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Weddings

Pennsylvania Wedding at Bluestone Country Club

There are just some weddings that I get super excited about. Who am I kidding, that happens with all of them. However, when it came time for Katie and Andrew’s wedding day, I was especially thrilled. Back in 2019, I had the honor of capturing Katie and Andrew’s engagement session and then the pandemic hit. It felt as if everything was at a standstill, well because it was. Despite all of the craziness, Katie and Andrew were still hopeful to get married in May of 2021. Luckily, we were able to make this happen and have the most beautiful Pennsylvania Wedding at Bluestone Country Club. They both looked absolutely amazing and these photos are just to die for!

Bluestone Country Club // Pennsylvania Wedding Venue

Built back in late 1949, the Bluestone Country Club was created. What originally was 130 acres of beautiful land, swimming pools, stables, and the main manor house has now grown into something so much more. Today, the Bluestone Country Club has tremendously stolen the hearts of many PA locals for being a pristine and elegant location to host your wedding. This Pennsylvania wedding venue offers many amazing amenities if you were to host your wedding here. Some of those amenities can include:

Formal Outdoor Garden for Ceremony and/or Cocktail Hour
Two Wedding Suites
Valet Parking
Privacy Of Having One Wedding Per Day
Dinner and Dancing for 250 Guests
Covered Patio and Fire Pit

Bluestone Country Club also offers a variety of different wedding packages to fit the needs & budgets of a variety of couples. For more information, just click here!

Getting Ready

It was a beautiful Friday afternoon when the AKP team arrived at the bridal suite at the Bluestone Country Club. This is where Katie and Andrew were getting ready. As soon as we arrived, our second photographer, Jess, went to hang out with Andrew and his groomsmen while I stayed with the gals. Now let me preface this by saying, that morning of prep is super important. It sets the stage for the remainder of the day, so make sure that getting ready the morning of your wedding is as seamless as possible. I talk more wedding day prep tips in this blog here! We spent a short period of time at the hotel as everyone was finishing getting ready, so during this time I took some detail photos and watched Katie transform.

Katie & Andrew’s First Look

Shortly after, it was time for us to wrangle everyone together to head to Bluestone Country Club for K +A’s first look. If you know me, you know I love first looks. They can play an impactful role on your wedding day. While some may look at first looks as “ruining the moment” that is far from the truth. In fact, first looks can be a great way to have some privacy with your partner. If you’re someone who has written personal vows and is weary of sharing them in front of an audience, a first look is a perfect opportunity to do this!

Andrew stood there waiting for Katie, knowing that in just a few short moments everything will shift. It was a beautiful moment to witness between the two of them and so grateful to have not only one but two photographers capturing this special moment. That’s why AKP has second photographers in all of our wedding packages, to capture sweet moments like these.

Ceremony at St. Helena’s Church

After Katie and Andrew’s first look, we took a few portraits with them along with their wedding party & family before departing for their ceremony at St. Helena’s Church. Oftentimes when it comes to church weddings, the lighting can be very dimly lit. So be prepared (if your church allows) for your photographer to use their flash in order to get the best quality images. Lighting plays a major role in how your images turn out. So your wedding photographer’s main goal is to ensure that you can be seen and be seen well.

Katie and Andrew’s ceremony was rather quick, but still just as beautiful. Surrounded by all of their close family and friends, it truly was such a breath of fresh air. After everything that had gone on in the world leading up to this point, being together for such a special celebration was just what the doctor ordered. We then gathered everyone outside to take a few more portraits, and despite the bit of rain we had we still were able to make it work! We then made our way back to Bluestone Country Club for cocktail hour and the reception!

Ballroom Reception at Bluestone Country Club

Cocktail hour is a great time for everyone to get together, enjoy some drinks, and really start winding down for the remainder of the night. Depending on your timeline for your wedding photos, your photographer may have you taking portraits during your cocktail hour. If you would like to enjoy cocktail hour with your guests, make sure you communicate this with your photographer. That way when building out your wedding timeline, they are given a good idea of when you should take photos that don’t cut into your time with your guests!

Once cocktail hour is over, reception starts and the party begins! Some traditional first dances happened with Katie and her dad and Andrew and his mom. Shortly after, we listened to some speeches and some incredibly delicious food before the band began bumpin’ some tunes. It was around this time that I noticed the gloominess from the rain subsided and golden hour was at its peak. I stole Katie and Andrew to get a few golden hour portraits before heading back inside for some cake cutting.

Katie and Andrew also decided to have a garter toss and a bouquet toss which is something you don’t see nowadays. This just proves that you can do just about anything on your wedding day. Don’t be afraid to stray away from (or stick to) tradition if that’s what you choose to do. I will say, that it was at this point you could tell everyone was hopping on the dance floor and having an amazing time.

Grand Sparkler Exit

We ended the night with a grand sparkler exit as Katie and Andrew ran through the middle and did one last big smooch. Grand exits have got to be some of my favorites to photograph and I feel so honored to have been able to capture this moment for Katie & Andrew. Congrats to you two love birds!

If you loved this Pennsylvania Wedding at Bluestone Country Club then check out this blog here!

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