it forever.
The ceremony was breathtaking. Brandy and her wife stood under a sky that seemed to hold its breath for them, promising each other forever in front of the people who love them most. I kept thinking about how these images weren’t just for them today. They are for their future selves, for their children and grandchildren, for generations who will see these moments and feel the love that built their family.
That’s the thing about photographing the people you love: it’s not just a job, it’s a gift. It’s knowing that the way you see them, their joy, their beauty, their connection, will be frozen in time. Long after the flowers fade and the cake is gone, those photos will still be there.
Ohhh and we can’t forget about the Eagles party bus. ICONIC. Picture green lights glowing, music turned all the way up, and the whole wedding party singing and dancing on the way to the venue. It was such a perfect mix of Philly pride and pure celebration, and honestly, I think it should be the new standard for wedding transportation.
Brandy, if you’re reading this, thank you for trusting me with one of the biggest days of your life. It was an honor to stand beside you as a friend and to work behind the camera as an artist. Your wedding was everything luxurious, emotional, timeless but more than anything, it was so you. I will cherish every single frame forever.
Here’s to decades more friendship, love, and beautiful moments worth photographing.
