Morgan + Mikey | Barn at Silverstone Wedding | Lancaster Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

In September, Morgan and Mikey were married in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, at the Barn at Silverstone. Their wedding day had a romantic and semi-formal vibe, with decorations and details that were rustic and shabby chic. Morgan thought that my “moodier” editing style would be a great fit, so she asked me to add that touch to her wedding photos (which I was happy to do!). The weather has been rather turbulent this year, but we lucked out that day. We had a few showers in the morning - perfect for some extra wedding day luck - and then were gifted the most incredible weather for the rest of the day. Admittedly, it was a bit windy, but they rolled with it like champs!

Morgan, Mikey, and their bridal party were so much fun! They were there to celebrate, and that’s exactly what they did. There were a few emotional moments, too, especially during the first look, wedding ceremony, speeches, and sentimental dances. I was laughing and crying right along with them. And their first dance - they were literally on Cloud 9!! (Wait until you see it!)

I hope you enjoy this selection of photos from their Day #1 as husband and wife. Congratulations again, Mr. and Mrs. Antolino!

Huge props go out to the following vendors for making their dream wedding a reality:

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka

Venue: The Barn at Silverstone

Wedding Coordinator: Christine Helwig, Scarlet Runner Catering

Videographer: Rola Cinema

Florist: The Autumn Olive

Cake Artist: Krystal Moran

DJ: Vince, East Coast Event Group

Hair Artist: John Sentell, Alchemy Studio Hair

Makeup Artisti: Nicole Moeser

Wedding Dress Boutique: Darianna Bridal & Tuxedo; Casablanca

Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Ashley’s Bridal

Groom and Groomsman Tuxedo Boutique: Men’s Wearhouse

Officiant: Theresa Gilberti

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!!)

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

Patsy + Michael | Alvernia University + Heidelberg Country Club | Berks County Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

I met Patsy and Michael at a wedding that I photographed last summer. I was thrilled when Michael contacted me a few weeks later, asking me if I was available to photograph his own upcoming wedding! When I met him and Patsy at my studio to discuss their wedding day in person, I knew we were going to make a great team.

I wasn’t wrong!

Their wedding day was overflowing with excitement, energy, and LOVE! Their decorations (many of them DIY) were so colorful and full of textures - it was truly a photographer’s dream. Their wedding day vibe was an amalgamation of tradition and romance, with a touch of rustic shabby chic thrown in for good measure.

I began my day photographing the final bridal preparations that took place at Patsy’s home. (I was supposed to begin at the guys’ hotel - but that’s a story for another day. A wedding just isn’t a wedding without some last minute chaos - and believe me, we had it! Luckily, I’m great at going with the flow…)

Next, I headed to the Sacred Heart Chapel to photograph their traditional Catholic ceremony. The chapel is located on Alvernia University’s campus, and is absolutely breathtaking inside! Their ceremony was beautiful, and included mariachi music, readings, prayers, the vow exchange, the bringing of gifts, blessings, and communion - and then Michael and Patsy were officially pronounced husband and wife!

We spent some time taking bridal party portraits around the Alvernia University campus, and then boarded the trolley to head to the reception. The reception took place at the Heidelberg Country Club. Once we arrived, we took a few more photos around the trolley, and then noticed that we were in a race with Mother Nature. We finished our final bride and groom portraits seconds before the skies opened up and poured down rain.

At the reception, Michael and Patsy wowed us all with a choreographed first dance. Afterwards, many of their guests joined them on the dance floor as they celebrated their Day #1 as a married couple. Patsy and Michael went all out, adding their personal touches to their wedding ceremony and reception. It really was a beautiful day, and was perfectly reflective of their love for each other.

Here are a few of my favorite images from their wedding day. I hope you enjoy them!

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

Florist: Mary, Sycamore Springs

Cake Artist: Mother of the groom, Lizzette Rodriguez

DJ: Billy, friend of the family

Photographer: Carrie Kizuka

Second Photographer: Adam Naples

Band: Mariachi Flores

Hair Artist: Vanessa New

Wedding Dress Boutique: Pocadiz Bridal (Aime Couture and Pollardi Fashion Group)

Bridesmaid Dresses Boutique: Pocadiz Bridal (Jovani Fashion and Faviana)

Groom’s Suit Boutique: Pocadiz Bridal, Jim’s Formal

Groomsmen’s Suits Boutique: Pocadiz Bridal, Jim’s Formal

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Chapel, Reading, Pennsylvania

Reception Venue: Heidelberg Country Club

Dan + Ricky | World Cafe Live | Philadelphia Wedding Photographer

I don't even know how to start describing Dan and Ricky's wedding day... but I'll try my best!  Dan and Ricky were referred to me a few months ago by another photographer.  (Quick off-topic squirrel moment - I am always honored when other photographers trust me and value my work enough to refer me to potential clients!!  I'm so fortunate to have a supportive network of colleagues in this business!)  Back to Dan and Ricky - I never met Dan and Ricky in person, and all of our consultations happened via email and Skype/Facetime.  However, we hit it off immediately, and never doubted that we would make the perfect team on their wedding day.  Our instincts were correct!

Their day in Philly was filled with so much emotion, energy, and color - it really was a photographer's dream!  Mother Nature tried to throw us off by scheduling torrential rains during much of our planned outdoor photography time, but we were flexible and creative and made some pretty fantastic photographs together in spite of the weather!

Dan and Ricky began their day at The Study at University City, in Philadelphia.  That hotel is one of the coolest venues I have ever visited!  I love the architecture and landscaping, and it perfectly complemented Dan and Ricky's semi-formal, romantic, and modern vibe.  Dan and Ricky got ready in separate suites, then met outside The Study for a quick first look.  After their emotional private moment together, we squeezed as many portraits in as we could before the rain started.

