Phil + Kara

I've been waiting for Phil + Kara's wedding for a long time. I'm sure they have been too! After shooting their engagements earlier this summer, I was so excited that they chose us to capture their big day. 

Kara got herself ready at her parent's house, with some of her best friend's doing her hair and makeup. She wore her mother's dress, which was altered to fit Kara perfectly. Kara made the boutonnieres herself from succulents and found all of the "flowers" along the side of the road or in fields. Phil + Kara tied the knot at Camp Mack, which was downright beautiful. The woods and sunlight were perfect for bride and groom portraits. Their portraits look so dreamy. I love it! Kara's flower crown was beautiful on her and the perfect detail to add to her look.

Kara went thrifting so that every guest had a unique plate for dinner. Kara + Phil took the time to collect driftwood and drill small holes into them where little tea lights fit perfectly. The driftwood was a huge part of their decor, but also the guest's favors. My little driftwood candleholder is currently sitting so pretty in my living room.

I hope you enjoy my favorites from Phil + Kara's day. Their wedding celebration was overflowing with their personalities and their love for one another. -Brooke

Brian + Kim

Brian + Kim's wedding was one that I was looking forward to all year.  Not only beause I knew Kim would be a beautiful bride, but also because I know Kim.  Kim is one of Julia's best friends and Julia is one of my best friends from college! Julia, Kim, Brian and their group of friends are so unique.   I remember Julia talking about her group of friends from high school while we were in college together, thinking that I wish I had a group of friends like that.  I've lost touch with most of my high school buddies, but it seemed with every year of college or big moment in their lives their group became closer.  Through trips, studying abroad, moving all over the country they have all remained dear friends, which was so amazing to see while I watched Julia stay in touch with them through college.  During the wedding, I remember having this moment when I realized that these were all the people that Julia use to tell me stories about.  What a cool moment to share such a momentous occasion with those people who remember you during your awkward middle school and early high school years.

The wedding was gorgeous and filled with joy, fun and lots of dancing. Brian + Kim have been together since high school and hearing their vows flooded my eyes with tears.  It was such a beautiful, fun day and I am so thankful that Brooke, Tori and I got to be a part of it. -T.J.

Bill + Kate

I was eager for Bill and Kate's wedding for many reasons. First, I was excited to see them after I shot their engagements last November. Second, it was my first time traveling to the Happy Valley in State College. Tucked in the hills (boy are there hills) was the beautiful St. John's Catholic Church. Both Bill and Kate are Penn State lifers. And as they exited their ceremony, they were greeted to a decked-out Penn State tailgate bus with a sign that said "We Are Married" posted along the side. After the ceremony, we headed to a local park where all of their homecoming and prom photos had been taken. I kept thinking how awesome that would be to have a collection of all those milestones documented in the same place. One of Bill and Kate's favorite photos from their engagement shoot is the one in which they are sitting underneath a large tree at Rockford Plantation. This inspired Kate to get photos underneath the 300 year old tree of a family friend. This was by far the most beautiful tree I had ever seen. Their reception was held at General Potter Farm as both families celebrated the joining of two lives. It was a beautiful day and Sam and I were so happy to be a part of it. - Jeff 

Justin + Sara

I've been waiting for Justin + Sara's wedding for a long time. Last fall, T.J. and I met up with them at their venue, Drumore Estates, to shoot their engagements. As we walked around the property, Sara told us about her wedding day plans and I knew then and there it was going to be beautiful.

When Kalysta (my close friend and second shooter that day) showed up at the venue on their wedding day, the flowers were in place, the chairs were set up, the sunlight was perfect and a harpist was setting up on the lawn! I would describe their day as a vintage-chic-garden party... which seemed to be a great fit for both Justin + Sara and their guests. Justin + Sara are avid dog lovers, so it was really cool how they added little touches here and there to show their love for dogs.

Guests dance the night away, ate homemade truffles and loved every minute in the Smilebooth! Their wedding celebration was the perfect way to begin a new chapter in their lives. Enjoy! -Brooke

BJ + Ellie

I met Ellie in college while we were both studying photography. I remember my first day of Black & White class, seeing her sitting three rows in front of me, as she answered all of the teacher's questions with ease. Several weeks into that semester, both Ellie and I were being considered for a scholarship... against each other. That seems so funny now... cause things never seemed like a competition between us. Our friendship grew quickly as we spent hours side by side in the darkroom, photographed projects together and ate a ridiculous amount of Chinese food on the campus lawn. Seriously. So much Chinese food. We even had a show together at a gallery in Harrisburg where some of our images hung side by side. Being a photographer, you'd think I'd have images hung all over my house... but I don't. One of the only photographs hanging in my entire house is Ellie's. It was a wedding gift from her and I love it.

I remember meeting BJ for the very first time at my very own wedding reception in fact! I remember seeing in Ellie's eyes how happy she was to have BJ by her side. Shortly after T.J. and I got married, Ellie moved to New Mexico to be with BJ... and I knew they'd get married one day. (And crossed my fingers that I'd have the privilege of shooting it!) It was so wonderful having the opportunity to celebrate with BJ, Ellie and their families for the wedding.

Ellie is one of the kindest and smartest people I know. One of Ellie's bridesmaid's said it in her speech that "Ellie is a teacher... she teaches you the things of life." I had never really thought about Ellie like that before, but when I heard it said out loud, it clicked. Ellie taught me about film and ethnic foods. About music, the Jewish culture and homemade brownies. About butterflies and good music. And with every random email I receive from New Mexico, to simply tell me that she saw a cat in a magazine that looked like one of mine, she's taught me the importance of taking time out of your day to stay in touch with those you love.

