So this blog post has been a long time coming!  I’ve been busily second shooting, photographing families, and packing for Japan which I leave for in the AM… today now, I guess lol.  But these two love bugs, Kayla and Matt, are clearly two peas in a pod.  Not to mention, their family and friends really knew how to throw a party!  They had to reschedule the venue unexpectedly THREE DAYS before the wedding took place.  And holy cow, did they all come together as a family to pull this event off! We started off the day with the women getting ready at Kayla’s grandmother’s house. Everyone enjoyed subs and chit chat, as everyone’s hair and makeup was done.

After the lovely bride was put in her dress, I headed out to the groom’s mothers home to get shots of her with the men.  She sadly was unable to attend, so the couple wanted to include her in photos!  Everyone piled in their cars and headed to the lovely Banana Factory in Bethlehem.  Family members and friends showed up with cookies and desserts in hand for a dessert cookie bar (which was also served with gelato, yum!) after dinner.  Soon, the family was all hands on deck to put together the stunning arbor for the ceremony.

With everything put together and decorated, the go ahead was given for the ceremony to start.  Guests were seated as the groom and groomsman walked in.  Kayla, being given away by her father, led to chuckles as they circled the sign post a few times before heading to her soon to be husband.  And let me tell you, Matt was beaming as soon as he caught a glimpse of his stunning bride headed down the aisle for him.  The ceremony was lovely, and guests looked on as these two got hitched. Rings were exchanged, a sand ceremony (where sand wasn’t exactly ‘combined’ like it was supposed to haha!), and a first kiss were had!  The couple was announced as husband and wife for the first time and headed down the aisle and right into their couple pictures.

With two super handy bridesmaids to help, we went all around the Banana Factory property, capturing these two in the scenery.  You couldn’t ask for a more photogenic couple, could you?  And both are so clearly in love with one another in every single photo!  With couple photos checked off our lists, we all headed inside to prepare for the party’s entrance.  First dance and father daughter dance commenced, followed by all guests joining in on the dancing festivities.  There were some winning dance moves by some for sure, and I caught a butt grab or two 😉

The best man and maid of honor stood up and toasted the couple in two sweet speeches. Glasses were raised and clinked, while guests blew on noisemakers to signal that the couple should kiss!  The bride’s father followed up with a thank you speech as guests were then asked to make their way to the dance floor for the garter and bouquet toss.  There were some awesome dive bombs from both the men and women for these and the reapplication of the garter left the room in stitches!  A touching ‘longest married couple’ dance began and the winner’s were presented with a plaque as they gave marriage advice to the newlyweds.  Cake was cut (and smashed in faces) and guests were served gelato and tons of yummy homemade cookies before we headed out for some lovely night photos.  These two rocked it, even though it was raining outside.  They win some of my favorite photos ever!  Just look at how in love these two are!  The night wrapped up and I headed out, but not before exchanging some hugs and congrats.  So three cheers for this lovely couple and to many, many more years of happiness.  Now enjoy, Kayla and Matt’s wedding:

Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

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

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

Venue: The Banana Factory

Flowers: Flower Essence of Easton, PA

As well as the expertise of Aunt Shelli and bridesmaid Melissa.

Cake And Catering : Simply Smooth of Allentown, PA

DJ:  Laser DJ of Bethlehem, PA