Shannon and John are celebrating 12 years dating and their 9 year Chadds Ford wedding anniversary. They decided to really celebrate, get dressed up, and run aroundto the wineries and winding streets of where they live. Penn Woods Winery was our first stop then off to Brandwine Park and the covered bridge in Chadds Ford, PA with an amazing bouquet by Fresh Designs Florist. Shannon & John never had engagement photos and don’t get fancy often, so they decided this was their chance to get super glam! I am so happy they also decided to incorporate their theatrical son Gabe all dressed up to celebrate his family and where it all began.
Shannon & John met at a bar. If you know Shannon, this is not surprising. Going out for drinks with her friends was her preferred activity in her early 20s. They met through mutual friends and she had not yet had enough to drink to make her way to the dance floor, so John kept Shannon company. After talking all night they went their separate ways. Not for long though. John called a day later and they soon met up again. Our relationship was one of instant comfort. They just meshed. Liked the same things. Felt the same way about all of the important and not important things. There was no one moment of deciding to do life together, it just happened that way.
Shannon: One of the best parts of John is that he is genuinely good-natured. He showed me early on when being introduced to my huge, loud Irish family. He learned everyone’s names, found something to talk to each one about and never once needed me stuck to his side to be comfortable. He charmed everyone. He is so friendly and interested in everyone around him and he seems to fill in all those parts where I lack.
John: From those early days where she expected nothing but appreciated everything, I knew she was the woman I wanted to be with. She’s supportive and snarky and has the best sense of humor and I’m lucky to have her.
Spending the sunset with Shannon & John, running around the park, speeding around up and down the hills clinching the doors, sneaking into the winery field, the short time with them was full of laughs, jokes, and just like John mentioned snarky comments! I loved getting a glimpse into the speed of having a kiddo, family, businesses, and being in the political limelight. After 12 years of being together, they know one another’s ticks and just ebbed and flowed so easily.
Stay tuned for the next couple in the anniversary series, who after 20 years still love to spend their free time together and go sailing!
I love the idea of an anniversary portrait session and you have photographed this anniversary beautifully, Carly! Chadds Ford is such a beautiful area for portraits and I love the covered bridge. Shannon has a beautiful family and these photographs captured them perfectly.