PJ Factory Wedding

Williamsport, PA

The Story Behind Our Wedding: A Journey of Love, Laughter, and Unforgettable Moments

When people ask how we met, we can’t help but cringe just a little. But honestly, it’s part of the story now. We first crossed paths on Hinge—yes, you read that right. A dating app! But the story doesn’t end there. It turns out we were both attending the same church, which became the foundation for our relationship. Most people from church think we met there, and we’re totally fine with that. In fact, we love it. Our journey really started with that shared faith, and it blossomed from there.

Our first date was on August 27, 2023, and since that moment, the countdown to our wedding day has been a whirlwind. We can’t believe how quickly time flew by, but here we are, looking back with nothing but love for how everything came together.

Why We Chose Our Ceremony Venue: The Pajama Factory

Choosing our ceremony venue wasn’t an easy decision, but once we set our sights on the Pajama Factory, it felt like it all fell into place. Madison is from the area, and she has always adored the space—white and red brick walls, ivy creeping up the sides, large windows, and those gorgeous stairwells. It was all so picturesque.

What sealed the deal for me was the fact that I already had a connection to the place. My sister, a graphic design major, used to use the Pajama Factory for her photoshoots, and I was often the very amateur model in her creative sessions. I knew the venue had hidden gem spots for photos, and that was a huge plus.

On a practical level, we needed a space that could accommodate our guests for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception without breaking the bank. The Pajama Factory not only provided all of that but allowed us to save thousands compared to other venues. It was a beautiful place, and we were so grateful for the savings that came with choosing it.

Why We Loved Our Reception Venue: A Blank Canvas to Bring Our Vision to Life

The reception venue was a perfect match for us, for many of the same reasons. We loved that it was essentially a blank canvas. It was a little intimidating at first, but Madison’s mom and sister are incredible decorators, so they took the reins and turned it into something beautiful.

Though we were sad not to be getting married in Seattle, the blank canvas allowed us to bring pieces of our hometown to Williamsport. We could transform the space to reflect who we are, and it made everything feel so personal.

Family & Friends from Near and Far

One of the most heartwarming parts of the day was seeing how many people traveled to be with us. We had guests come from all over the country—from Seattle, Washington, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Michigan, and Denver, Colorado. It was such a gift to have our closest friends and family, from all walks of life, under one roof celebrating our love.

Prepping for the Big Day: Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Moments

I didn’t have my bridesmaids wear anything special to get ready in. But I did something I found incredibly meaningful—I wrote handwritten letters to each of my bridesmaids. I highly recommend this! So many bridesmaid gifts end up sitting in drawers, never used again, but these letters felt so much more personal and lasting. Every letter was a reflection of the bond we share, and now I have those letters to cherish forever.

As for Adam and the groomsmen, they had a laid-back morning just hanging out together. Nothing overly fancy, but it was special to have some relaxed time before the whirlwind of the day. After all, the groomsmen were coming from all over the country, and it was great for Adam to spend time with them before the wedding madness took over.

That Moment Before Walking Down the Aisle

Adam and I both remember feeling the weight of the moment before walking down the aisle. For Adam, it suddenly hit him that this was really happening—after months of engagement, the wedding day had finally arrived. For me, I remember sitting there, looking at all of our loved ones, and thinking, “Wow, this is happening.”

The most memorable part of the ceremony for both of us was worshipping together. It felt so intimate, so connected. And honestly, we both slipped a little while reading our vows, which gave everyone a good laugh and lightened the mood.

The Dress: A Facebook Marketplace Find!

Believe it or not, my wedding dress came from Facebook Marketplace! The woman I bought it from had only worn it for a photoshoot, so it was practically brand new. A few alterations, and it was perfect. It was definitely a fun, unexpected find, but it made the day even more memorable.

Toasts vs. Letters: A Personal Touch

We decided to do something a little different instead of the usual wedding toasts. Rather than stand in front of a microphone, I asked my MOHs, our moms, and my dad to write private letters to me. It made the moment so much more intimate and meaningful.

We loved this decision because it allowed us to hear from the people we cared about most without the potential awkwardness that often comes with wedding toasts. Plus, it gave us letters we can keep forever—far better than receiving something that might be forgotten.

The Final Moments: The End of the Night

At the end of the night, it was a mix of emotions. We were beyond happy with how everything went, but it was bittersweet knowing that such a special day was coming to a close. With so many people we loved traveling across the country to be there, it was hard to think we might not see some of them again for a year or more.

Looking back, the day almost felt like an out-of-body experience. You attend so many weddings as a guest, but only get to experience it as the bride and groom once. If I could rewind to 9 a.m. and relive it all again, I definitely would.

Our Favorite Moments of the Day

There were so many moments that stood out, but here are a few of our favorites:

Madison’s Favorite Moments:

Seeing Adam during our first look. He was so nervous (in the best way) and couldn’t wait to greet me. When he turned around, he immediately teared up and told me how beautiful I looked. It was such an emotional and beautiful moment. Then Adam prayed over the day for the two of us – giving thanks to God that the day had finally arrived!
Dancing and singing to “What Dreams Are Made Of” with my girlfriends. As a kid, my best friend and I dreamed of going to Rome and singing that song together. Well, our wedding day was even better!

Adam’s Favorite Moments:

The first look. Seeing Madison for the first time was a moment I’ll never forget.
Having a few minutes of quiet time with Madison after the ceremony. It allowed us to truly soak in the significance of what had just happened.

Advice for Couples Currently Planning

Looking back at the whole process, we have a few pieces of advice to share:

Ask God how He wants your ceremony to look. We initially had a short ceremony planned, but we felt led to incorporate worship and prayer. These moments ended up being some of our favorite of the day.
Don’t be afraid to delegate. People love to help, and it’s okay to let them take on some tasks!
Do a Polaroid guest book! We highly recommend it. Have a friend go around during the reception and snap extra Polaroids. The photos and candid moments are so much fun to look back on.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Chances are, your guests won’t notice if things aren’t perfect. Take your time, get the pictures you want, and enjoy the moment.

Set aside a few minutes. Finally, after the ceremony, set aside a few minutes for just the two of you to take it all in. The day goes by so fast, and those moments of quiet reflection are priceless.

Looking back, our wedding day was everything we could have hoped for—and so much more. We’re so grateful for every moment, every person, and every part of our journey. Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.