Weddings | Essential Sunshine Photography

Category Archives: Weddings

Hillary & Matt | Harrisburg, PA Wedding Photographer

Hillary & Matt were married on a gorgeous late April day. Both of them were calm, cool and collected as they prepared to become husband and wife. Not a detail was missed in organizing their day. Everything was so lovely and well thought out even down to the jewelry the girls wore. Hillary is uber talented and made these necklaces herself. She also made her mom’s bracelet and her own headpiece. TALENT!!

Oh, and how could I forget the awesome cuff links that she made for Matt. They were nuts and bolts. Perfect for this car lover. You can tell he is impressed with his future wife’s gifts. Aren’t the bouquet’s gorgeous. Sarah from Allium Floral Design did an amazing job.

Hillary was just radiant in her dress! Perfection. I loved her shoes. They had little pearl balls on them and she even had a ring to match!

About to be married! What a beautiful couple.

Waiting to walk out…the guys waited for what seemed like an eternity in a back room near the altar; Matt must have sat or stood in about ten different places while they were waiting. Doesn’t he look excited!

LOOOVE this photo of Hillary on the left. Just amazing.

Emily, Hillary’s sister and Maid of Honor, played the violin during the lighting of the unity candle. It was beautiful.

MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhhhh, STUNNING! Love these. This bed is in a little cottage at the reception venue, Wind in the Willows in Grantville, PA. I could have shot there all day. Great light and a beautiful bride = SCORE!

Hello bridal party!!!! This is the outside of the cottage.

My favorite! Hillary, you need to get this on a canvas and hang it above your bed. LOOOOOVE IT!Hi handsome! There was this antique car outside of the venue and we had to get some shots there. Perfect for this car guy.

I am just speechless by the image on the left. They just nailed it! Straight out of a fashion magazine. We then decided we probably should get inside so they could do their first dance. So sweet.

An emotional prayer and MOH toast. Both of their families were so nice. We loved hanging out with them for the day.

Leave it to the best man to lighten the mood.

He had everyone cracking up.

Father/Daughter dance! Love this shot of Hillary and her Dad sharing a moment.

Even Hillary couldn’t hide her tears during the Mother/Son dance.

So not only were Matt’s cuff links nuts and bolts but his ring even had screw heads in it. Awesome!

Then the party really got started! Hillary and her grandmother really tore up the floor.

Ahhhhh, Hillary & Matt – you guys are awesome! We had such a great a time. Congratulations!!!!

Posted in Pennsylvania, Weddings

Lynn & Chip | Chesapeake City, MD Wedding Photographer

We traveled up to the beautiful and quaint town of Chesapeake City, MD for Lynn & Chip’s Wedding. What a gorgeous town. It is one of those towns that you could just retire to. A kind of town where everyone is sure to know your name and your business.Plus it is situated on the tranquil Chesapeake Bay. Don’t worry Ben & I grabbed lunch prior to the ceremony and feasted on Maryland Crab. How can you not when you are there?

It was a beautiful day in Maryland for their wedding. Rain threaten for most of the day but stayed away. The love that these two have is infectious. They are so easy to be around and so comfortable with each other. Love that! So do a lot of other people which was apparent from the crowd that descended upon Chesapeake City for their nuptials.

We posted the photo on the left in a little facebook tease but loved it too much to not include it here. This is Vanessa, Chip’s sister and his niece, Angelia. She is the cutest! I looooove her curls! The photo on the right is when Lynn’s mom and sister/MOH, Robin, were latching Lynn’s buttons. They were using crochet hooks which seemed to work like a charm for Andy but Robin was having a bit of trouble as you can see from her expression.

A little detail before we met the guys at the pier for Lynn & Chip’s first look.

Hello Groom!!! Chip has the greenest eyes I have ever seen. I know, this photo doesn’t show them so you will just have to trust me.

Ah, adorable. While I was getting this one…

…Ben was getting this one.

Our favorite. There is so much I love about this image. The way he is looking at her. Her slight smile. The way his hand is lightly touching hers. ADORE!

This is their cake topper. Isn’t it just awesome?! I love that they included their little pug.

The ballroom at Chesapeake Inn has this magnificent ceiling of lights that looks like stars.

They made Lynn a special drink. I am not sure what was in it but it looked good and they were popular.

