cecily + stephen | a modern and relaxed excelsior wedding

To know Cecily + Stephen is to love them!!

Seriously. Their engagement session at Clipper Mill was so full of fun and laughter that I knew their wedding would be, too. Cecily + Stephen have the best personalities: laid back, loving, thoughtful, and up for anything. It made their wedding day at the Excelsior so much fun to photograph!

Cecily + Stephen’s wedding was the perfect blend of historical elegance and industrial chic. It was relaxed and fun, yet romantic with a bit of edge. Every single person that attended their wedding had the best time… the dance floor was full the entire night, with multiple generations dancing at all times!

11 Memorable Moments and Details from Cecily + Stephen’s May Wedding at Excelsior:

1. Cecily + Stephen got married at The Excelsior in Lancaster, PA. Since I hadn’t photographed a wedding there before, I took a trip up to Lancaster a few weeks before their wedding, to tour the space with Cindy of Planned Perfection, their wedding planner. Having plenty of time beforehand to get to know the space and plan out the photos I wanted to get really helped maximize our time together during their wedding.

2. Their venue was the perfect mix of historic and elegant yet industrial and unique — with exposed brick and plaster walls and exposed beams in the courtyard, the ivy growing up the brick walls softened the space and provided a gorgeous and lush natural backdrop.
   
   This multi-building property is a National Historic Landmark that includes outdoor courtyards, an elevator shaft turned speakeasy, and an underground brewer’s catacombs. I couldn’t get enough!

3. Since The Excelsior is right in downtown Lancaster, there were a ton of amenities around for Cecily + Stephen’s guests! Having a great hotel within walking distance of your venue is a big plus, especially with a large wedding party. The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square is just a quick walk down King Street from The Excelsior which made it so easy for everyone!

4. Cecily was so confident and beautiful in her form-fitting Pronovias gown. It was a simple design with elegant beading down the sides that expressed her personality perfectly: effortless and subtle, yet interesting and striking all at the same time. Her long, voluminous ponytail, romantic makeup, and light pink Badgley Mischka heels complemented the look flawlessly.

Stephen’s suit was also full of style: a dark navy blue, it featured white polka dots in a strong and structured geometric design. I love when grooms step a little outside of the box and rock a wardrobe choice that reflects their personalities.

5. The flowers were as big and beautiful as Cecily’s ponytail and caught your eye in the same way. A classic white and green color palette with white orchids cascading down the front of Cecily’s bouquet left me speechless. Every arrangement was full, lush, organic and a little bit wild in the best way. ;)

6. Before meeting Stephen for their first look, Cecily had a first look with her dad. Exposed brick and plaster walls with tons of natural light provided the perfect background for these emotional portraits… everyone had happy tears streaming down their cheeks! Documenting these joyful, intimate and raw moments gets me every time.

7. Cecily + Stephen chose to have their first look on the observation deck of the venue. Private and quiet, I couldn’t think of a better spot for this intimate moment as they read notes they wrote to each other… this is my new favorite way to carve out a few minutes of memorable time together on your day. Bonus: you’ll always have these words to look back on and relive the memories of when you first saw each other on your wedding day!

8. We took all of their wedding party and family portraits before the ceremony, in the Empire Room. Located at the front of the venue, this room features historic floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light. Another plus? It was large enough to hold both of their families and large wedding party and still leave us with tons of space to work and move around. This room is definitely one of my top 5 favorite family portrait spots of all time. We were lucky enough to have a gorgeous sunny day, but if weather became an issue, this room would have been the portrait spot AND ceremony location… not a bad plan B!

9. Cecily’s uncle officiated their ceremony in the open-air courtyard and included lots of meaningful and hilarious stories about how their relationship came to be… lots of laughter plus super bright sun and warm afternoon temps with a green wall forming an epic backdrop for their vows made this an unforgettable ceremony.

10. After the ceremony, cocktail hour was held in the sunken courtyard and brewer’s catacombs. They had passed hors d’oeuvres, a Tuscan charcuterie station, and a seafood station complete with live goldfish swimming in bowls that decorated the table. I’ve never seen anything like it!

11. When it was time to start the reception, Cecily + Stephen entered from the corner… a grand sweeping entrance down the historic, curving staircase. The reception also included an elevator shaft turned speakeasy where guests could grab Old Fashioneds, a dessert bar with every dessert imaginable, and a late night snack of cheeseburgers and fries. Howie from 3 West Productions kept the dance floor rocking at the highest level and C+S danced their way into newlywed life with the best energy!

