downtown lancaster

Stu & Julie // Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster Wedding Photographer

Oh this couple. Such a blessing to be around. They are the kind of people that lift your spirits with their positivity, and with their love. It was so obvious from the beginning, even before they saw each other for the first time, that Stu & Julie are so in love, and so ready to be together the rest of their lives. Their story is incredible, and includes many hardships and difficulties - including a cancer diagnosis - but it's evident that these trials only caused their love to grow. I was so blessed to be the second shooter for Dani White Photography, and so blessed to meet Stu, Julie, and all their friends and family.

I love seeing a couple that is so ready for their marriage that their whole day solely revolves around their future together. Julie is a sweet but spirited woman whose joy bubbles over onto those around her. Stu is more quiet and reserved, with a steadiness that is evidenced by all the people who surrounded him, loved him, and encouraged him on such a special day. Between the two of them, they fit together like a puzzle piece, a truth obvious to even myself, who only got a glimpse of it on their day.

Between Stu & Julie, they could have danced all night, just the two of them, and been content. And that's what they will do for the rest of their lives.

Stu & Julie...what can I say? I am a photographer because of people like you, whose lives I get to glimpse into for one special, solemn, and sweet day, one that will begin your future together. May blessings, laughter, and joy, define your marriage!

Luxe Lancaster in Pennsylvania
Luxe Lancaster in Pennsylvania
Luxe Lancaster in Pennsylvania
Sparkly red wedding shoes
Men getting ready in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Men getting ready in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Men getting ready in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Wedding ceremony at Yorktowne Hotel in Lancaster, Pennyslvania
Wedding ceremony at Yorktowne Hotel in Lancaster, Pennyslvania
Wedding ceremony at Yorktowne Hotel in Lancaster, Pennyslvania
Wedding ceremony at Yorktowne Hotel in Lancaster, Pennyslvania
Wedding ceremony at Yorktowne Hotel in Lancaster, Pennyslvania
Wedding ceremony at Yorktowne Hotel in Lancaster, Pennyslvania
Wedding cake in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Bridal party in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Bridal party in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Bride in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Bride and groom wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
 wedding reception in Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Rooftop pictures of  Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Bride and groom on roof in  Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Rooftop pictures at sunset of  Yorktowne Hotel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Amish Country & Meeting Memaw // Personal

Well…it’s been a long week! I can’t blog about last weekend’s wedding yet, so I thought I’d write all about my trip up to Pennsylvania, and include some iPhone pictures. It was an adventure! I went with Dani and we started out the trip on Thursday afternoon. It took a little while to get to where we were going between a meal break and getting a little turned around, but we finally made it.

Since we were staying with Dani’s relatives, it made the transition pretty easy. It’s funny, because some people get bothered staying at someone else’s house, but it does not phase me in the least. I love meeting new people and staying at actual houses instead of hotels. Growing up, we would travel as a family of 6 so I always counted myself lucky if I even got a bed, let alone my own room. The house Dani and I stayed at was beautiful, and I got a room down in the basement.

It was wonderful. There are no windows and no way for light to come in, so I slept better than I have in a long time. Friday was the wedding day, and we first drove over to Luxe Salon in Lancaster. Yep, Amish country. I was looking for a horse & buggy the whole time, but unfortunately didn’t see any. It is absolutely beautiful there, though. There are fields for miles and miles, only broken up by huge red barns. Such a step back from 2014. Downtown Lancaster - which sounds funny to say! - has a lot of cute little shops. The hair salon was amazing! Orange walls, tons of natural lights, and some of the sweetest staff - it was so fun to be a part of that while the girls were getting ready.

The whole day was a blur, in a very good way. I’ll talk about that more in the wedding blog, but the Yorktowne Hotel was gorgeous, and I may have danced the Wobble a few times. Maybe…

Anyways, the next day was one that was so memorable. We drove to have lunch with Dani’s grandparents (in-law?) at their house. They were the sweetest people. Memaw and Pop-pop. I have found so often that people who are my grandparent’s age truly, genuinely care about you. Who was I? A random stranger that came to visit for a few hours, would leave and probably not see them again, or anytime soon. Yet she took the time to ask me questions about my life and my childhood. She wasn’t rushed to leave to another conversation, or something to watch online, or anything she had going out. “Memaw” showed a real interest in my life, and for that I am grateful. What a legacy to leave to your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

After that sweet visit, we drove back with lighter than usual I-95 traffic, and I’m writing this blog straight from leaving there and going to one of Fox Hole Kingdom’s shows. This time in my life…it’s crazy, but it’s exciting. It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m so thankful for a quick weekend trip, a beautiful wedding, and looking forward to all that’s coming up this year.

Amish country means lots of barns!

Amish country means lots of barns!

Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania!

Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania!

This was our 'before' picture from the wedding

This was our 'before' picture from the wedding

Umm yeah...the hotel had a portrait of George Washington over a giant fireplace. Crazy

Umm yeah...the hotel had a portrait of George Washington over a giant fireplace. Crazy

And...our after picture! Not too shabby, I think

And...our after picture! Not too shabby, I think