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Fantastical Moments from Middle Earth: A Documentary-Style Photographer’s Experience Capturing a Lord of the Rings-Themed Wedding 


A couple's first kiss

Erin and Alex are a unique pairing; she’s an artist, and he’s a professional climber. The thing that brings them together?

They’re both delightfully nerdy. 

That’s why I knew from the moment they booked us that Still Poetry Photography was in for a truly spectacular wedding. Erin and Alex’s wedding day brought both the subtle hints of elvish styling with an elegant sense of old Hollywood glamor.

Let’s take a look at their Lord of the Rings-themed wedding that unfolded like a fairytale.


Hilltop House: The Perfect Venue for a Lord of the Rings-Themed Wedding

collage of couple getting ready for their wedding

Set in the unassuming location of Devon, Pennsylvania, Hilltop House provides a scenic space that’s only a stone’s throw from Philly. 

The stone would likely get there sooner than a car could, since you don’t need to throw the rock through the famous Philly traffic. 

As such, the venue provides an excellent location if you want to stay close to the city, but want a quiet, peaceful wedding set on rolling hills without the cacophony of Philly streets in the background. This setting served Erin and Alex well, as the beauty of the natural greens fit more closely with their vision of a modern Middle Earth aesthetic.

Not only were the natural fields a beautiful feature, but the house itself provides so many unique backdrops for an elegant reception. Every room had a different feel to it, and certainly had an artistic, old-money flair. 


Getting Ready: The Quiet Details of the Wedding Day

a collage of parents having first looks with their kids on their wedding day

Erin and Alex prepared for the big day in opposite rooms of the house. My husband was hired on as my second shooter, so together we arrived early to check in with the couple before coverage began. The energy felt electric as friends, family, and professionals bustled about the space, putting up last minute decor touches to emphasize their elvish elegance and color theme: royal purple and maroon. 

The hustle and bustle slowed as Erin prepared to put on her gown. Her friends and mother helped her slip into the dress, removing the plastic bag that covered the silvery belt that protected its crystals from snagging the tulle. Her cousin and maid of honor helped affix her cape to her shoulders, and the whole team worked together to put on her crown. 

When everyone stepped back, her mother’s eyes were glistening just like the silver accessories she helped place on her only daughter just moments ago. 

And when Erin’s father entered the room for a first look, both Erin and her father joined her mother in tearing up. 

In the other room, my husband was capturing the first look with Alex and his mother. Alex excitedly showed off all the intricate details of his wedding outfit. From the embroidered “R” on his cufflink to the pocket watch in his vest’s pocket, he certainly took the title as the most intricately dressed groom we’ve had the pleasure of working with. His bride’s maid of honor even took the time to braid his hair. 

a collage of a first look for a couple on their wedding day underneath a large tree

We then had Alex step outside to await his bride for the first look. When she tapped his shoulder, we simply captured the moment quietly while I crossed my fingers that Erin’s teary eyes wouldn’t impact her beautiful makeup. 

We were behind schedule (what wedding isn’t?), so we only had about 7 minutes for bridal portraits, and we only had another 6 minutes at the end of the night. But since they couldn’t stop looking at each other and I just had to gently guide them into poses, we were still able to get incredible newlywed portraits. 


a collage of photos from newlywed portraits outdoors


The Ceremony: An Elegant, Heartfelt Experience with Elvish Undertones

lord of the rings themed wedding ceremony

Once we finished the bridal party portraits at the altar, we tucked the bride, groom, and bridal party away for their processional. Instead of your typical entrance music of orchestral versions of pop songs, Erin and Alex perfectly timed the entrance to go along with the intricate composition of Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings score. The music perfectly swelled as Erin’s father walked her down the aisle. 

The ceremony included personalized vows, beautiful retellings of the couple’s relationship, a prayer from Erin’s father, and a blending of wine to symbolize their union. Fittingly, the chalice they drank from was engraved with elvish. 

As they exchanged rings and sealed the vows they made with a passionate kiss, there was a palpable sense that these two were about to embark on their own epic quest together.

collage of photos of couple leaving the wedding ceremony


The Reception: An Eclectic and Elegant Party 

a collage of speeches at a wedding

After taking a private moment to themselves to sign the marriage license and breathe after the ceremony, we quickly finished out family portraits. There’s no reason to spend a large amount of time on simple portraits when there’s a party (that you paid thousands to put together) happening without you! 

The couple entered into the reception to erupting applause. They took the time to hug their guests and chat with all who attended. Then, the two best men and maid of honor got to share their speeches with the crowd. 

Everyone got to enjoy an open bar with custom cocktails - one for Erin, one for Alex, and one for their dog Erianna (lovingly known as Eri). But even more importantly, there was no shortage of food to enjoy. There were several tables all with different buffet options, from pasta, to Philly staples, to a taco bar, to a salad bar. 

After everyone ate their fill, everyone poured into the hall for the bride and groom’s first dance. 

a collage of first dance photos with the husband and wife, mom and son, and dad and daughter

Then, Alex and his mother danced, and after, Erin called her father to the dance floor. She surprised him by having one of her bridal attendants sing “Three Little Birds,” a song with a special significance to the father and daughter. Erin’s cousin/bridal party member played guitar to accompany. 

After that, the dance floor was open for business. Erin and her friends got the night started off with this generation’s YMCA: Hot to Go by Chappell Roan. 

The highlight of the night was clearly when Grammie made her way to the center of the circle during “Hot in Herre” with a dance performance worthy of scoring her a guest spot on Dancing with the Stars. 

During the reception, the second shooter ran the Polaroid Guestbook Station. Guests would come up to him and get their portrait taken, and as it developed, they would sign the guestbook with well wishes for the couple. With my husband’s help, the guestbook built itself as people stopped by, so the couple was able to take it straight home at the end of the night. 

collage of reception photos at a wedding with dancing

Before the cake cutting, I pulled the couple aside for the last 6 minutes of portraits. As documentary-style photographers, we don’t want you to feel like your wedding day is a photoshoot. At the same time, we refuse to let you walk away without the gallery of your dreams. That’s why we carefully craft the timeline to make the portrait sessions as efficient and artistic as possible so you have time for what truly matters: celebrating with the people you love.

Our coverage ended with Erin and Alex’s cake cutting, where Erin quickly said a few words about how much it meant to her that so many people came to celebrate the beginning of a beautiful marriage.

collage of newlywed portraits during the reception outside

A Wedding to Remember

a dramatic lighting portrait of a bridal party

Erin and Alex’s wedding was one for the storybooks, not just for the Tolkien touches and beautiful setting. It was because of the love the two clearly show for each other. It was a day full of joy, laughter, and heartfelt moments, and Still Poetry Photography could not be more honored to have played a role in this day. 

I’ve been photographing Erin for years. She practically earned her spot as a Still Poetry Photography spokesperson with how much she’s modeled for me over the years. Even though I’ve photographed her in everything from angel wings to couture gowns to nothing at all, I’ve never seen her as radiant as she was on her wedding day. 

Whether you’re headed to Middle Earth for a Lord of the Rings themed wedding or you’re eloping and grabbing queso and Jarritos in New Jersey, we want to tell your wedding story! If you’re searching for a documentary-style wedding photographer with a husband and wife team passionate about authentic story-telling, check out our portfolio and send us a message!


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