It was kind of ironic, the same time Megan was about to tie the knot with Lee, tropical storm Lee was tying knots of it’s own along the east coast.  Megan & her guests lucked out with The “Good”, I mean The ”Grrrrreat!!!” Lee, thank goodness!  And we all lucked out being that tropical storm Lee was still several days away from Central PA and as a result we celebrated this beautiful day with equally beautiful weather!

(Not Lee’s Bike, but it pleaded to be photographed.)

H A N D S O M E !!!

Meet Megan’s Dress…  I feel like it should have it’s own Facebook Page & Twitter account, and if it did it would have at least 100k fans & followers.  I can’t even begin to express how gorgeous this dress…  The beauty of how the luxurious details come together is complete perfection…  Her Mom was swooning when she tried to describe it to me during our venue tour a month prior to the Big Day.  And when I finally got to lay my eyes on it, I understood…

The thing is, as gorgeous as it is by itself, it elevates to an otherworldly level once Megan puts it on.  Sigh…

You are thinking “WOW so freaking GORGEOUS!”.  Oh my goodness… I can’t even begin to explain…

First Look…

Lee is thinking “WOW so freaking HOT!” as well as “I am the luckiest man in the world!!!” & “Oh my gosh, Megan in this Dress should have it’s own Facebook Page & Twitter account because I would definitely follow them!”.

We did it!!!!

The Wedding Party – Too cool for school

Awwww…. friends are the best!!!

Commentary not necessary…

I remember when I first met with Megan & Lee and we talked about the things that were the most important to the Them.  And on the very top of their list was Family.

At the beginning of the Reception, Megan gave the most touching, honest, from-the-heart ”Thank You” speech that expressed this so fully…  One of my favorite moments from the whole day…

Just… beautiful…

A huge congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Yoder & their Family!  May you fill the world with beautiful babies with hearts as equally beautiful as yours!  (Or at least have 1.) For more deliciousness, please click on the image below!

A huge thanks to the Marvelous Missy Zile for her assistance on this day.  Thank you so much for filling in, you did amazing!  (I had the honor of photographing Missy & Ben’s Wedding in October of 2009, so a very Happy recent 2nd Anniversary!)

And special thanks to the following Vendors who helped make this beautiful day possible!

Vendors

Photographer’s Assistance by Missy Zile <– If you are looking for gift ideas for the Holidays check out her site!

Venue + Catering by Susquehanna Vallery Country Club

Music by DJ C – Chris Snyder 570-847-8265

Flowers by Graceful Blossoms

Cake by Bella’s Bliss Bakery

Dress by Alfred Angelo

~ Grace

Susquehanna Valley Country Club Wedding Photographer & Central PA Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I can recall my Assistant Jaime & I chatting on the way home how gorgeous the Bride was.  Hope carried off this stunning, clean, Classic Vintage look that was modern yet could have easily been pulled by a Hollywood Bride from the 1930′s or 40′s.  Hope’s dress was beyond stunning.  So much so that it pains me to think that it might not be worn again.  And Jon had the presence, charisma and swagger of modern day Sinatra.  I truly could have photographed this couple all day long…

Hope & Jon exchanged their vows at the beautiful historic Kachel Chapel located on the Albright College campus in Reading, which is where they studied & met.  It was slated to rain all day, and it most definitely did.  However it would have no negative affect on the mood and celebration of the day.  And while we only touched a fraction of what was at our disposal, I couldn’t be more thrilled with the settings the campus grounds had to offer us for Hope & Jon’s Bridals.

We covered a small portion of the Reception which took place in Leesburg, a short but absolutely gorgeous drive away, at Fish Pond West, Inc.

And as we wrapped up & left the Reception, I could not believe my eyes.  Jon’s Truck, which from all accounts would be considered his pride & joy & his 2nd love next to his new Bride, was being over zealously decorated, like a Christmas tree in the North Pole, with saran wrap & toilet paper…  My first thought was, “Oh no!  These poor guests will not live to see tomorrow…”.  And my 2nd thought was, “I better document this…”.  I hope they lived… 

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Heffner (cool name yah?!)

