It’s that time of year again when the air is brisk, pumpkin spice is bursting off store shelves, and the leaves are slowly dying a very very pretty death. I’m not gonna lie…fall IS my favorite time of year! I love the fall colors, the sweaters, the hot cocoa, the holidays are coming, and it’s not too cold yet for you to start wishing it was summer again!

Though when it comes to wedding planning, fall can either be a breath of fall fresh air, or a challenge (depending on your location). We personally, my husband and I, originally wanted a fall wedding, but ended up having our wedding a week before Christmas! I’ll have to right a blog about the pros and cons to having a Christmas wedding later. Since we’ve been wedding photographers for 15+ years, we’ve seen it all, and so here are some tips/pros and cons to planning a fall wedding!

#1 A fall color scheme or something different?

For this category I’m going to break it up into two main sections. Essentially, it’s your wedding, and you can incorporate any colors you would like. However, if you want to stick to color seasonal trends, here are some ideas:

Purples

When you think of colors of fall leaves, there are shades of reds, oranges, and golds. Thanks to my art school training, the opposite and complimentary color of yellow is purple so it would be safe to say purple would be an ideal color to use for a fall wedding. We’ve seen brides incorporate different shades of purple or use a deep richer purple. Purple tends to look good on everyone and is very visually appealing when paired with fall colors. Whether you plan to bring a lot of purple into your wedding planning or a little is up to you, but here are some ways that our brides have used purple.

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Blues, Reds, and Oranges

Another color that is pretty popular for fall weddings is blue. Blue and orange are complimentary colors, but can also look very classy when paired with reds. In particular, the men of the wedding party will look very handsome in navy suits while adding a splash of seasonal color or red to little details, ties, or the flowers. Or you can ditch the blue and just stick to traditional fall seasonal colors. The only only thing about orange (and yellows) is that not everyone will look good wearing this color, so it’s best to use it as an accent color rather than a main color.

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#2 What fall decor should I use?

The fall season can actually be one of the easiest for DIY weddings. If you want a more rustic look, just look out in your back yard or nearby woods for inspiration. Adding pine cones, greens, twigs, and stumps can be very easy and cheap to use for decorating a rustic fall wedding. Sometimes all you need is a little inspiration (and a chainsaw), and that’s what Pinterest and blogs are for! I would say if you want to incorporate fall elements into your decorating it’s best to go subtle rather than over the top. Don’t have your decorations try to outdo each other or look like you just walked into a Halloween or fall craft store (unless that’s your thing…no judgement). So if you want to add pumpkins and mums to you wedding decor, go for it! They are easy to find and it’s a way to add color while sticking with your fall theme. Heck, you can even grow the pumpkins yourself if you’re the gardening type! And there are lots of options of either keeping them simple or using them in unique ways. Scroll down and take a look.

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#3 What to plan ahead? The weather? What else?

So this one, of course like any seasonal wedding, has it’s pros and cons. What if it rains? What if it’s too cold? How long will I have daylight? So the pros to having a fall wedding are it’s not going to be too hot (especially if you pick a date in late Sept or October), the colorful leaves make a beautiful backdrop to your ceremony and picture planning, and it can be easy to decorate fall themed weddings. However, with having a fall wedding, not only do you need to plan in case it rains, but you also need to plan if it happens to SNOW. Yes, we’ve seen temperatures drop unseasonably on wedding days leaving the bride and her party to just grin and bare it.

It’s best, like any wedding, to plan ahead:

• Make sure when you are planning your timeline that your don’t schedule your picture time later in the day when it’s past daylight savings time. You won’t have the daylight left unless you want night photos.

• Make sure football games or other seasonal events won’t get in the way of your day. Out here in “Lion Country” at Penn State, no bride wants to have her wedding on a home football game weekend (cray cray)!

• Be prepared for the cold for your guests if the reception is outside by providing enough space heaters and areas to block the wind. We’ve seen guests leave very early due to the cold. If you want outdoor photos, plan to have you and your girls wear either shawls or furs. Take coats with you or provide ways to take breaks to get warm again. Every bride says she’ll be fine in cold before the day, but tends to change her mind once she’s bare shouldered in the cold.

By not making plans ahead of time, your enjoyment of the day will suffer, and we don’t want that to happen!

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#4 Food planning and sweet treats are easy!

Candy, trail mix, and pies are all on the table with a fall wedding! Even your dinner menu can resemble a Thanksgiving meal! The yummy pumpkin spice is a hit among guests and can be used in different ways. We’ve seen pumpkin spiced cake and pumpkin pies both being served at a weddings! Both are delicious and are a crowd favorite. Candy tables, candied apples, candy corn, hot apple cider, pumpkin scented candles, flavored teas for favors, and the list goes on! There are literally so many fall favorite delicious options!

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#5 I Want Those Fall Photos!