Cecily + Stephen, you are the sweetest and most adorable couple, both inside and out. You are so effortlessly in love and were such a joy to photograph! No matter what the future holds, I am confident that you will come out on top, because of your laid-back and confident personalities. Thank you for letting me capture your wedding day. I hope you love your portraits as much as I do!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM:

planning: Cindy of Planned Perfection
venue + catering: Excelsior
photography: Urban Row Photography
videography: K and A Photo & Video
florist: Petals with Style
DJ: Howie of 3 West Productions
hair: Tousled Beauty Co.
makeup: Theresa Walker Makeup
draping: Shumaker PDT
alcohol: Red Rose Beverage

britton + andrew | a sweet, sentimental september wyndridge farm wedding

Getting to know Britton and Andrew has been an incredibly rewarding, fun and memorable experience… these lovebirds genuinely know what’s important in life and love and work tirelessly to better their relationship and the lives of those around them.

From the first time we met, their kind, compassionate, bubbly and passionate personalities have shown through every interaction. They are soulmates who share a deep love of faith, family and adventure — and their wedding at Wyndridge Farm was the perfect blend of all of those.

Here are some favorites for you to enjoy from their beautiful early September wedding!

8 MEMORABLE ELEMENTS AND DETAILS THAT MADE UP BRITTON + ANDREW’S ELEGANT FALL WEDDING:

1. Britton illustrated the chapel from their venue to be incorporated into the design of their letterpress invitation suite as well as including copper wax seals with their monogram. She also hand-designed all of the signage and table numbers!

2. Andrew designed and built a custom wooden display wall for their creme brulee desserts with ‘creme de la creme’ at the top in white script.

3. They cut their specialty Italian bakery cake with Andrew’s Marine Corps sword!

4. The color palette of the bridesmaids dresses, all of the florals and the reception tablescapes; warm, textured, rich and full of cozy Fall vibes with peach, mustard, rust, copper, ivory, gold, lush greenery… twinkle lights hung from the ceiling structure and candles at each table created such a romantic vibe!

5. Britton had a lace heart sewn into her dress that was taken from her mother’s wedding dress material. She also had her own wedding dress custom designed to have pearls lining the back of the dress!

6. Britton had a first look with her dad and twin brother and then not only shared a handwritten note with them, but welcomed their pastor in for prayer.

7. Andrew wrote and performed a song for Britton on his guitar (just as he had done early on in their relationship), that he sung to her privately after the ceremony in the Inn at Wyndridge before their reception begun.

8. They exited their ceremony with a confetti recessional and a passionate first kiss dip before leaving the chapel and at the end of the aisle!

Congratulations, Britton + Andrew!! You two are simply fabulous humans individually… and together as a married couple: watch out world! You’re destined for amazing adventures and I can’t wait to see what’s next for you both… thank you for allowing us to document all the love and joy that was present at your wedding, it was truly the best day!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR TEAM:

venue: Wyndridge Farm
photography: Urban Row Photography
videography: Shawn Fisher Productions
beauty: Salon Blu in York
florist: Custom Florals
DJ: 3 West Productions
gown: Olia Zavozina
dessert: Vaccaro’s Pastry Shop
invitation: Amanda Childs Paperie
bridesmaid’s dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
groomsmen attire: The Black Tux
confetti: The Whole Bride

sarma + chandler | an elegant and refined wedding at home in annapolis

The sky was full of clouds for most of the day this past Saturday. The temperature was perfect, but the sky wasn’t sure what it wanted to do as gray storm clouds hovered above with blue sky trying to peek out. Just before the sun actually set, golden light beamed through the trees and cast the warmest glow on this beautiful newlywed couple.

Sarma and Chandler had very different wedding plans a few months ago; their winter wedding in downtown Baltimore suddenly couldn’t take place due to Covid, so they moved their wedding to the lawn of their serene yard overlooking the water, in the place they now call home.

Watching their first dance together as husband and wife under the stars and bistro lights of the clear top tent, they radiated joy and so much promise for the life they will continue to build together for decades to come.

Their late October wedding was full of incredibly simple yet chic details that tied everything together so perfectly:

1. I almost lost it when I saw Sarma in her beaded cape from BHLDN - it looked like it was made for her! Talk about breathtaking!!

