It was exactly one year ago to the day.  I was standing on stage at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia, the clock had struck midnight, lovers were kissing and the dance floor was covered with balloons.  I checked my phone to see the final results of my wedding photography giveaway and Kelly & Josh had won with a last minute rush.  It couldn’t have happened to a lovelier couple.

Kelly & Josh were amazing to work with in the time leading up to their big day.  They decided to do a First Look at the Lancaster Train Station, incorporate some unique  mementos from their relationship, as well as commemorate some relationships with family members that have come and passed.  In the days leading up to the wedding, Josh broke his foot in a training exercise (he’s a fireman).  In a telling but humorous Facebook message, Josh wrote, “You’re gonna have to really work some magic this weekend….but if anyone can it’s you. I wasn’t postponing. I wouldn’t wait one more day to marry this woman!”

I think my favorite part of the day was during the sermon when the pastor mentioned something to the effect of “a marriage that overcomes unexpected circumstance and challenges”.  Kelly & Josh both burst into laughter in front of the whole congregation with knowing smiles.  A great example of how no matter what happens, at the end of your wedding day you are husband and wife, and nothing can stand in the way of that.

Highlights:

• The straw ring that Josh gave Kelly on a date at an Eagle’s game
• Back-to-back first look at the Lancaster train station
• Josh’s Grandfather’s train conductor’s uniform, ticket puncher, and pocket watch
• Playing w/ circumstances in the parking lot
• Long Johns and Whoopie Pies!
• Dancing Fireman

Vendors:
Ceremony – Mary Dixon Chapel at Linden Hall School
Reception – The Barn at Overlook
Hair – Marlo Burke
DJ – Top Hat Entertainment
Makeup – Jessica Stoppard
Flowers – Petals With Style
Dress – Alfred Angelo

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Megan & Hans were full of surprises from the very start.  First off, they’re from Joshua Tree, CA and were getting married in York, PA.  Joshua Tree is one of those places on my bucket list that brings images of desert climbing and jamming out to U2.  Hans is a highly decorated Marine and wore his full blues for the wedding which added a really nice contrast to Megan’s funky vintage look.  While talking photos Megan and I clicked right away by talking about “funky & fresh” as the style we were going for.  The venue was an art-deco style theater w/ tons of character and style.

Hans’ family is from the Philippines, same as mine.  It was soooo interesting watching all the traditions coming together.  Being that I was raised in the states, the traditions were fuzzy to me but it was beautiful watching it all come together.  Pastor Rey was an amazing officiant, even giving me a shout out ( i.e. announcing “Did you get that photographer?” right after the kiss, I responded w/ an enthusiastic thumbs-up).  The moment when Megan & Hans were surrounded by their family and wedding sponsors was a touching one and reminded me how important it is to have that circle of support.  Awesome people, awesome celebration, awesome day.

Highlights:

• Megan’s Vintage inspired look contrasted with Hans’ Marine blues!  Amazing right?
• The ring-bearer did a great job, hitting all his marks
• Street-side intimate stroll photos
• Custom monogrammed chocolate bars as take home gifts
• Hans’ Mother & Father performing a traditional Filipino dance for the couple

I won’t spoil it too much.  Here are the photos:

Vendors:
Venue, Catering, & Reception – Altland House (Valencia Ballroom )
Music – Mixed Up Productions (DJ Damian Rhodes)

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During the course of a wedding day I click the shutter thousands of times.  There’s a fine line between capturing a genuine laugh and capturing an image where someones looks they are about to sneeze.  Moments ranging from  perfection to far from it.  Shooting at over 6 frames per second, there’s plenty of parachute to make sure the best moments are captured.  From these thousands of photos, I narrow them down to the images that go to disc.  These images are tack sharp, capture the best emotion and composition, yet I still leave many options for the bride and groom (typically 600 to 800 images).  You may see your loved one’s smile, or a certain way he looks at you,  in a way that I cannot, and I want to make sure that the special one you want is there.

Then we have the album.  The album is a piece that we work on together with the bride and groom to create a storyline of photos that best tells the day.  Typically condensed to between 30 to 50 pages, these pieces ring true to the vision of the photographer and the vision of the couple combined.  It’s something that will be with the couple at their first anniversary as well as their 50th, and still look the same.  It’s the album that will be given to the couples children and then given to their children as a record of family history, and that is why it is so important.

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For Samantha & David, it was fate that brought them together.  They found each other on PlentyOfFish.com.  Both busy professionals.  Both ready to forego the dating game and really narrow things down to what they want.  Both ready to not waste time and really find love.  They met for breakfast at a local diner.  He casually wore his workout clothes from his morning routine and she wore her scrubs from the night of work before.  It wasn’t so much about making a surface first impression as much as it was being genuine and presenting themselves in a way that was true and honest to who they were.

And they loved each other for it.

Wedding Plans – October 6th, 2012, Chanteclaire Farm, Deep Creek Lake, MD

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Kristen & Joe were married downtown in Lancaster’s St. Mary’s Catholic Church followed by an intimate reception held at their new home just outside of York.  It was fun seeing this couple, especially as Kristin was walking down the aisle, and Joe stepped up to take her hand.  He did like a gentleman, with purpose in his step.  The smile on Kristen’s face told me that this was the Joe she knew and loved, the man that was about to  take her hand in marriage forever.

