Ashley and Aldrich- Historic Acres at Hershey

Hooray for the first wedding of 2018!  Life has been beyond crazy in the McClain household over the past year (and more so the past couple of months) so we were totally stoked to get back to shooting weddings!  Ashley and Aldrich had an amazing wedding day filled with laughter and love.  My favorite part had to be during the ceremony when the bride’s 3 year old nephew treated his father’s head like a tootsie roll pop.  Curious?  Keep scrolling;-)

Ashley and Aldrich’s kick ass vendors:

Venue: Historic Acres of Hershey

Catering: The Kitchen Table (formerly Uncommon Caterer)

Video: Moving Memories

Flowers: Sarah’s Floral Designs

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Purcell Hall Wedding- Mate & Jessica

Most couples we meet months if not years in advance of their wedding, Mate and Jess.. let’s go for two weeks before their wedding day!  We met Mate & Jessica through former bride and kick ass coordinator, Dana M. McGinley.  With ties to the Hershey community, a Purcell Hall wedding was perfect for these two which featured an amazing, if not the best weather day in July, Duck Donuts, and a beautiful sunset.

Visit our FB Page for more images from Jess & Mate’s Hershey Wedding!

Intimate Thursday Wedding- Kellyn & Blake

I love small weddings.. not just love but LOVE small, intimate weddings.  I also adore back yard weddings and definitely love week day weddings. In case you’re still keeping track of the love list, Kellyn and Blake had a red letter wedding day in my book.

Kellyn contacted me about an intimate wedding planned for their Mechanicsburg home on a Thursday in June- jubilee day to be exact which also happened to fall on the same day the two met years ago.  Thankfully we were a few blocks from the craziness, so no major traffic issues but you could hear the music in the background a bit.

Along with their 7 guests, Daisy, an amazingly gorgeous rescue Pit was in attendance for the boho inspired wedding vibe.  The couple even chose to drive over to their old office… aka where they met.. for some heartfelt images and a coy (see fish pond picture below) party!

Click here for more images from Kellyn & Blake’s intimate summer wedding!

Rainy Pleasant View B&B Wedding- Amber & Ed

It’s been a May of rain. Every wedding weekend has had some form of precipitation this year so in short.. we’ve been soggy. Thankfully our couples have embraced mother nature while having fun for some creative images.

This was our first visit to the quaint and serene Pleasant View B&B, located just outside of New Cumberland.  Nancy the Innkeeper was a doll and so welcoming to use areas inside the B&B due to the rain which was so appreciated!  Amber and Ed chose to hold their ceremony inside the barn with their intimate reception following at the newly renovated Stable venue.  Mad props to these two for keeping huge smiles on their faces and laughing constantly through out the day.

Vendors:

Pleasant View B&B/ Sir D’s Catering/ Provolve Entertainment

Check out more images from Amber & Ed’s Wedding!

Anniversary Shout Out- Tierney & Ryan

Sweet and simple.  Wedding and budgets can so quickly get out of hand (as we’ve seen when we were married back in 2008).  I’m not entirely sure but I think the sweet, simple weddings are making a comeback… or at least I hope. If they’re anything like Ryan and Tierney’s (doesn’t she have the best name) wedding day, sign us up!  Fort hunter was the perfect backdrop for their beautiful ceremony with reception following at a church fellowship hall.  Congratulations and happy wishes on your one year celebrations Tierney & Ryan <3!

For more images from this beautiful wedding click here!

 

Anniversary Shout Out- Logan & Elizabeth

Inside secret.. Penn State couples might be my favorite, followed close behind Pitt couples, to photograph.  I’m pretty sure all PSU couples have had the most amazing, kick ass parties to celebrate their nuptials!  Logan and Elizabeth definitely had one heck of an amazing day!  I still can’t think of the term “Nuts to butts” without picturing Logan and his groomsmen posing for bridal portraits 😉 Congratulations you two on your one year anniversary!

Check out more fun from their Historic Acres at Hershey Wedding!

Anniversary Shout Out- Julie & AJ

About this time last year we were about to kick off one of the best receptions of the year with Julie and AJ at Historic Acres of Hershey.  These two (and their gorgeous pups) were beyond amazing to photograph!  Wishing you both an amazing happy first anniversary!

Check out more images from their spring HAH wedding here!

Anniversary Shout Out- Samantha & Michael

We love, love, LOVE couples who wear their emotions and personalities on their sleeve.  Samantha and Michael definitely brought their wedding A-games last year for their Inn at Leola Village wedding. Such a truly remarkable day for quite the amazing couple. Wishing lots of anniversary love to these two as I continue to reminisce of this chilly, but gorgeous wedding day!

Check out more images from their beautiful Inn wedding here!

Anniversary Shout Out- Kaitlyn & Brian

Nothing beats a first kiss as husband and wife but double the luck for couples who marry on New Years’ Eve.  Sending lots of love and congratulations on that numero uno milestone to Kaitlyn and Brian tonight!

Check out more highlights from their NYE wedding here!

Do This- Pre-Ceremony Cocktails

‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event!  Got an idea for our Do This readers?  Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your thoughts! 

This might be one of my favorite new trends we’re seeing with couples planning their wedding day- hosting cocktail hour before the ceremony.  Best catered to couples who choose to see each other before the ceremony with a first look, the pregame cocktail hour allows mingling and relaxation among guests.  Celebrating with that glass of wine also aides for out of town guests to have ample time to arrive for the ceremony.

A few variations we’ve seen that might strike your fancy:

*Cut cocktail hour in half, with 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after ceremony.

*Join in on the mingling with guests, especially if your guest list is sizable.  It’ll save time for the rounds needing to be made at dinner.

*Opt for a private cocktail hour with just the two of you or with bridal party only.