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Scranton wedding photographers: Lauren & Michael

Dozens of musicians, 3 locations and 2 people in love…  You won’t want to miss this romantic, music-filled wedding and unique ceremony, what an incredible day…
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Lauren shared, “Lisa photographed a friend’s wedding a few years ago.  When I saw the photos, I knew I wanted Rhinehart Photography to capture all the moments of my wedding day.  I fell in love with the uniqueness of each photo as well as Lisa’s creativity.”
She continued, “We were very pleased with Lisa’s flexibility on out wedding day.  We had an opportunity to take photos at a nearby Estate (Fern Hall) which was not in our original plans, but Lisa was able to meet our request.  Lisa showed us a few of her amazing shots – they were some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen and I’m so excited to see all of the photos from the day!
Aw thanks, lady– my pleasure!  Here is one of the photos that I showed her.  🙂
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Michael shared, “Even though Lauren and I have moved to Orlando, we knew we wanted to have a wedding close to our hometown of Scranton, Pa. The Hotel Anthracite was a brand new venue and a place that our guests may not have been before. It was nice to introduce them to this space with its large ballroom, delicious food, and charming decor.”
Here Lauren sits in the window at Hotel Anthracite as her hair and make-up are completed…
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I love to be creative and play around with the space.  I also love color.  Here I was able to pull in the blue of the sky, the yellow from the light, all while Lauren sat in the same space.
It’s fun to stop time for a moment, here I played with the light and shutter speed to catch her finishing touches…
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There happened to be a painting of the church Lauren and Michael would be getting married in on the wall, here I caught her reflection and a bit of downtown Carbondale as Lauren finished her preparations…
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How cool is it that you could *literally see* the wedding venue out the window?  Here, Lauren’s mom finishes buttoning her dress as she looks out at St. Rose of Lima Parish.
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Lauren, you are stunning!!!
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Sometimes it’s the little things 😉
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One last detail– earrings…  Just can’t get over that view…
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She’s a bride!!!  Over joyed and joined by her mom and sister!!!
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Lauren shared, “I found my dress in downtown Scranton at The Darling Dress.”
Wow!  I love the lace detailing on the back!
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Time for the first look…
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Smiles all around!
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Michael shared, “I am so incredibly grateful, each and every day, to have Lauren by my side!   Now she will be my *wife*!”
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Michael continued, “From the moment I met her, I fell in love with the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to everything she does. Lauren’s smile can brighten even the most gloomy  of days.”
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While most of my photos are candid moments, I do make sure to take a couple of traditional portraits, too.  Here is one.
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Lauren smiled, “I met Michael when I was a sophomore in high school.  I was introduced to him through a friend.  I had wanted to get involved in music ministry and Michael was the music director at a local church.  After the first time I met him, I told my friend that I had a crush on him.  I guess it really was love at first sight.”
I love to play with frames and layers and light… here I used a tilt-shift technique while framing them in the beautiful stone arches of Fern Hill Estate.
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Lauren continued, “Our friendship developed over the next few years, until he asked me out on a date a few summers later.  It will be ten years in August since our first date.  Every day I fall more in love with his contagious smile, great sense of humor, and sweet personality.”
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Michael shared, “Lauren is the most generous and caring person that I know. She always considers others before herself and her devotion to her family is beyond measure. ”
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Lauren shared, “Michael and I were friends before we started dating.  That is the basis and most important part of our relationship.  We are able to have fun and laugh together which helps us get through the hard days and makes the good days even better.”
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She went on, “We share many similar interests, such as music and theatre.  It is what brought us together as a couple and something that is very important in our lives. ”
She concluded, “Michael is a Music and Liturgy Director at a church in Florida.  I am a theatre teacher at a public middle school in Orlando.  I have always participated in Michael’s choirs and he musically directs my school plays.  It is fun for us to share in each other’s lives in this way.”
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OK, I need to give a huge shout out to Fern Hall!  Thank you so much for opening up your property to us, it is incredibly beautiful– from the historic estate to the incredible views, thank you!!!