I couldn't be happier for BJ + Ellie and hope that someday, just maybe, they'll move back to Pennsylvania! Enjoy some of my favorite images from their wedding celebration. –Brooke

Billy + Christina

There are some weddings that have a great deal of impact on me the actual day of the wedding. And then there are those weddings, that after the fact, once I've spent hours sifting through the images, impact me in a very personal way -- Billy + Christina's wedding was one of those weddings. Don't get me wrong, the wedding day itself was wonderful and a ton of fun! But in the rush of all wedding days, things get overlooked and forgotten. All of the day's moments happen so fast that we move onto the next without really taking them in. Which is why hiring a good wedding photographer is worth all of the money you've got. (Hint, hink.. wink, wink.)

Billy + Christina's wedding day was filled with intimate moments left and right. Christina and her girls got ready at her parent's house, where we all sat around and watched the Olympics, just waiting until the right time for her to put her dress on. Christina and her bridesmaids have all been friends since elementary school... some of them growing up together in the same neighborhood. So, when Christina came downstairs to see her Dad for the first time it was an emotional moment for everyone. I love the image of the bridesmaids, standing just behind me, watching this moment unfold. Once everyone got a grip and stopped crying, we loaded up the cars and headed to the ceremony location. The limo ride to the vinyard was filled with laughter, champagne and toasts to the beautiful bride.

Billy suprised Christina by having a live band play the song she had chosen to walk down the isle to. Billy was so happy that he actually suprised her - it was precious. Bridal party photos were a ton of fun... everyone was so photogenic and easy to work with. Always a good combo if you ask me! Portraits of the bride and groom came naturally for both parties, not to mention the location was stunning. T.J. and I had a wonderful time shooting Billy + Christina.

The reception was full of homemade details - hand painted signs by the bride's father and homemade dill pickels for the wedding favors! One of the coolest parts of the wedding was a suprise for the newlyweds put together by the groom's parents. They hired the NYPD Pipes and Drums to play at the reception. It was awesome and a total suprise for both Billy + Christina.

So yea, weddings that have intimate, personal moments like this one are always my favorite. Enjoy some of my favorite images. -Brooke

Jared + Katie

Katie and I were both Resident Assistants at Temple University. Because of our involvement with residential life we became good friends through the one year working together. When she contacted me about potentially shooting her wedding I was really excited! Jared + Katie started dating that same year at Temple and the rest is history. They were wed under the trees at the beautiful Brandywine Manor House in Honey Brook, PA. What I loved most about both parties is how much they value family. It was great to see and I can't even begin to explain how much pride both families had throughout the day. Sam and I had a great time capturing such a gorgeous celebration. -Jeff

Rob + Falon

Let's be real for a second - I go to A LOT of weddings. A lot. So naturally, there are a few key items, in my book, that make a wedding really great. A flowy dress, creative flowers, amazing music, handwritten typography, fun details, and the Smilebooth. And let me tell you ladies and gentleman, Rob + Falon's wedding had all of these things!!

Falon looked absolultely lovely in her flowy dress. Perfect for her personality. Lori, from Wildflowers by Design, created stunning bouquets and floral details for their wedding. When Lori pulled Falon's bouquet out of her van, I just about had a heart attack. It might be my favorite bouquet of Lori's I've ever shot. Rob + Falon also had incredible taste in music. Throughout their entire day I found myself saying outloud to T.J., "I love this song!!!" Falon walked down to the isle to a song from the We Bought A Zoo Soundtrack, which is not only beautiful, but near and dear to my heart for many reasons. I totally cried. (Don't judge.) Falon had little bits of handwritten typography all over her wedding day - from everyone's hanging escort cards to the chalkboard signs telling you the evening's drinks and specialities... along with garlands and drink stirers made from sheets of music. Each guest was given a mix CD of the newlywed's favorite songs as their wedding favor. And last but not least, the Smilebooth was there. A huge hit as always.

Hope you enjoy a handful of my favorite images from Rob + Falon's wedding day. T.J. and I had a great time shooting their big day, celebrating their love along with their closest friends and family members. Enjoy! -Brooke

Josh + Laura... and Vespertine

Brooke and I love our job. And there are a handful of weddings every now and then that make us love it even more.  We feel so honored that we are invited into two families lives on such an important day.  Laura was a bridesmaid at Betsy and Justins wedding, and when she contacted us for her wedding I knew it would be amazing.  She had a cool dress, cool tattoos and cool hair.  Josh and Laura's day was so intimate and special.  Not only were they celebrating their marriage, but they were also celebrating their daughter Vespertine's 1st birthday.  Josh and Laura were actually married the week before their little party... so the party was just to celebrate the event with close friends and family.  The evening started with a home cooked meal in the garden.  As they were finishing their dinner with family, friends started to arrive to a beautiful set up featuring homemade goodies, honey whiskey, flags and old records playing.

Josh and Laura were so much fun to photograph.  They were so good at making each other laugh.  Brooke and I could just feel the deep love they have for eachother.  Vespertine is one of the cutest babies I have ever seen and she actually smiled and looked at the camera.  It was amazing. All of the decorations were vintage and all of the food was homemade - right down to the lemonade and honey whiskey. Each guest was asked to choose a vintage plate to use for their food, and then take that plate home as their favor. The night was capped off by everyone singing happy birthday to Vespertine in any style or key they wanted (an old family tradition).  It was hysterical, terrible sounding.. and I think it terrifiyed Vespertine a little.

The entire event was a beautiful, intimate and lovely affair.  Thank you so much Josh, Laura and Vespertine for letting us be a part of it! - T.J.