Alexandra & Mike Wedding – 8.25.17

Posted on October 15, 2017

Vineyards are quickly becoming some of my favorite venues to photograph at, and Alexandra and Mike’s wedding was no exception! From when I arrived, to when I left, this couple and their family and friends were nothing but smiles, laughter, and love. Not to mention Alex and Mike’s two adorable dogs who sat patiently for pets and had their own roles in the wedding procession. This wedding was a stunner, with shades of gold, light pinks and white throughout, it certainly all came together beautifully.

After getting ready, the couple and their party headed down to the ceremony area, a large oak tree hung with lanterns and lights, overlooking all the vineyards at Monterre Vineyards. Their children and dogs brought up the end of the processional before the bride made her appearance. Each dog had a sign, one reading, ‘I’m just here for the cake’ and the other ‘I loved her first.’ It was truly a charming moment, and left all guests laughing as they made their way down the aisle.

As guests looked on, Mike beamed as he saw Alex for the first time all decked out in her dress. After her brother gave her away, these two had a beautiful ceremony and when their first kiss was had, guests broke out in applause. As they walked down the aisle, as husband and wife for the first time, we all headed right into family photos and couple photos throughout the vineyards. Guests headed right to the cocktail hour, filled with his and her cocktails, yard games, and laughter. As the cocktail hour came to a close, and the sun began to set, the Monterre staff led guests up to the main banquet hall where dinner, dancing, and the reception were to be held.

Seats were taken by guests, as the couple’s family and party were introduced, before Alex and Mike made their entrance and began their first dance as husband and wife. They were serenaded by their aunt, as they spun around on the dance floor. As the song ended, the couple took their seats and the toasts began! The bride’s sister and brother gave a joint toast followed by the groom’s best man. Glasses were raised as guests applauded the couple!

After a lovely dinner, the couple headed down with me to get some night shots under the oak tree they had gotten married under. Now all the lights were lit up and some beautiful night shots were had. After we were carted back up to the reception area, dancing began! The groom and his mother shared a touching dance, while the bride invited everyone onto the dance floor in memory of her dad. Dancing ensued as guests gathered on the dance floor to show their moves. As I was heading out, I left behind a dancing crowd, with a glowing bride and groom, surrounded by friends and family who so clearly love them both. So here’s to Alex and Mike, to many more years of happiness, love and laughter! And without further ado, Alex and Mike’s wedding:

Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

(b) www.alyshayoderphotoblog.com www.alyshayoderphoto.com

(e) alyshayoderphoto@yahoo.com (p) 610.762.7810

Venue, DJ, and Catering: Monterre Vineyard

Special thanks to all the wonderful staff of Monterre Vineyards who helped me get photos throughout the night!

Flowers: Ruby’s Floral Factory

Cake: Granny Schmidts

Kayla & Matt’s Wedding 5.28.17

Posted on July 19, 2017

So this blog post has been a long time coming! I’ve been busily second shooting, photographing families, and packing for Japan which I leave for in the AM… today now, I guess lol. But these two love bugs, Kayla and Matt, are clearly two peas in a pod. Not to mention, their family and friends really knew how to throw a party! They had to reschedule the venue unexpectedly THREE DAYS before the wedding took place. And holy cow, did they all come together as a family to pull this event off! We started off the day with the women getting ready at Kayla’s grandmother’s house. Everyone enjoyed subs and chit chat, as everyone’s hair and makeup was done.

After the lovely bride was put in her dress, I headed out to the groom’s mothers home to get shots of her with the men. She sadly was unable to attend, so the couple wanted to include her in photos! Everyone piled in their cars and headed to the lovely Banana Factory in Bethlehem. Family members and friends showed up with cookies and desserts in hand for a dessert cookie bar (which was also served with gelato, yum!) after dinner. Soon, the family was all hands on deck to put together the stunning arbor for the ceremony.

With everything put together and decorated, the go ahead was given for the ceremony to start. Guests were seated as the groom and groomsman walked in. Kayla, being given away by her father, led to chuckles as they circled the sign post a few times before heading to her soon to be husband. And let me tell you, Matt was beaming as soon as he caught a glimpse of his stunning bride headed down the aisle for him. The ceremony was lovely, and guests looked on as these two got hitched. Rings were exchanged, a sand ceremony (where sand wasn’t exactly ‘combined’ like it was supposed to haha!), and a first kiss were had! The couple was announced as husband and wife for the first time and headed down the aisle and right into their couple pictures.

With two super handy bridesmaids to help, we went all around the Banana Factory property, capturing these two in the scenery. You couldn’t ask for a more photogenic couple, could you? And both are so clearly in love with one another in every single photo! With couple photos checked off our lists, we all headed inside to prepare for the party’s entrance. First dance and father daughter dance commenced, followed by all guests joining in on the dancing festivities. There were some winning dance moves by some for sure, and I caught a butt grab or two 😉

The best man and maid of honor stood up and toasted the couple in two sweet speeches. Glasses were raised and clinked, while guests blew on noisemakers to signal that the couple should kiss! The bride’s father followed up with a thank you speech as guests were then asked to make their way to the dance floor for the garter and bouquet toss. There were some awesome dive bombs from both the men and women for these and the reapplication of the garter left the room in stitches! A touching ‘longest married couple’ dance began and the winner’s were presented with a plaque as they gave marriage advice to the newlyweds. Cake was cut (and smashed in faces) and guests were served gelato and tons of yummy homemade cookies before we headed out for some lovely night photos. These two rocked it, even though it was raining outside. They win some of my favorite photos ever! Just look at how in love these two are! The night wrapped up and I headed out, but not before exchanging some hugs and congrats. So three cheers for this lovely couple and to many, many more years of happiness. Now enjoy, Kayla and Matt’s wedding: