Duke Chapel Wedding | Sweet Life Photo

Duke Chapel and the Siena Hotel: Vanda & Scott

Vanda and Scott were married on a beautiful June day at Duke Chapel in Durham. I adored working with these two -- they are so sweet and devoted to each other. Vanda incorporated many lovely hand-made touches to personalize her wedding -- this is one Etsy-loving girl! She stepped away from the confines of tradition by having her brother and her sister as her only attendants and walked down that long, long aisle by herself, meeting her parents two-thirds of the way to the altar and then walking the rest of the way with them. I loved every moment of their emotion-filled day.

Vanda, you were just stunning -- such a beautiful bride!

Vanda portrait in the arcades at Duke Chapel

Detail of Vanda's veil and gown

Vanda in the arcades

Vanda and her flower girls

Scott, lookin' good, my friend...

Scott's portrait in Duke Chapel

Scott with his grandfather (who was also his best man) in front of a plaque commemorating the contributions of Edwin Eugene Dacus, who quarried the distinctive stone used throughout Duke campus -- and also Scott's great-grandfather.

Scott and his grandfather in front of the Dacus plaque

Flower girls starting down the long aisle in Duke Chapel

Duke Chapel ceremony wide view of the chapel

Minister praying over Vanda and Scott at the conclusion of the ceremony

I love the moments right after the ceremony -- there's always so much happiness to go around!

Vanda and Scott are married!

Heading back into the chapel after the wedding for formals

Vanda and Scott in the arcades

Near the roses with the Chapel in the background

After the ceremony, Vanda and Scott and their guests headed for the Siena Hotel for an elegant reception centered around the fabulous food at the hotel.

We ate realllly well that day. :) (Thanks, you two!)

Detail of the Siena Hotel

Love this shot of Vanda's mom and Scott's grandfather enjoying a dance together!

Vanda's mom dancing with Scott's grandfather

Scott with his mom. If you couldn't tell, the official color of Vanda & Scott's wedding was a certain shade of blue (and it was NOT Carolina blue)!

Scott and his mom

Scott and Vanda's last dance

Scott and Vanda share their last dance at the reception.

Vanda and Scott, thank you so much for allowing us to share your wedding day with you! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Aug 17, 2010 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Erin and Matt: Married!

Someday soon, I won't begin a wedding post with the words: "I'm soooo behind on blogging."

Until that far-off day...

Erin and Matt were married on a beautiful Saturday in May (yes, I said May) at Duke Chapel. We're so lucky to have such a beautiful location for weddings and worship in the Triangle area. I've been in few places that I can describe as awe-inspiring, but this place truly fits that description. I was drooling all over myself to be able to shoot here!

Erin started out the day with her bridesmaids getting ready in her suite at the Millennium Hotel in Durham. I always enjoy photographing the getting-ready process. It's just so girly and full of anticipation.

Erin warned me that her dad might be emotional, but I think he kept it together very well! I love this shot of him watching his little girl prepare for her wedding.

The end result. Erin, you looked absolutely stunning!

The process is much simpler for Matt. Tux, shoes, cuff-links, tie...but more on the tie later.

Erin's gorgeous bouquet came from Ninth Street Flowers.

Erin's cutie-patootie niece was the junior bridesmaid. Doesn't she have the most gorgeous hair? We were good buddies before the night was over.

Matt's dad Bruce was obsessed with his tie. He was worried that it was crooked and was determined his son was going to be spit-shined on his wedding day. Erin's dad Ralph got in on the action too.

Still not quite right. I think I saw that same expression on Daniel's face the last time I tried to fix his hair.

Hhmm. Looks fine to me! (But I will be the first to admit I could not tie Frank's tie if my life depended on it.)

Ladies...

And gentlemen...

Erin and Matt are...

MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After some quick formals, it was back over to the Millennium for a very elegant reception, complete with an amazing string quartet. The cake was from the always fabulous Lorie at Simply Cakes. I always get a major case of the happies when I find out the cake is one of Lorie's creations. They're always gorgeous and more importantly, they taste great! Don't you just love that bow? One of these days I'm going to call her and see if I can come hang out in her pastry kitchen. And maybe taste a little frosting, you know, just to be sure that it's up to the usual standards.