I simply adore Kate & Mark, they are not only so sweetly lovable, but I love how they throw traditions to the wind to make things fit to what is important and special to them.  And Family is definitely one of those things that is deeply important to Kate & Mark.  And how could it not?  They have such an amazingly close, loving, fun and really awesome Family!  So instead of going with just an Engagement Session, they asked if I would instead provide coverage for their Wedding Rehearsal & Dinner.  Well of course I would!  And BTW, I wasn’t about to let them off the hook with Engagement Portraits that easy…

Since this was mostly photo journalistic coverage, it was difficult to narrow down which ones would make it into this post since it was important that they did tell at least some of the story of that evening.  Enjoy!

The rehearsal was the day before the BIG DAY (which I can’t wait to share photos from!!!)!  The rehearsal dinner was scrumptiously catered.  My mouth literally starts to water whenever I look at the food photos…  And Mark the Groom gave such a moving toast during dinner… I know heart sizes grew tremendously from it…

- Grace

Palmyra Engagement & Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Lacey & Justin’s Wedding is about 11 months away yet they would have you thinking they are getting married next week just based on the sheer excitement you can feel when talking to this amazing pair.  You cannot help but to fall in love with this couple, they are just incredibly sweet and the love & adoration they have for each other causes you to smile wistfully & sigh deeply with happiness.  Lacey in particular exhibits the kind of nostalgic & sentimental romance that conjures up memories of having butterflies and feeling like your heart might soar right out of your chest.

Lacey & Justin are such a playfully fun couple.  So when I picture Lacey & Justin, I usually imagine they are about to, in the process of or just finished up with bouts of laughter, smiles & / or giggles.  And I am betting that at least one of their evenings in the following week will include enjoying a romantic evening of snuggling, enjoying a glass of wine and watching one of their favorite sports teams.  Although I will be honest I have no idea when it comes to sports schedules other than Basketball, so if I am off season then just nix the last thing & replace it with laughter

For Lacey & Justin’s E-Session we photographed a large portion of it at her Mom’s GORGEOUSLY landscaped home in Duncannon.  (I love and want this yard!)

For more from Lacey & Justin’s Engagement Session please click on the image below!

- Grace

Duncannon Engagement & Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

What can I say about Laura & Matt that everyone doesn’t already know? 

Well… probably not a whole lot.  If you know them, you know how amazing they are together…

But did you know that they are shy when it comes to PDF’s?  (Public Displays of Affection that is… not the Adobe Acrobat variety).

Oh you don’t believe me?  Well here… 

Oh wait, that wasn’t a very good example… 

OK, take a look through these!

See!  No?  Oh wait…  hmmm…

Well… OK never mind……

Anyway, what I CAN tell you is that Matt & Laura are just so amazing together!

And I know this for a fact, because I have had the great joy of hanging out with them a few times now.  (They are SO much fun to hang out and chat with!)

And I think I have finally figured out what exactly it is that so inspires me about them.  A huge part is definitely how effortlessly and perfectly they complement each other.  They are in tune to each other as if they have been close friends for a lifetime.  And they love each other with SUCH thoughtfulness, respect, sweetness & simplicity.  Not over the top, just the right amount.  And when they smile & laugh together (which they do a LOT!), you can’t help but to smile and think “Wow… this… is… so… beautiful…”.

I am so looking forward to the Wedding Day, coming very VERY soon.  Enjoy…

- Grace

New Cumberland Engagement & Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Recently finished laying out Gwen & Kevin’s Engagement Book =)  They rock!

Photos taken at Gwen’s Family’s breathtaking Farm Wayside Acres Farm in Newport which is a local Goat Farm.

Central PA Modern Engagement & Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

So Gwen & Kevin have the most awesome outdoor studio in Newport.  It is Gwen’s Family’s Goat Farm!!!  LOVED LOVED LOVED SHOOTING HERE!!!

So I met with Gwen and Kevin early this summer to discuss Wedding stuff only to find that they are one of the coolest couples EVER!

Gwen has this awesomely huge personality.  When she walks into the room you KNOW it and you automatically want to start clapping and jumping up and down because you know something exciting is going to happen!  Kevin is the cool lucky guy who loves Gwen to pieces and also loves Photography.  And he formally submitted the request that I not hold back on the cool stuff ; )

So I brought forth some cool stuff for the Engagement Session here and I am so looking forward to bringing it next year at their Country Kitschy style Wedding.

And if you caught Gwen & Kevin’s Teasers a few posts back you should have had plenty of time to prepare yourself for the Goats…  If you havn’t, then please mentally prepare yourself prior to clicking on the image below.

Newport Engagament Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Just a few teasers from Kevin & Gwen’s totally awesome E-Session on their way cool Farm! 

We paid a little homage to the American Gothic painting by Grant Wood =)

Can’t wait to share more… and there will be goats!  Yes I said goats!  And lots of them too! 

Newport Modern Engagement Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I met Katie & Mark at Italian Lake on what I believe was the 4th or 5th heat wave of the summer.  It was a hot!!!  And to think the Wedding will likely be the polar opposite being in December.

Italian Lake is truly a sight to behold if you have never visited the park before.  It features an extremely large man made lake with intricate paver work, bridge and large patinad sculpture and is flanked by gorgeous landscaping and gardens.  It is stunning, just like Katie & Mark.  And with just a little use of the imagination you can enjoy a beautiful stroll in Italy right here in Central PA. 

As beautiful as Italian Lake is though, there is 1 flaw to the area that comes along with all those geese…

For more photos from Katie & Mark’s E-Session, please click on the image below!  Warning, lots of kissing and snuggling in there…

Central PA Engagement Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography 

A evesdropping glimpse of a kiss in the park…

Duncannon Engagement & Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Cassondra and Matt are just a ridiculously gorgeous & sweet pair who exhibit all the wonderful qualities you find in that perfect couple.  And while no couple is perfect, they sure do take beautifully perfect photos together…

Shot at Fort Hunter on a sultry but beautiful summer evening dodging rain sprinkles =)   LOVED photographing you both, you both were so awesome & easy peasy to work with!

Looking forward to the Big Day, coming up very soon!!!

 For more delicious images that will make you want to run out and get engaged, click on the image below.

 Harrisburg Engagement Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Harrisburg Engagement Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography