Millenium Hotel Durham | Sweet Life Photo

Duke Gardens Weddings: Marla and Dan are married!

Congratulations to Marla and Dan who were married at Duke Gardens this May. The sunshine-filled wedding day began with the bride and bridesmaids getting ready together in a suite at the Millennium Hotel in Durham. This is always a fun part of the day for me. I loved the detail on Marla's dress and thought the bridemaids' dresses were some of the prettiest I've seen recently. Those bows were adorable -- thank goodness Marla's mom was on hand to help tie them!

Marla's mom helps to tie bows at the Milennium Hotel

After the engagement session, I knew I was going to love photographing Marla in all her wedding finery. She was absolutely radiant.

One of the great things about having two photographers is that while I was at the hotel photographing Marla and her bridesmaids, Frank was at Dan's parents' home, photographing the groom with his family. Then he followed the groomsmen over to the gardens to get ready for the ceremony.

Daniel and Groomsmen Duke Gardens Weddings

As soon as we got the word that the groom was on his way to the gardens, Marla and her bridesmaids went to Dan's parents' home too,

to honor a request by his mom for portraits on the stairs.

Beautiful surroundings, beautiful light and beautiful girls. Sometimes I wonder how we get so lucky!

Marla and bridesmaids on the stairs

Wedding days always fly by so quickly. Before long, the ceremony was underway at the pergola in the terraced gardens.

Duke Gardens Weddings ceremony at pergola

Marla and Dan kiss on the steps of Duke Gardens

wedding party at Duke Gardens

Dan and Marla collage 1

Dan and Marla collage three at Duke Gardens

After photos at the gardens, we made our way back to the Millennium Hotel for the reception. While Frank was covering cocktail hour,

I was inside the ballroom, grabbing some detail shots, including floral designs by Floral Dimensions and yet another beautiful cake by the always-fabulous

Lorie at Simply Cakes. Have I said yet how much I love this color combination? If not, let me say it now: purple and blue is gorgeous!

detail shots of Marla and Dan's wedding

Dan's parents are champion ballroom-dancers, so naturally, the First Dance was going to be special. Marla and Dan worked hard to master the intricate footwork.

If it's possible to rock a waltz, they absolutely did (or was it a tango?). I know Dan's mom and dad are so proud!

Marla and Dan's first dance

L-O-V-E.

Marla dancing with her dad

Dan dancing with his mom

I don't think I ever really gave much thought to the importance of having a great DJ until I became a wedding photographer. Troy Coghill did a fantastic job keeping everyone dancing all evening.

We love it when people have a great time; it makes our jobs that much more fun.

Dancing collage