Hello again. World’s worst blogger here. Seriously. I’ve been posting updates on facebook, but I think I prefer the blog method of sharing better, so I’m going back to it and may do updating on the AKP facebook page with a few promotions and so on here and there. Although these were placed on facebook, I’ve got a ton of blog posts to catch up on from way back.

I always love to hear how couples decide upon the locations they select. Like many brides, Amy is no longer living locally, but returned to where she grew up to get married at Grace United Methodist Church – the church she has belonged to her enitre life. She and Steve chose the Indiana Country Club for their reception because they liked the classic setting and that it provided a nice place to take outdoor pictures.

I think that I’ve mentioned it before, but I will again…love the “getting ready” part of the day – it seems like it’s when it all becomes real. Some get nervous. Others are just eager to see the day that they’ve been planning come together. Regardless, there’s always a million things going on and I love documenting the anticipation.

The brooch sewn into Amy’s dress belonged to her maternal grandmother, Margaret. It’s always extra special to be able to incorporate bits and pieces from loved ones into part of the day – the perfect way to “carry someone with you” if they are unable to be there in person. I think that the brooch was absolutely perfect on the dress. LOVED it!

Sometimes couples opt to do a “first look” session prior to the ceremony, others like to hold a bit more tradition. Amy and Steve did something that allows a couple to have contact with each other without seeing one another. If a First Look session isn’t your preference, this may be something possible to do.

 After the ceremony, Amy and Steve went out to greet their guests with a reading of an Indian blessing and butterfly release. One of the butterflies stuck around on Amy’s bouquet for a while, move onto her hand, and then flew off.

I had the first ever altar “group photo” with a dog – they brought their beagle in to the church after the ceremony to get a few photos.

To get from the ceremony to the reception, a family friend offered his beautiful 1925 Model T.

The couple put their dance lessons to use by dancing their first dance to Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra.

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Ceremony: Grace United Methodist Church, Indiana, PA
Reception: Indiana Country Club, Indiana, PA
Reception Entertainment: Mobile MIX Entertainment
Floral Designer: Ellie’s Flower Shop, Shelocta, PA
Bakery: Gail’s Custom Cakes and Cookies, Indiana, PA
Hair Stylist: Renaissance Stylists, Kathy Stossel, Indiana, PA
Flowers used: Asiatic lilies, calla lilies, alstroemeria
Transportation: 1925 Model T, private owner
Butterfly release: Magical Beginnings Butterfly Farms
Colors: chocolate, burgundy, burnt orange, yellow
First Dance: Fly me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra
Father/Daughter Dance: What a Wonderful World/Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Mother/Son Dance: I Can See Clearly Now

If you would like to purchase this slideshow on a DVD to play on your TV or a mini book with all of these images, please contact us via email.

Nicole and Mike’s story begins years ago back when they were 9th grade – first meeting one another in Algebra class that was taught by Mr. Kaylor (in honor of Mr. Kaylor, they have named their dog Kaylor!).  They went on their first date together during their senior year of high school – and went to their prom together – there is an awesome photo of a picture of the two of them from their prom that they put on display along with several other photos of their time together (the photo of the prom photo will be in the slideshow…you’ll love it – how can you NOT love the 90′s!).  Through the years, they went separate ways, but found one another once more in 2005, started dating and have been inseparable ever since.

It has been a few years since I last photographed at the Springwood – it was as lovely as ever for Nicole + Mike’s wedding.  I arrived a bit before Nicole so that I could begin to photographing some of the details and preparations – before I got started with those, I took just a minute or two to get a few photos of some of the flowers and surroundings.  The raindrops on the petunias in the lower left tell the story of the showers that were happening on and off that morning.

Loved the vibrant orange and fuschia that Nicole + Mike used for their wedding colors.  The crocheted butterfly on the lower right was at the bottom of Nicole’s hankerchief she carred that day.

The photo on the left just pulls me – I love this moment with her two sisters preparing to get Nicole’s veil placed on while Nicole’s mom is in the background getting ready to take a photo.  And how gorgeous is Nicole?  We had a moment to get a few quick portrait type photos before heading down to the ceremony site.

Three of the 4 photos here were taken with my macro lens showcasing some of the flowers from in Nicole’s bouquet – the macro shots would make fantastic canvas prints to decorate in a home.

As I mentioned, it had been raining off and on that day, and they had to make a decision about moving forward with the ceremony outside or move it indoors.  While it was still iffy – the hourly weather forecast said that it would be clear – luckily for everyone, no rain!  The couple included several wonderful readings and traditions within their ceremony to make it their own.

Because Nicole + Mike opted to have a receiving line right after the ceremony, the time was cut short, leaving us almost no time to get photos of the two of them between the ceremony and the start of the reception, so after they finished their meal, we stole a few more moments for them to have some private time together to enjoy being with one another while I took a few photos.  For the photo series that includes the image on the far right, I climbed up on a picnic table to get a higher vantage point – while doing it, I banged my leg pretty nicely and wound up with a lovely bruise that still hasn’t gone away…the things an artist does for her craft and her couples!  haha

I think that the first dance is often one of my favorite traditions at a reception – it seems like it’s a time when the couple just allows themself to soak in that they are husband and wife.  You can just FEEL the love that Nicole and Mike have for one another.

Congratulations Nicole and Mike!  Wishing you years and years and years of happiness together!

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Ceremony: Springwood, Pittsburgh, PA
Reception: Springwood, Pittsburgh, PA
Reception Entertainment: Hear to Please, John DeJames
Floral Designer: Joan’s Designs, Joan, Verona, PA
Bakery: CoCo’s Cupakes, Shea, Pittsburgh, PA
Hair Stylist: Venetian Aveda Salon & Spa, Jennifer, Homestead, PA  
Makeup Artist: Venetian Aveda Salon & Spa, Jennifer, Homestead, PA
Flowers used: green hydrangeas, gerber daisies
Colors: magenta/fuschia, orange, white, green