highly detailed wedding | Melissa McClain Photography

I love hearing about the details when talking with our couples. It’s amazing to see things come to life but when couples blow me away, exceeding my expectations.. well you gotta blog about it!

Dana, an up and coming event planner, knew the day she married Stephen was going to be filled with beautiful flowers, a Nautica meets Hampton style decor, and Jimmy Choos. The couple chose to get ready in a downtown Harrisburg hotel, close to their first meeting/date spot before heading to their ceremony location at Stock’s Manor in Mechanicsburg.

A few minutes prior to the ceremony, the wind started to kick up, the skies turning dark, and thunder was heard in the distance. Fearful if the outdoor ceremony would happen, Dana and her attendants arrived exactly at 4pm. The couple wed in the stone ruin area which Dana designed a vintage feel by adding large white frames and huge flower displays to the rustic setting. Just as the couple shared their first kiss, the rain drops started to fall.

Dana created a magical reception space in the enclosed pavilion attached to the classic farm house with hundreds of candles and a soft sunset glow of up-lighting. The room smelled of spring which was loaded with fresh flowers and beautiful candelabras. The cake was designed with modern textures on each layer in classic white which melted in your mouth. The end of the evening brought the couple to the middle of the dance floor with remaining guests circling around, hand in hand. Such a beautiful event for a gorgeous couple!

See more images here!

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Vendor Love:

Venue: Stock’s Manor
Getting Ready Location: Hilton Harrisburg Hotel
Hair: Courtney from Polished Salon and Spa
Makeup: Maggie King Makeup Artistry
Gown: Renaissance Bridals and Prom
Suit: Joseph A. Banks
Brides Accessories: JIMMY CHOO
Officiant: Dave DiRaddo www.weddingdayz.net
Flowers: Jeffrey’s Flowers and Home Accents
Catering: Stock’s Manor
Cake: House of Clarendon
Entertainment: Klock Entertainment
Linens: Special Occasions & Queen Street Linens
Decor Design: Dana M. McGinley Events & Design

Ah… a Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.. seriously who didn’t grow up on these? It was the perfect pairing of sweet jam with salty peanut butter. Cut diagonally on white bread, with cheese puffs… OMG I’m salivating! Couples have been finding cute acronyms and sayings to sum up their wedding theme for years, but no one has met the ultimate PBJ couple like we have!

Peter and Julie contacted us from California for their super classy downtown Harrisburg wedding, with visions of elegance matched with good old fashion fun! Through the planning process, Julie emailed often with new ideas and details that were being planned.. basically teasers up to their wedding day! I was blown away when walking into her Crowne Plaza Hotel suite as she had all of her details laid out perfectly to be photographed. From the invitations, to rings, to her lucky six-pence.. it was all there! My favorite detail was her drool-worthy shoes from Pedro Garcia that complimented her gown beautifully!

Post first look, Peter, Julie and their small bridal party got creative with us around the state capitol complex. One of my favorite creatives captured is a recreation pose from a pick up they pulled off on their engagement session! Their ceremony concluded to a line of silver streamers and a brief carriage ride to their reception at the Harrisburg Civic Club. As were her getting ready details, Julie planned every last touch of class to the tiniest detail including PBJ chocolates from Trader Joes, Beautiful white floral arrangements, and multiple versions of Mad Lib cards for guests to fill out and share with the couple. Julie and Peter even planned a live local band, Cruise Control, for some top class entertainment! The day was simply magical and will go down as one of those weddings we could photograph over and over again!