Newman Center and Carolina Inn :: Lauren and Joe are married!

Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows how much we love Carolina Inn weddings! I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that Frank and I got married there just a few years ago. :) Whenever we're there, everything seems to go flawlessly. The same was true for Lauren and Joe's May wedding. I love the window light in the portrait of Lauren below. There's beautiful light every where you look at the Carolina Inn.

 

 

I've said it many times before and I'll keep saying it: I love First Looks! Anyone who believes that you'll miss out on "that special moment" when he sees you in the your dress: call me, please! You get to have that moment -- you just get to have it in private, away from the eyes of your nosy aunt and your future husband's boss. (I'm kidding, I'm kidding. No, I'm not. First Looks are awesome!) I love how Joe looks a tad bit nervous in the first photo, but when he turns around to see his bride, he's all smiles afterward!

 

 

"You don't marry one person; you marry three:
the person you think they are,
the person they are, and
the person they are going to become
as a result of being married to you."
Richard Needham

 

 

Welcome to the party! Wow, do Lauren and Joe's friends and family know how to have a good time! Jason with Island Sound kept everyone on their feet all night. It was everything a wedding celebration should be. Lauren and Joe, thanks for letting us be a part of it!

 

 

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that's AMORE!"

 

 

 

Enjoy more of our favorite images from Lauren and Joe's wedding in their slide show:

 

 

The following fabulous vendors helped make Lauren and Joe's day one to remember:

 

Venue/Wedding: The Newman Catholic Center and Parish in Chapel Hill, NC

 

Venue/Reception: The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC

 

Floral Design: Tre Bella

 

DJ: Jason Huggins with Island Sound

 

Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes

 

Jun 13, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Carolina Inn Weddings: Stephanie and Scott are married!

There's a corner of my heart set aside for couples who get married at the Carolina Inn because that's where Frank and I got married years and years ago. It's such a special place for us. Anytime we get to shoot there, it is always a pleasure. And when we have clients like Stephanie and Scott, we're just in seventh heaven. The inn was the busiest I've ever seen it -- two weddings, a prom and a good-size corporate party all going on more or less at once, but the staff was on top of everything, even when the threat of rain forced some last-minute reconfiguring of spaces. So while things were hopping downstairs, the atmosphere upstairs where Stephanie and her bridesmaids got dressed was much more relaxed.

 

 

 

 

In true Carolina Girl fashion, Stephanie choose the perfect shade of blue for her eight bridesmaids' dresses.

 

 

 

 

 

What would a wedding be without giggly flower girls...

 

 

 

 

...and a reluctant ring bearer?

 

 

 

 

Love these two shots of the couple with their grandmothers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quite the color-coordinated (and good-looking) wedding party, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel Hamm and her team at Bliss by Sam did a great job of coordinating the ceremony. Here's the wedding party lined up, ready to go.

I think we were all holding our breath, hoping that the rain that was threatening to pour would hold off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It did.  :)

 

 

 

 

Best. Recessional. Ever.  I couldn't pick a favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had just enough time for a few couple portraits and the wedding party shots before the rain poured down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sampling of all the Carolina Blue and orange-accented details, featuring another edible work of art by the always-amazing Lorie at Simply Cakes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jason at Island Sound did a great job keeping everyone on their feet all night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie and Scott welcomed quite a few kids to the reception. I think they had as much fun as the adults did. Who doesn't love the Casper Slide (Part 2)?

 

 

 

 

 

Ah...so inspiring to see the older generation passing along dance tips to the whipper-snappers.

 

 

 

 

I think he's got it.

 

 

 

 

So does the flower girl...

 

 

 

 

 

until a nap calls.

 

 

 

 

 

Last dance.

 

 

 

 

 

Whether it's walking down an aisle or making their grand exit from the reception, Stephanie and Scott are one couple who really know how to make an exit!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie and Scott, thanks for letting us share your amazing wedding day!

May 28, 2010 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »

Dianna & Todd: Married!