Their wedding and reception took place a few blocks away from The Study at World Cafe Live.  I have never been to this concert venue before, but I have heard great things about it and was excited for this chance to combine my wedding portrait and concert photography passions!  It can be tricky to properly expose photos in concert venues, especially one like World Cafe Live where all of the walls and ceiling are painted black.  Lucky for me, I always overpack gear, and had everything I needed to create beautiful and fun photographs for Ricky and Dan and their loved ones.

After their quick and emotion-filled vow exchange on the stage (that included a sentimental handfasting ceremony), we snuck outside for a few more portraits (just as there was a brief pause in the rain).  Then, it was time for the reception.  I don't think I've ever taken as many dancing photos as I have at this wedding, and I had a blast doing it!  I smiled taking them, I smiled editing them, and I'm smiling again as I share them here.  My face was sore from smiling so much all day, and my body ached in places I didn't even know existed from trying to keep up with this crowd all night!  This wedding was so much fun, and I am honored that I was the one asked to capture these memories for them.

Congratulations again, Ricky and Dan!  I hope you enjoy this selection of moments from your Day #1 as husband and husband. 

Big thanks to my daughter, Kaiya, for assisting me all day, and to these amazing vendors for coming together to make Dan and Ricky's wedding day a success:

Florist:  Teleflora

Cake Artist: (the cake was AMAZING!!)  Floured Hearth Bakery

DJ:  DJ Bishop

Hair & Makeup Artist:  Allyson Jones at Contempo Cuts Salon

Suits:  Men's Wearhouse

Centerpieces:  Created by Ricky's mother

Hotel:  The Study at University City

Venue:  World Cafe Live, Philly

Jan + Ian | GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Wedding | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wedding Photographer

Jan and Ian recently got married at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, and I was lucky enough to capture their memories for them.  I would describe their wedding day as romantic, semi-formal, and fun!  Jan grew up in the United States, and Ian grew up in Northern Ireland.  As a result, their day was an amalgamation of US and UK traditions, and it was perfectly reflective of Jan and Ian's unique relationship.

I started my day off with the ladies at an amazing Airbnb rental in Reading, Pennsylvania.  I just don't have the words to describe exactly how fabulous that home was!  I had never been there before, but I will definitely be checking out that hidden gem again in the near future.  (It would make an incredible venue for a day of photoshoots, both indoors and out!)  Meanwhile, my second photographer was hanging out with the guys while they were finishing their preparations at the nearby Doubletree by Hilton.

As soon as everyone was ready, we met up at the GoggleWorks for Jan and Ian's wedding ceremony and reception.  The ceremony and reception decorations were simple, elegant, and fun, consisting entirely of personalized elements.  In fact, Jan created all of the ceremony and reception decorations herself!  Jan threw, glazed, and decorated all of the vases that were used as table centerpieces.  She dyed and arranged the sola wood flowers that were used at the ceremony site and as reception centerpieces.  She made the guest book, table cards, and ceramic tile table numbers.  She even made hundreds of atom-like hanging orbs, to honor Ian who is a physicist!  She painted the wedding arch and arranged the flowers and vines that covered it.  She painted the chandelier that hung in the reception room.  She needle-felted the adorable penguin and bear cake toppers.  She even baked the delicious macarons that served as wedding favors for all of the guests!  She is one of the most talented and creative individuals that I have ever met, and I am truly in awe of her skills (and patience)!  To top it off, the girls even made their own bouquets.

Jan and Ian began their Day #1 as husband and wife surrounded by over 120 of their loved ones.  No one was actually local to Berks County, except for me - most of the guests and bridal party members traveled from places such as Philadelphia, Northern Ireland, and other places in the UK.  As an engineer-turned-teacher-turned-photographer, I felt right at home surrounded by so many other academics and creatives.  I hadn't actually met Jan and Ian prior to that day, but by the end of their ceremony and reception, I felt like I knew them for ages.  The (numerous) speeches had me laughing and crying and laughing again, and the dancing was fabulous!  The food looked and smelled absolutely amazing.  (I didn't actually remember to take a break to taste any - I was having too much fun taking pictures and forgot to take my dinner break!)

Between the ceremony and reception, we managed to sneak outside long enough to capture some great photos of the bridal party, and then of Jan and Ian alone.  We made it back inside just minutes before the sky opened up and poured for the next few hours.  (I tried my hardest to play it cool while texts of tornado warnings kept blowing up my phone...)

Jan and Ian's wedding day was perfect.  I'm so thankful that they asked me to photograph their celebration for them.  And, their celebration isn't quite over yet - they are doing it all over again in Northern Ireland this month!  Oh, how I wish I could join them.

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

Big thanks to the following vendors for helping make Jan and Ian's wedding day a dream come true:

Photographer:  Carrie Kizuka Photography, LLC

Second photographer:  Adam Naples

Venue:  GoggleWorks Center for the Arts

Hair and Makeup Artist:  Daneene Jensen

Bride's Wedding Dress:  Sabrina Ann, Ardmore

Bridesmaids' Dresses:  BHLDN and other various shops from Philadelphia and Northern Ireland

Groom's Suit:  Men's Warehouse

Groomsmen's Suits:  Various shops in the United Kingdom

Cake Artist:  Jennifer Low, Frosted Fox Cake Shop

Catering:  Farm Truck Philly

Chairs:  Wolfe's Rental Company

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!

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.

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)