So if the reason you are having a fall wedding is to get those incredible fall photos, then   you are not alone! Lots of brides LOVE fall mainly because they have fallen in love with the gorgeous color of the season! If this is the case for you, plan to have your wedding during the peak time of fall in the area of your wedding. For central PA, peak times tend to be mid-late October. Of course each season is different, some falls tend to be better than others and for that, there’s no planning. It’s best to have your wedding or photos being taken in the forest or very wooded areas. I know…a no brainer, right? But you will be surprised how many parks don’t have those beautiful leaves that you see in neighborhoods or on the side of the highways. Joel and I always wonder why the best fall trees are always planted in parking lots at shopping malls. My advice would be is to ask your photographer where the best place is to get those fall leaves especially if your venue won’t provide the fall backdrop opportunity. And be flexible. Most fall locations may look great a week prior to the wedding and then change because of a bad rainstorm the following weekend. It’s what Joel and I call “The Great Fall Chase” each year…literally chasing the fall leaves anywhere they look best.

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#6 So what if I still want fall photos, but I don’t want my wedding in October?

This is for the bride who loves fall, but may not have the chance to have a fall wedding or wants extra fall picture opportunities! Do an engagement session during the fall. They are easier to plan, and you are almost guaranteed those fall leaves in your pictures (I say almost because nothing is ever definite). Some brides will have a fall wedding and schedule a fall engagement session to match the wedding for “Save the Dates.” Or if you know for fact you will not be having a fall wedding, but still want some fall photos, an engagement session in the fall will be sure to fulfill that fall photo itch. Plus, you can always reschedule a shoot if it rains or you’re sick, but not a wedding! You have more flexibility since there’s less pressure and 100+ guests are not attending!

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Best case for any bride…plan ahead…enjoy the moment…and go with the flow! Even if your wedding is fall-TASTIC or just hinting of fall, it will be a beautiful remembrance of the day that you and your love have become one..(and they lived happily…ever…after!).

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It’s been quite a wedding season this year, and we’ve been very fortunate to work with many amazing couples with ample opportunities to be photographically creative! Photographing James and Chelci’s wedding was a privilege to say the least! Everyone was in great spirits, the parents of our happy couple were sweet and filled with emotion, and their flowers and wedding details were gorgeous! Chelci’s dress and veil, though challenging to carrying around, were a photographer and bride’s dream come true! But even with all the glorious details and flow of the day, the romance and love between James and Chelci is what truly shined! It made photographing them easy and natural. They definitely weren’t camera shy! In fact we got a chance to photograph them last year for their engagement photos, and we knew it was going to be an amazing wedding! 

James and Chelci, your tenderness and love for each other are both endearing and captivating! May your hearts always be soft and tender for each other throughout your marriage!

To see the highlights of James and Chelci’s special day, scroll down and view the photos below! But first a special thanks to these amazing wedding vendors!

Hair/Make Up: Evolve Studio

Bridal Gown: Kleinfeld Bridal, NY – Designer: Pnina Tornai

Flowers: Daniel Vaughn Designs

Ceremony Location: Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Reception Venue: Nittany Lion Inn, Coordinator – Kelsey Knight

Caterer: Nittany Lion Inn

DJ:  Nittany Entertainment, DJ/Owner – Eric Stoner

Cake: Penn State Bakery

Table Linens: Best Event Rentals

Chiavari Chairs: Pegasus Wedding & Party Rentals

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It was the hottest day of the year, and it also happened to be my birthday! The heat advisory was in full effect, and we were prepared to sweat out five pounds of fluid at Dani and Jimmy Beach’s wedding! Needless to say, we, both Joel and I and the wedding party, made an incredible effort to stay hydrated even adding an extra boost of electrolytes with Propel packets. I can’t rave about them enough by the way, and no, I don’t work for the company!

Despite the smoldering heat, the wedding party was in great spirits for photos (yes…even the groomsmen in their 3 extra layers of clothing)! We only had one bridesmaid ALMOST pass out, but overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better day and wonderful group to work with. I would say the heat between Dani and Jimmy far exceeded the 95+ degree temps and humidity that we were working with outside! And even though there were a lot of Michigan fans in the wedding party to counter my Penn State roots, it was a pretty cool way to spend my birthday with this amazingly fun crew and loving couple!

Thank you Dani and Jimmy, for choosing us to capture your wedding and for even taking the time to wish me a Happy Birthday on YOUR special day! You both are incredible people, and we wish you all the love and joy in your marriage together. By the way, you had me at your hashtag…#forevermybeach!

Scroll down to view all the glorious photos from the Beach wedding, but first a special thanks goes to these hard working wedding vendors:

Hair/Make Up: Viva Bella Salon

Bridal Gown: Bijou Bridal

Flowers: Woodrings

Ceremony Location: Faith Church United Methodist, Pastor – Andy Morgan

Reception Venue: Toftrees Resort, Event Coordinator – Katie Clegg

DJ: Mint DJ Events, DJ – AJ

Cake: Delectable Delights – Heather Luse

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Not every bride includes pink in the color scheme while planning her wedding, but over the years we’ve seen it become more of a trend. Whether they were used a little or a lot, the pinks that we’ve seen have ranged from bold hot magenta pinks, corals, to soft pinks, blush, and almost “barely there” pinks. If you’re a bride who likes (or even LOVES) pink, but not sure how to use it, here is some inspiration for you on how our past brides have incorporated pink on their wedding day! 

