Alexandra & Mike Wedding – 8.25.17

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:

 

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Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

(b) www.alyshayoderphotoblog.com (w) 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

Shannon & Josh Wedding – 10.15.16

Two families coming together in love, life, and faith.  That’s what the lovely wedding of Shannon and Josh was.  Taking place at the stunning St. Patrick Church in Carlisle, light streamed in through the stained glass to reveal this church’s humble 1779 beginnings.  Shannon and Josh’s closest friends helped these two get ready before they took their plunge into marriage.  They chose a purple and white color scheme and peppered these colors throughout from the bridesmaids dresses, groomsman’s ties, flowers, and even the mother’s dresses.

With a traditional Catholic ceremony, Shannon and Josh’s day was filled with tradition.  An especially wonderful family touch was the bride’s brothers and mother played music and sang throughout their ceremony.  How wonderful is that? Following the ceremony and family photos, we all headed down to Thornwald Park to take fun party and couple photos! These two and their party both rocked their photo session!  The sunlight coming through the trees lit these two perfectly in all the fall park beauty. Between brick walls, gazebos, and a forest backdrop, I couldn’t have asked for a more stunning backdrop for this wedding party.

After we wrapped up their photo session, we headed over the St. Patrick Activity Center where the family had set up lights, banners, and backdrops to create a perfect setting for a reception.  Dances were had, speeches were given, and dinner was served. Following dinner, guests danced with the happy couple for their dollar dance, the bouquet and garter toss were held, the cake was cut, and HUGE family photos were taken with just about everyone in attendance.  Before I left the happy couple, we stepped outside to catch the perfect golden hour light and these two just glowed with happiness.  So here’s to another 100 years of happiness to the happy couple, and without further ado, Shannon and Josh’s wedding.

 

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Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

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

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

Venues:  St. Patrick Church of Carlisle

St. Patrick Activity Center

DJ: Payne Hurley

Flowers:  Royers

Caterer: Kathy’s Deli

Cake: Carlisle Bakery

Tricia and Tor Wedding – 10.14.16

Fall weddings always leaves me breathless and Tricia and Tor’s wedding was no exception.  The lovely fall colors, a wonderful wedding, and a beautiful location, I mean… does it get any better then this?  Now this wasn’t the first time I’ve photographed these two, they had a wonderful fall engagement shoot last year with their fur babies.  Seriously though, does it get any cuter??

Lucky for everyone, they picked the most beautiful fall day for both shoots!  Not only did we have a fantastic first look overlooking the Blue Mountain ridge on the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountain range, but we got to get four-wheeled up the mountain to get some spectacular scenic shots as well!  It’s not every day you have a bride and groom who are willing to four wheel up a mountain in full wedding garb!  Also, special shoutout to the wonderful bridesmaid and driver, who helped us make all our mountain photos!

This kickass couple also added so many touches to this wedding to make it their own.  The bride hand crocheted little pumpkins as guest table seatings and rocked some rockabilly shoes.  The groom and groomsman rocked funny socks and an orange bow tie. These two had the ring bearer don a Star Wars themed ring pillow, their dogs and cats made for their cake topper, and awesome take-away custom chapsticks for their guests.

Following their first look and photos, these two got married at a beautiful outdoor ceremony at golden hour.  With a waterfall and mountain range behind them, guests looked on as these two read their own vows, and got hitched right as the sun set.  The cocktail hour followed with bonfires, human sized checkers, and lots of laughter with friends.  As the night became chilly, everyone moved inside for the reception.

Dances were had and speeches were given.  One of my favorite quotes was the MOH giving her speech and saying, “these two were such a perfect match, even Obi One Kenobi couldn’t have made it!”  And it’s true, the love and affection these two, and their family and friends, have for one another is infectious.  With each little photo session we snuck away for, these two kept each other, and me, laughing with their contagious happiness and love for one another! So here’s to that love and laughter for this wonderful couple for another 100 years!

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Notice the ‘butt grab,’ these two had me laughing hard behind the camera!

Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

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

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

Venue, Cake, & Caterer:  Blue Mountain Ski Resort

DJ: Robert Cline

Flowers:  The Potting Shed

 

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