Photographing Peter + Alicia’s wedding was such an honor. I had photographed Alicia’s senior portraits way back when, so when she reached out to me about her engagement I was so thrilled for her! This day was filled with so much magic and beauty and love. Some of my favorite moments were the father-daughter dance and right after the cake cutting. Alicia surprised her dad and had a special voice over message play during the song they danced to together and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Speaking of surprises, Peter surprised Alicia during their thank you speech (after the cake cutting) with a song he wrote and sang/played for her! Again, cue. the. tears! The cherry on top was when a vibrant rainbow graced the sky immediately after Peter finished his serenade. COME ON. You can’t make this stuff up! There’s also photographic proof below.
Their day was filled with so many personalized, special moments like these. Walking away from this day my second shooter Morgan and I both agreed every attendee of this wedding really got a genuine feel of who Peter and Alicia are and how amazing they are as a couple.
Enjoy some of my favorites from their day!
XO – MEG
This is one blog post I have been itching to do! Zach and Nikki are as sweet as they come and I an confidently say they turned into life long friends of mine. I love when this little job of mine allows me to meet complete strangers and in turn, form lasting relationships. Every time I get a sweet note from Nikki in my inbox on instagram it makes my day! Whether it’s discussing our latest product finds/reviews, encouragement over life circumstances or laughing at my son Owen’s adorableness – Nikki is always so authentic and really just such a gem.
Zach and Nikki’s relationship and wedding day can be wrapped up in this entire word: authenticity. They’re so kind and yet so real. They form real relationships with every one of the people in their lives. So much so that Nikki hand wrote personalized letters for each and every individual guest that she had tucked in their place settings at the reception. I mean if that doesn’t give you an idea of how neat this couple is than I don’t know what will! Zach leads Nikki with such care and devotion, and Nikki loves on her now husband with such tenderness + grace. I can’t say enough about these two!
Their day was irish themed, with a bunch of neat nods to the country. But the main inspiration for Zach + Niki were their families. They both come from incredibly close families, and really wanted to honor them in planning their wedding. They chose to have special touches throughout the wedding to honor loved ones and family members. Their officiant was Nikki’s uncle, They had Nikki’s maternal grandparents’ song as the prelude to the ceremony, they chose for their mothers to share readings during the ceremony, and wanted the entire day to feel like two families coming together. They also wanted the day to have a very natural, ethereal feel regarding decor and the vibe. Zach and Nikki love being outdoors and having an outdoor wedding and bringing in lots of natural elements while keeping things airy and romantic was really important to them.
The love story: “Zach and I have known each other since we were in middle school. We met at our very small towns summer carnival that is held each year. We had similar mutual friends and had all decided to go together. At a certain point in the night I saw Zach sitting by himself near the Ferris wheel, looking rather sad. Turns out he had been “dumped” by his first girlfriend, who was my sisters best friend. I offered to ride the Ferris wheel with him so he wouldn’t be alone, and ever since that moment, we’ve been the best of friends.
We never dated during high school or college, but we would go on “dates” to get dinner, see movies, or hang out. He was the person I would go to to share good news, and the first person I turned to in the most difficult of times. We were each other’s person since middle school, and even though there was always something else, something very special with us, we didn’t start dating until we were both in grad school. After a spontaneous phone call on Valentines Day, we decided to take a leap of faith and see if our friendship just might be the beginning of a relationship. We dated long distance for about a year during my graduate program, traveling between Philadelphia where Zach was getting his PhD and D.C. where I was in school getting my masters in counseling. After school we moved in together in Philadelphia and began our next chapter.
In October of 2015 Zach and I went to Ridley Creek State Park, one of our favorite places in Philadelphia area that we went to so many times during my trips up from D.C. our favorite spot was at the end of the walking trail by the waterfalls. We made our way down and Zach suggested crossing the water to a small “island” of rocks in the center to get better pictures. The water was freezing and deeper than we thought, so Zach carried me across the water to the center where the large rocks were. Getting there wasn’t too easy, and there may have been a fall involved. Once in the center of the river standing in front of the waterfall he asked me to marry him, and I instantly began crying and of course said yes to my best friend.”
When I asked Nikki what their favorite memories from their wedding day was, this was her response: One of my favorite moments was having my “first look” with my dad. That was one of the best moments of the day for me, being able to have that special time with him and getting to surprise him. I cherish the pictures from that time because it was something that turned out better than I could have hoped. Our ceremony was my absolute favorite part of the day. The service that my uncle gave as our officiant was so perfect and so “us.” It meant the world to us that he agreed to marry us and the message he gave was so personal to Zach and I it really made our day even more magical. The first dance was also an amazing moment to cherish the fact that we were finally husband and wife! Zach’s favorite moment was “seeing you walk down the aisle. It was perfect.”
