Alex & Kara

The Romance of a Pennsylvania September

There’s something remarkable about Pennsylvania in September—a season of in-between, when summer lingers but autumn quietly begins to arrive. The ridgelines blush gold, the air turns crisp, and the world feels hushed with anticipation.

It was against this serene backdrop that Kara and her groom gathered just twenty of their closest family and friends to celebrate a day defined not by grandeur, but by grace, intimacy, and intention.

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A Ceremony Framed by the Valley

The couple exchanged vows at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania — a quiet parish surrounded by rolling hills and farmland in Penns Valley. Named after the first Native American saint, the church carries an air of reverence and simplicity.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass as the couple spoke their vows. Outside, the landscape glowed in early autumn hues — soft greens giving way to gold — and the stillness of the countryside seemed to mirror the sacredness of the moment.

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Portraits at Sinking Creek

After the ceremony, the couple retreated to the groom’s grandparents’ property on Sinking Creek Road for private portraits — a place steeped in family history and natural beauty.

With Sinking Creek winding through fields of tall grass and maple trees just beginning to turn, it was the perfect location for photographs that felt both timeless and deeply personal. The golden afternoon light kissed every frame, reflecting the quiet joy of a couple wholly present with one another.

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Dinner and Celebration at The Carnegie House

As day turned to evening, guests gathered at The Carnegie House, an English-style inn tucked along Cricklewood Drive in State College. Built to evoke the stately grace of old-world manors, the venue’s charm lies in its intimacy — the soft rustle of gardens, the candlelight flickering against carved wood walls, the hum of conversation filling the dining room.

Inside, Chef Paul and the Grace Restaurant team prepared an exquisite multi-course meal — a fine-dining experience that turned dinner into the heart of the celebration. Each plate was a work of art, paired perfectly with the warmth of laughter and storytelling.

At the head table, Woodrings Floral Gardens adorned the evening with lush, organic arrangements — roses, greenery, and fall tones woven seamlessly together. Every detail, from Kara’s Eddy K gown from Bridal Palace Bellevue to the custom invitation suite by Ashley DeMeyere for Minted, reflected understated sophistication and thoughtful design.

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Golden Hour in the Gardens

As the sun began to set, Kara and her groom stepped into the gardens for one final moment alone — surrounded by the warm, honeyed light that only September can offer. The air was still, the leaves barely stirring, and the golden light seemed to linger just a little longer, as if reluctant to let them go.

It was a day that felt less like an event and more like a chapter of a love story—rooted in family, framed by faith, and wrapped in the timeless beauty of Pennsylvania in fall.

Vendor Team

• Photography: Kimberly Wright Photography

• Ceremony: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church, Spring Mills, PA

• Reception & Dinner: The Carnegie House — Grace Restaurant, Chef Paul (graceatcarnegie.com)

• Florals: Woodrings Floral Gardens (woodringfloralgardens.com)

• Gown: Eddy K — from Bridal Palace Bellevue (bridalpalacebellevue.com)

• Hair & Makeup: J. Stephens Salon (jstephenssalon.com)

• Invitations: Ashley DeMeyere for Minted (minted.com/store/ashleydemeyere)

• Menswear: Harpers State College (harpersstatecollege.com)