Lisa & Karl | Glasbern Inn

A stunning summer wedding at Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville, PA.

August 29, 2018

Lisa and Karl’s summer wedding at Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville, PA was stunning, emotional, beyond fun, and personally significant. I’m so proud to have been there for this union… and that I got to see Karl’s dance moves in person. (SO AMAZING).

Lisa and Karl were recommended to us by Lisa’s sister, Sara. I had done a family session for her a while back and Sara told Lisa, “Maria really knows her shit.” That comment has stayed with me ever since. When you’re both a photographer AND a professor, not many things feel better than seeing those words… especially coming from graphic designers.

Ashley and I did Lisa and Karl’s engagement session at Wissahickon and had the best time getting to know them. We learned about their backgrounds, love story, a future move in the works, the wedding plans, and heard about Karl’s (INCREDIBLE) dance moves. It was a brilliant day out and about. We fell head over heels for them and couldn’t wait to celebrate their love story at Glasbern Inn.

Shortly after their engagement photos were shot, Ashley and I both found out we were pregnant… a mere 6 weeks apart. Unfortunately Ashley’s due date was the day before Lisa and Karl’s wedding so she could not shoot. Our backup plan is always my husband, Brian. Luckily, he fills in with ease. He’s a total natural with an amazing compositional eye. (He just prefers to be behind a guitar, not a camera). I have to thank Lisa and Karl for not even blinking when we told them about our situation. It is completely strange to “plan” a family around wedding seasons. Ashley and I were both very lucky that our little ones due dates only affected one of us shooting one wedding (however, Ashley was crushed about missing it).

On to the wedding… what a TREAT this day was, especially after 6 weeks of being on maternity leave. Glasbern Inn is magical by itself but this couple, their friends, and family, took it to another level. The mood all day was calm, serene, and hilariously fun. Lisa, her sisters, and Mom got ready in the morning while Karl and his Dad went fishing nearby. We got to capture a stunning first look and some portraits before heading to their brilliant ceremony, with a view to die for. More portraits followed and just… damn. I have to point out that Glasbern Inn really keeps the wedding day stress free. There are places to shoot every which way you turn and none of it is a distance too far from the ceremony or reception area. It was perfect.

When the wedding was over, Brian asked me if that was how all weddings were. I had to disappoint him in saying “no”. Stress is normal. Excess traveling to and from ceremony to portrait location to reception site is normal. It is rare to have everything you need in one photogenic location. This day really was a treat, for both of us. I’m in love with this job beyond measure but the true test was being away from my baby all day long, and still loving every moment.

Being a Mama is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It has helped me prioritize what I want in life. It has helped me figure out how to best spend my time when not with my family. This wedding, this couple, their friends and family, solidified that I am in the right profession. I feel so lucky to have had this be the first wedding I photographed after Lucian was born. It was lovely getting to show Brian this sliver of my creative life as well… and see how much he enjoyed it too. Thank you, forever and ever, to Lisa and Karl for letting us (all) be there to document your love. It’s been such an honor.