Real Wedding at Water Works | Jen and Zach

Jen and Zach’s love story began in an unexpected yet fateful way. Despite their paths crossing many times throughout their childhood and college years, it wasn’t until they were both 25 that their journey truly started. They matched on JSwipe, a dating app for Jewish singles, and spent two months getting to know each other through the app. Their shared interests and similar life experiences created an instant bond. Finally, they met in person at a local bar to watch an Eagles game for their first date.

Jen was the first to realize she was falling for Zach. It happened after a Sixers game she had gotten tickets for as a birthday present for him. By then, they had been dating for several months, and Jen had come to admire Zach’s loyalty, commitment, and ambition. That night, as they enjoyed each other’s company and celebrated the Sixers’ win, Jen felt a profound connection and thought to herself, “Wow, I think I love this guy.”

For Zach, it was Jen’s empathy that captured his heart. Her ability to feel others’ highs and lows made her the go-to person for family and friends at any time, day or night. Zach was in awe of her emotional intelligence and her capacity to maintain deep-rooted relationships with so many people. He felt incredibly fortunate to learn from her how to establish such a meaningful relationship together.

Their relationship progressed so naturally that neither Jen nor Zach could pinpoint the exact moment they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. For Jen, it was the realization that she was considering moving to California, something she had sworn she would never do. This realization was a testament to how deeply she cared for Zach and their future together.

For Zach, the moment of clarity came during a trip to Glacier National Park. It was their first opportunity to spend an extended period alone together. As two self-identified introverts, this trip was a special time for them to grow both individually and as a couple. After a hike to an overlook of Lake McDonald, Zach noticed a couple behind them dressed in wedding attire, having a photo shoot. As he looked at Jen, who was gazing out at the mountains and water, he took a picture of her and wished he had an engagement ring at that moment. He knew then that he never wanted to miss another opportunity to cement their love.

The Proposal:

The proposal came during a Matz family vacation in Cabo at a beautiful farm-to-table restaurant called Flora Farms. Zach, with the approval of Jen’s parents, planned a private walk through the grounds with a photographer trailing to capture the moment. Zach hadn’t told anyone about the proposal, so when they returned to the family, they got to surprise them with the exciting news and celebrate over drinks and dinner.

As their wedding day approached, both Jen and Zach were filled with excitement. Jen looked forward to the moment Zach would break the glass, officially marking their union, and both were eager to dance the night away with their family and friends. Their love story was just beginning, filled with serendipitous moments and deep connections.

Here are our favorites from their elegant wedding at the Water Works beautifully captured by Ralph Deal Photography.

Getting Ready

A collection of wedding elements including handwritten vows and letters, bride's accessories and heels, and an elegantly displayed invitation on a gray background with floral accents. Groom's wedding attire featuring a white ribbon tie, formal shoes, watch, and other accessories laid out for display. Wedding stationery ensemble featuring handwritten vows, personal letters, bride's accessories including jewelry and heels, and an invitation laid out on a gray background with floral accents. Joyful bride in white silk pajamas surrounded by her bridesmaids in blue silk pajamas, all smiling together. Silhouette shot of black and white image of bride and her mother holding up the wedding gown together. Bride's face expressing delighted surprise as she reacts to the opened wedding gifts. Bride and her mother smiling joyfully as they hold up the wedding gown, admiring it together. Bride beaming with happiness while holding a special gift from her groom. Radiant bride beaming with joy in her beautiful wedding gown. Proud parents of the bride smiling with joy upon their first glimpse of their daughter in her wedding attire. Radiant bride in her wedding gown, smiling warmly while looking to the side. Emotional moment as the father embraces his daughter upon seeing her in her wedding gown for the first time. Tender moment captured as the bride's mother gently holds her daughter's hand Maid of honor expressing shock and awe, hands covering her mouth, upon first seeing the bride in her wedding attire.

Bride and Groom

Elegant bride holding a bouquet, standing in the midst of a cityscape with towering buildings in the background. Happy newlyweds smiling warmly as they embrace in a loving portrait. Close-up of bride's jewelry: blue gemstone bracelet on wrist and matching blue gemstone ring Close-up of bride in white lace gown and veil kissing groom in dark suit. Couple embracing tenderly against a soft-focus background of green trees and foliage. Romantic wedding portrait capturing intimate moment. Elegant bride holding a bouquet, standing in the midst of a cityscape with tall buildings as a backdrop Close-up bridal portrait: radiant bride with natural makeup, wearing white wedding gown and veil, smiling warmly at camera Close-up of bride holding a lush, mixed floral bouquet with white, peach, and pink flowers, greenery, and eucalyptus leaves against her white lace wedding dress Newlywed couple in wedding attire sitting on a bench, holding hands and smiling at the camera. Happy newlyweds posing together, the bride holding her bouquet as they both smile radiantly. Bride holding up her phone to capture a selfie as the couple leans in for a kiss shot the newlyweds share a tender gaze as they pause for a timeless portrait on a walk board beside a lake the newlyweds share a tender gaze as they pause for a timeless portrait beside an ornate iron railing. Elegant bride, in a flowing gown, pauses for a timeless portrait beside an ornate iron railing. Husband and wife, bathed in the warm glow of their vows, steal a romantic kiss in front of a picturesque lakeside facade. bride and groom pose for their portrait while being silhouetted against a breathtaking landscape of towering rocks. bride and groom pose for their portrait while being silhouetted against a breathtaking landscape of towering rocks. Husband and wife, bathed in the warm glow of their vows, steal a romantic kiss in front of a picturesque lakeside facade.

