Intimate, School-Themed Wedding at Bok | Janae and Jon
Janae and Jon are the kind of people who know exactly who they are, and their wedding reflected that completely.
They weren't looking for a traditional ballroom or a manicured estate. They wanted something that felt like them: interesting, a little unexpected, warm, and full of personality. And every single decision they made — the venue, the florals, the music, the ceremony itself — came together in a way that just worked.
Inna from Peach Plum Pear Photo captured every bit of it beautifully, and I've been sitting on these images for wayyyy too long waiting to share them. Worth the wait doesn't even cover it.
Getting Ready at Bok
Janae spent the morning at Bok with her mom and her three sisters. True Beauty Marks took care of hair and makeup while everyone settled in and enjoyed the morning together. Meanwhile, Jon was getting ready in one room over with his crew.
The details throughout the getting-ready hours were so them — a lush orange bouquet from We Are Wildflowers sitting on a shelf next to Janae's shoes, the invitation suite from Revival Letterpress laid out on a deep teal surface. The stationery leaned fully into the school theme: library card-style inserts for the invite details, homeroom assignments as the seating guide. It was clever, cohesive, and absolutely delightful.
First Look
Jon was waiting in the Bok Auditorium when Janae came in, and the moment he turned around… you just knew. His reaction said everything. They kissed right there in the middle of all those empty theater seats, and Inna caught it perfectly.
From there, they had a full stretch of portrait time around the building, through the hallways, outside on the rooftop with the Philadelphia skyline in the background.
Family and VIPs joined later for group photos, and even those felt relaxed and easy — a reflection of the couple themselves.
The Ceremony
Guests found their seats in the Auditorium while Philadelphia String Quartet played the prelude. Then, before the processional began, something happened that I hadn't quite seen before.
The stage curtains opened and a short film started playing. Janae and Jon had recorded a video where they each told their story: how they met, what they love about each other, why they chose this day. It was personal, funny, and completely unexpected, and guests were already emotional before a single person had walked down the aisle.
Then the curtains closed. The music shifted. And Gracie — their dog, wearing a floral collar made by We Are Wildflowers — walked in with their officiant. Jon processed in to "Storybook Love" from The Princess Bride. And then Janae, on her dad Dave's arm, to "Homeward Bound."
The ceremony was written by Janae and Jon themselves, and officiated by their friend Josh. They wrote their own vows, exchanged rings, and when Josh presented them as newlyweds for the first time, the recessional was "This Magic Moment." And it really was.
Cocktail Hour
Plan A was Bok’s seventh-floor West Terrace — and honestly, the views up there on a clear fall evening are hard to beat. But the weather had other ideas, and cocktail hour moved inside instead. Not a problem. The space was warm, the passed hors d'oeuvres from Catering by Design were excellent (pork belly, mini lobster rolls, Nashville hot chicken, tuna poke cones — YUM). Guests settled right in.
Meanwhile, Inna snuck Janae and Jon up to the rooftop for one more round of portraits with the Philadelphia skyline. Worth every minute.
The Reception
The Bok Gymnasium had been completely transformed. Even with a more intimate guest count, the space never felt cavernous. The couple made smart use of Bok's lounge furniture alongside some of their own pieces, and Greenly Plant Co.(one of the vendors from in the building) brought in lush plants that filled out the room beautifully. We Are Wildflowers filled the tables with lush orange, peach, and cream arrangements — warm and slightly wild, like the whole day. String lights hung above. The chalkboard welcome sign was done by the couple, and the school theme from the stationery carried right through: Revival Letterpress brought that same library-card-and-chalkboard energy all the way to the reception details. It felt personal in a way that you can't manufacture.
Josh — friend, officiant, and clearly a natural on a mic — introduced the couple and kicked off the first dance. They danced to a personal edit of "Earth Angel" and genuinely looked like they were having the time of their lives. Janae's dad Dave gave the first toast, followed by a trio of longtime friends who delivered.
Catering by Design served a full plated dinner and the dessert spread from Second Daughter Baking Co. was a full moment — lemon raspberry cutting cake plus brownies, mini cinnamon buns, fruit tarts, and enough varieties of mini cupcakes to spark a debate.
After dinner, Chris Ward from The Other Wedding DJ opened the floor to "Let's Hear it for the Boy" and it did not close for the rest of the night.
The last song was "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." Felt right.
Janae and Jon — watching your day come together was one of the highlights of my year. Thank you for the trust, the vision, and the chance to be there for it. Congratulations, you two.
Vendor Team
Coordination: DPNAK Events / @dpnak
Venue: Bok / @buildingbok
Photography: Peach Plum Pear Photo / @peachplumpearphoto
Videography & Lighting: Nate Marquez / @ncmshoots
Ceremony A/V & Projection: Klip Collective / @klipcollective
Catering: Catering by Design / @cateringbydesignevents
Florals: We Are Wildflowers / @wearewildflowers
Hair & Makeup: True Beauty Marks / @truebeautymarks
Ceremony Musicians: Philadelphia String Quartet / @phillystring
DJ: The Other Wedding DJ / @theotherweddingdj
Baker: Second Daughter Baking Co. / @seconddaughterbakingco
Stationery: Revival Letterpress / @revivalletterpress
Plants & Greenery: Greenly Plant Co. / @greenlyplantco
Photo Booth: Classic Photo Booth
