I’ve been trying to develop more of a “make lemonade out of lemons” mindset this year. In my opinion, if there is one positive thing to come out of the wedding industry during this pandemic, it is the uptick in intimate backyard weddings that have been taking place. Even though I love wedding celebrations of all varieties and sizes, there’s just something extra special about smaller, cozy affairs - like this one. Smaller weddings have proven to provide just as many (if not more) emotional, candid moments as larger-scale events. What made this wedding even more special is that fact that the bride is one of my daughter’s favorite teachers!

While many couples are making the difficult decision to postpone their weddings these days, Jim and Kate actually moved theirs up a little bit. Fortunately for all of us, their celebration took place the same weekend that our Pennsylvania county loosened the restrictions on gatherings. (Ironically, their engagement session was my last session before the Covid stay-at-home orders were issued, and their wedding was my first to take place after the orders were lifted!) On this beautiful June Sunday, Jim and Kate’s closest family and friends gathered in their yard -and street- to witness their much-anticipated marriage. With a little help from some of their favorite local businesses, Jim and Kate’s wedding day vision went off without any hiccups. Even Mother Nature cooperated, and we were gifted the most amazing sunshine and blue skies!

Here are a few of my favorite photos of their celebration. Congratulations again, Stuckert-Rennix Family! It was such a joy to celebrate with all of you.

(But first, thank you to all of these vendors who worked together behind the scenes to make Jim and Kate’s wedding day absolutely perfect!)

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography

Florist: Royer’s in Shillington

Cake: Unique Desserts Chef by Anne-Louise

Ice Cream Truck: Sweet Ride Ice Cream

Table, Tent, and Chair Rentals: Wolfe’s Rental

Boxed Lunches: Panera

Dress: BHLDN

Suits: Menguin

Berks County Pennsylvania intimate summer backyard Covid wedding photographer

Kristen and Maxx met me at my studio last week, and they arrived with heavy hearts caused by some recent losses in their lives. I offered to reschedule the session, but they wanted to go through with it as planned, to help distract their minds for a bit. I’m so glad that they opted to go on with our photoshoot. During our time together, which started off in my new Shillington studio and ended at the murals in West Reading, I did my best to capture the essence of their deep love for each other and their excitement for their daughter’s upcoming arrival. And, while we created images together that evening, it became clear to me that in challenging times they have found a way to lean into each other and the solid foundation they have built together. On that night, among others, they were able use their combined light to guide them through times of darkness. The dreamy golden hour light that surrounded us that evening was nothing in comparison to the glow that Kristen and Maxx exuded. In life, we often find ourselves in moments of juxtaposition. That night was one of those times for me, and I am guessing perhaps for Kristen and Maxx as well. I hope these images do justice to their love story, and for this miraculous new chapter in their lives.

It turns out that we agreed on the absolute perfect locations for this session! During the few hours that we spent together, I learned that they are both fans of Easy Rider, that Maxx has an art background (and has a hidden talent as a bee whisperer), that they are both incredibly fit - so much so that they motivated me to start working out again. Also, and most importantly, I learned that they are completely smitten with each other and this baby.

Thank you, Kristen and Maxx, for asking me to capture these moments for you and your loved ones. I can’t wait to meet your little girl and tell her how lucky she is to have chosen the two of you to be her mommy and daddy.