For more images from Hope & Jon’s Wedding Day, please click on the image below!

We would love to hear your comments either on here or on our Facebook Page!  If at least 20 different people leave a comment about Hope & Jon’s Wedding Sneak Peeks, we will give this awesome couple a special gift.  And if at least 40 people leave a comment, we will be giving them 2 special gifts!

- Grace

Reading Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Thanks to my awesome Assistant & 2nd Shooter Jaime Thebes for all of her help on Hope & Jon’s Wedding Day!

The Blog has been really quiet lately, I know…  (Bad blogger, shame on me!)  It has been a crazy last few months, with unexpected suprises popping up one right after another just to add to the frenzy =)  We are running behind, esp with editing.  As a result blogging has been pushed to the back burner.  However it finally feels like progress is being made, yay!  And to reward myself I just had to take the opportunity to finally share a long awaited 2nd set of Sneak Peeks from Kate & Mark’s Super Fabulous Ultra Fantastic Wedding Day!

What an AMAZING time it was for everyone!  People of all ages boogied down and celebrated as if they were channeling James Brown.  Kate & Mark set the stage by blowing everyone away with their first dance which was fueled by what I can only describe as pure-euphoric-wedded-bliss.  It was like manna raining down from heaven to feed my hungry cameras.

The air was so thick with feel good energy, love, laughter & joy, that it tickled your nose and washed over you in such a refreshing way that I can’t even remember how hot it was that beautiful summer day.

And that kid with the moves… boy does he know how to dominate a dance floor!  If I could, I’d hire him to attend all of my Weddings to help get the party started and get people out on the dance floor!

Kate and Mark are 2 amazingly beautiful people with ginormous hearts of gold.  Being amongst their Family & Friends it isn’t hard to see why.  Their Family is so darn great!  Is there room for 1 more? 

Is there a video posted out there of Kate’s Brother’s speech?  People were crying it was so hilarious…

Oh and they had a Photo Booth, complete with a wild collection of props, so fun!!!

For LOTS more Sneak Peeks please click on the image below!

- Grace

Palmyra Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Thanks to all of the numerous people who made this day so amazing & gorgeous for Kate, Mark, their Family & Friends and for our cameras   And a special thanks to Jaime Thebes for her role as an outstanding assistant and great eye as a 2nd shooter!

The Awesome Vendor List

Photography Assistant: Jaime Thebes

Wedding Venue: The Property of Agnes & Daniel Mazur (Kate’s Parents)

Catering & Flowers: C&J Catering

Wedding Planner: Jaime Berger of C&J Catering

Sound & Music: Steve Reaggs of Occasions Disk Jockeys

Cake Designer: Jasmine Clouser of Couture Cakery

Photo Booth: Amazing Times Photo Booths

I get overwhelmed when I try to think of all of the things that made Kate & Mark’s Wedding Day so special, so unique, so full of love and match so perfectly to Kate & Mark…

And as much as this day was carefully orchestrated to celebrate one of the most important days of their lives, it was also just as much a celebration for the people they love and care for.  Weather you were 2 or 90, it was impossible to not have a wonderful time.

Kate & Mark’s Wedding took place at the gorgeous grounds of Kate’s Parent’s home.  An outdoor Wedding in the sultry heat of July, but the heat was by far the least memorable detail of the day.

The Groom, Groomsmen and Father of the Bride were in full Kilt formal attire.  Gorgeous detailing, incredibly stunning, from head to toe.

The Bride, Bridesmaids & Best Woman all flaunted umbrellas in the Wedding colors of purple & green.

