Jenny + Luke | Intimate Wyomissing Backyard Summer Wedding | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

"When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

—Billy Crystal, from When Harry Met Sally

Anyone who has met Jenny and Luke can confirm that they are some of the most positive, optimistic people alive. Luke and I go way back, our friendship initially forged by our mutual love for snowboarding (and for my husband LOL). I met Jenny last year through Luke, and I was instantly drawn to her gentle nature and kind heart. Regardless of the curveballs life may throw their way, they navigate them fabulously, making every day a new adventure full of love, smiles, laughter, and memories. When they reached out and asked me to photograph their intimate backyard wedding, I agreed without any hesitation. I am a happier person whenever I am in their company, and I felt honored to be the one to capture this chapter of their love story in pictures.

You would never know that they brought their wedding-day vision to life in just a few short weeks, or that a surprise thunderstorm the night before forced them to quickly tear down all of their decorations and then set them up again the morning of their wedding! And they did it all with smiles and lots of love. On July 4th, in the middle of a heatwave, Jenny and Luke exchanged their vows and rings in the company of a handful of their closest loved ones in their beautifully decorated backyard. Then, we headed to the nearby Wyomissing Park for a few photos of just the newlyweds. We returned to their home for some delicious food, cold drinks, and some of the most incredible wedding cake I have ever tasted! (I still can’t believe that their red velvet cake was gluten free - it was sooo good!)

Big thanks and socially-distanced high fives go out to the following vendors who made Jenny and Luke’s wedding vision come to life!

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography

Hair/Make-Up Artists: Iron Roots Salon

Florist: Events by Kelly’s Florist

Wedding Rings: Made Jewelry

Cake: The Cake Pros

Catering: Russo’s Gourmet Foods & Market

Here are a few of my favorite moments from their wedding day. Thanks again, Jenny and Luke! Congratulations!!!

Shanon + Brian | Intimate Fall Backyard Wedding | Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, I joined Shanon, Brian, and a dozen of their loved ones to celebrate their wedding day. This was one of the most intimate weddings I have photographed, and I definitely need more of these casual, laid back celebrations in my life. Weddings like this are my JAM! Don’t get me wrong, I love the fun and excitement that accompanies large, chaotic weddings. However there’s something about low-key weddings that just pulls at my heartstrings. I love when my couples are able to take some time to just enjoy each other and breathe each other in, savoring every moment of their Day #1 as husband and wife. And, that is exactly what Shanon and Brian did.

So, without any further ado, here are some of my favorite images from their day. (You may notice that these edits are a little different than what I normally post. I recently began giving my clients a choice between two editing styles - my traditional vibrant style, and my moodier style. Shanon requested moody and I was thrilled to edit these images in that style for her!)

(P.S. I wish I could have brought that vintage couch home with me!!)

Katie + BJ | An Intimate Backyard Wedding | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, Katie and BJ celebrated their Day #1 with just a handful of guests in my most intimate wedding ceremony to date.  Their celebration took place at a wooded family property in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania.  We couldn't have asked for better weather or light.  Everything was perfect, and all of the personalized details and decorations reflected the unique relationship and love that Katie and BJ share.

Katie and BJ are two of the funniest, most likeable people I have ever met.  Their vows had all of us laughing, then crying, then laughing again.  After they had officially become husband and wife, we snuck away into the woods for a few portraits.  Upon our return, the driveway was turned into a dance floor, and the yard into a firepit.  After the sun went down, s'mores were made, and stories were shared.  And those stories revealed just how perfect Katie and BJ are for each other, and just how loved they were by everyone in attendance.

I'm honored to have been asked to photograph these moments for Katie, BJ, and their loved ones.  I hope you enjoy this collection of images from their wedding day.

Big thanks to the following vendors for contributing to their celebration!

Florist:  Cedar Hill Flowers

Cake Artist: Viking Pastries

Hair/Makeup Artist:  Ulta Beauty, Wyomissing

Wedding Dress:  ModCloth

Decor Rentals:  Wolfe's Rental Company

Photography:  Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Sinking Spring Backyard Wedding | Hillary and Eric | Berks County Wedding Photographer

I have a Starbucks problem - I need at least one "venti no water chai" each day or I can't function properly.  While feeding this addiction and becoming a Starbucks regular, I had the honor of meeting Hillary.  When she asked me to photograph her upcoming wedding to Eric, I was ecstatic!!  Fast forward to a few weeks ago -- Hillary and Eric got married in their backyard in Sinking Spring, PA and threw an incredible party to start their marriage off properly!  I had such a great time documenting their day, tasting incredible food, and laughing along with their friends' fantastic stories!

This was one of the most intimate, casual weddings I have ever attended, and I loved every second of it!  I enjoy photographing all types of wedding ceremonies, but my favorites are the ones that really reflect the couple and their unique relationship and love for each other.  Everything about Hillary and Eric's wedding day did exactly that - from their DIY decorations to their self-uniting marriage to their iPod music playlist to Eric's blue velvet sport coat.  Everything was about them and their personalities and their loved ones, and it was perfect.

I hope you enjoy a few photos from their Day #1!  I'm so honored that I was able to celebrate with them!

Catering:  H20 Kitchen (Jason Hook)

Cake/Cupcakes:  Secrets Bakery

DJ:  Spotify and bluetooth speaker ;)

Hair and Make-up:  Hillary did them herself!

Bride's wedding dress:  Kimono purchased on Etsy!

Groom's suit: Velvet sport coat purchased from Kohls!