2. Her half-up, half-down hairstyle with twists and loose curls created a playfully elegant and soft, romantic vibe.

3. A lush and modern bouquet full of ranunculus, garden roses, scabiosa, burgundy dahlias, butterfly ranunculus and pink lisianthus was the perfect combination of dark and light tones.

4. An intimate dinner was held on the deck, under a clear top tent lined with bistro lights, burgundy linens, floral napkins and gold cutlery. The clear chiavari chairs only elevated the look.

5. Signature cocktails (French 75 for her, Bulleit on the rocks for him) and cigars were enjoyed while the sun set within a pastel colored Fall sky.

Congratulations to you both!! I was honored to document the official start of your married life together and wish you many more epic sunsets together!

xo,
Naomi

VENDOR LOVE:

planning + design: Lynn Aaron of Nouvelle Weddings
photography: Urban Row Photography
florals: Stacy Bowen Floral Design
caterer: Classic Catering
tent + lighting: Loane Bros.
music: Hill Chamber Music
makeup: Kristen Floyd Bridal
hair: Up Do’s for I Do’s
officiant: Anita Varzbergs-Paža
rentals: Select Event Group
day of paper: MLC Designs
dress: BHLDN Caron V-Neck Crepe
cape: BHLDN Palmer Cape
shoes: Badgley Mischka Jewel Tessy Embellished Sandal

ashley + nat | a wyndridge farm wedding full of love, fun and twirls of joy

On a perfectly fluffy-cloud-filled Friday in August, Nat and Ashley got married at Wyndridge Farm in Dallastown, PA. This moment below perfectly sums up how it all unfolded at one of the most picturesque farm wedding venues with a couple that loves to be silly, sweet and full of the most excitement and passion for their best day ever!

If you don’t know Ashley and Nat, you may not know how much they love soccer, how easygoing and loving they are with each other, how much Ashley is a kid at heart (she loves Disney and Hogwarts so much - their ceremony mentioned Pooh) and how close she is to her Dad...

Here are the 3 things I couldn’t get enough of during their wedding day:

1. The honest emotion that showed through during each part of the day… first looks, ceremony, speeches during the reception… A+N, you deserve the best and have incredible support and love from so many in your corner!

2. THAT DRESS!

3. The fact that every time we went to take their portraits, something silly was happening before or after the moment I was anticipating. I LOVED IT!

4. BONUS: Slushies enjoyed on the dance floor!

Her dog Jack is a 17 year old Corgi who really wanted to be there in person, but instead, Ashley included his adorable face as a charm on her bouquet! Her color palette of various shades of blue and purple, specifically magenta, purple, navy, lilac and orchid were a beautifully rich compliment to the rolling hills and greenery at Wyndridge Farm.

While Ashley was putting on the dress of her dreams (a stunning Hayley Paige from Kleinfeld’s!), Nat and his groomsmen were enjoying a refreshing Wyndridge beer right outside the pub room - the perks of getting married at a craft brewery!

Ashley’s first look with her father was one of the most emotional father daughter first looks I’ve experienced… it made me cry behind my camera! Such incredibly sweet moments together seeing his only daughter all grown up!!

One of the things I love most about photographing weddings at Wyndridge Farm is the variety of backdrops and incredible views to incorporate; not only is it beautiful, unique and breathtaking, but it inspires creativity!

Right after dinner we snuck outside for some golden hour sunset portraits… even though the sky wasn’t that golden, it was 1000% worth it for these end-of-the-night moments!!

The Bachelor Boys Band didn’t disappoint… and neither did Ashley’s dress! ;)

Congratulations, cuties! I’m so glad you’re finally married and hope you continue to make beautiful memories together for years to come, with slushies in hand! :)

xo,
Naomi

vendor team shoutout:

venue + catering: Wyndridge Farm
hair: Jenny Milch
makeup: Meaghan of Fleurt Beauty Co.
band: Bachelor Boys Band
officiant: Mel of Sealed with a Kiss
florist: Flora Boh
Invitations: Zola
dress: Hayley Paige
boutique + veil: Kleinfelds
shoes: Keds
desserts: Flavor Cupcakery
groom + groomsmen suits: Generation Tux
ties: Vineyard Vines
socks: Happy Feet
bridesmaids dresses: Azazie (in Orchid)