Danielle + Jonathan | FEAST at Round Hill | New York Wedding Photographer

I recently had the honor of photographing Danielle and Jonathan’s wedding. Danielle and I met quite a few years ago when we were both students (and fellow Delta Zeta sorority sisters) at Lehigh University. I was absolutely thrilled when she reached out to me and asked me to be her wedding photographer! I’ve mentioned it more than once before, but one of my favorite parts of being a photographer is reconnecting with wonderful people from my past, via my passion for artistically capturing moments in time.

Fast forward to their wedding day - Danielle and Jonathan’s final preparations and celebration took place at FEAST at Round Hill, a lovely venue in Washingtonville, New York. It was my first time photographing at that venue, and I instantly fell in love with its charm and personality. There was still snow on the ground from a recent storm, and even though that made for a slippery first look, it added just the right amount of wintry romance to the scene. It really was the perfect setting for Danielle and Jonathan’s classic, fun, and simply elegant wedding. The bridal party was small and intimate, but the day was overflowing with love and joy - from the romantic first look, to the wedding vows, to the speeches, to the dances. The entire day was a celebration of Danielle and Jonathan’s love for each other.

I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from Danielle and Jonathan’s Day #1 as husband and wife. I know that I thoroughly enjoyed celebrating with them (and some of my fellow Lehigh sorority sisters)!

Big thanks to the following team for helping make Danielle and Jonathan’s dream wedding become a reality:

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Venue, Wedding Coordinator, Caterer: FEAST at Round Hill

Videographer: Reina Stern

Florist: Rene Rodriguez, New City Florist

Cake Artist: Pastry Garden

DJ: A Perfect Blend Entertainment

Hair Artist: Melissa Serraro Walsh, Dutchess County Hairstylist

Makeup Artist: Tiffany Field, Dutchess County Hairstylist

Wedding Dress Boutique: Azazie

Bridesmaids’ Dress Boutique: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Tuxedo Boutique: Foeller’s Men’s Shop

Groomsmen’s Tuxedo Boutique: Foeller’s Men’s Shop

Anna + Wiley | Pocono Lake Preserve | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining Anna, Wiley, and their loved ones at one of their favorite places, as they celebrated their wedding in the Poconos. (We were also joined by a few million mosquitoes, but no one really seemed to mind.) All of the festivities took place at various locations around the Pocono Lake Preserve, a place that is near and dear to their hearts. This was my first time visiting the preserve, and I instantly fell in love with the venue - I can tell why they love it so much!

I would describe their wedding day vibe as casual, rustic, and fun (emphasis placed on fun)! Their wedding party had just as many dogs as humans, which added a nice personal touch to their day. Anna’s theme color was black watch plaid, and the flowers and table decorations complemented her colors perfectly! Wiley had two wedding bands - one made of plain white gold, and the other made of elk horn, whiskey barrels and gold (it was so cool!!).

The speeches brought me to tears, the dance moves had me smiling big silly grins. I was so honored to document this celebration for them and with them. I truly have the absolute best job ever. I hope you understand why when you view this selection of photos from their Day #1 as husband and wife. Thank you again for trusting me with your memories, Anna and Wiley!

Big thanks to the following people (among others) who helped make Anna and Wiley’s dream wedding day a reality:

Wedding Coordinator: Elika Almeida

Florist: Leigh Florist; Denise Herker

Cake Artist: Kitchen Chemistry

Band: The Hoopla Band

Hair Artist: Virginia Slonaker (aka Bunny)

Makeup Artist: Lexi Vidal (Bride’s daughter)

Wedding Dress Boutique: David’s Bridal

Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Suit Boutique: Brooks Brothers

String Ensemble: Penn Strings

Officiant: Journeys of the Heart; Susanne Wilson

Ashlie + Eric | Westin Ka'Anapali Maui Wedding | Destination and Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

It seems like forever ago that I photographed Ashlie and Eric's engagement session at French Creek park and casually commented at the end of the session that if they wanted me to fly to Maui to photograph their wedding to reach out to me.  I was half-joking when I made that remark, because I was still teaching high school mathematics full time and knew that I probably wouldn't be able to get away to photograph their October wedding, even if I wanted to.  I only had limited personal days, and would use them every year to fly to Colorado to cheer on my daughters as they competed in the national snowboard championships each winter.

