Kerry + Andy Wedding | Toftrees Golf Resort, State College, PA

After waiting a year to celebrate with all of their loved ones, Kerry and Andy finally had the wedding day celebration they had planned. In the town where they met, on a beautiful June day, they were pronounced husband and wife. And let me tell you, IT. WAS. PERFECT.

Kerry and Andy met at Penn State campus, in the Willard building specifically! When I heard that they found love in Willard, my thought raced back to all the campus tour guides (me being one of them...oof) telling that awful Willard building pick-up line. If you know, you know. But this isn't about my Lion Scout days, so let's talk about this amazing couple and their wedding day!

Kerry and Andy's wedding was originally a June 2020 wedding, but like many other 2020 weddings these two held off their plans for a year. I can't imagine how hard it was for them to wait another year, but this wedding day celebration seemed so worth the wait. The joy we watched them and SO many others experience on this wedding day was contagious. You can tell that so many people have been waiting to celebrate these two for a long time. I was so happy that we could be there to capture this day for them.

Other than one SUPER small hiccup, this day went off without a hitch! Kerry texted me on the morning of her wedding day saying that Anguilla required a different covid test from the ones they got. So, to be approved for travel within the time constraints, Kerry and Andy had to schedule trips to CVS. Right after Kerry's hair and makeup were done, and before we arrived, she drove to CVS. Thankfully, Kerry thought to have all the details ready for us while she was away, and by the time they got back to Toftrees, we were ready to rumble! It actually worked out extremely well!

We loved this Tiffany necklace that Andy gifted Kerry on the morning of their wedding!

Upon entering Kerry's bridal suite, I was blown away with her attention to detail! They had the cutest bridal gifts, matching pajama sets and robes, a pearl denim jacket with the words "Mrs. Kirchner" on the back, and her grandfather's handkerchief wrapped around her florals. Everything was so well thought-out.

Letter readings and the exchange of vows were some of the most beautiful parts of the day, from my perspective. These moments seemed calm and peaceful. While photographing Kerry, these were the times that she really seemed to let this day sink in. Seeing the face of this STUNNING (and wait until you see her in her dress!) bride when she began to think about marrying Andy,.. UGH! My heart. She left me truly speechless.

SEE?! Do you see this?! She's a vision! Literally perfection, and the best laugh.

After we finished up portraits, we saw Kerry's dad waiting outside of the hotel. I asked her if she wanted to do a quick first look with him and she agreed to it! This is something I will ALWAYS try to squeeze into the timeline, even if it's not planned. .I'm so glad the Kerry got to share this moment with her dad right before he walked her down the aisle.

Meanwhile, Catherine was with the guys, photographing Andy.

Let's talk about his details! First off, Andy's entire look was spot on. The leather overalls, gold and navy Rolex, and the tan bow tie, went with his navy blue suit wonderfully! And I would be lying if I said that his suit didn't fit him perfectly. Kerry gifted Andy customized collar tabs and cufflinks that read "I can't wait... to be Mrs. Kirchner" and "Marry me today 6.12.21....Love me forever -K", The cufflinks were even in her handwriting!

Craftsmanship must run through the O'Hop family, because Kerry's brother made this ring box and the wine box (used for the ceremony)!

These photos of Andy are some of my favorite. What a handsome Gus and how joyful! I had met Andy in person just before the first look, but I wasn't surprised to learn that I didn't need to know Andy for long to feel like we went way back. He is a friendly guy all-around, but on this day especially, you could tell how happy and excited he was ready to finally marry the girl of his dreams.

Once everyone was ready, we headed to the Toftrees balcony for their first look! Also we loved Andy suggesting we get the date on his watch!! Such a neat detail!

THIS WAS MY FAVORITE! The most exciting moment of the day for me was right here.

Of course you can see how blown away Andy was by the sight of his bride, but what the pictures don't show was the amount of time they stood there, in this position, just taking it all in. They were so floored that they froze completely and looked in awe. Eventually, I Informed them that they were allowed to move, if they wanted! But I could have watched them stare at each other like that forever. It was such a genuine and sincere first look.

HE'S SO HAPPY! SHE'S SO EXCITED!

This was the part of the day that made me fall EVEN MORE in love with Kerry and Andy. They love each other so much! Seeing thee two together, the joy they brought one another, and the comfort they felt being together was everything. You could tell they were made for each other.

A couple of stunners, these two!

Next, we joined their wedding party, and headed to campus!

We had originally planned on shooting at the Lion Shrine, but Penn State's construction season is in full swing this summer. So, we instead settled for the "WE ARE" sign outside of the Intramural Building, and I actually loved this spot! Thanks to the wedding party for climbing!

Then we headed to Old Main and College Ave for a few more portraits before the ceremony.

Thank you to the whole wedding party for all their help on wedding day! We loved this crew!

After the wedding party portraits finished up, we did some couple portraits with Andy and Kerry. By this time, a whole crowd of people were gathered around Old Main. Thankfully, I capitalized off of that opportunity to recruit some more hype men for the happy couple! That meant making them cheer for Andy and Kerry as they kissed at the top of the Old Main steps! They deserved the love!

I love how the sun began coming out and the sky became a lovely blue right in time for this epic veil toss!

Back to Toftrees for the Ceremony!

The sun came out just in time for their ceremony. Thankfully Andy and Kerry had waters and fans prepared for all of their guests. Guests were welcomed, as the melodic sounds of the string trio filled the courtyard,.

For Andy and Kerry's unity ceremony, they wrote letters for one another, and kept them private. Along with a special bottle of wine, they locked their letters away in a lock-and-key wine box that was handmade by Kerry's brother, Kevin. This box is to be kept in a special place and only opened on their first anniversary.

THE NEW MR. AND MRS. KIRCHNER!

Cocktail hour was held under a large tent on the Toftrees patio. It featured tables and high tops draped in white linens. and topped with gold wine bottles, filled with white florals and greenery. We loved their signature drinks, "Something Old Fashioned" (an Old Fashion) and "Mint to Be" (a Mint Mojito).

Their reception tent was right outside of the resort's main building. Tables featured white florals, surrounded by greenery, candles, pulled together with complements of gold, and "A+K" hand sanitizers!

Check out this cake topper! It was made to look like Andy and Kerry! I think Andy was pretty Impressed.

Ryan from Nittany Entertainment closed the night with a little help from Andy's nephew. The full-time ring bearer AND part-time DJ, he did it all!

THIS SUNSET!! I loved that Kerry brought out the denim jacket and Andy lost his suit jacket for a few sunset photos. They're just so fresh!

Thank you to the O'Hop and Kirchner families for welcoming us for this beautiful celebration of Andy and Kerry. Thank you also to the amazing team of wedding vendors who made our job so much more enjoyable, and kept the day running smoothly! We really appreciate you all!

VENDORS

Hair and Makeup | Looks Hair Design

Venue | Toftrees Golf Resort

Dress Designer | Essense of Australia,

Dress Boutique | Radiant Bride

Suit | Generation Tux

Florist | Woodrings Floral Garden

Transportation | Fullington

Officiant | Tracey Showers

Caterer | Toftrees Golf Resort

Bartending | Toftrees Golf Resort

Baker | Dolce Vita

DJ | Ryan, Nittany Entertainment

Photography + Videography | Samantha Malizia Films

To Andy and Kerry, THANK YOU! Thank you for being straight up wonderful people. Thank you for loving each other and others so well. Thank you for your joy and the amazing wedding day that we feel so blessed to have gotten to capture. I'm so happy that you two are finally husband and wife!