See these flowers? See how elegant, how colorful, how simply exquisite they are? Well, that was Dianna & Todd's wedding. Perfect in every way...

 

 

...except for the rain. :(

 

 

 

Hellooooo, beautiful!

 

 

 

 

Times three. How much do I love how the bridesmaids' bouquets pops off those gorgeous eggplant gowns?? ALOT.

 

 

 

Yep, Dianna, I agree...bald guys are sexy.

 

 

 

Especially when they're sweet to their mothers.

 

 

 

I love it when brides and their moms start laughing during pictures. I like to imagine that they're releasing the tension that can sometimes build up between even the closest moms and daughters during wedding planning. Or maybe my jokes are just that funny.

 

 

 

OK, everybody: remember this photo. There's going to be a test later and it will be important.

 

 

 

 

 

"Daddy, hold my flowers."

 

 

 

Lyn at Fresh Affairs is the creative genius behind all the flowers. Orange, pink, purple & green: so modern for a Fall wedding. Love, love, L-O-V-E.

 

 

 

 

 

I like to stay with the bride right up until the walk down the aisle, so Frank gets to cover all the action leading up to the ceremony. Like grandparents laughing...

 

 

 

and ring bearers being generally adorable...

 

 

 

and teenage greeters being teenagers.

 

 

 

 

Dianna gives her mom a hug before she leaves to be seated. Moments like this are why I like to stay with the bride.

 

 

 

Single-but-not-for-long girl walking.  TO GET MARRIED!

 

 

 

Frank and Margaret, you're adorable.

 

 

 

This was our second wedding of the year at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. Remember Kendall and Jeremy's April wedding? Same rules applied here -- photography inside the sanctuary only from the balcony, so this is the best way to get a shot of the bride and her dad before heading down the aisle...and I love it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It never fails that some of my favorite shots are those taken right after the ceremony where everybody's hugging, laughing and congratulating the newly-married couple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 If you're stuck inside due to rain, Edenton Street is a good place to be stuck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Than it was on to the party bus, headed for Woody's at City Market, one of Dianna & Todd's favorite places. Naturally, the champagne flowed.

 

 

 

Sweet Life does artsy-fartsy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The reception was held in the Hanover Ballroom at the Raleigh Sheraton. I have to say how much I appreciate the staff here -- everyone was so nice and took good care of us. Definitely check them out if you're looking for a reception site. I was floored by how beautiful this room looked and what a huge difference the uplighting made. If I could, I would stand on a chair and yell, "If you want an easy way to make your reception stand out, use uplighting!" Love the flowers in the room too.

 

 

 

The cake, by Sweet Julia's, inspired by detail from the invitations and programs. So pretty!

 

 

 

Remember Dianna & Todd's engagement session and the motorcycle? Check out the cake topper!

 

 

 

The party begins with the introduction of the bride and groom -- look at the great color from the uplighting in the ballroom (and yes, I'm going to beat you over the head with it all through this post.)

 

 

 

Dianna and Todd are so wonderful together. Photographing them is such a pleasure.

 

 

 

Ladies, I've said it before and I'll say it again: always marry the one who makes you laugh. Todd makes Dianna laugh.

 

 

 

The wedding party gets into the First Dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both sets of parents as Frank welcomes everyone to the reception.

 

 

 

Chocolate-covered strawberries...yum.

 

 

 

This ring-bearer thought so, too.

 

 

 

Dianna and her dad surprised us all by starting off their first dance to "Baby Got Back."

"I like big butts and I can not lie..."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Todd's turn with his mom, Barb. Todd, you're just awesome.

 

 

 

Dianna's sister Heather and Todd's best man Justin toast the couple.

 

 

 

This was a very special moment. Heather's husband David is serving in Iraq. Heather arranged a special message from him via video link. Here's David:

 

 

 

While he was speaking, he complimented Dianna and someone in the room yelled, "Does she have a sister?" David didn't miss a beat and responded, "Yes, but she's taken!"

