Cari & Mark – 10.24.15

Posted on December 11, 2015

Cari and Mark, talk about a relationship that’s been in the works for a while. Originally high school sweethearts, fast-foreword to now and voila! A match that’s been smoldering for a while and it finally caught fire. Not to mention their son, Gavin who now is just as tall as his parents (who are aren’t shorties by any means)! These two could not have picked a more perfect day to tie the knot. All the leaves were still on the trees but had changed to fantastic shades of orange, reds and yellows. It was sunny but cloudy, a light breeze and an all around beautiful day for a wedding.

Surrounded by friends and family with one of the BIGGEST parties I have ever photographed (19 in total!) and dressed out in various shades of blue, suspenders and white flowers. This was a total family affair, from Cari’s brother being her wedding planner to her friends and family helping to provide desserts, chairs & tables and even bean bag games! Their first look, when Mark turned around, saw Cari and couldn’t stop smiling, to the meaningful speeches (four in total from their siblings), to the touching parent dances.. these two were just enveloped by love!

There was plenty of humor and laughs at their wedding too. Gavin being asked to speak by all his uncle’s while giving their speeches and rejecting them all (much to the hoots and hollers from the crowd), to Cari opting out of shoes half way through their first photos. The bride mixing up her drink with her brother’s as he was trying to toast the couple (whoops lol), to the bride’s sister saying they were finally a real family (to which Gavin responded… ‘What were we before?!’).

Full disclosure, I had my first big wedding screw up ever and showed up at the wrong ‘mansion’ location (only about 5 miles aways, whew), to a wedding where there happened to be a bride named Cari too (what are the freaking chances!). So after talking to the family and setting up my lights.. I went to go find Cari to only be met by a stranger. Seriously.. I have never been so embarrassed and while frantically trying to call the bride, groom and really anyone in their party I had the numbers for, I realized there was no cell phone reception up in the mountains. Thankfully, I was only a few minutes away so everything still ran smoothly but Cari and Mark were calm as cucumbers and had a good chuckle about my other ‘Cari bride’ encounter.

Seriously though, as weddings go, this one was such a blast to photograph. Everyone was so warm and welcoming and I found myself laughing throughout the whole day. To be part of Cari and Mark’s union was truly awesome and it is weddings like this that make my job worth it! So without further ado, Cari and Mark’s wedding!

Vendors:

– Venue – The Iron Master’s Mansion –

– Caterer –Redd’s Smokehouse BBQ –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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

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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!