Beach, Wedding, and Mai Tais

Posted on April 20, 2016

What a wonderful weekend I had! Not only was it my first wedding of the season, but I got to photograph a truly wonderful couple who’s love and laughter was contagious! I couldn’t have asked for better weather either. After last weekends freak snow which was then followed by a week of gloom, I was little worried.

The hubs, dog, and I all packed in the car Friday evening and headed down to Southern Maryland to a little town called Lusby. Since I already had to make the 3 hour trek to photograph this wedding we figured, what the heck? Let’s make a weekend out of it and go ‘off the beaten path’ to a little eclectic cabin right next to the beach.

After shooting a wedding, I’ve found the perfect cure for a tired body and achy feet. Beach sunsets. Could it get any more perfect then this?

The answer is yes! Yes, it can! What is the miracle after wedding cure you might ask? Well sit down, relax, and mix yourself up a fun fruity drink of course! Now for those who knew my grams, she wasn’t much of a drinker, but she sure was a partier. She had a roomful of just party decorations, linens, table settings, and serving dishes. No lie. Like… you literally could probably plan 100 different themed parties with all the items in my gram’s backroom. There’s a whole space her cookbook dedicated to drinks and I figured, what the heck? It’s been a long day, let’s sip on something cold and enjoy the weather. Right?

Flipping through gram’s notes, this recipe for Mai Tai’s stood out to me. Not because it’s a Mai Tai… but because it’s unlike any Mai Tai recipe I have ever seen. This thing could seriously take the paint off a car. So.. using the hubs as my taste tester, we started out with the base recipe (pictured below) and made our own modifications to make it ‘more fun sipping’ drink and less ‘my whole body is on fire’ drink.

Full disclosure, I was also very ill-prepared for drink making. We didn’t have a jigger (a bartending tool used to measure liquor). So, I used a rough estimation figuring a shot is 1.5 fluid ounces and this little bowl was a shot’s worth and went from there. So don’t judge. I know.. not 100% scientific by any standards… but seriously, this is a good freaking drink once it’s toned down some. That is of course.. if you like rum. If you don’t, move on lol, this is NOT for you.

Gram’s Mai Tai Recipe:

1 oz light rum
1/2 oz orange curacao
2 oz sweet & sour bar mix (gram’s originally called for a splash but it definitely needs a little more ‘non-alcohol’)
3 oz pineapple juice (again, gram’s originally called for a splash, but you need something to cut all the alcohol, otherwise we’re getting into shot territory)
1/2 lime’s juice
1 oz dark rum (floated, meaning carefully poured on the top to keep the liquors separated)
Ice for 12-16 oz glass

Pour first four ingredients over ice. Squeeze half a lime into drink. Stir until combined. Float dark rum on top of drink (if you’re not a strong drink lover, you could also skip this step and just enjoy drink as is). Garnish with lime. Sip, absorb the sunshine and enjjjooy. Num num.

To ‘float’ liquor, a lot of people spoon it in carefully. We aimed for the ice on the top and slowly poured it in.

Photography and writing by:

Alysha Yoder Photography

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

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

Category: food photography, Friends, Party, recipe, Travel, wedding, Wedding Photography Tagged: alysha yoder photography, bar guide, beach, beach drink, beach walk, curcarao, dog, drink, float liquor, gizmo, husband, ice, jiggar, limes, liquor, lusby, mai tai, mai tais, maryland, maryland wedding, party, pineapple juice, rum, step by step, sunrise, sunset, sunshine, sweet and sour mix, wedding, weekend getaway

2 Comments

Jen and Joe – 12.19.15

Posted on January 20, 2016

What a fun and long brewing romance Jen and Joe had! This couple, originally both Carlisle natives, had a thing for each other in high school. It fizzled out and both went their separate ways. Fast-forward 35 years and BAM! They reconnected, had a whirlwind romance and before you knew it, wedding bells were ringing!

While these two both call Atlanta home now, they came back to the Carlisle area to celebrate with everyone they grew up with and got to show off their hometown to their Atlanta friends in the process. And what a party it was! Nothing could have gone more smoothly and look more lovely (thanks to the awesome planning and design of Tracy over at La Carta Luna Planning and Design). Seriously, did you see these venues and all the decor? It was stunning!

Jen and Joe’s wedding began with the ladies all getting ready at the beautiful Fallen Tree Farm B&B. Lots of laughs, smiles and dress adjustments were shared. Everyone exchanged small talk while oohing and awwing over dresses, shoes and accessories. The bride’s mother even matched her shoe and hair piece, how fun is that?