One of the most touching moments was when Dad got to first lay eyes on his little girl in her gown.  Kate presented her Father & Mother with gifts that made most of the eyeballs in room tear up.  I know I teared up just going through those images, it was just so gosh darn beautiful…

I just realized I could go on and on about all of the amazing parts and details of this day.  But I don’t want to keep Kate & Mark waiting any longer…  For more from this incredibly beautiful day, please click on the image below.

- Grace

Palmyra Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Thanks to all of the numerous people who made this day so amazing & gorgeous for Kate, Mark, their Family & Friends and for our cameras

Wedding Venue: Agnes & Daniel Mazur

Catering & Flowers: C&J Catering

Wedding Planner: Jaime Berger of C&J Catering

Sound & Music: Steve Reaggs of Occasions Disk Jockeys

Cake Designer: Jasmine Clouser of Couture Cakery

Photo Booth: Amazing Times Photo Booths

Photography Assistant: Jaime Thebes

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

Two of the most sweetest & amazing people on Earth have united in Wedded Bliss to create one of the most incredible Couples known to mankind.  I am not kidding you!

Laura & Matt enjoyed one of the most important days & celebrations of their lives this past June, surrounded by loved ones, at the charmingly gorgeous Riverdale Manor in Lancaster, PA.

And I am just so excited to be sharing some Sneak Peeks from that day!

If you want to know what true love really looks like, you need not look much further…

We’d love to hear your comments so pretty please leave one if you enjoyed this post!  If at least 20 people leave a comment, we will give this awesome couple a free 5×7.  And if at least 40 people leave a comment, we will upgrade it to an 8×10!

- Grace

Lancaster Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

A special thanks to my assistant Jaime Thebes.  And the following vendors that worked so hard to make the day so beautiful & memorable.

Venue & Catering | Riverdale Manor

DJ | Christopher Garrett of Mixed Up Productions (Click to view their video from Matt & Laura’s Wedding)

Florist | Petals with Style

Cake | Bella Manse

Hair & Make Up | Beautiful Dream Team

Officiant | The Reverend Andrea Minick Rudoph

Videographer | Robert Manning | 570.648.9842

A teeny sneak peek from the first part of Laura & Matt’s beautiful June Wedding Day (including shots from their “First Look”) which took place at the gorgeous Riverdale Manor in Lancaster…  

Simply stunning!!!

And the First Look…

Congrats to Laura & Matt!  We are looking forward to sharing some more sneak peeks from the rest of the day soon!

Special thanks to Jaime Thebes for her role as Photographer’s Assistant and 2nd Photographer.

Lancaster Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

Ceremony & Reception Venue located at Riverdale Manor

Flowers by Petals with Style

Catering by Thyme & Seasons Catering

Music by Mixed Up Productions

Cake by Bella Manse

Officiated by The Reverend Andrea Minick Rudolph

Videography by Robert Manning (570) 648-9842

 When it comes to important people in a Gal’s life (not including Family), a Woman’s Hair Stylist has quite a bit of rank.  Not only are they charged with keeping your hair looking just the way you want it, but often times you see them way more than you see people in your closest inner circle AND your chatting can delve into topics that you would never talk to your Mother about.

Erin is THAT special Lady in my life.  And if you have ever seen my hair relatively fresh from a cut (oh yeah I am so bragging!), you can just imagine how talented she is and how I will never let her out of my life!  =)

So it was with great excitement and honor to have been able to have the opportunity to serve Erin in all her Wedding Beauty & Bliss!!!!

And it is with much delight I introduce and share part 2 of Erin’s Wedding Sneak Peeks which take place at the beautiful Highland Presbyterian Church in Newport, PA…

Matt’s proud parents…

The intensity of the sweetness…

Beautiful Family, so meant to be…

If you are going to rock a Baby Grand, you must rock it HARD!

That’s right!

Love these and how the sun is streaming through the window…

Jaime was sent off to do the ring shots, they were SPECTACULAR!

H A N D S O M E ! ! ! !

