Allison and Dan’s wedding at Hotel Du Village in New Hope, Pennsylvania was the perfect blend of elegance, intimacy, and family-centered moments. Set along the Delaware River, this charming boutique hotel offered a refined, European-inspired backdrop for a day that felt deeply personal from start to finish.
From the moment we arrived, it was clear this celebration was about connection. Every part of the timeline was designed to feel inclusive, comfortable, and meaningful, especially when it came to family. With a relaxed pace and beautiful outdoor spaces, the day unfolded naturally, giving our team the opportunity to capture genuine moments without rushing.
Photographers: Linera and Ryan
Venue: Hotel Du Village

Getting ready at Hotel Du Village
Allison began her day in the Colt Bridal Suite at Hotel Du Village, surrounded by her bridesmaids in a calm, joyful atmosphere. The space has beautiful natural light and clean, neutral tones, which is ideal for wedding photography. We focused on finishing touches, candid interactions, and the small details that help tell the full story, including invitations, rings, florals, and personal items.
One especially meaningful part of the morning was Allison’s plan to take getting ready photos with her mom in a separate room within the hotel, since the bridal suite was not accessible. It was a thoughtful approach that allowed for quiet, intentional portraits together as Allison put on her dress, creating images that feel tender and authentic.
Meanwhile, Dan got ready in the hotel’s cigar lounge, which gave his portion of the coverage a rich, classic look. The darker tones added great variety to the gallery and created a visual contrast to the brighter bridal suite. We captured a mix of details, relaxed candids, and those natural moments of the groomsmen helping each other with boutonnieres and accessories.

First look and portraits with their baby
Allison and Dan’s first look was a highlight of the day, made even more meaningful by including their five-month-old son, Wyatt, in a few portraits. Incorporating a baby into wedding photos always brings an extra layer of emotion, and these moments were especially sweet and timeless.
Hotel Du Village offers lovely outdoor spaces and greenery, which helped create soft, flattering portraits using natural light. Since Allison is susceptible to migraines from direct flash, having strong outdoor portrait options made this venue an excellent fit for their day.

Wedding party photos that feel relaxed and natural
Following the first look, we moved into wedding party photos with four bridesmaids, four groomsmen, and their officiant, who is also a close friend. The result was a series of images that felt personal rather than overly formal.
We photographed the full group, individual portraits with each member, and a mix of posed and candid moments. Having two photographers allowed us to capture both the structured portraits and the in-between interactions that bring energy and emotion into the final gallery.

Family photos with thoughtful planning and care
Family portraits were an important part of Allison and Dan’s wedding, and the timeline allowed for a calm, well-organized approach. Allison’s mom uses a scooter and was able to transfer to a chair for photos. Using matching chairs from the sweetheart table helped create a balanced and natural look in the images.
One especially meaningful portrait featured four generations together, Dan, Wyatt, Dan’s dad, and Dan’s grandpa. These are the kinds of photographs that become true family heirlooms, and it’s always an honor to capture them.


Ceremony at Hotel Du Village
The ceremony took place on site and felt intimate, heartfelt, and warm. Before guests arrived, we photographed the ceremony setup and details so Allison and Dan could remember how everything looked before the moment began.
During the ceremony, our focus was on storytelling, capturing expressions, reactions, and the natural flow of the event as it unfolded.

Cocktail hour details and guest photos
Cocktail hour at Hotel Du Village is ideal for a mix of ambiance photos, candid guest moments, and planned groupings. Allison and Dan scheduled time for extended family and friend photos during this portion of the day, including cousins and long-time friend groups.
While the lead photographer focused on groupings, the second photographer captured guest candids, food, décor, and the overall atmosphere. Because the couple chose not to do table photos during the reception, cocktail hour played an important role in making sure everyone was documented naturally.

Golden hour portraits at Hotel Du Village
Just before the reception, Allison and Dan stepped outside for golden hour portraits. Sunset photos are one of the best opportunities to create romantic, natural images, and Hotel Du Village offers beautiful light and surroundings for this time of day.
These portraits gave the couple a quiet moment together before returning to the celebration, resulting in images that feel calm, intimate, and timeless.

Reception moments and candid coverage
The reception was full of warmth and energy. With no formal table photos planned, our team focused on candid moments, laughter, conversations, and guests enjoying the evening.
The cake cutting took place at 8:00 PM, which is an ideal time to capture this moment while the room is still lively and guests are fully engaged.

Why we love photographing weddings at Hotel Du Village
Hotel Du Village is a wonderful venue for couples who want a wedding day that feels refined yet welcoming. It offers a great balance of indoor and outdoor spaces, beautiful natural light, and a layout that supports a smooth, relaxed timeline.
Allison and Dan’s wedding is a perfect example of how thoughtful planning and a focus on family can create a meaningful and memorable day. We’re so grateful to have captured their story.

Planning a Hotel Du Village wedding
If you’re planning a wedding at Hotel Du Village and looking for wedding photography that feels natural, editorial, and deeply personal, we’d love to connect. Our studio approach ensures consistent quality, seamless teamwork, and coverage that captures both the big moments and the quiet in-between ones that truly tell the story of your day. You can see more of our Hotel Du Village weddings here.
At Emma Cleary Photo and Video, we excel in both photojournalistic and editorial styles. This ensures we capture not only the natural, candid moments but also the carefully curated details that make your wedding day special. If you’d like to learn more about our approach, check out our article on different photography styles.