Vendors:
Venue- Stone Mill Inn
Flowers- Dan O’Donnel from Blue Heron Florist
Music- Declan of Provolve Entertainment
Dress- Pronovias gown from Elizabeth Johns Bridal
Shoes- Bella Bride shoes
Suits- Jos A Banks
Photography- Meagan Nicole
Until Next time | Meagan
Holy moly, it’s been a hot second since I’ve blogged! Let’s be real, it’s been like a year. WHOOPS. It feels so good to be back in action + updating my new site for you all! I wanted my first post of the new year to be our behind the scenes from our recent wedding season.
Reflecting back on all that the Lord has done in 2017 brings me to tears. First off we had the best intern/second shooter EVER and she goes by Morgan but I like to call her the sweetest dang thing since sliced bread. Morgan went above and beyond this year, tackling her first time photographing weddings like a pro. She fluffed dresses, held bags and more bags and phones and memory cards and flower bouquets (sometimes all at once – you’re the real mvp Mo), pinned on boutonnieres, got me drinks when I was about to pass out from the heat (not really, but really) and sooo much more. Morgan has morphed into this phenomenal, confident, assuring, helpful, eager wedding photographer and it has been the biggest blessing getting to play a small role in that.
2017 wrote the final chapter to an amazing journey. I’ve managed and grown with a team for almost 5+ years, and now going into 2018 I decided to scale down and go back to the roots of being an independent photographer. Julia has been with me since 2014 when she started out as an intern, and here she was in 2017 photographing her third full wedding season as a lead associate. I couldn’t be prouder of my girls + all of the memories and growth we experienced together.
Looking back over these images CRACKS me up. From testing locations/lighting, mirror selfies + selfies with the groomsmen.. it’s been a good year. From my first day back not knowing what the heck to wear to accommodate all of the pumping I’d be doing and feeling so swollen from nursing (literally so embarassed by that first outfit/hair choice. Black, always wear black Meagan.) to getting the hang of this mom life + work life down to a system and feeling like I could conquer the world. So dramatic, but so true. But really, I love seeing the evolvement that we’ve each gone through over the year.
We want to thank EVERYONE who hired us and entrusted us in 2017 to document some of your most treasured moments for you. We have been so humbled, honored and blessed to meet so many amazing clients turned friends.
Now, what you really came here for.. enjoy laughing with us.. or at us.. we won’t judge.
ALLLLLL of the love | Meagan
Assistant Photographers: Morgan Fatjo, Jordan Kreiser and Madeline Isabella
As a photographer, I love bringing out elements of a couple’s natural chemistry. For some couples it may be more serious, romantic, goofy, fun.. and for Eric and Jennie, it was a happy, can’t stop smiling kind of connection. Our time together was all about capturing them in the gorgeous sunset, smiling and talking about their upcoming vows to one another. These two are so vibrant together and I cannot wait to photograph their wedding day this December!
Fun fact: they were my very first photography gig back from maternity leave and they will be my very last photography gig of the 2017 season! So you just know they’re all kinds of special. 🙂
xoxo | Meagan
If only you knew how many weeks I’ve been working on posting this blog post. Finding time in between feedings, laundry, naps, changing diapers, dishes, more feedings, and loads of baby cuddles.. mom life is no joke! But alas, after piecing it together bit by bit, it’s ready to go live!
Matt and Anne’s wedding was one for the books. I feel like I say that a lot because I am just so blessed to have so many noteworthy, beautiful souls and clients that I get to work with. This was my first time photographing at The Bond in downtown York, PA and it. was. beautiful! I couldn’t get enough of the amazing tall ceilings, white walls, natural light and refinished industrial/warehouse vibes. There was a ton of architecture around the venue to use for portraits. It’s so much fun exploring new places + getting to use them creatively! Matt and Anne were up for literally anything and that made our job so fun.
I could write a book about this day, but I better not push my luck too far with the peace and quiet my sleeping baby has blessed me with. So, I’ll let the images do the rest of the talking!
Matt and Anne, you’re truly such an amazing couple. Thank you for hiring MNP as your photographers!
xoxo | Meagan
Okay you guys, I had no idea how dreamy The Inn at Leola Village is! This was my first time photographing here and oh my goodness, it’s instantly one of my top venues for 2016. The rain decided to grace us all day long, but it didn’t even matter because Lance and Courtney are two of the happiest, sweetest people and made sure their wedding day was nothing short of fun and special. I can’t stop swooning over the perfect, soft lighting we had for the first half of the day mixed with all the beautiful greenery. These rose gold, sequenced bridesmaid dresses rented from Rent The Runway are also worth all the swooning! I think the detail that steals the show and takes all the cake home though is Courtney’s dress. This wedding dress was actually her mothers wedding dress! She had some minimal things tailored and adjusted to make it her own, but kept it pretty true to the original which is so amazing. I can’t get over the vintage, laced headpiece that’s attached. Goodness, goodness! So dreamy.
