For those of you just starting to plan your weddings, here's a tidbit of info to digest: it takes about 200 hours to plan a wedding. That's right: 200 hundred hours. That's five full-time work weeks. If you don't have five full-time work weeks to spare, how on earth are you going to plan a wedding without losing your mind? Easy. Hire a professional wedding planner. With incredibly busy schedules as professional basketball players who spend a good part of the year out of the country, LaToya and Byron knew they would need help to pull off the wedding of their dreams. So they turned to wedding planner extraordinaire Tracy Adams of Adams and Events in Cary. You've heard of some weddings compared to a runaway train? Well, Tracy was the engine that held all the separate "cars" of this wedding together so that it stayed on track.

Floral Design: Greg Warren Flowers

Lighting: Rick Bryda, Total Production Services

Entertainment: Greg Ramsey, Joe Bunn DJ Company

Venue and Catering: Prestonwood Country Club

Cakes and Candy Bar: Cinda's Creative Cakes

Hair and Make-Up: Theresa Williams

LaToya and Byron make a stylish grand entrance into their reception.

Crazy cool cake: check.

I've never see such a reaction to a cake before and it earned every single "ooh" and "aah". There was a parade of guests up the grand staircase to take pictures of it prior to the cake cutting. This was one instance where I think everyone hated for it to be cut! (Compare the two bottom images. The one on the right was shot before Rick with Total Production Services worked his magic with some dramatic red up-lighting. Perfectly fine, but what a difference the lighting makes!)

The surprise groom's cake, a replica of his Carolina-blue Buick.

LaToya and Byron are blessed to be surrounded by so much love and support from family and friends. There was a lot of love in the room!

I especially like these shots from the Father/Daughter and Mother/Son dances.

Tar Heels on hand! Byron with friends and teammates, past and present. Many of LaToya's teammates from the LA Sparks traveled to celebrate with her as well. And how priceless is the look on the flower girl's face? She looks ready for bed, but look out: she got her groove on shortly after this picture was taken. Maybe she was just tired of having a camera in her face!

LaToya's maid of honor Christina gave the sweetest toast. The two have been friends for a long time...long enough for Christina to have seen quite a few of LaToya's boyfriends come and go. She was describing how she knew Byron was the right one for her best friend when she said something about how many guys LaToya had knocking on her door in high school. Byron turned to LaToya and did a mock-serious "I've got my eyes on you" move while her mom and dad were in stitches.

One bouquet and garter toss later, it was time to dance!

To close out this blog post, I leave you with a shot of LaToya and Byron posing with their cardboard twins (a 7-foot cut-out specially made from one of their engagement session pics). If you'd like to see more Photobooth mayhem, check out their album on the Sweet Life Photo Facebook page (just "Like" to be able to view the images and leave comments). We had such a great time photographing this wedding! LaToya and Bryon, we wish you a future of "nothing but net". Thanks for everything!

LaToya and Byron met while they were both students at UNC-Chapel Hill. To say basketball is a shared passion is to put it mildly. Born and raised in Mississippi, Byron was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year before playing for the Tarheels. Carolina fans will recognize him as a member of the 2005 National Championship team. Byron is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. He currently plays for the Lugano Tigers in Switzerland, the Swiss league champions in 2011. LaToya was born in Germany while her parents served in the US military.  She also played four years at UNC from 2004-2008 and was the 13th pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, going to the Phoenix Mercury. She is currently playing for the LA Sparks in the WNBA and in the Turkish Professional Leagues. That's right: Byron plays for Switzerland. LaToya plays for Turkey. When we met for their engagement session, we talked a little bit about what it was like to be apart for a good chunk of the year. Needless to say, it's tough. It's also a challenge for LaToya to live in a country so unlike her own. But she said that going to visit Byron in Switzerland helped to make up for it, especially since she would fly into the Milan airport and spend at least part of each trip shopping in the fashion capital of the world! Byron and LaToya are the kind of people you'd love to hang out with. Imagine the stories they could tell.  We didn't get to spend nearly enough time with them!

On to the photographs! I'm just going to get the hyperbole out of the way now: Magnificent. Opulent. Warm. Emotional. Funny. Real. That pretty much sums it up!

Byron and his groomsmen. Have you seen a sharper-looking bunch of guys? Oh, to be a red rose boutonniere. :)

I could have photographed LaToya all day. Side-view, profile, up-close, far away, looking up, looking down: beautiful from every angle! Her hair and make-up was expertly done by Theresa Williams, who is, no question about it, one of my favorite make-up artists working in the Triangle. If you'd like her contact info, leave a comment or send me an email. Theresa, you are a true pro!

The three cymbidium orchids in LaToya's bouquet by Greg Warren Flowers were in memory of much-loved family members not in attendance, but close by in memory. Tears weren't far from the surface, especially when LaToya's father saw her in her gown for the first time. But there was plenty of happiness and laughter, especially when Byron's on-the-spot groomsman helped him out with a little breath pick-me-up before the big kiss!

Stay tuned...Part II is coming up tomorrow!

