Alysha Yoder Photography
Capturing Moments. Making Memories.
Lindsey & Shiraz’s Wedding Celebrations
Posted on August 11, 2018
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:
(b) www.alyshayoderphotoblog.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
Kelly & Sarah Wedding – 6.9.18
Posted on July 17, 2018
So how often do you have jousting bride’s at a wedding?! For me, it was definitely a first and I couldn’t have been more excited to photograph Kelly and Sarah’s wedding! Not only did these two throw a kick ass wedding, but they also made almost all the decorations! From a popcorn bar, to ring boxes, homemade wedding benches (that were signed by guests!), and even a cake piñata, these two made it all by hand! Not only that but Kelly had a custom Celtic knot belt made for Sarah. And that pearl necklace Sarah wore!? Kelly made it from her late grandma’s pearls. Quite the beautiful touch right?
What a day this was, it started with a sage blessing to cleanse the space beforehand and then the ceremony began. All their children and their niece and nephew surrounded Sarah as she walked down the aisle to her beaming bride. The ceremony began, and they rock, paper, scissored to see who would give their vows first. Following the vows, they joined their family together by giving all their boys handmade bracelets to match their own. With a kiss, these two sealed their union!
After the ceremony and family photos, we headed back to their pavilion to ‘joust a bride’ where guests could joust a bride in their bouncy joust house! Seriously, is that not the coolest thing ever? Their guests got to enjoy a popcorn bar, some amazing bbq, a delicious cupcake tower, a photo booth with a green screen where they got to pick what background they got put on, and they even had homemade ice cream, made on-site complete with a toppings bar! What an amazing day it was! The guests wrapped up the wedding with the smashing of a homemade 3-tier cake piñata; now that’s what I call a cake smash lol! So let’s cheers to this happy couple, I wish them nothing but happiness! Without further ado, Kelly and Sarah’s wedding:
Photography and writing by:
(b) www.alyshayoderphotoblog.com
(e) alyshayoderphoto@yahoo.com
(p) 610.762.7810
Rings: Brides made their engagement rings at Jared the Galleria of Jewelry. Kelly drew Sarah’s and vice versa.
Benches: Made by the bride’s brother, John
Venue: Lancaster County Park
Catering: Grandpa’s Country Catering
Cupcakes: Psycho Cupcakes
Bouncy House: Big Bright Bounces
Officiant & DJ: Sacred Ceremony’s with Sabrina
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:
(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
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