Courtney and Lance both surprised one another with fun/silly choreographed dances for their father/daughter and mother/son numbers. The whole guest list was howling with laughter and snapping photos with their hands in the air clapping and whistling along. It was just.. the best. 🙂
I love how Lance and Courtney really let their personalities shine through, making their wedding day so personable and relatable and down right enjoyable! Enjoy taking a peek into their special day with me!
Warmly | Meagan
After photographing Joe and Courtney by their local park in Brooklyn, NYC for their engagement session last year I could not wait for their wedding day! These two are effortlessly photogenic and in love. They compliment one another (literally + figuratively) so, so well. Their truly best friends! I really don’t even know what else to say about them because that literally wraps it up to a T! I just, adore them as a couple. 🙂
They made their wedding day their own, celebrating with all of their closest family and friends. Courtney did DIY for her center piece arrangements + florals. Seriously, drooling over them. They had a traditional catholic mass for their ceremony and held their reception and super fun dance party at Riverdale Manor. The rain didn’t hold these two or their wedding party back from making it a day to remember. This will forever be one for the books!
Without further ado.. | Meagan Nicole
The amount of excitement I feel each year to share this post with you all never fails. This is a post I look forward to time after time! Our annual “year in review”, when we get to look back and laugh at all of the test shots we take that include silly faces and seeing the odd positions we find ourselves in to capture the perfect shot. It’s also so much fun to reminisce on where the year started, all the amazing clients we got to work with and the stories we were able to be a part of and capture. What a blessing 2016 has been. Word’s cannot express the gratitude the girls and I feel for every opportunity had and every relationship that we’ve built this year. We are so thankful to all of our family, friends, clients and second shooters for the support, encouragement and help, and most of all we are so, so grateful for God’s goodness over our company. I sit here in awe at the doors the Lord has opened for Meagan Nicole Photography. The connections made, the new relationships formed, and the way’s he has grown us not only individually but as a team and expanded our knowledge and reach. The fact that we get to be a part of so many lives and so many journeys and memories. My heart could burst! When I started out as a 19 year old girl with a not os great camera and a desire to learn and grow, I never would’ve dreamed that I would be standing where I am today with this business.
It’s CRAZY how much can happen in one year and also change in one year. Little did we know this was our last wedding season as a team of three (Tori, Julia and myself). If you missed our latest updates with the team and what’s in store for 2017, you can read all about it here! We are going to miss Tori dearly but are SO EXCITED for where God is leading her. This was Julia’s second full wedding season as a lead photographer on our team and the girl shined brilliantly. It makes my heart feel so full to watch her blossom in her journey! I also, never would have guessed that I would be shooting almost an entire wedding season pregnant. Honestly, that was always one of my biggest fears but God totally was in control and worked everything together so, so perfectly. I started out the wedding season with no plans of becoming pregnant, but after a missions trip to Africa and God leading us, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child in May! Our little Botswana baby (#babybotkeller). So no you guys, I am not referring to my baby boy as a robot, HAHA. Looking back through out the season you’ll notice the progression of my bump going from making it’s first appearance to not so subtly taking over. LOOOVE IT.
For the 2016 season we hired 4 second shooters to divide our dates between while at the same time, provide opportunity to grow our relationships and connections within this amazing photography community here in Lancaster. Our 2016 shooters were Alyssa Reginella, Haley Adair, Blythe Hoerr and Jordan Harper! We also had some special appearances from four other super sweet photographer friends when they were needed in a pinch, Andrea Daugherty, Kelsey Madas, Maddie Broderick and Brittney Hippensteel! These girls were so much fun to work with and always stepped up to any challenge. Like smiling and being super fun and nice and creative even while sweating our brains out through the HOTTEST summer of all time. Seriously though, it was such a blessing to work with all of these ladies.
Our team had so many high moments this year, but instead of listing them all here then loading you with tons of photos, I’m going to walk through the photos with you and point out each and every amazing memory that 2016 brought us!
And so, here it goes, a look into our 2016 season.. 🙂
Harvest View Barn has quickly become one of the most popular venues around town and I love every opportunity I get to photograph at it. Larry and Kate tied the knot on a chilly September afternoon. I love that my job involves me meeting and photographing all different types of people and couples and relationships, each one as unique as the next. Larry and Kate are fun loving and down to earth and you just get the sense that they are being totally genuine with you! It was such a great day to be a part of. 🙂
xoxo | Meagan
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