#1 The Flowers…an easy way to use pink!

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#2 “Getting Ready” Outfits…a girl gang’s trademark!

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#3 Bridesmaids dresses…pink is a flattering color on pretty much everyone!

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#4 Cakes and Sweet Treats…when you’d rather eat it than wear it!

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#5 Receptions, Decorating, and Details…go subtle or go bold!

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#6 Accessories and Footwear…just a simple touch!

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#7 Menswear…guys look good in pink too!

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As girls, we dream about our wedding day even before we become brides. Then finally you meet THE ONE, and you can finally put your dream wedding into action! It may be a mountainous scenic outdoor ceremony or a garden fairy inspiration from the stories you so loved as a child. Whatever the case may be, you’ve been planning this wedding since you’ve been 9 years old and yet as your wedding day approaches, so does the infamous doom of rain clouds that could potentially DESTROY…IT……ALL!!! So you think….

Despite the looming forecast and anxiety, we wanted to share some reasons why you should embrace your rainy wedding day. After 15 years in this business, we’ve seen it all and have come across some bad weather situations (and it’s not like you can cancel the wedding)! But we hope the photos and reasons below may give you some hope if rainy weather seems to pour into the very bane of your wedding planning existence!

#1: The forecast calls for rain, but it often doesn’t rain ALL day

At times luck is on our side and it rains during the ceremony while we’re inside the church or while we’re indoors at the reception. We realize it doesn’t always perfectly happen this way, but allowing yourself to be flexible on planning (that is have a back up plan) can allow you to relax too. Often too after a storm has passed, the light will be soft and gorgeous or a fog will come in. And if you’re really lucky, both together can create this beautifully serene atmosphere.

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#2: Photos with umbrellas and rain are unique

Truth be told, some of our favorite photos have come from rainy wedding days. Whether it be the light, or the romance of rain falling while the bride and groom embrace under an umbrella is just beautiful.

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#3: When it rains, look for rainbows…quite literally!

On some occasions when we photographed weddings with rain in the morning or afternoon, we were then rewarded with rainbows in the skies at the end of day. They are rare and hard to capture, but that’s what makes them so special! Regardless of the rain, the rainbow that comes afterwards is magical, and the lasting memory of that on your wedding day will out live the doom and gloom of the rain.

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#4: Have fun with it!

Yes, I know this is easier said than done and especially if it’s a great disappointment to you. First, give yourself an opportunity to mourn. If you have to cry it out, vent to your girlfriends, or pop the champagne early, so be it. But then just go all in and have fun with it! I can’t tell you what a difference it makes when we see brides just let themselves enjoy their day despite their weather expectations! Choose joy, and don’t let the rainy weather get you down.

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#5: Let your photographer be creative

Yes having it rain on your wedding day can be challenging to any photographer, but this is why hiring a professional who has experience and back up plans is key! Plus, having a rainy wedding allows us to think outside the box, play, and experiment to which you walk away with truly unique and amazing photos! It’s nice for us to think creatively out of the box for a change when we’ve been used to photographing at the same locations.

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#6: Indoor photos can be beautiful

Yes all the greenery is beautiful too, but having a nice back up indoor location for photos can be just as beautiful and unique. We’ve done a lot with off camera lighting and natural light from windows. And we’ve traveled to museums, used the inside of churches, bed and breakfasts, or pretty covered locations for photos to combat the rain. (**It’s best to call ahead if you want to use a location that is questionable on permission.)

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#7: Rain may put a damper on your wedding plans, but not in your marriage

In the end, the love of your life is still by your side. You both have taken a vow to love each other…in sickness and in health, until death due you part…so you can certainly face the rain together. That’s how life works, isn’t it? It’s messy, but that’s why we need Jesus and each other. So after all the rain, in life and in actuality, look for the rainbows because they will be well worth the wait.

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Shaina and Tyler’s wedding was an enchanting fairytale celebration of their love surrounding friends, family, and with a hint of Lord of the Rings nerd inspiration (we mean that in a cool way!). Penn State’s Arboretum was the perfect place to capture this elegant garden party with it’s charm in Spring flowers, outdoor appeal, and beautiful backdrop scenery.

It was quite a busy Saturday with prom upon us, but thankfully the Arboretum had reserved an area where the ceremony could be given privacy. I, of course, decided to wear new shoes that day, which wasn’t my wisest choice (shoes came off!).  However, I was able to move around with ninja like stealth and ability from which my shoes would have given away my every move. It was quite freeing actually. Nevertheless, I’ll be back to shoes from now on, but thankfully it didn’t hinder my ability or distract Joel from capturing the adorable cuteness of Shaina and Tyler together.

They chose to do a first look before the ceremony to allow some more time for themselves and their bridal party for cocktails and reception at the Nittany Lion Inn. It’s fun to see the couple’s reaction when they see each other for the first time! In short, Shaina and Tyler had many tender moments shared from their friends, family, and each other throughout the day. We can see why they both love each other so deeply and we wish them many years of that same love!

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