When Morgan and Chris planned their wedding day, they dreamed of a romantic, sophisticated celebration along the river. River House at Odette’s in New Hope, Pennsylvania, turned out to be the perfect place to bring that vision to life. Morgan was living in Lambertville, NJ when she first met Chris and fell in love with the area. A few years, apartment moves, and a dog later, Chris brought her to New Hope, PA to propose on April 6th, 2024. They immediately decided to get married at Odette’s because New Hope/Lambertville always held a special place in their hearts!
As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I’m always excited to photograph at this gorgeous venue, but their elegant spring wedding was truly breathtaking. From the stunning floral arch to the heartfelt moments between loved ones, their River House at Odette’s wedding was everything you’d hope for in a riverside celebration.
Morning Preparations at River House at Odette’s
Morgan started the morning surrounded by her closest friends in one of River House at Odette’s beautiful suites, the Bridge and Bow Suite. With its light-filled interiors and refined details, it was the perfect space for a calm, joyful start to the day. Morgan wore a sweet white pajama set paired with a delicate white robe, while her bridesmaids matched in chic black pajamas personalized with their first names.
One of the best aspects of hosting their wedding at River House was the convenience of having everything in one place. It eliminated the need to rush between locations or worry about travel. Everyone could truly settle in and enjoy each moment. Chris and his groomsmen also got ready onsite, which made the entire day feel seamless and grounded.
After Morgan put on her wedding gown, she shared a sweet first look with her dad, just the two of them, with the serene river flowing behind them. It was a truly quiet and meaningful moment, and I loved being there to capture the emotions as they unfolded.
Meanwhile, Chris and his groomsmen looked sharp in classic black tuxedos paired with timeless black bow ties.
A Private First Look & Portraits Before the Ceremony
Before the ceremony began, Morgan and Chris shared a first look in front of their ceremony space. One of the most memorable moments of the day was the way Chris truly took his time to admire Morgan, soaking in every detail of her dress and how radiant she looked.
As Morgan described, “It was such a genuine, away from the crowd. The moment we saw each other during our first look is when everything truly started to feel real. Even though we knew our families, photographers, videographers, and plenty of bystanders were watching, it somehow felt like it was just the two of us. All the planning, anticipation, and excitement came together in that instant. It finally hit us that this was our wedding day and we were about to marry each other. We were so overwhelmed with happiness and couldn’t wait to start the celebration.”
Afterward, we took portraits of them together in front of their stunning floral arch. Designed entirely with white blooms, the arch framed them beautifully against the backdrop of the river and spring greenery. The neutral palette felt both modern and romantic, a perfect fit for this River House at Odette’s wedding.
A Classic Riverfront Ceremony at River House at Odette’s
Morgan and Chris’s ceremony took place along the riverbank, with the floral arch front and center and grounded white floral arrangements lining the aisle. The ceremony setting was tranquil, framed by fully bloomed spring trees and the gentle movement of the river nearby.
Their River House at Odette’s wedding ceremony was intimate and genuine. They each read personal vows, thoughtful and sincere promises, surrounded by the quiet support of their closest family and friends. It was such a beautiful moment to witness.
From Signature Cocktails to a Stunning Reception
After their River House at Odette’s wedding ceremony, guests enjoyed a cocktail hour filled with amazing hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks. One of my favorite little touches? The custom drink stir sticks featured their dog’s face, such a fun and personal detail that had everyone smiling.
Inside the reception space, the elegance continued. Their sweetheart table was a true showstopper, with a lush floral arrangement spilling over the front of the table, accented by soft, tapered candles. Their cake featured fresh white florals cascading down each tier, tying in the floral design beautifully.
Celebrating in Style at River House at Odette’s
Loved ones cheered as they welcomed Morgan and Chris into their reception. They made their grand entrance and immediately hit the dance floor, surrounded by their joyful wedding party and family. The energy in the room was electric.
As the sun began to set, we snuck outside for a few golden hour portraits along the river. That soft springtime light, paired with the venue’s scenic beauty, gave us the dreamiest portraits. Then, it was right back to the party, where the couple joined their guests on the dance floor and danced the night away.
Late-night snacks made their way around the room, and the passed macarons were a huge hit, a sweet ending to an already perfect evening.
Chris and Morgan’s River House at Odette’s wedding was the perfect blend of timeless elegance and joyful celebration. It was clear that every detail of their wedding day reflected their love story.
Testimonial from Morgan & Chris:
Working with Emily was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. Her portfolio instantly won us over, but after our first call and then meeting her in person for our engagement shoot, we knew we had found the perfect photographer. We are not “picture people,” yet Emily made us feel so comfortable and at ease throughout the entire process. From engagement photos to our wedding day, everything felt effortless and natural.
Emily has such a calming, down-to-earth presence combined with an incredible artistic eye. She wanted each shoot to reflect us and truly fed off our energy, making every moment feel authentic. At the same time, she knew exactly when to step in and gently guide us without ever interrupting the flow of the day. Nothing felt staged and every moment was beautifully captured.
Her team was equally wonderful. They were talented, kind, and so easy to work with, and the turnaround time was unbelievably fast. The photos are stunning, timeless, and even better than we could have imagined.
Out of all our vendors, Emily was our absolute favorite to work with. We feel so lucky to have found her and would recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer who makes you feel comfortable, captures genuine moments, and delivers beautiful images you will treasure forever.
Photographing their day was truly an honor, and I look forward to returning to this incredible venue again. If you’re planning a River House at Odette’s wedding and want timeless, authentic imagery that captures your day just as it felt, I’d love to hear from you. Contact me here to get started!
Pennsylvania Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony + reception venue: River House at Odette’s | Photographer: MLE Pictures | Florist: Fabufloras | HMUA: Michelle Elise Artistry | Wedding dress: Castle Couture NJ | Invitation: Minted | Cinema: His and Hers Productions
comments