Amie + Greg | Meredith Manor Fall Wedding | Chester County, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

I had such an amazing time photographing Amie and Greg’s October wedding a few weeks ago! The weather was beautiful, and although it was a bit chilly that day, I remember feeling like it was the first day this year that actually REALLY felt like autumn.

When Amie reached out to me almost 2 years ago, asking if I would photograph her wedding, I ecstatically agreed! I have known Amie for longer than I will admit, since I was once her high school math teacher (in my pre-photographer life). I am filled with so much joy when former students contact me years later, asking me to document important milestones in their lives - especially when they have grown into such incredible adults, like Amie and Greg have done. Needless to say, I have been looking forward to this wedding for a long time - but probably not quite as long as Amie, Greg, and their loved ones have.

On the day of their wedding, we met up with Amie and Greg at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Exton, PA. I hung out with the girls while they finished getting ready, and my second photographer, Eric, photographed the guys. Everyone was so much fun, and the hotel provided the perfect backdrop and lighting for stunning photos!

Next, we headed to the Meredith Manor for the first look, portraits, ceremony, and reception. (The bridal party arrived via school bus - awesome, right!?!) This was my first time visiting Meredith Manor, and it didn’t disappoint! This venue is gorgeous, and has so many fantastic backdrops for photos. The staff was so helpful, and really went out of their way to make Amie and Greg’s day as perfect as it could be. Everything reflected their personalities and their relationship with each other, including the speeches, the decorations, and the excellent officiating by Amie’s own father! Amie and Greg’s wedding day vibe was romantic, classic, and formal, with a touch of rustic thrown in for good measure. When you see their photos, I think you’ll see what I mean!

Amie and Greg, thank you so much for inviting me to document these moments for you, and to celebrate your marriage with you. It was so nice seeing you, and reconnecting with some of my other former students (and couples)! I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from your Day #1 as husband and wife, and reliving these moments.

I would like to acknowledge all of the talented people and businesses who made Amie and Greg’s wedding dreams come true:

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka

Transportation: Metz Wilson Bus Service

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Exton, PA

Wedding/Reception Venue: Meredith Manor

Wedding Coordinator: Mimi Reitz, Meredith Manor

Florist: Bridal Flowers - Jenna Shupp-Kemp, Exquisite Designs

Florist: Ceremony and Reception Flowers - Becky Reitz, B&E Floral Designs

Cake Artist: Bakers of Buffington

DJ: Chet Light, Musical Expressions

Hair & Makeup Artist: Prenup Beauty

Wedding Dress Boutique: BHLDN; Jolie; Catherine Dean

Bridesmaids’ Dresses Boutique: Adrianna Papell

Groom and Groomsmen’s Tuxedo Boutique: Tux by Sarno

Jes + Chris + Ronan, Part 2 | St. Peter's Village Session | Chester County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Jes, Chris, and Ronan are lucky enough to have two blog posts dedicated to their love story!  Since it poured all day long on their wedding day (see that blog post here), I offered to meet up with them for more portraits on a later (and much sunnier) date.  They happily agreed, and a few weeks later they dressed up in their wedding outfits all over again (plus a floral crown!) and met me at St. Peter's Village.

Luckily, I brought my husband along to assist me.  Without the extra set of hands and eyes, I know I would have ended up falling on boulders and into the water - with thousands of dollars of camera gear attached to me.  I can be extra clumsy at times, especially at awesome locations like St. Pete's.  I'm extra impressed by Jes' and Chris' bouldering skills while donning formal wear!  We all escaped bruise free, and with great photos to memorialize our evening together.

Here are a few images from our adventures at St. Pete's.  Enjoy!

Steph + Al | Joanna Furnace Rustic Summer Wedding | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of documenting Steph and Al's Day #1 as husband and wife!  I have been looking forward to this day since long before I photographed their engagement session at Wyebrook Farm last fall.

The weather was absolutely fantastic on their wedding day!  The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, and there wasn't a rain cloud in sight.  We couldn't have asked for a nicer day, or better people to celebrate with.

I met up with Steph and the rest of the girls while they were finishing up getting ready at It's All About You salon.  Then, we headed to the huge sunflower field that is planted each year by the owners of Please Wash Me Carwash in Elverson.  The owners of the field and car wash are friends of Steph and Al, and it was so sweet of them to offer us the space for a few quick bridal party portraits!

