Lexie + Brandon | Wyomissing Park Engagement Session | Pennsylvania + Destination Wedding Photographer

Emily + Courtney | Outdoor Tampa, Florida "Game Night" Wedding | Destination Wedding Photographer

I met Courtney and Emily a few years ago while I was photographing Hillary and Eric’s wedding. We kept in touch on instagram, and when Emily reached out to me about photographing her own wedding, I was ecstatic! So, a few months ago, Courtney and Emily flew me to Tampa, Florida to photograph their incredible celebration - and I completely forgot to blog it!! I dropped the ball, and I’m so mad at myself. It’s one of a long list of sessions that I failed to blog when life got crazy busy this past fall. I’m making up for it now and sharing a few of my favorite photos from their emotional and ridiculously fun wedding day!

While we were planning together, I asked Courtney and Emily to describe their wedding day vibe and they responded with the following: DIY, casual, simple, unique, fun, intimate, relaxed, personal, low-key, non-traditional, game night turned wedding. Now that their wedding day is here and gone, I have to say that I agree with all of those descriptors - and I want to add one of my own… perfection. Their wedding day was truly perfect, as it was a perfect reflection of their intimate relationship and their incredible love for each other.

Emily and Courtney’s preparations, ceremony, and reception all took place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. As it seems to be with most of the weddings I photograph, Mother Nature kept us on our toes that day. There were morning and early afternoon showers, followed by some of the most intense humidity I have ever experienced. If you are familiar with camera gear, you know that photographing in the air conditioning, followed by heat and extreme humidity can be quite tricky. However, I was prepared with multiple sets of gear, and everything went off without a glitch! After the rain left, we were gifted the most glorious Golden Hour light I have ever seen!

This was one of the most emotional wedding days I have been a part of, and I cried more times than I can remember. I was crying (happy tears) when they first saw each other at the beginning of their ceremony, during their personalized vows, as they lit their unity candle, and during the most heartfelt speeches I have ever witnessed during their reception. But, there was no shortage of smiles, either - courtesy of their amazing flower girl and ring bearer with the absolute best personalities, or during the reception which was actually just the raddest game night I’ve ever been a part of, or just the way that Courtney and Emily looked at each other all day long. Unfortunately, there were some loved ones unable to physically attend the ceremony, but you could feel their presence regardless. Love ruled the day, and I am so honored that I was able to celebrate Courtney and Emily’s marriage along with them and their dearest friends and family members.

Congratulations again, Courtney and Emily! I hope that married life is treating you both well, and I hope our paths cross again, either here in PA, down there in FL, or somewhere else fun!

Courtney and Emily’s wedding day was made possible by their own hard work, as well as the collaboration of these vendors:

Venue: Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa

Officiant: Reverend Patricia (Rev P)

Hair artist: Christopher Trevena, Fame & Foils Color Bar

Makeup artist: Emily’s coworker Bella did her makeup, and Courtney did her own makeup

Courtney’s dresses: Torrid

Emily’s suit: Men’s Wearhouse

Cuban-inspired buffet and cakes: Moreno Bakery

Flowers: Costco & Pinterest

Emily’s bowtie & boutonniere: Etsy

Band/DJ: iTunes and an aux cord

Chair and table rentals: Fiesta Solutions

Lighting: Tampa Lighting

ASHLIE + ERIC | WESTIN KA'ANAPALI MAUI WEDDING | DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Longwood Gardens Engagement Photoshoot | Jess + Sean | Berks County Wedding Photographer

Last Sunday, I met up with Jess and Sean for their engagement session.  They picked Longwood Gardens for the backdrop because it's one of their favorite places to visit together... and I was really excited, because it's one of my favorite places, too!  They booked me as their wedding photographer a few weeks ago, and this session was the first time we actually met in person.  I was so excited to meet them, and I had a very strong feeling that they were going to be really fun in person.  Oh, was I right!!  We were chatting and laughing during their entire session, and my face hurt when I left from smiling so much!  For every serious pose I got out of them, there were about 15 more silly poses - which I think is awesome!  My favorite pictures are always the ones where I capture my clients being themselves!

I hope you enjoy this collection of photos from their engagement session.  I'm looking forward to their Florida destination wedding next fall!!

Wyomissing Park Engagement | Veronica + Bill + Lily

Veronica and Bill just moved back to the area from Pittsburgh, where they recently became engaged!  We met up at the Wyomissing Park so I could snap a few engagement photos.  I'm so thrilled that they brought their pup Lily along!  She's such a sweet girl, and was super cooperative for the camera!  A bag of snacks and Bill's sister's ninja dog handling skills could have been part of the reason for that. ;)

I LOVE how these turned out!  We practically had the park to ourselves (except for a deer that decided to hang out with us for a few minutes), and the light was absolutely perfect!

Thank you for reaching out to me, Veronica and Bill!  It was wonderful meeting you!  Congratulations on your engagement and I wish you a lifetime of happiness and incredible memories together!  (Big thanks to my husband for coming along and assisting!)

Rehoboth Beach Wedding | Lisa + Mike

Back in April, I photographed my first ever beach wedding!  It was the perfect setting for Lisa and Mike to exchange their vows, and to celebrate with their loved ones.  Mother Nature wasn't feeling very cooperative that afternoon, so we ended up waiting inside the rental house for over an hour waiting for the rain to stop.  As soon as the weather broke, we headed to the beach where Mike and Lisa officially became Mr. and Mrs.!  The rain must have scared the beach crowds away, and the light was perfect!!  (Maybe Mother Nature was secretly on our side after all.)  After the ceremony, we took a little stroll down the boardwalk before joining everyone back at the rental house for an evening of celebrating.  It was great seeing some of my former Governor Mifflin classmates again!  Big props go out to Chef Darrell for keeping our bellies full with his delicious and gorgeous culinary masterpieces!!

Scott's Run Lake Engagement | Ashlie + Eric

I recently met up with Ashlie and Eric to photograph their engagement session.  (It just happened to be the hottest and most humid day of the year, so far.)  They were such troopers in the heat and humidity, and we managed to capture quite a few great shots in spite of Mother Nature deciding to be a brat!  They are planning to get married in Maui next year, and I know that it's going to be absolutely amazing!  Congratulations, you two!!