Annelise and Jon’s November wedding unfolded across two iconic Main Line locations: a traditional St. Thomas of Villanova Church wedding ceremony, followed by an elegant black and white reception at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve.
As proud Villanova alumni, their choice of ceremony location felt deeply personal. Photographing their vows here felt epic in the truest sense of the word; soaring Gothic arches, luminous white stone, and generations of history echoing through every frame. Contrasted against their sleek and modern wedding reception, their day was full of unexpected design details. This is peak fall wedding season in Pennsylvania, and these two made the most of it!
Read More: Elegant November Wedding at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve
| Wedding Detail | Context |
|---|---|
| Couple | Annelise & Jon |
| Wedding Date | November 8 |
| Season | Late Fall / Winter |
| Guest Count | Approx. 130 guests |
| Ceremony Venue | St. Thomas of Villanova Church |
| Reception Venue | The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve |
| Overall Style | Black & white with burgundy, blush, and blue accents |
| Wedding Party | Family-only |
A Storied Ceremony St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel
Completed in the early 1900s, St. Thomas of Villanova Church is a working parish and campus landmark that feels less like a chapel and more like a European cathedral quietly dropped onto the Main Line! The symmetry, scale, and light filtering through stained glass quietly elevate every moment.
From Annelise’s processional down that impossibly long aisle to their recessional as newlyweds, the architecture did half the storytelling. My wide-angle lens was put to good use. This is exactly why weddings in this historic venue photograph so beautifully: the space gives you room to breathe, and the light is unmatched.
If you’re planning your own Villanova Church wedding, you may also love Annelise and Jon’s Villanova University campus engagement photos, which capture the same sense of place and history.
| Moment | Location | Why It Worked |
|---|---|---|
| Ceremony | St. Thomas of Villanova Church | Grand scale, historic architecture, incredible natural light |
| Cocktail Hour | The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve | Short transition from church ceremony |
| Reception | The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve | Modern ballroom balanced the traditional ceremony |
Black and White Wedding Color Palette with a Twist
After the ceremony, guests headed to The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve to enjoy cocktails, small bites, and the main event. The venue shift—from historic Gothic chapel to sleek, modern ballroom—worked because the design thread stayed consistent.
Annelise and Jon built their palette around black and white, then layered in burgundy, blush, and soft blue florals. Their Art Deco-inspired invitation suite was a favorite of mine and set the tone early. Think vintage elegance meets clean, modern lines.
From their modern black and white wedding seating chart to the soft, candlelit reception tables and lush floral arrangements, the design choices were so unique to them. Classic, with some fun and funky touches to add personality.
The tablescape leaned romantic and editorial—candlelit, lush florals, every detail intentional. But my favorite touches were the playful ones:
- custom black and white cookies
- a “deconstructed” guest book tied to their playing card theme
- a modern seating chart that doubled as décor
- black and white tambourines for their guests to use during the reception
| Design Element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Primary Palette | Black & white |
| Accent Colors | Burgundy, blush, and blue |
| Invitation Style | Art-deco inspired |
| Tablescape Mood | Candlelit, romantic, editorial |
| Guest Experience Touches | Custom cookies, interactive guest book, playing card theme |
Bride and Groom Style Details Worth Noting
After photographing Annelise’s gorgeous look during their Valley Forge engagement session, it was no surprise that her bridal look had everyone’s jaws on the floor. If you need proof, just check out the comments on this post.
Her hairstyle was an elevated version of the soft, romantic look she wore during their fall engagement photos, and her Anne Barge ballgown from Elizabeth Johns Couture was timeless in the best way.
Jon’s classic menswear kept everything clean, tailored, and undeniably dapper. The love and chemistry between these two had me grinning like a maniac all day!
Now. About their first look session at Stoneleigh Gardens. I may have said “OH! Right there! Just one more!” approximately 5 million times, because this golden hour light was unreal. Narrowing down their gallery might’ve been the hardest part of my job. We may have run over our buffer time… 😬 Worth it.
I think it’s safe to say these two are the king and queen of fall weddings!
Aperture lets the light in
Harry Styles
We belong together
It finally appears it’s only love
We belong togethеr
We belong togethеr
The Best PA Wedding Planning Team
Speaking of timelines and photo buffers, my job was made a heck of a lot easier thanks to Marian and her team of planners at Porch and Pearls. From the moment I arrived on site, I was struck by how smooth the day felt—and that’s no accident!
This team was truly the glue holding the day together. Having a planning team that anticipates needs, resolves every wardrobe malfunction, and keeps the energy calm makes all the difference. Marian’s team allowed Annelise and Jon to stay present, while I focused on storytelling behind the lens.
| Timeframe | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Detail photos in the bridal suite |
| 12:15 PM | Getting dressed & bridal portraits |
| 1:30 PM | First look photos at Stoneleigh Gardens |
| 3:30 PM | Ceremony coverage at Villanova Chapel |
| 4:45 PM | Travel + Cocktail Hour |
| 6:00 PM | Reception at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve with dinner, dancing, and toasts |
Why This Traditional Yet Modern Wedding Worked So Well
A few reasons this day felt so cohesive:
- Meaningful ceremony location. Villanova wasn’t just pretty—it mattered to them.
- Cohesive but not matchy-matchy design. Black and white as the anchor, then burgundy, blush, and blue to soften it
- A family-only wedding party. Kept the day intimate, the timeline relaxed, and the focus where it belonged.
- A thoughtful timeline. We allowed space to actually enjoy the day.
If you’re exploring Pennsylvania wedding venues or considering a Main Line celebration, this pairing of historic ceremony + modern reception is a blueprint worth studying.
Booking The Best Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer For Your Day
Planning a Villanova church wedding or a celebration at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve? I’d love to help you document it—beautifully, comfortably, and with a photographer who preps like a Type A but hypes like your best friend.
Explore more real Pennsylvania weddings on the blog to see what your day could look like. ✨
Lindsey Ford is a Pennsylvania and Delaware wedding photographer capturing weddings all over the East Coast, including the Main Line, Philadelphia, and Delaware. If you’re planning a Villanova church ceremony or a wedding at The Ballroom at Ellis Preserve, Lindsey is ready to document your day artfully and with intention. If you’re ready to book your wedding photography, inquire here!
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