Then, we arrived at the Plow Church for final preparations and the ceremony.  Steph and Al chose not to have a first look, opting for the more traditional moment that they would see each other for the first time as she was walking toward him down the church aisle.  You could see the anticipation and excitement during that moment on both of their faces, and it had me in tears!  (I'm lucky I get to hide my running-mascara-face on the other side of the camera!)

Steph and Al were surprised when they walked out of the church and found a huge tractor waiting for them, ready to take them to Joanna Furnace for their reception!  This had all been arranged by friends ahead of time, behind the scenes.  After a few photos on the Plow Church baseball field (baseball is a shared passion of theirs!), we left for Joanna Furnace and finished up our portraits there.

Photographing a wedding is a lot of hard work, and I am exhausted by the end of the night - but I typically don't notice that until after I pack up my gear and am driving home.  The days fly by so quickly, and I get such an adrenaline rush and full heart from being surrounded by so much love, laughter, happy tears, and celebrating.  I really love what I do, and I'm so thankful for my couples - like Steph and Al!!

If I had to describe their wedding and reception in just a few words, I would choose rustic, casual, country, and SO MUCH FUN!

Congratulations, Steph and Al!!!  Thank you again for trusting me to capture these moments for you and your loved ones.

Big thanks to the following vendors for helping make this day a success:

Hair and Make-Up:  It's All About You Salon and Spa, Reading, PA

Flowers:  Flowers by Jena Paige

DJ:  Rick Bean of B&B Light and Sound

Bride's dress:  Forever Formals in Kennett Square, PA

Groom's suit:  Men's Wearhouse in Wyomissing, PA

Tent/chair rental:  Knights Rental in Leesport, PA

Church:  Plowville Lutheran Church (Robeson Evangelical Lutheran) in Mohnton, PA

Reception:  Joanna Furnace - Hay Creek Valley Historical Association in Morgantown, PA

Huge thanks to Jane Ammon for second shooting with me for a portion of the day!

Wyebrook Farm Engagement Session | Steph and Al | Chester County Photographer

I recently met up with Steph and Al for their engagement photoshoot, and had a blast!!  Our first stop was the Twin Valley High School baseball field - a place near and dear to their hearts.  Then, we headed to Wyebrook Farm, just in time to befriend a few cattle and catch some amazing late afternoon light as the sun started to set.  The wind was a bit of a challenge that day, but Steph and Al rocked their session and I love how the photos turned out!  I am so looking forward to their wedding next August!

I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from our time together!

Saint Peter's Village Family Session | The Gumbas - Part 1

Last year, I had the pleasure of photographing the Gumba family for the first time, at their amazing property.  That session is still one of my favorite sessions to date, because we ended up abandoning all plans for posed shots and took more of a candid, lifestyle approach.  I love letting kids just be themselves - I find that's when they (and their parents) truly shine!

This year, our session took place the same day as a fishing trip that Dad was really looking forward to, so we decided to focus on Sarah and her three boys.  We opted to go with a different location this time, to mix up the backgrounds from last year.  Due to the nature of the location, and the tendency of 3- and 6-year olds to want to explore, we had to be a little less "lifestyle" and a little more hands-on, but we still captured some amazing photos of the boys being themselves!  Even though they are exploring their independence at this age, it is so obvious how much they love their momma.  It was also obvious when they decided they were finished having their photos taken!  See if you can figure it out in the images below. ;)

This family has forever earned a big space in my heart!  I love them for their energy, their sense of humor, and the fact that they are just so real!  They are unapologetically authentic, and I think we need more people like that in the world.

Thank you, Sarah!  Thank you for allowing me to take your family photos, and thank you for being you.  You are such a breath of fresh air.  Your kiddos rock, too.  Here are a few of my favorites from the session.

Brandywine Manor House Wedding | Alyssa + Chris

I couldn't think of a better way to launch my new website than by catching up on my 2016 blogs!  First up... Alyssa and Chris!  Alyssa and Chris were high school sweethearts and became Mr. and Mrs. on January 16, 2016!  Some of my favorite parts of this wedding - besides all of the celebrating, of course - were the DIY elements that Alyssa created to add her own personal touch to the day!  Alyssa's dress was no novice to wedding day celebrations... her mom wore the exact same gown when she and Alyssa's father were married!!  I hope you enjoy these photos from their Day #1!

Bride's Dress:  It was her mother's! <3

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Lily Boutique

Groom's Suit:  Boscov's

Hair/Make-Up Artist:  Twisted Scissors (Amanda Collett)

Church:  St. Peter Parish

Caterer:  Hess's BBQ

Reception Venue:  Brandywine Manor House

DJ:  Silver Sound Entertainment