Jes + Chris + Ronan, Part 1 | Kula Kamala Ashram Wedding | Reading, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Jes and Chris exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at the Kula Kamala Ashram in Reading, Pennsylvania.  They got married on Earth Day, which is pretty appropriate considering how prominent nature and spirituality are in their lives.  This was my first time visiting the ashram, and as soon as I stepped inside I fell in love with the colors, the smells, and the overall sense of calm that existed there.  This was the perfect place for Jes and Chris to be wed in the presence of their loved ones - including Jes' son Ronan who played an important role in their celebration.

Their decorations were simple yet beautiful, and created a romantic backdrop for their very personalized celebration.  Because the reception was taking place inside the ashram, strict rules had to be followed regarding the ingredients and preparation of the food.  In addition, no alcohol was to be served.  That didn't have any impact on the celebration, though, and I witnessed some of the best dance moves I have ever seen.

Mother Nature decided to bless them with ample amounts of luck (i.e. rain) on their wedding day, so our outdoor portraits were kept to a minimum.  These were rescheduled for another day, which is shared in Part 2 of their blog post.

Without any further delay, here is a selection of photos from their wedding day.  Congratulations, Jes, Chris, and Ronan!

Big thanks to the following team of people for working together to pull off this amazing wedding celebration:

Photographer:  Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Videographer:  Brian DiRenzo, Artistic Hands

Venue:  Kula Kamala Ashram

Florist:  The Rustic Bunch

Cake Artist:  Amanda Blake, Savory LLC

DJ:  Greg Nyce

Hair Artist:  Iris, Salon EveLeila

Makeup Artist:  Alisha, Alisha's Spa Euphoria

Wedding Dress Boutique:  Adrianna Papell, Macy's

Groom's Tuxedo:  Men's Warehouse

Officiant:  Sudha Allitt, Ashram Co-Founder

Henna Artist:  Yenna Hill

Harmonium Player: Charles Feenstra

Readers: Sam Watson, Felicia Walk

"Lord of the Rings": Ronan Ayres

Jeni + Mark | Intimate Wyomissing Park Wedding | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

A few weeks ago, Jeni and Mark exchanged wedding vows in an intimate ceremony at the Wyomissing Park.  This is one of Jeni's happy places, and I was thrilled with her idea of getting married here!  She asked me to accompany them on their stroll through the park that would culminate in them becoming husband and wife.  We started our walk at one end of the park, while their loved ones waited at the other end.  One of my favorite images (and memories) of this day is when Jeni and Mark crested the hill and saw their loved ones waiting for them at their ceremony location.  Their smiles were huge, and their excitement, joy, and LOVE were palpable.  It is obvious that family comes first in their lives - I'm guessing that is one of the things that they love most about each other.  Jeni and Mark compliment each other perfectly - Jeni is spontaneous and high-energy, and Mark is calm and pensive.  Those are my impressions at least - you can form your own opinions after you check out a small selection of my favorite images of their day.

Jeni and Mark, thank you for you inviting me to be a part of your celebration.  I'm so happy that your hearts found each other, and I know that you're enjoying your time together as husband and wife.

Jill + Steve | Reading Museum Couple's Session | Wyomissing Pennsylvania Portrait Photographer

The majority of my time is spent photographing engaged couples and their wedding celebrations.  It's not often that I get couples in front of my camera that have been happily married for years.  My time spent hanging out with Jill and Steve at the Reading Museum a few weeks ago showed me that I need more of these sessions in my life.

Jill is a fellow photographer, so my anxiety was a little higher than usual at the beginning of our session.  (I always get nervous before a session - it's just how I am wired.)  I brought my husband along to assist that evening, because he's known Jill and Steve for a while and I knew we would make a great team.  As soon as our session started, my nerves dissipated.  The four of us had amazing chemistry together - sparked by our mutual love of snowboarding, and solidified by our light-hearted silliness.

The entire session, Jill and Steve looked at each other as if they were newlyweds.  Their love is palpable and inspiring.  Everyone needs a couple like Jill and Steve in their lives to remind them that true love is real and possible.  This may sound cheesy, but I really am a better person after spending time interacting with them at our photoshoot.  If you know Jill and Steve, I'm sure you understand.

