Abby & Tyler – 10.17.15

Posted on December 3, 2015

When two loving families come together to create a memorable night for a loving couple that would perfectly describe Abby and Tyler’s wedding. Add a splash of chic and a little bit redneck and you’re in business! From the moment I arrived to find Abby waiting for her brother to see her in her dress for the first time (only to share some tears shotgun beers together) to the ‘ball and chain‘ garter removal this wedding was one for the books!

This was truly a fun wedding. Despite the cold weather, guests joined together to warmly recognize this newly married couple. The ceremony was held outside at the lovely Fallen Tree Farm Bed and Breakfast. There were special touches throughout, from a string ceremony to a frame filled with sand by Abby and Tyler. The bubble procession begun after their first kiss was had and they received kisses, hugs and laughs from all their guests.

Abby and Tyler champed through their photo session despite the cold (and Abby having virtually NO sleeves!). After sneaking off to get warm with their party in the inn I got to start photographing guests and the little details of their reception. Everything had a touch of the couple from sunflower place card holders for their guests, a hand-painted tree canvas for everyone to sign, to sunflower cupcakes and a cake topper with the bride wielding a hunting bow dragging the groom.

After everyone was announced, the couple had their first dance leading into the cake cutting (and cake smashing!). The speeches began and one of my favorite moments happened. The best man (who has literally known the groom his whole life), pulled out a framed shadow box to present the couple which included the blanket he had stolen from the groom in their childhood. The look of surprise on the groom’s face and the laugher of the whole party and guests was priceless! What an awesome groom’s gift, definitely one for the books.

Family dances soon followed with the bride dancing with her brother and the groom with his mother. Shortly after, the bride tossed her bouquet for the single ladies to catch. The best man had another surprise in store when he pulled on a literal ‘ball and chain’ for Abby to pull Tyler by to get the garter. The single man and single lady had a blast putting the garter back on (it was put on with teeth, no joke) much to the hoots and hollers of the crowd. All in all, a wonderful wedding to shoot. Congrats again Abby and Tyler, I hope your marriage is filled with as much happiness and laughter as your wedding day was!

Vendors:

– Venue – Fallen Tree Farm Bed & Breakfast –

– Caterer – Crider Meats –

– DJ – Brandon Beam –

– Florist – Blue Mountain Blooms –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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

Kulthum & Sean – 10.11.15

Posted on November 24, 2015

Kulthum and Sean. What a wonderful couple these two are (not to meant like SUPER photogenic)! From the moment I arrived to experience and photograph their official Islamic wedding ceremony you could feel the excitement in the air. Sean couldn’t even sit down. While laughing with close friends and family he eagerly paced for his bride to arrive. As Kulthum pulled up and walked through the door everyone greeted her with smiles and hugs. Sean was seated waiting for her and was grinning from ear to ear. As soon as they saw each other the bride started to tear up. It was a beautiful moment.

Shortly after the Imam arrived and the ceremony began being spoken in both Arabic and English. It was lovely. Both parties and families were beaming. Once the ceremony concluded, family members and friends all came up to hug and congratulate the happy couple. Various baklavas and coffee was served with the bride and groom getting fed sweets.

Following the ceremony, we left Kulthum and Sean’s photo session and seriously, could these two be any more photogenic?! They rocked the whole thing! The weather was perfect and the golden hour only added to the glow that this couple shared between each other. So many fun detail shots too from all of Kulthum’s henna, stunning bridal sari, and bouquet to the fun “I’m his Mrs, I’m her Mr.” signs. These two were just such a blast to photograph.

We left our last location and headed to their reception at Yiannis Taverna where everyone had gathered for dinner, family photos and sweets. It was a fantastic night and I couldn’t be happier for these two. Congrats again Kulthum and Sean!

Vendors:

– Venue & Dinner – Yianni’s Taverna –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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

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Ali & Mike – 10.9.15

Posted on November 16, 2015

Talk about a fun, quirky couple! Ali and Mike were a couple that I had the pleasure of photographing previously in their engagement session. These two agreed to get photographed at the Magic Garden in Philly (which in itself is a pretty awesome setting) so I knew right off the bat that Ali and Mike were going to be a fun couple! Talk about a few states love affair. These two met in Philly, recently moved to Boston and had their wedding in New Jersey!

Their venue, Valenzano Family Winery, couldn’t have been a stunning setting. From the vineyards where we did their sneak peeks to the barrel room where we did some fun backlit shots, there were so many unique settings for stunning photos! When I arrived, the sky had already started to turn grey and looked like rain. I asked the photo gods to hold off the rain, at least until we could get some fun outdoor shots. Who would have thunk that would work?

Literally to the minute, these two had their outdoor ceremony, walked down the aisle as husband and wife for the first time and BAM full on thunder, lighting, torrential downpour. It was almost magical. Throughout the ceremony the sky got darker and darker. There was a moment when a loud clap of thunder occurred and Ali looked back at the guests with a worried look. Thankfully no one got soaked and everyone got to clamber inside before mother nature fully released her wrath.

As everyone scattered inside they were all led to the reception area where Matt and his team had set up beautiful tiers of food all around wine barrels and decorations. Guests got to sample Valenzano Wine as they smiled for photos and chatted the night away. A fantastic (seriously awesome!) dinner catered by Summit Catering was served after Mike and Ali shared their first dance under a chandelier surrounded by their party members. Soon after, parent dances followed until everyone joined in, especially the couple’s nieces and nephews who were dancing machines! After letting me snag them for some fun shots in the barrel room the staff did a dessert dance, led by all the kids, and served everyone a huge variety of sweet specialties. Talk about a fun night! These two and all their close friends and family were such a joy to photograph. Check out their big night below!