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 »