Lauren and Bryan have been together a long time, so the excitement was running high before the ceremony. Lauren's bridesmaids were so much fun. They kept me laughing the whole time!

Brier Creek's Jasmine Court has to be one of my favorite outdoor ceremony venues in the area. It's sited beautifully and just check out the magic that floral designer Greg Warren worked on the arbor. Wedding coordinator extraordinaire Tracy Adams worked her own brand of magic, making sure everything flowed like melted butter in the warm summer sunshine!

A few stolen moments alone...with me. :)

Lauren and Bryan kicked off their fabulous reception with a very stylish first dance!

This fun crowd didn't need any encouragement to get busy on the dance floor! While Frank was shooting the enthusiastic action, I happened to look outside and see an interesting sky taking shape. I love summer thunderstorms at weddings, provided they happen long after we need to be outside taking pictures, of course! The dramatic skies that grace us afterward create great photo opportunities. Thankfully, the couple was willing to sneak off for a few shots on the golf course!

To see more images from Lauren and Bryan's wedding, check out their slide show below:

The following fabulous vendors helped to make Lauren and Bryan's wedding a huge success:

Event Coordination and Planning: Tracy Adams, Adams and Events

Venue: Brier Creek Country Club

Floral Design: Greg Warren Flowers

DJ/Entertainment: Ron K. Smith Productions

Cake Artist: Cinda's Creative Cakes

I'm going to have to carefully space out these shots of Lauren or she just might short-circuit the Internet. Can you say gorgeous???

Bryan is no slouch in the Looks Department either...and I'd be willing to bet our ancestors dug turf out of some boggy

Scottish (or Irish) glen a few hundred years ago. Aye, Bryan?

(Doesn't he look a little bit like...George W. Bush? A younger, much more ruggedly handsome W?)

Sigh...I get to photograph this loveliness in a wedding gown. Nice work if you can get it, right? Lucky me. :)

The couple have two dogs, each about the same age and with the same energy level as your typical two-year-old toddler who doesn't want to be at a photo shoot!

Love a silhouette against the sunset to end a great session!

Lauren and Bryan, we can't wait for your wedding. It will be here before you know it!

If you follow this blog, you've probably realized that I rarely blog my weddings in order. So while I'm behind on blogging my Spring weddings, here's one that's hot off the presses: Gaby & Andrew's August 15 wedding in Chapel Hill. I'm so thankful that we were able to share in their wedding day. Here are some of my favorites. Part II: The Reception will follow soon!

The ladies got dressed in a lovely suite at one of my favorite wedding venues, the Carolina Inn. Gaby's column dress was called the Calla Lilly.  At our pre-wedding meeting with the event coordinator extraordinaire Tracy Adams of Adams and Events and Mel Manning of Joe Bunn DJ Company, Gaby was going over the songs for the reception with Mel (think Rat Pack and Frank Sinatra) and suddenly made the comment, "I think I was born in the wrong decade." I love her vintage-style veil. Perfection.

Gaby is crazy for Andrew...and their alma mater, UNC-Chapel Hill. Check out her Carolina Blue shoes!

Gaby and her mom Marianne. They share a close bond that was wonderful to witness. Plus, isn't Marianne simply gorgeous? If it's true that as we ladies get older, we look more and more like our mothers, Gaby is going to be beautiful her entire life!

I love these next two...the light in the room was just amazing.

Hint: impromptu dance parties help to calm pre-wedding nerves!

A gorgeous bride, the loveliest bridesmaids, luscious flowers...yep, it's a wedding.

Gaby and her maid of honor, her cousin Emily.

You GLOW, girl! (Yes that was corny, but I mean, come on -- she's gorgeous!)

Just in case you're thinking I've forgotten one very important component of this wedding day, here he is, the Man of the Hour: Andrew. I really think he wins the prize for the longest uninterrupted smile maintained by a groom in history.

(Don't worry...he's just giving his face a little rest in this one. The smile comes back at full power soon.)

One of my favorite parts of the pre-wedding festivities is the exchange of gifts between the bride and groom. Here's Andrew reading a card from his wife-to-be and opening his gift.

Andrew gave Gaby what has to be one of the most romantic gifts I've ever seen. Can you guess what it is? And no, it's not an iPhone.

Yep, rocking chairs for their front porch. So they can rock away the hours together when they're old and gray. Seriously, I die.

Gaby did, too.

When I look at this image, the song "Going to the Chapel" just starts up in my head. Gaby and her dad head out of the inn to walk across the street to the Newman Student Catholic Center for the wedding.

Gaby's brother Vincent performed the ceremony.

Almost time...

I love the sense of anticipation in this image. Just before walking down the aisle.

Here's a great example of why it pays to have two photographers covering your wedding. I love little moments like this. During the liturgy, Gaby and Andrew whispered back and forth several times. Here's Frank's view (and I must say one of my favorite images ever):

And mine, as Andrew reacts to his bride's whispered words.

Father Vincent blesses the couple right before the kiss.

It's official...

Gaby and Andrew are married!

