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:

 

AlexMikeWedding-401

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

Ali & Mike – 10.9.15

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! 

Vendors: 

  –  Venue – Valenzano Family Winery –

–  Caterer – Summit Catering –

–  DJ – Stew of Time Productions –

 Officiant – Irene of Journeys of the Heart – 

 Wedding Planner – Matt and Dory of Summit Catering  – 

Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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