Every once in a while, we get to photograph a wedding that feels a little more personal. Kris and Ari’s was one of those days.
We first met Ari a few years ago when we photographed her sister’s wedding. Back then, she stood beside her sister as a bridesmaid, and now we were here, getting to photograph her own wedding day. It’s always such a sweet feeling when past couples and their families invite us back into their lives for another milestone. Getting to see Ari step into this season of her life was something we were so happy to be a part of.
Kris and Ari invited us to travel from Florida to photograph their wedding at the historic William Penn, and of course, we were so excited to be there.
There was so much joy woven into their day, and honestly, a lot of it came from Ari herself. If you’ve ever been around her, you know her laugh. It’s the kind that carries across a room, makes everyone else start laughing, too, and stays with you long after the moment has passed. She was such a joyful bride, and some of our favorite moments were simply watching her take it all in. The smiles, the laughter, the way she looked at Kris — she was just so happy to be there, marrying her person.
And Kris? You could see how much he loves her in the way he showed up for her. He’s the kind of guy who would do just about anything to protect her and make sure she’s happy. Not in a big, showy way, but in all those little ways that matter. The kind of love that makes you feel safe, cared for, and completely yourself. Watching the two of them together, it was easy to see how much they mean to each other.
Their day at the William Penn felt like such a fitting setting for the two of them. The history and character of the space made everything feel special, but what we’ll remember most isn’t just the beautiful surroundings. It’s Ari’s laugh echoing through the day, Kris looking at his bride, and all those little moments in between that made their wedding feel so much like them.
One of the best parts of what we do is getting to travel for weddings, meet wonderful people, and sometimes find ourselves back with families we’ve photographed before. We may have traveled from Florida to be there, but by the end of the day, it felt less like a trip for work and more like getting to celebrate with people we’re genuinely happy to know.
Kris and Ari, thank you for bringing us along for this chapter. Ari, it was so special to see you go from bridesmaid to bride, and Kris, it was a joy getting to witness the way you love her. We hope these photographs always bring you back to the feeling of that day — the excitement, the happy tears, and, of course, all that laughter.
We’re so glad we got to be there.
With love,
The Hendricks
Kris + Ari | William Penn