Jill and Steve, thank you for asking me to capture these moments for you.  I had such a great time, and I'm looking forward to making more memories together (both off and on the snow)!

Jessica + Laura | Cecil Creek Farm Wedding | Mickleton, New Jersey Wedding Photographer

Operation "Catch Up On Blogging" is in full force this week!  Up now are Jessica and Laura!

I met Jessica back in the 90s when we were students together at Lehigh University and rushing the Delta Zeta sorority.  We ended up becoming sorority sisters, and Jessica was always the girl we would go to if we needed a good belly laugh.  I don't know how she does it, but her happiness, positivity, and energy are contagious - more so than anyone else I have ever met.  I'm guessing those are some of the things that Laura loves about her.  I could tell how hard Jessica had fallen for Laura through her emails, wedding consultations, and periodic Facebook posts, but I actually didn't meet Laura in person until the morning of their wedding.  As soon as I did, I saw for myself how perfect they are for each other, and how much their personalities compliment each other.  Laura is just as fun and positive as Jessica - but she has a sensitivity about her that has a calming influence on Jessica that is very hard to describe in words.

I am so fortunate that they asked me to photograph their wedding celebration for them.  More than that, I'm fortunate that I was able to be surrounded by all the love they have for each other.  This was one of my favorite weddings to date!  I was laughing and crying and smiling with them all night.  Plus, their personalized decorations, bright colors, and a rendezvous with some super sweet horses made my heart sing.

I hope you enjoy this small collection of photos from their wedding day.

These awesome vendors made this amazing day possible!

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Venue:  Cecil Creek Farm

Cake Artist: Sweet Eats Bakery

Hair Artist:  In The Village

Wedding Dress Boutique:  David's Bridal (Laura's); Claire's Fashions (Jessica's)

Jess + Sean | White Chimneys Wedding | Lancaster Wedding Photographer

During my busiest months, I often fall behind in blogging so that I can dedicate as much time as possible to making sure my amazing clients get their images delivered quickly.  Jess and Sean's incredible wedding is one that I haven't blogged yet - but that's all changing now!

The first time I met Jess and Sean in person was when we shot their engagement portraits at Longwood Gardens.  (You can see those pictures by clicking here.)  They have so much love for each other, are incredibly kind and full of joy, and are so much fun to be around.  We hit it off right away, and I knew that their wedding was going to be one of my favorites to photograph!  When their wedding day rolled around last fall, my prediction was accurate - I had a blast!  Their ceremony and reception took place at White Chimneys, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Their DIY decor was a combination of romantic, casual, and rustic.  Their personalized vows and rope braiding ceremony reflected not only the strong love they have for each other, but also their strong faith.  I found myself giggling at the adorable "ring bears" that made their presence, and then I broke down in tears when I witnessed Sean's reaction as Jess walked down the aisle toward him with her dad.  (Give yourself a high five if you got that How I Met Your Mother reference!)

The fun continued throughout the portraits and the reception, too!  There was no shortage of toasts, laughter, or dancing... and a few special guests made their appearance on the dance floor as well!

Jess and Sean, thank you so much for asking me to capture your Day #1 as husband and wife.  You both deserve this Happily Ever After, and I'm honored that I was able to celebrate with you.  I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their day.

This day wouldn't have been a success without the collaboration of these vendors:

Photographer:  Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Second Photographer:  Bill Johns

Venue:  White Chimneys Estate

DJ:  Levi McCurdy, Sparxx Entertainment

Florist: Greta Bomgardner, Lace and Peonies Floral Design

Cake Artist: Patty, Cake Creators

Hair Artist: Lizz Maldonado

Makeup Artist: Marked by Tiffani Rose

Wedding Dress Boutique:  David's Bridal

Photo Booth:  Shining Star Photo Booth

Megan + Nate | Trexler Nature Preserve Engagement | Lehigh Valley Wedding Photographer

I recently met up with Megan and Nate to create their engagement portraits.  They chose the Trexler Nature Preserve as their backdrop.  Not only do they enjoy spending time there as a couple, but it is also the spot where Nate proposed!