Shortly after, we all headed over to The Carlisle Ribbon Mill. The ladies freshened up in the bridal room while finishing touches were placed throughout. All the small details were just stunning, from the Gingko leaf earrings the bride wore, to the flowers frozen in ice centerpieces, little flower and feather bundles for each guest with their place settings and a beautiful ribbon alter piece to pull all the colors of the wedding day together!

As the groom and his groomsman started to arrive, they shared handshakes and hugs with all the wedding guests. The ceremony began shortly after. The lovely bride walked down the aisle escorted by her uncle as the groom looked on, beaming with a sheepish grin. The ceremony was beautiful with some tears and hand holding being shared by the audience. Everyone applauded as Jen and Joe were kissed for the first time and were announced as husband and wife.

While guests sipped on drinks and enjoyed a lovely cocktail hour I got to go out with Jen and Joe to get some outdoor shots. Despite the cold, the bride and groom champed through and Jen even rocked a little bridal overcoat! Their brother and sister assisted me through the whole thing. Who says iPhone’s aren’t good for some front lighting lol! Upon returning, while waiting for their entrance, Jen and Joe indulged me in a little one on one photo session with all the cool backgrounds The Carlisle Ribbon Mill had to offer! One of my favorite photos from the whole night is them against the white wall, holding hands and looking at each other. It’s just adorable and puts a smile on my face 🙂

Following their entrance, speeches were given. What a wonderful job all the speakers did! From a brother, sister and uncle, all of them had the crowd in stitches over childhood stories and relationship advice for the new couple. A beautiful dinner was served by The Uncommon Caterer prior to dancing and what a dancing crowd this was! After the couple’s first dance everyone joined in and got their groove on! From slow dances to disco this was a party crowd! Shortly thereafter, the beautiful cake was cut and guests enjoyed this delectable treat from The Camp Hill Bakery.

What can I say? This was such a wonderful wedding. The couple, their friends and family were just all so lovely. Happiness, love and laughter enveloped Jen and Joe’s whole wedding day. I am so thankful to be a part of it! Here’s to a long lasting a beautiful marriage! Enjoy all the photos celebrating Jen and Joe’s big day!

Vendors:

– Wedding Planner – Tracy at La Carta Luna – Wedding Planning and Design –

– Venues – The Carlisle Ribbon Mill & Fallen Tree Farms Bed and Breakfast –

– DJ – SpiritSound Production Services, LLC –

– Caterer – The Uncommon Caterer –

– Bartending – Just Bartending –

– Cake – Camp Hill Bakery –

– Flowers – Sarah’s Floral Designs –

– Photography – Alysha Yoder Photography –

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

2 Comments

James & Ashley – 10.31.15

Posted on January 4, 2016

Talk about a wedding for the offbeat books! Halloween wedding + gas masks + zombie cake and Beetlejuice ring hand.. it had it all! For a themed wedding this was definitely one of the more rad weddings I’ve done. James and Ashley LOVE Halloween and what a better way to share your big day then theming it around something you’re both passionate about??

Ashley rocked her little white dress, fringed in black lace with a orange accent while James looked sharp in his suit. The bridal parties wore a purple and black combo with highlights of orange throughout. This was one of those weddings that was just a blast to photograph. When James pulled out his gas mask groom’s gift I can honestly say this was, not only a first for me, but one of the most unique and awesome wedding gifts ever! Each mask came in a military type bag, personalized with the groomsman’s names on them. Talk about a crazy cool gift right??

There were so many priceless moments too. When I was positioning James for the couple’s first look… seeing how nervous he was until he saw his stunning bride in her dress and all his nerves melted away, to the look on the officiant and crowds faces when the groom’s brother pulled out the box containing the wedding rings… and a zombie hand lol! James recited some Beetlejuice references much to the amusement of all the guests. One of my favorite shots is the reaction of everyone to the zombie hand. The bride hand-painted the cake toppers (for their spiderweb Halloween cake) to look like a zombie couple with their dog and what an amazing job she did! The groom even rocked some pumpkin cufflinks for the occasion. Not to mention, the party ALL donning masks for some post-ceremony shots. This was only highlighted by the very “Shining-esque” Globe Inn Hotel, with old photographs, decor and dim lighting.

The warm fall colors played off not only the color themes but the warmth the couple and their close friends and family have for each other. Every time I turned around someone else was laughing and joking with the couple. So here’s to many more Halloween’s together you two! May your treats be better than you tricks 🙂 I couldn’t have asked for a more fun bride and groom to photograph! Enjoy!