Monica + Micheal | Wind in the Willows Fall Wedding | Grantville, Pennsylvania Wedding and Portrait Photographer

This past fall, I was honored to spend my evening on the most popular wedding date of the year (10/10/2020) with Monica and Micheal. (Yes, that’s how his name is spelled - E before A.) I was originally booked with another couple on that date and turned down many additional inquiries, but their request came through at just the right time. Due to the Covid pandemic, my other couple decided to reschedule their celebration and I ended up being available! I am a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason - we just don’t always know what the reasons are right away. I guess I was meant to photograph this celebration!

I was actually quite nervous to shoot this wedding, as I had never spoken with the bride or groom ahead of time. Monica’s best friend was taking care of the planning for them, so all of my contact was with her via Instagram. In retrospect, I really need a friend like that in my life! Wedding planning is no joke (especially during 2020) and I bet that kind gesture relieved so much stress and anxiety for them, so they could just focus on their relationship.

I showed up at the Wind in the Willows venue that day ready for just about anything - and the day turned out to be more perfect than I ever imagined. When you see the photos, I’m sure you will agree. The venue was decorated in stunning simplicity, with red and white roses and bunches of eucalyptus. Some of my favorite moments were the emotional first look, when Micheal started singing to Monica during portraits, and the last few minutes we spent together capturing images (and fun memories) in the rowboat! We concluded our portraits just as we were gifted the most amazing golden hour sunset light.

Congratulations again, Monica and Micheal. I wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and roadtrips together.

Amanda + Jeff | White Cliffs of Conoy Engagement Session | Central Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

I met up with Amanda and Jeff in September to capture their engagement session and celebrate their upcoming wedding. The White Cliffs of Conoy, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River, made the perfect backdrop for their portraits on this beautiful (and HOT!) afternoon! It’s a 1.6 mile walk to get to the stunning overlook, and we were “gifted” 90+ degree sunny weather that afternoon. Amanda came prepared with a portable fan - and a bottle of cold champagne! Amanda and Jeff had such great chemistry during this session, and I absolutely love how their photos turned out. I’m so looking forward to photographing their wedding at the Barn at Silverstone next April. Congratulations again, you two!

Lisa + Collin (+1) | Hershey Gardens Engagement Session | Central Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Last week, I met up with Lisa and Collin for their engagement session.  I was so excited to see them again, since we actually first met a little over a year ago at one of my favorite weddings ever!  (I'm talking about you, Jackie and Dustin!)  Even though I only live an hour away from Hershey Gardens, this was my first time visiting.  I can't believe it took me so long to go, and I'm definitely planning on making another trip in the near future.

I'm so glad that Lisa and Collin chose this location as the backdrop for their photos.  We got there as soon as it opened (on one of the hottest days of the year), and we practically had the place to ourselves!  They were so much fun to photograph, and I could tell right away how absolutely head over heels in love they are with each other.  Their engagement session also doubled as a maternity photoshoot, since they will be welcoming a baby into their family in a few short months!  I'm so excited to photograph their wedding next year, and I can't wait to meet their little one the next time I see them!

Here are a few of my favorite photos from our time together.  Big thanks to my husband, Mako, for assisting me.

Pine Barn Inn, Danville PA Wedding | 2nd Shooting

On weekends when I'm not busy shooting my own weddings or portrait sessions, I can often be found assisting other photographers.  I really enjoy the freedom (and lower stress level) that comes along with second shooting!  A few weeks ago, I second shot a wedding for Alisha Taylor of A Mack Photography.

My day started in Elysburg with sunny skies and temps in the 70s... and ended at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville with sub-freezing temps and snow!  Mother Nature was up to some shenanigans that day, but it made for incredibly diverse photos!  Nate and Alaina were so kind, so in love, and so much fun to hang out with all day!  I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their wedding day.

Linwood Estate Wedding | Kristen + Joe | Carlisle Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of photographing Kristen and Joe's wedding.  Their wedding day was absolutely incredible!  I knew it would be, since we had such a blast at their engagement session!  (I just realized that their engagement session took place on one of the hottest days of the year, and their wedding day on one of the coldest!!)  There was a threat of rain in the morning, but it disappeared - and the sun helped keep everyone warm while Kristen and Joe exchanged their vows in the Linwood Estate courtyard.  The bridal party and guests were such great sports in tolerating the wind and the chilly air, and we have so many incredible photos as a result!

Linwood Estate is one of the most gorgeous venues that I have photographed, and their staff was incredible!  There are so many great backdrops for photos there!  I was extremely fortunate that Kristen and Joe created a timeline that allowed for ample opportunities for photographs and chose to add a second photographer to their package so we could capture even more beautiful and candid moments together.

This was my last wedding of 2016, and I can't think of a better way to end my wedding season!  The dinner was incredible, the drinks were flowing freely, the speeches were heartfelt, the dessert bar was AMAZING, the dancing was epic (this might be due in part to the free-flowing drinks), and the Bruce Springsteen serenades were perfection.

It was hard to choose just a few photos to share here, so I'm going overboard and sharing way too many.  I hope you enjoy these moments from Kristen and Joe's Day #1!  I know that I enjoyed reliving them as I edited the photos and typed this up.

Congratulations again, Kristen and Joe!!  I am sure you are enjoying life together as husband and wife!

Venue:  Linwood Estate

Wedding Coordinator:  Michelle Hare, Linwood Estate

Florist:  Sarah Klunk, Sarah's Floral Designs

Cake Artist:  Kyrsten Willits, Kyrsten's Sweet Designs

DJ:  Josh Vaughn, Complete Weddings + Events

Hair Artist:  Anna, Dulci's Salon

Makeup Artist:  Chelsea Nolan, Makeup by Chelsea

Wedding Dress Boutique:  Allure, L'Fay Bridal in Chatham, NJ

Bridesmaid Dress Boutique:  David's Bridal

Groom and Groomsmen Tuxedo Boutique: Joseph Abboud, Men's Warehouse