Lia and Rob went to the same JCC Camp as kids but officially met during the summer of 2016. In addition to recognizing Rob immediately, she noticed he had a Weimaraner on his lap when he appeared as a suggested friend on Facebook. During this time, her family had recently said goodbye to their beloved Weimaraner pet and missed her dearly.
On their first date, it rained, but as soon as Rob held her hand, everything else seemed to fade away. Their friendship quickly blossomed after they reconnected. Their summer together was essentially inseparable and they fell deeply in love. But, in no time, their summer romance had come to an end. Even so, they knew what they had was special and wanted it to last forever.
This lovely couple instantly became best friends and loved spending every second together. They started dating when they were preparing to return to school for the fall semester a few weeks later. They realized they wanted to spend their lives together. It happened quickly, but they knew they had found their other half.
In the four years between earning their undergraduate degrees at Drexel University and NJIT, Lia and Rob lived long-distance, visiting each other on the weekends as often as they could. Friday evenings filled their hearts with excitement and Sunday mornings were filled with dreadful goodbyes.
After many Skype calls, train tickets, bus rides, and study sessions, they completed their degrees. Their long-distance relationship lasted through the pandemic, and they moved in together. As Rob navigated his engineering career, Lia worked towards her MBA. Everything fell into place by May of 2021 when Rob proposed.
The proposal:
Despite Philadelphia's unusually chilly and rainy weather on May 30th, Rob wanted to take graduation photos. Lia had no idea that he had something else in mind. They made their promise to each other official when Rob got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. In the misty rain, she took his hand and said "YES"!
As they approach their wedding day, they look forward to seeing each other for the first time and finally sealing the deal with their loved ones! They can't wait to start their lives together as an officially married couple.
Wishing a long and happy marriage to Grace and Ryan!!
Here are some favorites from their Curtis Atrium wedding beautifully captured by Ralph Deal Photography.
Getting Ready
Bride and Groom
The Curtis Atrium Wedding Ceremony
The Curtis Atrium Wedding Reception
Lia and Rob choose The Curtis Atrium in Philadelphia because it is grand, elegant, timeless, romantic, and located in one of their favorite areas of Philadelphia.
A 100-year-old landmark in downtown Philadelphia, The Curtis Atrium is the idyllic venue for one of the most timeless weddings of a lifetime. From the luxurious bridal suite to the airy cocktail hour mezzanine, couples recite vows in a twelve-story chamber adorned with delicate décor.
As you enter the historic Curtis Atrium, you feel as though you are entering an era when elegance and luxury were not only common but natural. You are greeted by towering columns, radiant skylights and a grand staircase framed by an art deco waterfall.
Reception: The Curtis Atrium│Dress: La Belle Mariee and Vulcania by Pronovias│Grooms Suit: Jos. A. Bank│Shoes: Bella Belle│Cake: Alfred S. DiBartolo│Music: Adam Weitz - Xplosive Entertainment│Hair: Jill Kozar of Starlit Salon assisted by Maureen │Make-up: Emily of Dylan Michael Cosmetics assisted by Ceyl │Florist: Steven J Letendre of Willow and Thistle│Videographer: Shutter and Sound│Wedding Planner: Elizabeth Knox
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"Wow where to begin! Ralph was our photographer last year for our October wedding, from the first phone conversation I had with him I knew a made the right choice. I could not have been happier with how my pictures turned out as well as with the experience my husband and I had with Ralph and his entire team. Throughout the entire process Ralph took the time to make sure everything went perfectly even when it didn't. Ralph was professional, attentive, and patient to every email, text, phone call and question, including the ones asking him to resend our photos almost a year post wedding because it slipped my mind to download them. Can't wait to work with him and his team over and over again for year to come!"
-Jackie Izabelle