Holiday aka “Print Your Darn Images” Sale!

Some might call it a Holiday Sale (and we have) but I’d prefer to market our November discounts as a “Print your darn images” sale.

I’ve read a few articles now and heard first hand from so many people (clients included) that digital images are rarely being printed these days.  The term “Digital Dark Age” is the most common reference to this sad trend.  Folks are so quick to post memories on social media but printing to preserve is a rare circumstance. Sure we can save images to a USB, DVD, or Hard drive but at some point in the near future these staples will become nothing more than a paper weight- remember the ever popular floppy disk from the 90’s?

Now before I kick over my soap box, I’ll fully admit I’m one of those who constantly forget to print images.  I want to, but time constraints always seem to be my fall back excuse.  Anyone want to guess what my winter project is?

Which leads me to offering some great discounts passed on from our manufacturers for the month of November, some of which we’re partaking ourselves to get our memories printed as well!

Any of our clients can log onto the Client section to access your gallery- even if you were married years ago- it’s still there and accessible.  Just enter code Holiday16 at checkout for 25% savings on your archival print order.  Looking for something a little fancier or create a wall collage?  Take advantage of our FREE Room View service with your wall art order for the best size/layout in your own home.  Most of our mounted wall art items are under $200 plus have an additional 10% off for the rest of the month.

Missed out on your wedding album?  Great news here as due to a fantastic grandfather program with our manufacturer this year, albums start at $500 for a simple lifetime rated album to a top of the line $1500 family heirloom album.

We’re also offering 20% savings on gift certificates purchased during the month of November for portrait sessions.  Also a reminder to our wedding clients of your lifetime session discount- $100 off future portrait sessions (can’t be combined but the greater discount will be applied… you know because we love you guys).

 

Do This- Night Shots

Woohoo!  Our “Do This” planning tips series is back after a bit of a summer hiatus in the McClain household.  We had some wonderful news late spring plus add in a busy wedding season and a growing toddler- life has been hectic but amazing.  We hope our readers love the quick wedding tips and as always we love feedback if you want to see something specific on the blog!  Happy reading campers!

‘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! 

Night shots (photographically not the liquid kind) are growing more and more popular these days and we love doing them!  Three tips for the perfect night photography creation:

1. Build it into your timeline.  If wanting to create a night time photo, chances are you’re going to need to slip out of your reception for at least 15-20 minutes.  Be sure to work with your photographer on the best time that doesn’t interfere with dance floor festivities or plans your entertainer/DJ may have in their timeline.
2. Add an element for an additional image pop. Adding in a natural element like your bouquet, sparkler, an umbrella if raining, or a veil can take a night photo to the next level.
3. Pick the location. Shooting near a tree, water element, or structure at night is pretty magical for your image.  Bonus points if your venue has some sort of lighting like globes, patio lights, or Christmas lights.  Urban locations are great as well to gather traffic movement with tail lights.

Irish Pride Wedding in Gettysburg

Trends are changing constantly in weddings with more focus on couples representing their personal interests, passions, and heritage.  I may have a soft spot for anything Celtic (last name of McClain might be a dead giveaway) so when Lauren and Alex contacted us about their wedding, we were smitten in the details, especially Lauren’s mint green gown.  Learning their story individually and as a couple, we simply knew these were two amazing people who we were ecstatic to work with on their wedding day.

Alex and Lauren were both super hands on in planning their wedding day, which from a photographer standpoint, it’s awesome and appreciated to have both perspectives on photographic needs and opinions:)  Weather wise, it was a simply perfect early fall day- perfect for posed creatives on the battlefield and around their venue, The Gettysburg Hotel.

I normally try to mention a favorite moment from wedding days but the whole day was fantastic, filled with so many great moments- like the smile on Lauren’s face during the first look; the bridal party fun in the Limo and on the battlefield; hand-fasting during the ceremony; the couple’s first dance (awesome song choice too guys); and the cake topper- ’nuff said;-)  Wishing warmest congratulations and blessings to Lauren and Alex in their many years of wedded bliss!

Click here for more images from Lauren & Alex’ wedding day!

Vendor Love:

Venue: Gettysburg Train Station/ Gettysburg Hotel

Entertainment: Across the Pond

Cake: Karen Rodkey Cakes

Hair: Serenity Salon and Spa

Makeup: Until the Very End

Gown: Alfred Angelo

 

Yellow & Gray Details at The Bond in York

I mentioned in a previous post about a photographers bucket list for venues.  The Bond in York was not even on my radar but holy potatoes (can you tell we’ve toned down the language with a toddler in the house) it’s pretty awesome and a venue we’re adding to our favorites list!  The raw industrial space brings some serious detail love in the exposed brick wall and stunning chandeliers- a total package for those looking to bring in some DIY love to make it their own as did Kristen & Jeff for their late summer wedding.

Kristen not only is a way back when friend from 4-H and Dover High days, but also an absolutely amazing floral creative.  Her designs are one of the best kept secrets in the central PA area and it’s so exciting watching her business, Blossom Bliss, continue to grow.  Seriously- if you’re in need of flowers for your wedding day, she’s one of the best- call her!

Kristen, being a wedding professional, knew her vision and with the help of her family and friends, designed the most magical space, filled with yellow roses, white hydrangeas, succulents, and many more amazing floral details.  One of my favorite details was the guest globe- truly unique!

The couple also shares a love of running (crazy cardio people) and their gorgeous fur babies, Tuna & Spark, which both made an appearance in their wedding day. Overall such a magical event for a super sweet couple!

Click here for more images from Kristen & Jeff’s wedding day!

