Modern, Black and White Fitler Club Wedding | Ellen and Corey

Real Wedding

Apr 8

Ellen and Corey’s wedding was one of those days that felt layered with meaning from the very beginning.

Ellen is the sister of a former DPNAK bride whose wedding I planned back in 2015, and in a full-circle moment that still makes me smile, that bride’s husband officiated this one. Add in Ellen and Corey’s two (adorable) little girls, who were seamlessly woven into the day from first looks through the ceremony, and the celebration felt deeply personal in a way that was natural and unforced.

They hosted their wedding at the Fitler Club, a venue I would happily work with again. The design leaned modern and minimal, intentionally letting the architecture and energy of the space shine. A mostly black-and-white palette set the tone, with black linens and chairs grounding the room and soft white florals adding contrast without distraction. The result felt elevated but comfortable, polished but not precious, and perfectly aligned with how Ellen and Corey wanted the day to feel.

One of the standout design moments was the greenery canopy created by We Are Wildflowers, installed above both the ceremony altar and the entire dance floor. It brought warmth and movement into the space while still keeping the overall look clean and intentional.

Throughout the day, Pat Robinson Photography captured everything beautifully, from quiet family moments to the packed dance floor later that night.

The day began quietly at the Fitler Club, with both Ellen and Corey getting ready on site in separate spaces. Ellen spent the morning in one of the Fitler suites with her wedding party, moms, and the girls, which immediately set a relaxed tone.

Hair and makeup were handled by True Beauty Marks and Dev Esthetics LLC, who kept things calm, efficient, and right on schedule.

With breakfast and lunch provided on site, the morning felt easy and well paced, with no unnecessary transitions or distractions.

Meanwhile, Corey and his crew leaned fully into one of the most fun spaces at the Fitler Club, the Trophy Room. It is such a playful room complete with a bowling alley, basketball toss game, foosball, and a bar, which made it the perfect place to hang out, decompress, and enjoy the lead-up to the ceremony. Having everyone under one roof from the start allowed the day to unfold naturally, without the usual back-and-forth between locations. It was organized without feeling rigid, and set the tone for a wedding day that prioritized being present with their favorite people vs. rushing.

Ellen and Corey chose to do their first looks on site at the Fitler Club, taking full advantage of the variety of spaces the venue offers. Their time together felt quiet and intentional, a chance to slow things down before the rest of the day unfolded.

What made this part especially meaningful was how seamlessly the two little girls were included. Seeing Corey with Peyton and Hazel first, and then bringing everyone together, created moments that felt genuine and deeply rooted in family, not staged or rushed.

The ceremony was intentionally short but still incredibly meaningful. A dramatic greenery installation by We Are Wildflowers framed the altar and created an impact that is hard to fully appreciate in the photos. With that and the lighting, it really transformed the space while still allowing the ceremony itself to feel simple and centered.

One of the most powerful moments came as Ellen walked down the aisle with her two girls. With her dad having passed away in recent years, she did what only a true super-mom could do, carrying her youngest while holding her bouquet and continuing forward with quiet confidence and strength.

Cocktail hour unfolded after the ceremony, giving guests space to mingle, grab a drink, and ease into the evening. With live music setting the tone and plenty of room to move, it felt relaxed without losing momentum. It was the kind of cocktail hour where conversations linger a little longer and no one feels rushed to get to the next thing.

One of my FAVORITE personal touches was the addition of Swiftie-style friendship bracelets for guests — handmade, of course, by Ellen and her sister, Emma. It was playful, unexpected, and instantly brought smiles, a small detail that sparked conversation and leaned into fun without feeling overdone.

Between the music, the energy in the room, and those thoughtful personal nods, cocktail hour struck the perfect balance of elevated and lighthearted before guests made their way into the (totally transformed) reception space.

During cocktail hour, the main ballroom space at the Fitler Club was flipped from the ceremony setting into the reception space for dinner and dancing. By the time guests returned, everything was in place and the transition felt effortless, one of those behind-the-scenes wins that keeps the evening moving without interruption.

Once the reception kicked off, Pop Philly immediately set the tone. From the first songs through a packed dance floor later in the night, they kept the energy high without overwhelming the room. Dinner flowed smoothly into dancing, the floor stayed full, and the night unfolded exactly as it should, relaxed, celebratory, and full of joy.

Planning Ellen and Corey’s wedding was an absolute honor. Being invited back into a family’s story years later, and trusted to help guide such a meaningful milestone, is something I never take lightly.

Thank you, Ellen and Corey, for allowing me to be part of such an important chapter of your lives. It was a joy to walk alongside you, your family, and your incredible vendor team on a day that felt every bit as special as it was heartfelt.