So freakin GORGEOUS!!!!  Erin seriously struts a striking & flawless look all the time and although she is wearing some makeup here, she normally only wears a dark lipstick and that is it!  And she looks amazing!  I think it is partially the contrast of the rich darkness of her eyes, brows and lips off her perfect skin…  I want her eyebrows!!!

I really wished we could have gone on longer…  Thank you Mr. & Mrs.  Hockley for all the deliciousness…

For more sneak peeks from the Ceremony on, please click on the image below!

A huge THANK YOU to my AMAZING Assistant Jaime Thebes! 

Thank you Erin & Family for the huge honor of being part of this day!

Erin’s Hair by Laurie Karagiannis

Erin’s Make Up by Gwen Miller

Ceremony at Highland Presbyterian Church in Newport, PA (717) 567-9577 ‎

Photography Assistance by Jaime Thebes

- Grace

Newport Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

I had the great honor of photographing Nicki & Drew’s Bridal Portraits this past February on the day they were to renew their vows.

Nicki is such an amazing example of a human being.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know her since last summer when we did a shoot together.  As sweet on the inside as beautiful she is on the outside, she is a pillar of a woman, a devoted wife and an amazing mother to 2 young boys who she has been raising with the help of Family while her brave husband Drew was stationed as an Army soldier doing dangerous missions in Afghanistan.

After being gone for a year it was wonderful to see & hear her excitement of him coming home this past November.  She told me how she was planning a Wedding for February.  And while they did get married over 4 years ago it was a no frills, small & simple one with just a few people present.  So this was special to Nicki, she would finally be able to enjoy all the delightful details in the planning of their Wedding!  And I could tell she did thoroughly delight in it.  From picking out her Wedding Dress, to picking out her 2nd Wedding Dress , the flowers (I love the black & red in her bouquet!), a Ceremony at a beautiful church complete with a Bridal Party of friends and a Reception to celebrate all evening with Family & Friends!

She also wanted beautiful Wedding Photographs and I was incredibly honored to be called on ad the one to do them for her & Drew…  We discussed the options and it was obvious that Bridal Portraits held the primary spot on her Photo wish list so we opted for a Bridal Portrait Session at one of our Country’s most beautiful State Capitol buildings, The Harrisburg Capitol Building! 

So you will have to bare in mind that the outside photos were taken in February!  It was COLD!  Nicki is wearing a gorgeous but strapless dress…  And yet look how amazing she pulls these off?!?!  And finally I got to meet Drew!  It felt like meeting a Hero and an old friend at the same time.  He looked incredibly dashing in his decorated Dress Blues.  The Capitol Building made an incredible complimentary backdrop for their Wedding Portraits.

So throughout the Session, between setting up my shots, I would ponder the fact that Drew had only been back since November from a year long deployment in Afghanistan.  How profoundly different this setting, this situation and his every day life must be from the life he was living just a handful of months ago where missions, helmets, danger and tanks were the everyday norm…  I often find myself struggling to understand the complexity of life in the Military, not just for Drew & his Family but for all Families that go through these steps and sacrifices.  It always amazes me the level of sacrifice and duty a Soldier and their Family must endure, it requires a special kind of strength that I don’t know if I could bare…  We talked about some of the adjustments and I asked how they have been adjusting to adjusting.  Nicki mentioned how Drew would want to be early for everything still and Drew explained that when you are in the Military you can NOT be late.

I am just head over heels over the results from Nicki & Drew’s Bridal Session!  I hope they and their Family & Friends also are as well…  Congrats to you and your Family and the Celebration of your Love, strength & devotion to each other and to your Family & Friends!

Grace

New Cumberland & Harrisburg Modern Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography

(Warning TONS OF PHOTOS in this post!)