Ceremony – St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Hair and Makeup – Luxe
Flowers – Splints & Daisies
Cake – House of Clarendon
Photo Locations – Lancaster County Park and the Downtown Lancaster Train Station
Reception – Kristen & Joe’s New Home

Kristen & Joe’s Engagement Session

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Chris & Colleen walked away from their first date feeling slightly unsatisfied.  They had enjoyed each other’s company, had a lot of laughs, but neither one made “the move” to take it beyond playful interest.  Finally, Chris sent Colleen a note, the same note we would use as kids “Check Yes or No”.  Colleen checked “yes” and here we are.

The couple had their sites set on a September wedding on the shores of beautiful Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland.  Chris had been frequenting the lake growing up, fishing on weekends, and wanted to share this place with his special girl.  The day couldn’t have been more beautiful.  Cool fall weather, bluebird skies, and an incredible sunset over the cove made for a perfect day & DJ Strizzy kept it going long into the night.

Highlights:
• The Bridal Party’s decorated Pontoon
• Elegant Details
• A Gorgeous Gorgeous bride
• Moonbounce!  ”The first dance is great and all but it’s not official until we have our first moonbounce” – Chris
• Colleen’s Dad trying to run an audible on the Garter retrieval
• Pine Cone Ring Shot

Event Coordination & Venues: Railey Mountain Lake Vacations (Elizabeth Rose)
Music: DJ Strizzy of Sounds Fun Entertainment
Hair: Deep Creek Salon
Officiant: Groom’s friend Gregg
Cake: Bride’s Sister Robin

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When Derek asked me to shoot his & Diane’s wedding, I was absolutely flabbergasted and felt a lot of feelings that I hadn’t before.  Reason being is that Derek & Diane are both photographers.  We critique ourselves, we critique others (all in quest for self improvement), and to be asked to capture their special day was an honor I can’t describe. The day felt light and airy…..busy, but without tension.  It was a feeling of trust.

The ceremony took place on the neighbor’s farm next to Diane’s childhood home.  It was beautiful and elegant w/ antique touches decorating God’s green earth.  A window frame here, some mason jars holding candles there, old benches that you just knew had seen a lot, were all decorating the field where they would unite.  The ceremony ended with Derek & Diane personally greeting and thanking each and every one of their guests.  Then two rows formed and lavender was passed from one person to the next to shower the couple as they ran into their new future as Husband & Wife.

Highlights:
• Diane’s Grandfather David conducted the ceremony (in the vest he was married in).  You can see his Bible in the room where Diane prepared.
• The flower girl and the dress.
• Hasselblad!  We shot a portrait through the viewfinder of this famous film camera.
• The couples first-dance was swingin’ to “Jump Jive & Wail” by Brian Setzer

Ceremony: The Farm Next Door
Makeup & Hair: Diana + Family
Reception & Catering: Ali Ghan Shrine Club

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Megan introduced me to the term “Shabby-Chic”.  We were talking over beers in a little pub off the water in Annapolis and she dropped the term that would define her day and style.  Throughout the year she would hit me up w/ Facebook messages like “Can you find me someone who has Wildflowers in Deep Creek?”.  She chose the perfect venue in Chanteclaire Farm, a mix of old country style w/ a French flair located just outside of Deep Creek Lake, MD.

Megan & Ricky also incorporated a special touch by adding a “Wine & Box Ceremony”.  The old candlebox was refinished by Ricky’s father.  Inside was a bottle of wine, 2 glasses, and a note written from each one to the other.  On their 5th anniversary, they will open the box again, share some wine, and remember their thoughts on their wedding day.  The only time that they could possibly open the box before that time would be if their relationship hit a hurdle, and they needed a reminder of how they felt about the other the day they got married.  I thought it was beautiful.

Highlights Include: The Groomsmen looking up “How To Fold A Pocket Square” on Youtube, The Quilt Patch that Megan’s father wrote to her on, Megan’s Sneakiness on the First Look, Ricky popping a bubble on the way down the aisle, & of course…..Wildflowers.

Ceremony & Reception: Chanteclaire Farm
Shoes: Kate Spade
Hair: Deep Creek Salon
Wildflowers: Daina Savage
Officiant: Patty Wells

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Yes, at some point during the engagement session, we thought it would be a great idea to grab a beer and get to know each other.  Lindsay & Adam & Myself share common ground on really good food (i.e. Eric Rippert) and time spent in VA (both Adam & I are Virginia Tech grads).  Plus, we all enjoy the theater!  Lindsay and I played a lot of email tag running ideas by each other (she sent me some photos from “Singin’ in the Rain” for inspiration).  After a phone call or two we were granted access to the Strand Theater (thank you!!!!).  We also got access to her Uncle’s ’55 Chevy which wasn’t so bad either ; )

* Interesting fact about this couple, they met at Penn State, and on their 2nd date they found out that they’re extended family both went to the same church.  This was troubling…….because the church was small and many of those in the congregation were related.  ”We stopped holding hands immediately and picked up our phones” – Adam.  Thankfully for everyone involved, they found out after talking to a few relatives that there was in fact no blood between the two of them.  *PHEW* LOL.

Lindsay & Adam will be having their Ceremony & Recption  in August 2012 at The Cork Factory in Lancaster, PA

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