Devils Ridge Wedding: Jennifer and John

Jennifer and John are exactly the kind of couple we love to work with: fun, relaxed and able to see the Big Picture. As in, as long as we're married by the end of the night and get to have a big party with our closest friends and family, then it's a good day. No stressing about colors being perfect or the typeface in the programs. Rain? No biggie. Which was a good thing -- because it poured about 10 minutes after they said "I do," ruining our plans for fun portraits out on their favorite golf course. Thank goodness for satellite weather forecasts available online. Jennifer's dad could see a huge line of thunderstorms headed straight for the outdoor ceremony, so at about five minutes until Go Time, Jennifer was able to look out on the crowd, confirm that all guests were present and give the word to start the ceremony EARLY. How often does that happen? Luckily, they planned a super-short ceremony that was seriously over in a bout six minutes. It was the fastest wedding we've ever shot. But it was still all the things great weddings are -- sweet, emotional, heart-felt. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously. Fastest wedding ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love that John couldn't resist giving his bride a kiss, even in the middle of formals with storms bearing down on us!

 

 

 

Then it was off to start one heckuva celebration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John's brother and best man, Dan, gave a great toast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a party! I can't remember such enthusiastic dancing in a loooonnnng time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The night ended with everyone gathered around the bride and groom singing, "New York, New York."

 

 

 

Jennifer and John, when we left your party, our faces hurt from smiling so much. You are so lucky to have such a great group of family and friends! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

 

Venue & Catering: Devil's Ridge Golf Club, Holly Springs, NC

 

Officiant: Rev. Ervene Boyd

 

Flowers: A Ming Rose

 

Cake: Sweet Memories Bakery

 

DJ: Joe Bunn DJ Company

 

 

 

 

 

Sep 27, 2010 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Kelly and Chase: Married!

Kelly and Chase were married on October 10 at beautiful Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. I knew I was going to love working with Kelly when she scheduled a boudoir session as a gift for her husband-to-be. Then she said they wanted to see each other before the wedding so we'd have plenty of time for natural light photography. I love it when the photography is so important to a couple that they're willing to set aside old traditions to make our time together on the wedding day a priority. I knew it was going to be a fabulous wedding and it was, from mimosas in the salon early in the morning to their bubble send-off. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

 

I was trying to sneak a shot of Kelly putting on her eyeliner, but she caught me -- and I like this result better anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite type of bridal portrait is what we photogs call 3/4-length. A face this gorgeous and a smile so radiant should be seen up close, but with a 3/4 length, we also get to see details like the beading on her gown and her gorgeous bouquet.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Chase gets some help with his tie from his best man, Gary. They were teammates on NC State's Men's Golf Team.  Chase is a volunteer coach for the team now and is a golf pro -- so if you need lessons, call me and I'll put you in touch!

 

 

 

Whenever a couple chooses to see each other before the wedding, we insist that it be a private affair. That means no family, no wedding party -- just the bride and groom (and me and Frank, of course). We use long lenses so that we can be somewhat at a distance to give couples privacy when they see each other for the first time on their wedding day. We've done this many times and it never fails to move me to tears. It's a great moment and in my opinion, more powerful than seeing each other in front of 200+ guests. Plus, sometimes it's the only time you have alone together on your wedding day until it's all over.

 

Here, Kelly waits for the word that Chase is in position and she can head out to see him for the first time. In her hands is his wedding gift: an album of images from our boudoir session. I think I was almost as excited to see his reaction as she was! Look at this beautiful light on Kelly in this image. So gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

When we set up the First Look session, Frank and I get to the venue ahead of time (either earlier in the day or the week) and find a private place for our couple to meet. It was pretty challenging at Prestonwood on a gorgeous Fall Saturday, but we managed to scope out a path that was out of the way of both golfers and curious guests! I also like for the groom to have the bride's flowers with him so that he can present them to his bride. That's also a tradition, but oddly, one that didn't survive as strongly as the old "bad luck to see the bride before the wedding" superstition.

 

Here's Chase, with Kelly's bouquet. (Plus, don't you just love the unexpectedness of a shot of the groom holding the bouquet?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those raised eyebrows say it all! I think he likes his gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I mention Chase is a golf pro? Maybe Kelly is his secret weapon.

 

 

 

 

Kelly's beautiful bouquet and all the flowers for the wedding were created by A Ming Rose.

 

 

 

 

 

I love how the reds, golds and oranges in the bridesmaids' bouquets pop off their black gowns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the groomsmen and ushers were golfers, so of course, we had to make use of the props to be found naturally on a golf course.

Golf cart shot -- check.

 

 

 

Love the light pouring in through the windows as Kelly and the bridesmaids head to the ballroom for the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting married in a ballroom with huge windows? Sign me up!

 

 

 

 

Love these happy expressions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prestonwood at night.

 

 

 

First dance.

 

 

 

A different perspective on a heart-felt toast by the best man.

 

 

 

 

The scrumptious three-tier chocolate mousse cake was made by the very talented pastry chef at Prestonwood.

 

 

 

 

 

With all the formalities complete, it was time to begin the party. Here, Kelly dances with her niece and flower-girl, Maya.  DJ Billy Ezzell with Complete Music had everyone on their feet and having a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge group hug to end the night!

 

 

 

 

Chase's mom lovingly hand-applied the customized labels to the champagne bubble bottles.

 

 

 

 

Bubble send-offs are so much fun to photograph! I love the way the bubbles show up at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off to Happily Ever After!

 

 

Dec 30, 2009 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »