As promised, more photos from Gaby & Andrew's beautiful wedding day on August 15! Their fabulous reception took place at one of the most elegant venues in the Triangle area and my personal favorite, the Carolina Inn. I always try to step outside for a few exterior shots once the sun has set, but it's not fully dark yet -- that's when you get that beautiful deep blue in the sky.

Some details from the reception, helmed by the always-wonderful Tracy Adams of Adams and Events. (Seriously, call her -- she makes wedding-related stress disappear.)

The couple's grand entrance into the Old Well Ballroom -- there were so many flashes going off, this must be what it's like to be Brangelina.

The first dance. Gaby's just the right height so that when she looks up at Andrew, her face is at the perfect angle. Just one of those things photographers notice -- and love.

The exquisitely-detailed, scrumptious cake from Cinda's Creative Cakes. The inspiration: champagne bubbles!

Andrew's brother Jeffrey kicks off the toasts, while Andrew's mom and dad proudly look on.

Rather than toss her bouqet, Gaby presented it to her cousin and maid-of-honor, Emily. Gaby gave a wonderfully warm speech about how much Emily means to her. There's always a moment at every wedding where I get a little misty-eyed -- this was it.

I love this shot of Gaby's dance with her dad. I've been asked before how I make decisions about which photographs to leave as captured (in color) and which ones to convert to black and white. The answer is both technical and mysterious -- sometimes the color in a photo is perfect and enhances the subject matter, as in the photo below. I love how the colors in the background seem to surround Gaby and her dad.

But in this shot, up close -- I love how deleting the color and going with classic black and white helps to focus on their expressions.

Andrew takes a turn with his mom.

And then Gaby takes the floor for a spin with her stepfather, Arnold.

Later, Gaby danced with her mom, Marianne. Love it!

Everyone was having fun. This fine gentleman looks like he can't believe his luck!

Oh how I love to photograph guests having fun at a wedding. Nothing's worse than framing up the perfect shot of a guest having a ball --

then they notice me and turn their back! FAIL!

The talented DJ responsible for keeping everyone on their feet having fun? Mel Manning from Joe Bunn DJ Company.

But best of all were Andrew and Gaby, thoroughly enjoying themselves. It's too bad Gaby's so unexpressive. ;)

Gaby and Andrew met at one of Chapel Hill's most famous nightspots (I won't call it a bar) He's Not Here -- so naturally, the couple gave out cups with the distinctive logo.

Mayhem ensued. Just what was in those cups?

Weddings are also family reunions of a sort, so I'm always happy to take time out from the festivities to capture relaxed group shots like this one

of grandparents and grandchildren. These pictures are so important to get when everyone's together.

All too soon, it was time to call it a night. Last dance.

Off to Paris!

Gaby and Andrew -- words fail me. Thank you for being so wonderful to work with and giving us so much loveliness to photograph! We wish you everthing wonderful and a long life, with plenty of time for rocking on the porch together!

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!

Amusez-vous a Paris!