Off to the Old Well for wedding party shots. We were blessed with a very generous shooting schedule. Lots of time for photography = awesomeness!

I asked for some celebrating and celebrating is what I got.

Love this shot of Frank's of Andrew and the bridesmaids. Really, have you seen a prettier bunch of bridesmaids lately?

I can't be sure, but I'm thinking someone said something scandalous.

Gaby and Andrew, thank you for being so adorable, so sweet, and so generous with your time on your wedding day. Oh, and for being so in love. You guys rock.

New favorite.

Off to the reception in the Old Well Wing at the Carolina Inn.

Coming soon: Part Two -- Gaby and Andrew and One Heck of a Party!

Valerie's wedding shoes were amazing! If you read this blog often, you know how I love to photograph wedding shoes. I know it's partly because I don't ever get to wear really awesome shoes anymore (there's no way I could work in heels). Yes, I'm living vicariously through my clients...sad but true! Talk about some fierce high heels...

Her dress was equally gorgeous. I loved all the embroidery and special details like the brooch at the waist.  When I photograph a dress, I like to try to make it look almost other-worldly...after all,  it's no ordinary dress. Hanging the dress in a window so that the light passes through it is one of my favorite ways to showcase it.

The amazing Theresa Edwards of A More Beautiful You (email: amorebeautifulu@yahoo.com) did Valerie's hair and make-up. (More on Theresa in a soon-to-follow post).  I'm a huge proponent of having your make-up done by a professional on your wedding day.  A good make-up artist knows how to highlight your features so that they really pop in photographs.  I thought Valerie was absolutely stunning.

Lionel is a dentist with a thriving practice in Durham.  A long-time resident, Lionel's a champion of the Bull City.  Lionel and his sons got dressed for the wedding at the Durham Marriott which is near a plaza featuring a huge bull sculpture, so Frank grabbed this shot of him before the limo arrived.

Before the ceremony, we all headed over to Duke Gardens for photographs. I love shooting at Duke Gardens and typically, anytime of the year you can find something blooming, but strict water restrictions because of the drought we're experiencing in North Carolina are really affecting the plant life. Luckily, the redbuds (at least, I think that's what they were) were blooming, so we were able to use those to add some color to the images. Before leaving the house, I'd asked Valerie if she thought Lionel was going to get her a new wedding ring. She responded, "You never know with Lionel -- he's always planning something!" Sure enough, he pulled me aside when she wasn't looking to show me a gorgeous new diamond. Here's a shot of her reaction when her husband got down on one knee to present it to her.

I was able to get a closer shot of all three rings at the church.

Valerie and Lionel have three sons who each played an important part in the ceremony. The youngest served as the ring bearer, while the middle son carried a special family bible. The oldest son had the privilege of escorting his mom.  I love this shot of Lionel as Valerie made her way down the aisle towards him...

...and the Nelson sons outside the church after the ceremony.

Back at the Durham Marriott, the guests were greeted by this cool ice sculpture featuring the iconic Love Story logo:

The first dance obviously involved some rehearsing and the couple pulled it off beautifully. Here's the bride, mid-twirl:

After dinner, many heart-felt toasts and the cutting of a delicious sweet-potato wedding cake, the party truly got underway. The reception is one of my favorite parts of the day to photograph.  DJ Jeff Simpson with Simpsound Productions did a great job as Master of Ceremonies and spin-master. Lionel picked out over 14 hours of music for the reception and it was all phenomenal. Frank loved it -- I caught him more than once out on the dance floor, camera in hand, dancing while shooting! You know you've got a good job when you can dance at work and no one says anything about it!

Another service Jeff provides is room lighting, which is such a nice touch. Since lavender was the color the couple chose for the wedding, he placed lavender up lights around the periphery of the room. I love how the light influenced the look and feel of the reception photos. Little touches like this can go a long way in making a wedding unique. I'm a big believer in the value of using a wedding planner as Valerie and Lionel did, choosing planner Tracy Adams of Adams and Events to take care of all the big items and small details that have to be crossed off the master list of wedding-related tasks. I wish more couples would budget for planners. I think there's a mistaken impression that planners are an extravagance or that only high-budget weddings need a planner. In fact, most planners have packages structured much like other wedding vendors so that you can tailor how much involvement they have in the planning of your wedding. Plus, they can be a great resource for money-saving ideas. Even just having someone around on the Day Of to make sure everything runs smoothly takes the weight off the bride and groom and any family members they may have "recruited" as the unofficial wedding planner. You and your family should be able to relax and enjoy every moment of the day. Hiring a wedding planner is such a smart use of a portion of your wedding-day budget and can be more affordable than you might think. (This ends the Wedding Planner endorsement portion of the blog post and Tracy, I expect my kick-back in the mail this week.)

OK, off my soap-box and back to Lionel and Valerie. Remember those fierce shoes with the killer stilettos earlier in the blog? Well, eventually, they had to go. Check out the comfy pair Valerie donned at the end of the night!

What a great way to begin a very busy wedding season. For more images, check out the slide show here. Valerie and Lionel, we wish you many, many more years of happiness!