Mary and Morgan’s Summer Wedding at John James Audubon Center

Nestled in the heart of Pennsylvania, the John James Audubon Center sits on 175 acres of sweeping meadows, rolling hills, and apple orchards—the perfect backdrop to Mary and Morgan’s unforgettable wedding day.

The JJAC is one of my favorite places to shoot weddings. The grounds are transformed depending on the season, with spring and fall being my personal favorites to photograph.

Winter weddings are warm and intimate with roaring fires, while summer weddings are shaded by the trees and wooden pavilion. And (thankfully!) there is AC throughout the property.

two brides in white dresses hold hands as they twirl in front of a backdrop of dense greenery at the John James Audubon Center

I was so honored to capture the true love between Mary and Morgan, keeping the photography intimate and capturing photos that would be cherished for a lifetime. From candid moments to heartfelt embraces with family and friends, every special moment of their perfect day is documented below.

Pink velvet ring boxes surrounded by pink floral cuttings hold gold and silver rings and earrings

John James Audubon Center Weddings

The John James Audubon Center is perfect if you’re looking for a tranquil escape from the city for your wedding. With a huge focus on the great outdoors, the property offers a variety of unique locations that are perfect for your first look photos, whether that’s beside the pond, in the sprawling gardens, or under the canopy in the woodlands.

18th Century farmhouse at the John James Audubon Center

With an 18th-century farmhouse, an original fieldstone barn, and the new modern wooden pavilion, as well as ample outdoor spaces, there are endless places to tie the knot on the property. Mary and Morgan chose to take advantage of the warmer weather by hosting their ceremony outside in the orchard before celebrating the reception in the indoor-outdoor pavilion.

Photo Locations at John James Audubon Center

After capturing the getting-ready process, we began the day with unique portraits amongst the trees and portraits on the manicured lawn in front of the rustic and cozy farmhouse. The green backdrop of the canopy was the perfect contrast to their white dresses and natural beauty.

Picking which portraits to share in this post was close to an impossible task. These two photograph so well together and I just cannot get enough of their gallery! The variety of shots we were able to capture was in part because of JJAC’s amazing property, but also because Mary and Morgan trusted me implicitly. I capture the best shots when you’re comfortable being fully yourself while I do my thing.

To say that we loved working with Lindsey would be an understatement… Our booking process was so easy and Lindsey provided some really helpful tips and tricks for everything leading up to our wedding day. We were very excited for our engagement shoot, but it being our first formal photo session, we were mildly anxious for it as well. Those anxious nerves quickly turned to pure excitement and confidence as Lindsey gassed us up for 2 straight hours and our pictures turned out beautiful! …We walked away from our engagement session with such a genuine connection with Lindsey and truly couldn’t wait for her to capture our wedding. On our wedding day, Lindsey was prepared, calm, organized, warm and at the ready to pump up the entire wedding party all day. She is the perfect combination of director, stylist, right hand-person, photographer, and friend…When we saw our preview pictures shortly after our wedding, we were blown away. Lindsey perfectly captured both of us and there is not a bad photo in the bunch…Lindsey is so talented, fun, a genuinely good person and the best addition to our wedding day, hands down. We truly could not be happier to have Lindsey as our photographer and can’t recommend her enough!!
Morgan Butler

Dusty Mauve and Navy Wedding Theme

Complimenting the natural color palette of the gardens and summer foliage, the brides chose a dusty mauve and navy wedding theme, seamlessly tying the wedding to the surroundings. From the dusty rose colored bridesmaid dresses to the delicate blooms and lush, green foliage adorning the tables, the pinky mauve and navy wedding color combination was a highlight of last year’s wedding season.

Seven Bridesmaids wearing dusty rose dresses and one bridesman wearing a navy suit surround two brides on their wedding day

And when I say these coordinating bouquets by Holly with A Floral Affair took the cake, I mean I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I first saw them.

Close up photo of two lush floral bouquets of orange blue and pink during a summer wedding at JJAC

Wedding Photography at John James Audubon Center

It’s always impossible to choose a favorite photo from a wedding as special as Mary and Morgan’s, but I can’t help smiling when I think about the unexpected visitor that showed up during their sweet wedding ceremony. JJAC’s very own Bambi decided to make an appearance to witness the occasion as Mary and Morgan said their vows and exchanged rings!

I also love the candid shots of the bride leaving the ceremony in the golf cart. As the first fleeting moments after tying the knot begin to sink in, the love they have for each other is truly apparent in this intimate series of shots.

Cocktail Hour and Wedding Reception at the Pavilion

After the elegant outdoor ceremony, it was time to head inside to the beautifully decorated pavilion for the reception and welcome cocktails (the spiked thyme lemonade looked so yummy!).

Exceptionally fun fact about the JJAC: Sometimes the staff will bring out owls to entertain and interact with guests during cocktail hour. Count yourself lucky if you catch a glimpse of Oden, Abby, Oscar, Sherlock, and Mortimer, the five precious owls the center rehabs and uses to educate visitors about their species. As if this isn’t enough to melt your heart, three of them are blind in one eye. 😭 This might be my favorite thing ever.

I was able to capture plenty of shots throughout Mary and Morgan’s reception, the most special ones being the intimate shots I captured during both the father-of-the-bride and grandfather dances (more than a few tears were shed during this sweet moment!).

Once the speeches and first dances were completed, it was time for everyone to let their hair down. As the brides and their guests headed to the dance floor, I was able to hide in the shadows and get some of the best stolen photos of the night.

Vaulted wooden ceiling beams are lit with market lights Inside the pavilion at the John James Audubon Center at night during a wedding reception with guests dancing

Some of my other favorite snaps from the day are the details that personalized Mary and Morgan’s day and made the whole experience unique. From the fun snacks—ice cream cones, cheesecake lollipops, and cupcakes—to skis in lieu of a guestbook, they truly made the day their own. I especially loved the matching rainbow socks worn by the men at the wedding party and the M&M favors at the end of the night.

The day was filled with laughter, tears, and moments of pure happiness—a testament to the love that Mary and Morgan share.

Planning a Wedding at the John James Audubon Center

If you’re thinking of booking your wedding at the John James Audubon Center, the JJAC is available for events all year round. I love the fact that a percentage of all rental proceeds go towards the continued conservation efforts at the property, in particular the onsite sanctuary.

Two brides smile at each other while holding half eaten ice cream cones during their wedding reception

The John James Audubon Center at Mill Creek offers a handful of permanent indoor structures and plenty of outdoor space. The property can cater to intimate affairs of 50 people to larger-scale parties of 250+ and has won multiple awards and recommendations from both Wedding Wire and The Knot.
This unique Pennsylvania venue is always a pleasure to photograph, especially on wedding days. Contact me if you’re planning your wedding at the JJAC and want a photographer who will take full advantage of everything this venue has to offer. I can’t wait to go back!