A Nostalgic Micro Wedding at a Christmas Tree Farm

From The Photographer

In November, an actor, Bryson, proposed to an actress named Kelsey on a bridge in downtown Lititz Pennsylvania where they’d had their first kiss. When Bryson called me to ask me to photograph the proposal, one of the first things he said about Kelsey was that she loved animals so much that she might actually die of happiness because there are hundreds of ducks that sit on the river under the bridge where he was going to propose. That was my first peek at how lovely and kind-hearted Kelsey was: the kind of woman who dies of happiness if there are too many cute ducks around. Yes, she is as adorable as she sounds.

They planned a wedding in the springtime and even had the lovely privilege of being the first ever couple to get married at Elizabeth Barn Christmas Tree farm! Kelsey had gotten her Christmas trees here her whole life and last Christmas when she was cutting down the tree with Bryson and his family she suddenly realized this was the perfect place ever to get married. How fortunate that this is the first ever year that Elizabeth Barns is functioning as a wedding venue!

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Kelsey did a first look with her dad behind the trees then they made their way toward the aisle.

Bryson stood with his back toward Kelsey, chatting with his dad who would be the one to marry them.

Kelsey is one of the most radiantly beautiful women inside and out. Kelsey wore a classic tulle and lace gown of a soft white and had on a special necklace that her dad gave to her mom on their wedding day!

Bryson’s reaction to his bride as she walked down the aisle was the kind of reaction every girl dreams of. He couldn’t stand still, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

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One of the most precious times of a wedding day for me is standing behind the officiant to watch the couple during the message. Usually, they have their backs toward the guests and the guests don’t get to see their faces except for the photos I deliver.

Before we were five minutes into the ceremony, everyone was already crying. The bride’s parents held hands the entire ceremony and the bride’s mom seemed to be holding back tears the entire time. I love watching the parents of the bride and groom and imagine what they must be imagining. Maybe they’re thinking about all the trouble Kelsey caused as a kid. Maybe they’re thinking about the first time she slept over at a friend’s house. I always watch the parents of the couple, because this is their day too.

Bryson and Kelsey set up a livestream of the ceremony as is typical for modern weddings and took a moment to address their viewers and thank them for their support and love.

When Bryson and Kelsey hugged their families, they never once let go of each other’s hands.

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One of the best parts of Christmas at the Barns at Elizabeth Tree farms was always the horse drawn wagon. You’d go, cut your tree down, and ride home through the snow towed by two massive horses. What a dream! So of course, it was absolutely necessary for the horses to make an appearance and bring the guests home after the ceremony.

As soon as the guests pulled away and it was just the bride and groom and I, they turned to me and screamed together “we’re married!!!” The bride and groom headed back to the trees to have some portraits taken and spend some alone time soaking in that they are now married, and for the rest of their lives they belong to each other.

Kelsey as a little girl would look forward to this day and be so, so excited that older Kelsey married someone like Bryson in the most magical place in Pennsylvania. Not only were there gorgeous Christmas trees, but there’s a gorgeous textured skyline right when you walk out of the trees!

We hopped into the horse-drawn wagon just for fun and to soak in the moment then we stopped at the pond so Bryson and Kelsey could take a stroll and just breathe and be together on their wedding day.

Fern and Fountain