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.
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In true Carolina Girl fashion, Stephanie choose the perfect shade of blue for her eight bridesmaids' dresses.
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What would a wedding be without giggly flower girls...
...and a reluctant ring bearer?
Love these two shots of the couple with their grandmothers.
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Quite the color-coordinated (and good-looking) wedding party, right?
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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.
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It did. :)
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Best. Recessional. Ever. I couldn't pick a favorite.
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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.
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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)?
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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.
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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!
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Stephanie and Scott, thanks for letting us share your amazing wedding day!
Alysia and Luther: Married!
First off, I have a new blog management strategy. In order to get control of my back-log of blog posts (or should I say back-blog?) and to keep things current, I've decided to blog the most recent weddings and fill in with 2008 weddings when I can. I've got a little break here until high season begins again in April and I'm really going to work hard to catch up.
Alysia and Luther were married on a beautiful November day, the kind of temperate winter day we're so lucky to enjoy in NC. They were married at Millbrook United Methodist Church here in Raleigh. The church is right on the corner of two busy streets and it can be tough to get a good shot of it -- you practically have to step into oncoming traffic! I love this shot Frank got with that gorgeous winter sun peeking around the corner.
Alysia, her mom and bridesmaids started out the day at Primp Salon Bar on West Street in Raleigh. Primp will forever be one of my favorite salon locations to shoot for the simple reason that they have cupcakes from The Cupcake Shoppe that they pass around to their clients (and the occasional wedding photographer.) Strawberry is my favorite flavor...no wait -- make that lemon.
Alysia's make-up was done by the talented Rodney Robledo. Rodney's recent move to Raleigh is Miami's loss and Raleigh's gain. I'm such an advocate of having your make-up done by a professional make-up artist for your wedding day. It's a lot of fun, but more importantly, can make a big difference in how you look in your wedding day photographs. Why spend all that money on a dress, veil, shoes, jewelry, hair, etc. and have your face look exactly the way it does every day? A professional make-up artist knows that brows, eyes and lips need special attention to really pop in photograph and photograph. OK, sermon over. Just give Rodney a call. Moving on...
Alysia's mom Ada, her sister and bridesmaids help place her mantilla-style veil in the perfect position.
Beautiful window light.
At the church, Luther gets a little help with his tie from a groomsmen. As you'll see, Luther has a 1000-watt smile that just electrifies the frame when he lets it rip.
See that little black book Luther's holding? That's his wedding gift from his bride-to-be -- photos from a boudoir session we did back in the early Fall at the Matthews House in Cary. Having seen the photos, I can tell you -- Luther is one lucky man. Ladies, if you're looking for a wedding gift that he'll never forget, give me a call to schedule a boudoir session! (Love the socks, too.)
Alysia is pretty lucky, herself.
Preparations complete, Alysia waits upstairs for the ceremony to begin.
The church was super-strict about photography. Luckily, after we promised to be good girls and boys, we were allowed to shoot if we stayed in the back and didn't go crazy.
Extreme temperatures in June meant we had to reschedule Alysia's bridal portrait session not once but twice, so Alysia and Luther decided to swap out that session with a Fearless Bridal session this Spring. I'm so excited about this session, especially since a tight schedule and a wedding beginning at 5:00 pm meant no outdoor couple portraits. Here's a shot of the two of them before heading off to the reception and a close-up of Alysia's stunning bouquet by Stephanie at Wild Bloom Flowers.
The reception was held at the beautiful Capital City Club in downtown Raleigh. I love to shoot here -- it's a lovely location and the staff is terrific. Here's a street-side shot of Alysia and Luther arriving in a Rolls at the reception with the bridal party waiting for them.
A romantic first dance with a great finish:
Sometimes we get lucky. I'd like to say that I planned this sequence of Alysia's dad giving his toast with a shot of the couple, her dad's arm lifted in a toast in the reflection and the bride trying to keep her emotions in check...but I didn't. I'm just glad it happened!
I'm sometimes asked if a room full of windows will pose a lighting problem during the reception. My answer is always a qualified "NO" -- especially when you can get cool reflections and capture the lights of the city at the same time. The only time windows are a problem is when Uncle Bob stands behind me and fires his flash straight into the window! Here's a shot of Alysia & Luther's delicious cake, by the always amazing Lorie at Simply Cakes.
The part of the night that never fails to get me all misty-eyed...
Luther got the party started by surprising Alysia's mom Ada with a special request: dancing to"Low" by Flo-Rida. It was a great moment and set the tone for a very fun party! (Isn't Ada's emerald-green dress to-die-for??)
Do I have the greatest job or what?? Getting to photograph gorgeous people in a swanky setting having a great time?
I love this shot of Luther surprising Alysia with an impromptu lap dance before undertaking the traditional garter-removal expedition. My thanks to the guest responsible for that well-timed flash.
Mission accomplished!
All too soon, it was time for the final dance and one last toast.
Alysia and Luther, it was such an honor to be share this celebration with you. We wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
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.
Ah, cake...every wedding photographer's reward for a long day on your feet! I'm always so sad if I'm working too hard to sneak just a little piece.
A heart-felt toast:
A bubbly finale to a beautiful day.
Congratulations, Erin and Matt...it was so awesome getting to know you and being a part of your wedding day. Stay warm up there in Michigan!
To see more from Erin and Matt's wedding, click here.
Lauren and Andrew
Lauren and Andrew were married on March 8, 2008 in Jones Chapel at Meredith College. There are a ton of images to share, so I'll jump right in.
I knew I would love working with Lauren from the moment I met her at the engagement session last summer. She's been so relaxed, fun, enthusiastic, easy to work with and up for anything! Of course, she's a Meredith girl like me. Here are a few of my favorites from her bridal portrait session.
I love the way you can see her engagement ring -- which is gorgeous -- in this one at the piano.
This image makes me think of all the girls who've been married at the Chapel and posed for their portrait on the front steps.
Here's the winning shot, the one that was chosen to be displayed at the reception. I love the bare toes and that smile is pure Lauren!
After our session at the chapel, we walked across the drive to the big field by the lake. I like this shot a lot -- Lauren is such a natural in front of the camera. I tinted this one because the grass was totally brown at this time of year!
Now back to Lauren on her wedding day with a few of her bridesmaids looking on.
Andrew, the handsome groom...
I love the sense of anticipation in this image. Frank did a really great job on this shoot. He was not feeling great that day, but he powered through and got some amazing images. I'm so proud...
Lauren chose pinks and greens for her wedding colors. Julie at The Blossom Shop provided all the flowers, including Lauren's gorgeous bouquet.
Check out Andrew's ring on the maid-of-honor's thumb. Those flowers were just amazing and I love the little green berries.
At one point when we were waiting in the bride's room for the wedding to start, I said to Lauren, "I just love your wedding! It's so..." and we both said "emotional!" at the same time. For a while there Lauren and her mom Cindy couldn't look at each other without tears. As Cindy helped Lauren into her gown, the tears were flowing.
They pulled it together for some very sweet portraits. Out of all of them, this is my favorite.
Lauren's Dad and his wife Gail arrived soon after. The look on their faces as they see her for the first time in her dress and veil is priceless.
Lauren and her dad. Moments like this are why I love being a wedding photographer.
Katherine, Lauren's cousin and the maid-of-honor, helps out with the garter. I really enjoyed shooting in this room in the chapel -- I love those windows. What great light!
One of Lauren's favorite getting-ready shots. "Who knew feet could be so pretty?"
I guess I should give Andrew a little more space in this blog entry! Here he is with the getaway car, a very cool red Hummer.
Reading a letter from his soon-to-be wife before the ceremony.
Jones Chapel is such a gorgeous place to get married. The chapel has large arched windows that let in wonderful light. One of the most striking features of the chapel is the pipe organ, which you can see in this image of Andrew's mom being escorted to her seat before the ceremony started.
A few images from the ceremony.
After the wedding it was off to the Raleigh Sheraton for the reception. As the bride and groom were waiting to be announced, I grabbed this shot of the rings.
The couple being introduced. Lauren's dress was so gorgeous -- I just love photographing a pick-up skirt. The way the folds of fabric catches the light is very satisfying for a photographer!
With friends and family looking on, Lauren and Andrew share their first dance as husband and wife.
There's a moment at every wedding where I get a little lump in my throat. Usually, it's during the father/daughter and mother/son dances.
The dances and a slide show of the couple growing up cranked up the emotion in the room all over again.
My favorite detail to shoot...the cake! It's the best wedding photog perk. Of course, cake every weekend is doing nothing for my figure. Lauren and Andrew's cake was made by Lorie at Simply Cakes in Apex.
Check out the painted-on details. A great wedding cake baker is a true artist. It was really good too!
This post is taking on mammoth proportions, so I'll wrap it up with a few more of my favorite shots. Patrick Cooke of PC Productions did a great job with the music at the reception. Kids can always be counted on for some fun dancing shots!
Andrew goes after the garter...
...mission accomplished!
One last dance and they're off to St. John.
Lauren and Andrew, it was an amazing day and so great to be a part of it. We loved working with you and can't wait for the Fearless Bridal shoot later this month! And just FYI, I still want a ride in that red Hummer.
View the wedding slide show here.