Shortly after they received their engagement gallery, Ashlie reached out to me again.  She and Eric loved their photos and wanted to know if I was serious about flying to Maui to photograph their destination wedding - and if I was, they would love to have me join them.  I instantly agreed, and set out to find a way to make it happen... even though I was still teaching full time.  Once I set my mind on something, I make it happen - 100% of the time.  I'm determined, to a fault.

Soon after I accepted their offer and we worked out the details, a crazy chain of events happened in my life that that involved my dog running away (we got her back), me chasing her and running face first into my garage door (and getting a pretty severe concussion and shattered nose), taking time off of teaching, and eventually resigning from my teaching position.  The entire time, in the back of my head, was Ashlie and Eric's Maui wedding that I had booked.  I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I feel like this was the Universe's way of assuring me that I made the right decision to shift my focus from education to photography, and was helping clear the path for me as I pursued this dream of mine.

Fast forward to late September.

I put out a request on social media asking if any of my friends would like to fly to Maui with me and be my assistant for the wedding day, in exchange for a place to stay and someone to adventure around Maui with.  I was thrilled that someone took me up on my offer and booked my exact flights a day later!  (Bonus: She happens to have a lot of the same interests as I do!)  So, we flew to Maui together, spent a few days sightseeing and surfing, and met up with Ashlie and Eric to photograph their Day #1 together as husband and wife!

We couldn't have asked for a better week.  The temperature was in the 80s every single day, the typical Hawaii rain showers were kept to a minimum (even though we did have a few that brought with them some stunning rainbows!), and Ashlie and Eric and their loved ones were so much fun to celebrate with and photograph!  It was a bit windy on their wedding day, but I think it made their photos even more incredible.  From the beachside ceremony, to the sunset portraits, to the ukulele player/singer, to the incredible Hawaiian buffet and bar menu, everything was absolutely perfect.  A rainbow even made its appearance while Ashlie's dad was escorting her down the aisle.  On top of that, Ashlie looked absolutely breathtaking in her silk wedding gown, and Eric was as handsome as ever!  (Ashlie's wedding dress even had pockets - how amazing is that?!)

I hope you enjoy this small selection of my favorites from their destination wedding.  For a list of all of the local vendors who made this day possible, scroll down past the photographs.

Congratulations again, Ashlie and Eric!  Thank you again for asking me to be your photographer.  And big thanks to my friend Amanda for joining me on this adventure!  I surfed more during that trip than I have in the last 5 years combined, and I probably wouldn't have done it if I didn't have a friend along for some added peer pressure!

(And if anyone else is looking for a photographer for a wedding outside of Pennsylvania, be sure to check out my Wandlerlust deal that is currently running!  Help me check more states off of my list so I can complete a personal project, while you score a great deal on a wedding photography package!)

Thank you to the following people who helped make Ashlie and Eric's wedding day truly magical!

Ceremony and Reception Venue:  Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas

Wedding Coordinator:  Beata Vanderzee

Ukulele Player/Singer:  Music by Kalo

Hair/Makeup Artist:  Melissa Dyckman, Melissa Brooke Hair + Makeup Maui

Wedding Dress Boutique:  Sabrina Ann Couture, Ardmore, PA

Bride's Sandals:  Sam Edelman

Photographer:  Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Nona + George | Longwood Gardens Engagement Session | New Jersey Wedding Photographer

I don't even know where to begin describing this engagement session.  It was so incredible, in so many ways.  Once you see the photos, you'll know what I mean...

Nona and George live in New Jersey, but wanted to drive closer to me for their engagement session for a little change in scenery.  On our original date, we were going to meet up in Lancaster, but Mother Nature had other plans.  With their 3 hour drive (each way), we decided to play it safe and call it off.  So, we rescheduled for a few days later, and since their original location choice was closed that day we moved the shoot to Longwood Gardens.

We couldn't have picked a better day, time, or location.

We had Longwood Gardens practically to ourselves, and the weather was incredible!  It was a little hot and humid, but honestly, I don't even think Nona and George noticed - they were too mesmerized by each other!!  They have incredible fashion sense, but that was secondary to their chemistry and love for each other.  Everything, and I mean everything, was perfect.

By the way, Nona is a very talented artist herself!  You can find her work here: https://www.facebook.com/DesignByNona/  or here: https://www.instagram.com/designbynona/.

I am so looking forward to their wedding this upcoming winter!  I hope you enjoy this rather large collection of photos from their engagement session - because I had too many favorites to narrow it down any further.

Congratulations, Nona and George!!