Barbara & Marlin: 50th Anniversary Celebration
Eicher Arts Center, Ephrata, PA

Barbara and Marlin celebrated 50 years of marriage at the Eicher Arts Center in Ephrata, PA. To help them celebrate this major milestone, their large family and closest friends were in attendance. The room was full of warmth and joy with bountiful hugs and laughter.

Before the guests started pouring in, I was able to pull the happy couple away for some sweet portraits alone. When asked what the secret to their long marriage is, the couple joked that good food and good times kept them together. The evidence of their love was clear in their interactions with each other and the room full of friends and family excited to shower them with love.

Half way through the party, we also took some time for posed family portraits. Barb, Marlin, their three sons, spouses, and children all gathered outside for beautiful portraits in natural light. Thankfully, even though it was December, it was a nice day. In addition to the large group photo, it was important to the family to capture portraits of each couple or family with Barb and Marlin.

The celebration was a big success. Family and friends travelled from far and wide to see the couple. Memories were shared, family members reunited, and new friendships were forged. The couple’s sons gave toasts and speeches, and their granddaughters introduced them before Barb and Marlin gave their own speeches. Food and drinks filled happy stomachs, old photos were shared, and guests participated in a keepsake artwork for the couple—a family/friend tree made with thumbprints of the guests.