It’s not every day you get to shoot two different wedding celebrations for the same couple, but that’s exactly what I got to do with Lindsey and Shiraz’s marriage!  This awesome couple planned two wedding celebrations, each one bringing a bit of each couple into it!  Not only were both ceremonies lovely, but many of their friends and family got to experience both!  The weather was completely the opposite on both days also. The first ceremony everyone rocked, despite the rain, while the second ceremony was bright and sunny.  Both were outdoors at lovely venues and both featured this amazing couple and their love for one another!

The first ceremony took place at Jacob’s Resting Place Bed and Breakfast.  It was a traditional Islamic ceremony, complete with a beautiful dress that the bride handmade by herself.  You heard that right, the bride MADE her dress and it was absolutely stunning!  Did you see her beautiful henna too?  Absolutely gorgeous! Despite the drizzle of rain we had, everyone beamed on as these two became husband and wife.  All of Lindsey’s bridesmaids came too and coordinated all their outfits! Not only did everyone look lovely, but the venue itself was a green paradise.  I couldn’t get enough of all the lovely foliage backgrounds offered here!  Did you see the size of that magnolia tree with family portraits?! The reception was held under a large tent, complete with chandeliers and a delicious food spread for guests! Family photos were had, congratulations were given, and everyone was relaxing and taking in the views of this happy couple! Check out the first half of their wedding celebration!

Stunning right?  You can see all that happiness with everyone right after Lindsey and Shiraz are officially married and everyone just lines up to congratulate them. Makes your heart happy 🙂

Onto the second wedding celebration held at the stunning and newly renovated Allenberry Resort.  It was my first time shooting here since the renovation and wow, it’s an absolutely beautiful venue!  I started off the day by getting shots of the bride with her bridesmaids getting ready, popping some champagne, getting into that gorgeous wedding dress, and getting some great reactions from the gift for Lindsey, sent over by Shiraz (a portrait of her dog).  We even did a first look with the bride and her dad.  Many happy tears were had! After all the ladies were done, I headed over to the groom and his groomsman getting ready, to get some shots of them, as well as some family photos! He had just come in from fishing in Yellow Breeches Creek (running right through the venue) and we even incorporated his love of fishing in some later photos!

Onto the ceremony, which was held on a beautiful terrace over looking the creek and wildlife.  Under an arbor, these two tied the knot surrounded by their party and all their friends and family.  Following the first kiss and walk down the aisle, we headed onto family photos and then the lovely Allenberry staff golf carted us around to get some photos of the bride and the groom at all the prettiest spots on the grounds.  That fishing shot cracks me up every time, especially when you compare it to the American Gothic painting.  These two are doing their own modern wedding day twist!  After photos were done, we headed to the large tented reception area where the couple’s signature  cocktails were served, guests danced to live music, and they even had a place for guests to take photos with an old Fuji Instax camera. The party and couple did their entrance, had some wonderful toasts given by the maid of honor , bride’s father, and the groom’s brothers.  This led into dinner and then the couple had a beautiful first dance, followed by the parent dances.   And guess what?  In lieu of cake, these two had a doughnut station!? Yes, you read that right, DOUGHNUT STATION.  After doughnuts were had, I grabbed these two to head off for some sunset and backlit shots.  With a venue like this, the possibilities were endless and the whole place is almost lit up with lights everywhere.  It was stunning!  As the night began to end, I left to the happy couple dancing the night away with friends and family.  So here’s to this lovely couple, Lindsey and Shiraz, I wish them nothing but happiness for many years to come!

Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

(b) www.alyshayoderphotoblog.com

 www.alyshayoderphoto.com

(e) alyshayoderphoto@yahoo.com

(p) 610.762.7810

Rings: Mountz Jewelers

Venues: 

• First Wedding – Jacob’s Resting Place Bed and Breakfast
• Second Wedding – Allenberry Resort 

Catering: 

• First Wedding – Zahra Restaurant 
• Second Wedding – Allenberry Resort

Doughnuts at Second Wedding: Duck Doughnuts of Mechanicsburg, PA

Band for Second Wedding: Cruise Control

String Ensemble for Second Wedding Ceremony:  Vivace Strings

Officiants: 

• First Wedding – Rizwan Moosa
• Second Wedding – Reverend Susan Olson

Dress Maker for Second Wedding: Essence of Australia