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Sweet, classic bouquets…
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Lauren shared, “Michael and I wanted to keep the focus of the wedding on the church ceremony.  We tried to keep things simple, which is why we chose to have a small bridal party. ”
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Lauren explained, “There were 19 or 20 at the church! I used to babysit George (the one who played the piano when I walked down the aisle) so that was a special moment.”
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Lauren & her father…
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Awww Michael’s expression, and his best man’s too!  I told you, you are stunning, Lauren!
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The church is very important to Lauren & Michael.  Several key players are in this photo, even Jesus 😉
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The ceremony was so unique and personal!  It was nothing short of incredible and fun, it’s obvious that Michael does this for a living!  Wow!!”
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Lauren explained, “Every musician there was either a family member or one of our friends.”
I climbed up to the balcony to get this vantage point, 15 musicians are in view here, and wow, the music!
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Michael explained, “Our favorite part of our wedding  day was exchanging our vows in the presence of our family and friends.  Lauren and I are blessed beyond measure to have the support system that we have.  Having them witnesses our promises to one another was very special to us. ”
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They held hands throughout the entire ceremony, it was so sweet!  I wanted to be respectful of the service and the church and not get too close, but still really focus on their hands, so I shot through (and blurred) all the plants and gold decor  in the church, finding just the right spot where you could just see their hands…
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Lauren you are *glowing*
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Michael explained, “Lauren and I spent most of our time and energy on planning the ceremony. We chose songs, prayers, and scripture readings that speak of our relationship and our worldview. It was such a blessing that our wonderful friends and family were able to serve in the various ministries of the liturgy, especially Fr. John Lapera and the terrific musicians.”
Reflections are another favorite of mine!  While I was up in the choir loft, I noticed this mirror on the pipe organ– how fun!
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Lauren explained, “Noah is my little cousin.  He sang the Ave Maria!”
How precious!
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Another unique element was that Lauren and Michael served the Eucharist to their wedding guests.  I have been to so many weddings, and I think this is the first time I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing this done…
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The ring exchange:
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Sealed with a kiss!
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It’s official– Mr & Mrs!
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From the St Rose of Lima Parish, everyone walked across the street to Hotel Anthracite and were greeted by gracious hosts and tasty horsdevours….
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People enjoyed the outdoor courtyard space & sweet company…
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Haaaa!!!
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A great group for sure!
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Champagne was poured in the hotel ballroom… fern-hall-estate-best-scranton-wedding-photographers-hotel-anthracite-44
Lauren shared, “Debra and Donna  (of ‘Vie’ Interior Design and Life Events) are close family friends who are extremely talented! Michael and I were not very particular about the decor and knew that whatever Debbie and Donna came up with would be fantastic! We were blown away when we walked into the ballroom and saw the decorations for the first time!”
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Lauren shared, “Music for Models was our band, led by the talented Marko Marcinko, he is, lucky for us, a very close friend.  Erin Malloy is his wife and we specially requested that she sing with the band for our wedding because she is also a close friend of ours.”
And can she *sang* 🙂
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First dance…fern-hall-estate-best-scranton-wedding-photographers-hotel-anthracite-47
The best man met Michael in *kindergarten*, his mom saved this picture he drew of Michael all the way back then!
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Wedding guests were tickled by the speeches, for sure…
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Mamma’s boy:
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Dancing with dad– love the pop of color and light here:
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Speaking of light and color, I had to post another band shot…
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The dance floor was opened, I love the shadows from the chandeliers, candles and cherry blossoms…
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Smiles all around:
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It didn’t take long for the dance floor to be *packed*
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It was raining, and I asked Lauren if she’d mind getting a little wet, she was game!  They spent a little time in the courtyard of the Hotel Anthracite, slow dancing in the rain– so romantic…
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There was something so timeless and classic about it… I just needed to post one in black and white!
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Lauren and Michael, it was such a treat to be by your side throughout the day and to tell your story today.  Thank you for inviting me and for being your awesome selves!
Here are a few of their favorite vendors:

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