Luxury Lancaster, Pennsylvania Wedding at Excelsior

Some wedding days just take your breath away and leave you talking about them for months… this was absolutely one of those days. Sophia and Garris are the kind of couple who light up every room they walk into, and it was so clear how deeply loved and celebrated they are by their family and friends.

I first met Sophia a couple of years ago when she was a bridesmaid in another wedding I photographed. When she reached out about capturing her own wedding day in her hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, her message was one of the most heartfelt inquiries I’ve ever received. I knew immediately I had to be there to tell their story. The day began at the beautiful Excelsior in downtown Lancaster, where Sophia and Garris got ready surrounded by their closest people. One of my favorite parts of their day was honoring Sophia’s childhood dream—she had always wanted to ride the Lancaster trolley to her wedding ceremony after seeing another bride do the same years ago. Watching that dream come full circle as she and her bridal party rode to First United Methodist Church was such a sweet and meaningful moment. Their ceremony was everything you could hope for—emotional, joy-filled, and filled with vows that had not only me, but just about everyone in the room, in tears. After celebrating with their bridal party and capturing portraits at the church, we all hopped back on the trolley to return to Excelsior for the reception.

The team at Burke and Poppy transformed the space into one of the most breathtaking setups I’ve ever seen as a wedding photographer in Pennsylvania. From a dreamy cocktail hour in the courtyard to portraits on Duke Street (yes, their last name—how perfect is that?!), every detail felt intentional and true to them.And then came the party…their guests know how to celebrate! It was one of the most lively, joy-filled receptions I’ve ever been a part of. From start to finish, Sophia and Garris’s wedding day was a true reflection of who they are—fun, heartfelt, and absolutely unforgettable. It was such an honor to capture this beautiful Lancaster wedding, and I’m so excited to share it with you. If you’re planning a Pennsylvania wedding, whether in Lancaster, Philadelphia, or anywhere in the Northeast, I’d love to be there to capture your story too.