Who do you think is going to get it?

You know what makes a great wedding even better? A good cake smashing. I think we may be biased because we did it at our wedding (photo to come at another time). Lynn got Chip good. Awesome.

Chip’s grandparents won the anniversary dance. They have been married for 60 years and still in love. Perseverance is the key they said. After the anniversary dance the party really got started. A Time for Music did an amazing job. The music was great and Dave is such a charismatic MC.

Let’s just say glow sticks were involved.

Lots and lots of glow sticks.

Congratulations Lynn & Chip!

Posted in Destination, Weddings

Kristina & Chase Part 2 | Harrisburg, PA Wedding Photographer

Thanks everyone for your patience on Part 2 of Kristina & Chase’s wedding. The bridal show this past weekend was a success and we loved meeting all of the newly engaged couples! Seriously, our favorite thing about these shows is meeting everyone and hearing their stories. Such a blessing.

Now on to the party portion of Kristina & Chase’s wedding. After the ceremony we did a few quick bridal party shots and some photos of just Kristina & Chase. Allowing time for photos of just the two of you is one of the best gifts you can give yourselves on your wedding day. It gives you a sort of time out from all of the chaos and people and to take a minute to just be with your newly minted husband/wife.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a few more of their crazy wedding party. We just loved them!

Getting all bustled up for the reception.

The reception was held in the beautiful Valencia Ballroom in York, PA. What a fantastic venue! The staff there were so accommodating and the food was amazing! Kristina & Chase went all out on the decor. Every aspect was well coordinated. They went with a movie theme because shortly after they were engaged Kristina found out that Chase had saved every movie ticket stub since they started dating 10 years ago.

My favorite part, though I might be a bit biased, was the movie poster that we created to be hung outside the ballroom. It was perfect!! I had so much fun creating this for them and can’t wait to do another. Any takers?

Each of their parents really went all out for the grand entrance. It was hysterical.

First dance. Another great detail was the projector screen near the edge of the dance floor that showed photos from their childhood as they danced their first dance, father/daughter and mother/son dance.

Complete Music DJ provided the perfect entertainment. They kept the crowd dancing the entire night and even coordinated a song dedicated to Kristina. The song? “You Lost That Loving Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers ala Top Gun.

Another great dancing moment on the right. Can anyone guess what song was on? “Low” by Flo Rida. “Apple Bottom jeans, boots with the fur…..”

Congratulations Kristina & Chase! We loved being apart of your special day and are so happy for you. Enjoy married life.

Posted in Pennsylvania, Weddings

Kristina & Chase | Harrisburg, PA Wedding Photographer

We have been bursting at the seams to share this wedding with you. Kristina & Chase were married in October and right away we realized that we wanted to get their wedding published. And so, we did! We couldn’t be happier to have their wedding featured in Central Pennsylvania’s Premier Bride Magazine. Kristina & Chase are featured in both the magazine (pg. 76) and online. Go pick up a copy!

I met the girls at Downstreet Salon where they were getting pampered before the rush of the day. I was very impressed by the staff at Downstreet. Even with Kristina’s 8 bridesmaids they were able to get all the girls in and out in no time and with GREAT hair!

I love a good hairspray shot! I will risk my camera to get it.

Another favorite moment. The veil to me is a big sign of transitioning from a single lady to a married woman. Once you put it on it makes the day seem real.

HELLO BLING!

A bit of details. Such a hot trend that I love right now is colored shoes under your dress. Seriously, I wish I would have done this for my own wedding.

The boys walked from Kristina & Chase’s house to Paxton Presbyterian Church.

It wasn’t a short walk so they made sure to stay hydrated.

Hi boys! In case I haven’t mentioned it before I love a man when he is dressed up. I mean just look at all of these handsome guys – how could you not!

Givin’ a little attitude. Hot tamales!

Doesn’t Kristina & Chase just look super happy. I love weddings. My view

Ben’s view.

MARRIED! We went outside to get some fun photos in before the reception. What a way to start the celebrating! Look at this awesome bridal party. They were a riot.

Lovely ladies and happy bride.

There were just so many photos we loved we couldn’t fit it all into one post so stay tuned for Part 2! I promise more of these gals along with some party pictures. How could you not come back to check it out.