So this past December I get a message on Facebook from my amazingly talented Hair Stylist & friend Erin Buffington basically saying she is planning her Wedding in the next couple of weeks on Christmas Eve and asking me if I could photograph the Wedding.  (I wish there was a way to search through old Facebook posts because I can only rely on 15% of my memory…) 

This was not an everyday reveal of course, and so my reaction was similar to: 

“WOOOOAHHH!!!!  WHAT?!?!?!?!?  HUH???  WHAT?????  WOW!!!!  CALL ME!!!”

If it were anyone else I would reluctantly turn it down.  I already had a Wedding booked that month and I have been pretty good at keeping to my limit of 1 Wedding a month.  However… this was Erin, the woman that has been the originator of the best hair cuts I have EVER had in my entire life.  (I remember the one day I had 3 complete strangers come up to me the day I got it cut & styled by Erin to say how they loved my hair cut!)  She is like my personal Celebrity, and outside of her incredible talent, she is a sweetheart, hilarious, fascinating to talk to and I just adore her!

So was turning this down ever a possibility?  HECK NO!!!

So it was with deep honor that I was able to capture some of the beautiful memories from this day of the Gorgeous & Amazing Erin, her lucky Groom Matt Hockley and their Amazing & Incredibly Family & Friends!

My Assistant Jaime Thebes and I spent the morning at the Buffington Residence (Erin’s Parent’s House) in Newport while the ladies all got styled & ready.

Love Erin’s moments of introspection…

One of Erin’s beautiful little Nieces, she was SO cute & pretty!

Erin’s “Something Blue” was pinned onto the inside of her dress.  A handkerchief which is a Family Heirloom.

Erin’s Bridesmaid Laurie Karagiannis worked Erin’s hair to PERFECTION!

Lots of hair photos, they were just so spectacular!  We figured Erin wouldn’t mind considering…

Erin’s beautiful soon-to-be Step Daughter Chloe getting ready.  Erin has had a huge role in Chloe’s life for several years, helping to raise her and being involved and committed to Chloe’s cheering competitions.  I always love hearing stories about Chloe.  Since I have met Erin, I know how special Chloe has been to her and how committed Erin is to Chloe.

Erin’s Mom & Brother.  Erin’s whole Family is gorgeous inside & out.  Her Mom Elaine is just INCREDIBLE!  You cannot help but to be happy around her.  She is fully of positive energy & cheer.  I fell in love with her immediately after meeting her about a week before the Big Day.  She had a huge role in bringing this Day perfectly together.

Erin’s Sister In Law & Dad (whole family = gorgeous).

Love seeing details like this!!!!  You know hours probably went into them too…

Aside from lipstick, Erin wears NO makeup.  I couldn’t believe it when she told me this a while back because her skin is always so beautiful and her eyes are always so striking.  If I went out in public with only lipstick, people would probably think I was gracely sick, LOL!

All finished, AND STUNNING!  LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the hair!  And the makeup was just perfect!

Erin looked absolutely stunning in her Wedding dress!

The Wedding is as much a union of Erin, Matt & Chloe as it is for Erin & Matt.  This special bracelet is a special suprise that will be given to Chloe during the Ceremony.

Glossy & Gorgeous smile!

Erin & her BFF, so sweet!

The handsome guy in the Tux is the lucky Man of the Hour!  Flanked by his dashing set of groomsmen.

I love the power of the shot’s of Erin’s Mom being over taken by her emotions…

A huge THANK YOU to my AMAZING Assistant Jaime Thebes!  She truly went above and beyond with her assistance on this Wedding and captured a multitude of gorgeous images many of which are featured in this post!  You rocked it lady!

Thank you Erin & Family for the huge honor of being part of this day!

Part 2 coming up very shortly…

Erin’s Hair by Laurie Karagiannis

Erin’s Make Up by Gwen Miller

Ceremony at Highland Presbyterian Church in Newport, PA (717) 567-9577 ‎

Photography Assistance by Jaime Thebes

- Grace

Newport Modern Wedding Photographer | Grace Lightner Photography