Puja & Michael – 9.12.15

Posted on October 16, 2015

Puja and Michael, this was one of those couples that I think I was just as excited to photograph their wedding as they were to get married! I got an email saying they wanted to do there pre-wedding shots at a comic book store followed by a reception and ceremony at an art gallery. Like holy cow, talk about an awesome opportunity! Comic book store, SIGN ME UP!

These two were just so fantastically amazing to work with and photograph. From the moment we had our first video conference to meet each other I knew this was just going to be a blast to photograph. Puja and Michael both emit this happy nerdtastic vibe that got everyone excited (including this photographer!) to spend the day with them, celebrating their marriage.

Even meeting and getting to know each other was kind of a happenstance #dorklove story made by the cosmos. While attending Drexel (two completely different majors mind you, Engineering and English) they happened to cross paths in their final semester while taking a Philosophy in Science Fiction course. They bonded over their love of science fiction and as Puja put it, “the British musician Imogen Heap for some odd reason.” They said they both knew that they were each other’s plus one after spending a night meeting up for tea and closing it (and multiple other places down). They kept moving from location to location, chatting about life and common interests. It still took them like another few weeks to be forced to recognize by common friends that they had feelings for each other and were, in fact, dating though.

Their whole reception was completely them too. This is always great for a photographer who shoots so many weddings. I got to see something new and unique that was totally Puja and Michael. Their love of art, books and literature showed throughout the night. The centerpieces were made of antique and used books that they had spent months finding at various public library sales. After the second library they had more than enough books but they were so excited about finding new rare books that they discovered their new love of ‘book treasure hunting.’ Each place setting also featured library book checkout cards featuring details regarding the 2nd part of their weddings celebrations. Their cake featured their ‘love formula’ and they picked food from their favorite restaurants to cater.

Throughout the whole experience this couple was just so lovely to work with. Every time I got off the phone or sent an email I had a smile of my face. All the unique ideas and love these two had for what they were doing, made my job so much more fun and enjoyable. It was such a honor to get to photograph something so unique, capturing the love that Puja and Michael’s family and friends have for them, and the love they have for each other. So enjoy the photos below because seriously… who wouldn’t enjoy wedding shots in a comic book store!

Vendors:

– Venue – 3rd Street Gallery –

– Location Shoot – Brave New Worlds Comic –

– Officiant – Milestones Secular Rites –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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

Category: Uncategorized Tagged: 2015, alysha yoder photography, alyshayoderphoto.com, art gallery, best friends, bride, brothers, ceremony, comic book store, couple, couple ideas, dad, dance, groom, michael, mom, pa weddings, philadelphia, philly, puja, wedding

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Kate & Marshall – 8.23.15

Posted on September 25, 2015

One of my favorite weddings hands down this year. Seriously… not only was this couple like crazy in love BUT they picked one of the most unique locations, The Hall of Philosophy in Mt. Gretna AND the glowing bride is just starting to show the most adorable baby bump. One of my favorite photos from the whole wedding is when I was photographing Kate and Marshall by themselves, the sun streaming in through the trees, both looking at each other full of love and the groom is resting his hand on the baby bump. It was quite magical. The love surrounding this family and couple was just spectacular. While the wedding crowd was kept small and intimate, you could tell everyone was there just really loved, cared for and supported the bride and groom.

There were so many beautiful small details at this wedding too. The ring bearer carried the rings in a little bird’s nest, favors were little ornaments made of bird seed, little nests decorated tables, napkins even sported the bride and groom’s names. You see a little theme going on here? The bride’s mother, Pat, did a heck of a job planning. She even hand-painted little bird houses for the decorative tree! The bride’s sister, Moira, serenaded the couple as they danced their first dance as husband and wife. The rest of the night was filled with the sounds of Jazz music by Perseverance Jazz Band and the gourmet eats of 14 Acre Farm (seriously, yum!). It seemed everyone pitched in to make this a perfect evening for these two and it was truly an honor to be a part of it and get to document the evening.

Vendors:

– Venue – The Hall of Philosophy, Mt. Gretna – Catering – 14 Acre Farm –

– Band – Perseverance Jazz Band – Flowers – Hernley Farms, Mt. Gretna, PA’s “Flower Lady” –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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

Category: Uncategorized Tagged: alysha yoder photography, august, band, birds, bride, bridesmaids, brothers, central pa wedding, ceremony, couple, couple ideas, dad, dance, dancing, fall, family, father, flowers, getting ready, grandparents, groom, groomsman, hall of philosophy, jazz, love, mother, mt. gretna, outdoor, rings, sister, sunlight, wedding, woods

John & Vanessa – 8.22.15

Posted on September 24, 2015

John and Vanessa, these two love birds actually met by a fated accident. Vanessa’s sister was supposed to go to a party and ended up not being able to so Vanessa went instead… and who did she meet there you might ask? John of course! These two, after dating for a while, went on a trip to Spain where John popped the question. How romantic right? Vanessa’s family is also from Spain and her cousin & his girlfriend even made the journey for their big day! How fantastic is that?!

John and Vanessa’s wedding had so many fun moments throughout there wedding day from the bride and groom getting surprised by a limo to the ring bearer breaking it down on the dance floor. One of my favs was when the bride and her dad did a non-traditional father-daughter dance and broke out New Kids on the Block – Remix (I Like The) and they danced out hard! There were some special moments with Vanessa and her grandma (one of my fav photos is her grandmother and her talking before the wedding). Not to mention that look of love John got when he saw Vanessa walking down the aisle for the first time. Check out this lovely couple’s photos below: