Prestonwood Country Club Wedding :: LaToya and Byron: Part I

There is so much fabulousness (is that even a word?) to LaToya and Byron's July wedding at Prestonwood Country Club that I have to break this blog post up into two parts. There's just so much to show you! And it was so magnificent it's best to take it slowly and spread it out. (Kinda like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows or Twilight, Parts I and II...if one movie is good, two must be better, right? And that's the last pop culture reference you'll get today, promise.) The wedding was planned and coordinated by one of my favorite wedding professionals, Tracy Adams of Adams and Events.

 

LaToya and Byron met while they were both students at UNC-Chapel Hill. To say basketball is a shared passion is to put it mildly. Born and raised in Mississippi, Byron was named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year before playing for the Tarheels. Carolina fans will recognize him as a member of the 2005 National Championship team. Byron is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. He currently plays for the Lugano Tigers in Switzerland, the Swiss league champions in 2011. LaToya was born in Germany while her parents served in the US military.  She also played four years at UNC from 2004-2008 and was the 13th pick in the 2008 WNBA draft, going to the Phoenix Mercury. She is currently playing for the LA Sparks in the WNBA and in the Turkish Professional Leagues. That's right: Byron plays for Switzerland. LaToya plays for Turkey. When we met for their engagement session, we talked a little bit about what it was like to be apart for a good chunk of the year. Needless to say, it's tough. It's also a challenge for LaToya to live in a country so unlike her own. But she said that going to visit Byron in Switzerland helped to make up for it, especially since she would fly into the Milan airport and spend at least part of each trip shopping in the fashion capital of the world! Byron and LaToya are the kind of people you'd love to hang out with. Imagine the stories they could tell.  We didn't get to spend nearly enough time with them!

 

On to the photographs! I'm just going to get the hyperbole out of the way now: Magnificent. Opulent. Warm. Emotional. Funny. Real. That pretty much sums it up!

 

 

 

 

Byron and his groomsmen. Have you seen a sharper-looking bunch of guys? Oh, to be a red rose boutonniere. :)

 

 

I could have photographed LaToya all day. Side-view, profile, up-close, far away, looking up, looking down: beautiful from every angle! Her hair and make-up was expertly done by Theresa Williams, who is, no question about it, one of my favorite make-up artists working in the Triangle. If you'd like her contact info, leave a comment or send me an email. Theresa, you are a true pro!

 

 

 

 

The three cymbidium orchids in LaToya's bouquet by Greg Warren Flowers were in memory of much-loved family members not in attendance, but close by in memory. Tears weren't far from the surface, especially when LaToya's father saw her in her gown for the first time. But there was plenty of happiness and laughter, especially when Byron's on-the-spot groomsman helped him out with a little breath pick-me-up before the big kiss!

 

 

Stay tuned...Part II is coming up tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

Aug 17, 2011 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »

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 »