Vendor Love:

Venue: The Bond, York

Catering/Lounge Design: JDK

Officiant: Laura Bair

Gown: Posh Bridal (Preferred Pro)

Video: Cinema Four40 (Preferred Pro)

Cake: Sweet Designs

Makeup: Brandi Hill

Flowers: Blossom Bliss (Preferred Pro)

Band: The Vibe Tribe

 

Summer Wedding at Hershey Country Club

All photographers have that list- you know.. the one where we say ‘OMG, I really want to shoot here sometime’.  You could say it’s our venue bucket list.  Hershey Country Club was definitely on our venue bucket list and it couldn’t have been a more perfect experience with the hands down amazing team they have there (shout out to coordinator, Amanda C) or a more perfect couple, Amanda & Sean.

We met Amanda and Sean a bit ago for their engagement session at Memorial Lake where they got engaged.  Although a bit warm back then, we had no idea September was going to be the new August this year.  Thankfully, the humidity broke a bit and evening pictures at Hershey Trust and on the course were a breeze.  My favorite moment from the day, and really it is hard choosing just one, was the non-first look, first look- which is when a couple is photographed together but not seeing each other directly.  Sean looked so incredibly nervous and just so excited for the moment when he could actually take in the moment together with Amanda.  Those emotions- Fave!

Click here for more images from Amanda & Sean’s wedding day!

Vendor Love:

Venue/Catering: Hershey Country Club

Cake: Made by the Groom!

Harpist: Lewis Lynch

Flowers: Becky Hahn

Hair/Makeup: Uturn Salon

Do This- Reception Lighting

‘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 idea! 

For modern weddings, lighting is key to carve out a unique reception space.  I’m loving the trends on creating a gorgeous and romantic venue for both guests and kick ass photos.  Here’s our top three loves for the season:

1. Carnival/ Marquee Lights– Seriously.. your dance floor could be this kick ass with these letters.  Also great at your head table or cake table! Find them locally with Klock Entertainment.
2. Lots of Candlelight– Nothing is more romantic than candlelight, especially at your wedding.  Check out Cudge.net for some of the cheapest candle options around or contact Shumaker PDT who created this gorgeous set up.
3. Bulb Lighting– Bulbs are hot on the wedding trend scene this year with Edison, glass, or jar lighting topping the charts, especially in those rustic or shabby chic venues. You can find these babies anywhere from Target to Etsy, or hire a company like Stray Productions to set the mood.

Do This- Creative Cake Toppers

‘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 idea! 

Gosh.. remember attending weddings as a kid and not only were the dresses standard with puffed sleeves, but the same ol’ generic cake topper was on every cake.  Bride and Groom, standing there atop a cake or if you were at a fancy wedding, Bride Groom and bridal party on a separated tier cake.  Gag!

Cake toppers have been getting more and more creative and lately, we’re in love with the monogram style twist!  Sure you can go, Mr & Mrs, Mr & Mr, or Mrs and Mrs but who wouldn’t love a “Turn Down For What” cake topper?  P.s. these photograph fantastically as shown in Julie and AJ’s wedding topper!

Gotta have it?

–Turn Down For What Topper– Host and Toast Studio Etsy Shop

–Better Together– Leanne Madeline Etsy Shop

–Game Over– Bridesmaid Gift Hanger Etsy Shop

Do This- Unfancy Food

‘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 idea! 

Jason and I were talking over dinner the other night how damn tasty “normal dinner” food is compared to some over the top wedding meals.  We were guilty of it too, having sea bass and chicken as our meal options with tasty sides, all in way too much butter of course, at our wedding in 2008.  Although delicious, some good ol’ fashion BBQ (or Pig Pickin’ as we’ve learned from one of our favorite couples a few years ago), kick ass pizza, or bitchin’ tacos would also be well loved by guests just as much as the expensive fancy dinner.  What do you think.. should wedding food always be fancy or more appointed to fan favorite dinners?

 

Do This- Donuts!

‘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 idea! 

This might be because Fat Tuesday or Fastnacht Day as we Pennsylvania Dutch call it, is coming up on February 9th, but damn I hope to see some donuts at weddings this year! Donuts are actually making way to wedding dessert tables, sometimes replacing the cake all together (no boohoos here).   If you missed our previous post on food trucks, these two trends could be combined as some mobile snack shacks are pushing out piping hot, fresh doughy goodness.  Where to get some delicious and unhealthy fried pastries?  Check out PA Bakery, Desserts Etc, or Pronio’s Market.

Photo Cred: Jaye Kogut Photography

Photo Cred: Daniel Cruz

Photo Cred: Troy Grover

Photo Cred: Cami Takes Photos

Ringing in the New Year as Newlyweds

Although we’ve been photographing weddings for going on eight years, we’ve rarely been asked to photograph a wedding on New Years Eve.  I believe we were waiting for the absolute perfect couple to celebrate with, which was most definitely Kaitlyn & Brian!

Kaitlyn & Brian held their dream wedding late in the evening at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, with stunning drapery and lighting provided by Shumaker Designs.  Given it was an extremely busy night for downtown Lancaster, we were thrilled that coordinator Jenni Mercandetti, opened the The Montgomery House for some simply gorgeous backdrops.

My favorite moments of the night had to be the couples introductions as each bridal party pair entered to a WWE wrestler the couple loved. The end of the night, getting Ryan Seacrest up on the main screen, with guests in festive hats and decor, was another amazing moment we were privileged to capture.  Congratulations to Kaitlyn & Brian!  You guys are seriously awesome and lots of love to Koosh (their beautiful pup).

For more images of Kaitlyn & Brian’s wedding click here!

Vendor Love:

Venue/Catering- Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

Design/Lighting: Shumaker Designs

Entertainment: 30West

Gown: Posh Bridal

Videographer: InVision Video

Flowers: Petals with Style

Cake/Desserts: Bella Manse/La Petite Patisserie

Stationary: Persnickety

Linens: Special Occasions