Mother Nature has been playing tricks on me all year, and this session was no exception.  It was a hot afternoon, and the winds were a bit challenging; however, Megan and Nate were troopers.   We drove around to some of their favorite spots in the park, including the bench where Nate popped the question (and Megan obviously accepted).  We even spied a few bison during our time there, but they were acting a bit camera shy that evening and wouldn't join Megan and Nate in any of their photos.

Here are a few of my favorites from our sunny evening together!  I can't wait to photograph their wedding next spring!

...And if you ever venture to the Trexler Nature Preserve to check it out yourself, note that the gates close at sunset (and not a minute after).  We found out the hard way.

Tara + Joe (+ Delaney + Darla) | Blue Marsh Engagement Session | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Wedding season is in full swing and I've been so busy that I've slacked on blogging lately.  I am determined to get caught up, so be prepared to have your newsfeeds filled!  Now starring on my blog are Tara and Joe and their fun-loving (and incredibly well-trained) pups Darla and Delaney!  We met up at the Stilling Basin at Blue Marsh Lake, one of their favorite places to hang out together.  What was supposed to be a warm (or at least mild) spring session ended up being unseasonably cold and windy!  They were such troopers, though, and I love how their photos turned out.  I can't wait for their wedding this fall!

Here are a few samples from our session.  Enjoy!

Liz + Phil | Macoby Run Golf Course Wedding | Montgomery County Wedding Photographer

I've been keeping a secret for the past week, and I'm finally allowed to share!

This amazing couple got married in a very intimate ceremony last Saturday before heading to Florida to do it all over again on the beach!  They asked me to photograph their church ceremony here in Pennsylvania, which I was honored to do.  After they exchanged vows and officially started their Day #1 as husband and wife, we headed to Macoby Run Golf Course for a few more photos.  (Phil golfs there pretty frequently, and I could tell he was in his element driving the cart around to a few of his favorite spots!  Liz was glowing the entire time - I don't think she cared where we ended up for photos, as long as she was by Phil's side.)

Congratulations, Liz and Phil!  I'm honored to share an anniversary date with you.  (Big thanks to my husband, Mako, for taking time out of our own anniversary celebration to assist me!)

I hope you enjoy this sample of photos from their (first) wedding day.

Columbia Station Wedding | 2nd Shooting | Chester County Wedding Photographer

When I'm not busy photographing my own weddings or portrait sessions, I can often be found assisting other photographers.  I really enjoy the freedom (and lower stress level) that comes along with second shooting!  A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of second shooting a wedding for Jessica Lynn Photography.

We met our couple, Danielle and Dan, at the Courtyard Marriott in Collegeville, PA where they were making their final preparations.  After a few detail shots and candid photos, we packed up and headed to The Columbia Station, where their first look, wedding ceremony, and reception were going to take place.

Here are a few of my photos from the day.  I'm always grateful when the photographers I work with allow me to share my work!  Thanks, Jes!

Liz + Phil | Berks County Engagement Session | Penn State Berks | Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Last weekend, I met up with Liz and Phil to photograph their engagement session.  Liz is my cousin - and one of the biggest Penn State fans that I know!  Choosing the Penn State Berks campus as the backdrop for their photoshoot was a pretty easy decision.  This location has a lot of meaning for Liz, and I personally love it because there are so many incredible little nooks for portrait backdrops.  And, I'm pretty sure Phil is happy anywhere that Liz is by his side.  So, Penn State it was!

Liz and Phil had hoped for a wintry backdrop for their photoshoot - and even though the temperatures were definitely winter-appropriate that day, there was no snow to be found.  We were, however, gifted some pretty incredible golden light.  At the end of our session, we even happened upon an amazing field of yellow flowers.  That was a pretty great consolation prize for being denied the snow that we were hoping for.  Mother Nature is unpredictable, just like so many aspects of life.  At the end of the day, all that matters is how you spend your time and who you spend it with.  Everything else is just noise.

That being said, I LOVE how their photographs turned out!  I hope you enjoy this little preview from their session.  Congratulations, Liz and Phil!  I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.

(Disclaimer - Liz and Phil brought the empty champagne bottle along that they celebrated with on the night of their engagement!!  Awesome, right?!  They toasted to their engagement - but they used ginger ale this time.  We wouldn't want anyone to get scolded for an innocent, alcohol-free toast on Penn State grounds.)