Waterworks Ceremony

the elegant chuppah installed at water works Bride and groom attentively review and sign the ketubah, their Jewish marriage contract, witnessed by loved ones. Two silver Kiddush cups, traditionally used for blessings during the Jewish wedding ceremony, rest on a decorative cloth. A radiant bride, surrounded by her loving parents, shares a heartfelt moment as they prepare for the walk down the aisle. Proud parents escort their radiant daughter down the aisle, embarking on a new chapter as husband and wife. Groom receives a warm hug from his mom, filled with love and support, before walking down the aisle to meet his bride. A whimsical cardboard cutout of a dog adds a touch of fun, while a woven basket displays the wedding menu and a kippah rests nearby Bride and groom attentively review and sign the ketubah Loving parents walk their beaming daughter down the aisle, starting her journey as a wife. A tender moment unfolds as the bride's father adjusts her veil, a silent exchange of love and pride before giving her hand in marriage. Emotional moment as a proud father embraces his tearful bride after walking her down the aisle. radiant bride smiles at the guests during the ceremony Under the open canopy of a chuppah, a radiant bride and groom exchange vows in a heartfelt Jewish wedding ceremony. bride and groom lovingly look at each other during the ceremony bride getting emotional during the wedding ceremony The bride is veiled by her groom to be during their ceremony couple under the chuppah during their wedding at water works Groom recites his vows during the wedding ceremony Groom breaks the glass after their jewish wedding ceremony couple shares a kiss as they exit their wedding ceremony

Wedding at Waterworks Reception

Bride and groom sharing a kiss beside their wedding reception decor, featuring decorative signs. Historic water works building, with its distinctive facade, stands beside a flowing river. Historic water works building, with its distinctive facade, stands beside a flowing river. Elegant floral centerpieces adorn tables at a wedding reception, creating a romantic ambiance. Elegantly decorated wedding cake on display as part of the reception decor Side-profile view of the groom embracing the bride from behind, both bathed in warm, front-facing light. Joyful newlyweds entering their wedding reception hand-in-hand, faces lit up with smiles as they take in the scene. Radiant bride smiling warmly, bathed in soft light, as she holds her wedding gown. Newlyweds posing with a kiss while holding hands and displaying cut-out pictures of their pets during their wedding reception. Cut-out pictures of the newlyweds' pets displayed atop floral arrangements as wedding decor. Newlyweds sharing a kiss while holding hands and displaying cut-out pictures of their pets during their wedding reception. Under the soft glow of fairy lights, the newlyweds dip into a slow dance. Their eyes meet, filled with a love that has culminated in this very moment. Newlyweds sharing a romantic kiss as they strike a pose following their wedding reception dance. Tender moment captured as the bride's father embraces her during their dance at the wedding reception. Groom gracefully twirling his mother during their joyful dance at the wedding reception. Emotional moment as the bride's father embraces both his daughter and wife during their dance at the wedding reception. Touching moment as the groom dances with his mother during the wedding reception. Joyful bride sharing warm embraces with her friends during the wedding reception celebration. Groom gracefully twirling his mother during their joyful dance at the wedding reception. Touching moment as the groom dances with his mother during the wedding reception. Elegant black and white image of the bride gracefully holding up her gown during the wedding reception. Newlyweds laughing and holding on as guests lift them in chairs during a lively wedding reception tradition. Jubilant newlyweds, radiant in their wedding attire, celebrate with their bridesmaids and groomsmen on a scenic lakeside terrace. The happy couple strikes a pose with their awesome bridesmaids and groomsmen on a gorgeous lakeside patio. Elegant newlyweds celebrate their union with their radiant bridal party on a picturesque lakeside terrace. Radiant bride beams for the camera, bathed in the groom's adoring gaze, on their wedding day. Blissful newlyweds, locked in a kiss on a scenic lakeside terrace. Newlyweds share a romantic kiss on a picturesque lakeside terrace. Silhouetted couple, gazing into each other's eyes, stands romantically on a lakeside terrace under a twilight sky. Newlywed couple, glowing with happiness, pose for a photo on a picturesque lakeside terrace. Joyful newlywed couple, embraced in a hug, smile radiantly at the camera on a lakeside terrace. Newlyweds share a romantic kiss on a picturesque lakeside terrace. Newlyweds share a romantic kiss on a picturesque lakeside terrace. Newlyweds stroll hand-in-hand by a lake, sharing a sweet look at each other while the sunset bathes the scene in warm light Newlywed couple, hand-in-hand, stroll along a brick path beside a calm lake. They share a tender kiss, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun

Reception: Water Works | Dress: La Bella Moda | Music: BVT | Hair and Make-up: Mackenzie | Cake: Coordinated with Water Works | Florist: Beautiful Blooms | Videographer: Allure Films | Coordinator: Dana Staab

Let’s Talk About Your Wedding!

“I highly recommend hiring Ralph Deal as your wedding photographer! Our pictures turned out beautifully and we got all of the shots that we wanted. Ralph was such a great communicator leading up to the wedding. We had several meetings to discuss what we wanted for our wedding, which was extremely helpful. Ralph wanted to know every detail about us and the wedding day and was very thorough. I especially recommend Ralph because he made the day run so smoothly. Because my fiancée and I didn’t want to do a first look, we had a very tight amount of time to get our pictures taken in.

Ralph was so good at directing us, our bridal party, and our families so he could quickly get the perfect shots. We spent the 2 hours between the mass ending and the reception starting getting all of the photos we wanted. Ralph was so efficient that we didn’t miss 1 minute of our cocktail hour! Ralph is not only a great photographer, but a nice and fun person to work with. I feel like we got to know Ralph and he got to know us. It was so nice working with someone who made us feel so comfortable.

And like I said, our pictures are absolutely gorgeous.
I’m so glad we had Ralph as our photographer to capture our day!”

-Grace Abbott

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A bride and groom hold hands in a cityscapes walking away from the camera in the city center backshot with tall buildings in the background, walking towards a city hall.