 

 

 

Time to cut that gorgeous cake.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time for the party to really get underway. And what a party! Even the little ones got into the dancing with great enthusiasm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank and Margaret burnin' it up.

 

 

 

Bill and Barb, bringing it in tight. (Notice the room lighting...just sayin'.)

 

 

 

Now this was something I can honestly say I've never seen. One thing that was clear: both families were very close, enjoyed themselves immensely and weren't afraid to show it. Apparently, there's a tradition among Todd's family to do this at every wedding: to the tune of "Rawhide," everyone gets on a chair and "rides" it around the room as if they were on a horse. Bizarre, hilarious and great to shoot. Dianna's first time on a "horse."

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone was having so much fun, thanks in large part to the skills of DJ Jason from Island Sound.

 

 

 

I love this shot of Dianna and Heather.

 

 

 

And Todd with his niece, Miranda.

 

 

 

Hmmm...wondering which song is playing in this shot? Could it be...YMCA?

 

 

 

Time for the bouquet toss.

 

 

 

 

 

The DJ Jason said we would keep repeating the garter toss until a single guy actually made an effort to catch it. If the garter landed on the floor, Todd had to do it over. We went through the process three times before one of the guys manned up and reached for the garter. But first Todd had to get it off.

 

 

 

 

 

Oy...such enthusiasm.

 

 

 

Remember the eighth photo from the top? Well, here's that move again...

 

 

 

And again...plus many other photos featuring "the move" that I didn't have the space to post. Guys, maybe it's time to find a new move?

 

 

 

You know it's been a good night when the ring bearer is so tired he can sleep on three chairs with a raucus party going on all around him!

 

 

 

Last photo of the night (for us anyway...I think the party rocked on long after we made our exit.)

 

 

What a great way to cap off a beautiful wedding. I have to say I've never laughed as hard as I did at this reception. We have the best job in the world!

Dianna and Todd, it was so much fun to be your wedding photographers. We wish you years and years full of love and laughter and we know you'll be doing "the move" at your children's weddings, too!

Nov 03, 2009 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »

Ashley and Matt

Ashley and Matt's wedding was wide-open, flat-out amazing! These two ECU grads began dating in high school when Matt's mom invited Ashley along on a family outing...she must have had a second-sense about Ashley, because these two were obviously made for each other! And they certainly know how to have a good time. Even their rehearsal was fun! The dinner afterwards at Venero's Pizzeria's Monti Hall was fabulous. There were lots of great moments during the dinner -- singing Happy Birthday to Matt's Grandad, watching the couple's parents open gifts from the bride and groom, listening to several very heartfelt toasts. I think everyone, me included, got a little choked up when Matt announced he'd been offered a job with Caterpillar in Illinois. You could tell everyone was really happy for them, but so sad they'd be moving away. It's obvious that this couple is well-loved by all their friends and family.

The wedding day was a celebration from start to finish. The weather was beautiful and Ashley looked amazing in her gown. I'm not sure I can describe it adequately in words, so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. The rest of the wedding party was elegant in black. Ashley let her bridesmaids choose their own dresses and each lady carried a different colored bouquet of roses from Jody at Annie V's in Clayton  that popped beautifully off the black. Matt and Ashley agreed to see each other before the wedding (but Ashley strictly specified, "No kissing pictures!") so that they could get to the reception as quickly as possible...with good reason! The couple chose the elegant Hinnant Family Vineyards for their reception site. What a fun party!  Matt's fraternity brothers from ECU were there contributing to the general mayhem and merriment. Colin from Island Sound kept everybody on their feet dancing right up until the stroke of midnight. I'm convinced that they would have stayed until the wee hours of the morning if they could have! The image below was the last dance of the evening. The couple had already changed into their street clothes in prep for leaving for the hotel but they were still grinning from ear-to-ear. Matt and Ashley, it was a blast -- thanks for letting Sweet Life Photography be a part of your wedding day! To check out their slideshow, click here.

Dec 10, 2007 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »