Kayla & John are one of those dynamic couples who not only make a great team, but are really beautiful together. Their love for each other is infectious- and their wedding was full of sweet, loving moments, with their friends & family at Ballantyne Country Club, in Charlotte, NC.

We loved the little meaningful details paying homage to John’s Irish roots, including clover cufflinks, a bagpipe player, and the O’Malley family crest incorporated into the reception decor. Oh, how we love personal details!

The vibrant color palette of pink & navy really popped and made everything absolutely beautiful- and, goodness- HER DRESS WAS AMAAAAAZING

Kayla & John- thank you so much for having us there to capture these moments!

Enjoy.

xoxo, Lauren

Special Thanks To The Fabulous Vendors:

Flowers: New Creations Flower Company

Planning/Coordination: Something Blue

Venue: Ballantyne Country Club

- You’ve Got Mail

Ah, love. And pencils. And a yellow cardigan. And a collection of handwritten love letters.

How could I ask for more?

Carolyn & Jeff absolutely love cozy nights on the couch watching their favorite movies, one of which, happens to be You’ve Got Mail, which inspired this engagement session! (Oh, how our hearts swoon for things like this!)

We are SO, so excited for Carolyn & Jeff’s wedding next month in the mountains of Blowing Rock, NC

I know it’s not even Summer yet, but- when is FALL gonna get here? Here’s to bouquets of newly-sharpened pencils, and cheers to Carolyn & Jeff for their upcoming wedding!

xoxo,

-Lauren

My hands smell like laundry detergent and my coffee has gone cold (again). I’ve been spending the last few days mentally sifting through every moment from my week at a wedding photography conference (WPPI). Every word that was spoken, every shoulder that was brushed, and, with special thanks to my dear friend and INCREDIBLY gifted speaker & photographer, Mary Marantz- every tear that was shed.

This was my 3rd year experiencing the intensity of all that is WPPI. As if thousands of wedding photographers gathering in one place wasn’t extreme enough, it just so happens to take place in Vegas. For those of you who know me, you know my everyday world consists of waking up in our cozy bungalow, nestled in the heart of Charlotte, and, a lot of homemade green smoothies. We spend our nights on the couch watching cooking shows (we blame Guy Fieri and his addicting show, ‘Diners, Drive-In’s, and Dives,’ for our jeans being a little tighter this year). We thumb through gardening books, dreaming of homegrown tomatoes from our garden this Spring. Our date nights usually involve a visit to Red Box; and, if it’s a fancy occasion, fried pickles from our favorite, local hole-in-the-wall eatery, The Diamond.

For the past three years, I’ve spent months prior to WPPI planning, organizing, anticipating, packing, and hopeful to receive some pretty sweet SWAG (Sidenote: I feel like Ke$ha and Bieber have redefined the term “swag,” so, know that I’m referring to “swag” as: “Stuff We All Get.” You know, like reusable bags, and t-shirts covered in logos of companies who makes something I don’t own (and never will), but will wear to bed. Etc). My annual trip to this conference has always been about what I could take from it. What would move me forward. What would help me succeed. What would make my business more profitable. As in years prior, I did everything the same. I found amazing roommates to share a rockin’ suite with. I overpacked (note: Vegas is about 30 degrees warmer in March than in February. DO NOT pack tights and boots and scarves next time, Lauren). I went to the parties. I traded business cards. I took pages and pages of notes. But, this year just felt…..different.

This year, I returned swag-less. This year, I’m not fervently changing my price list and “online presence to create a larger impact”. This year, I’ve just returned…thankful. I’m not talking about the kind of thankful that would have normally come from a week’s-high amongst others in my profession. This kind of thankful has nothing to do with a camera. Or, what lenses I have. Or, how many weddings I’m shooting this year. Or, where I’ve been featured. No. This thankful? This ”thankful,” is simply for the ability to open my eyes and see beauty. Everywhere.

The way the cream swirls with my coffee in my favorite mug.

The earthy grit under my husband’s nails after he’s been planting me sunflowers. As a surprise.

The meticulous manner in which my mother folds her towels. They always smell like lavender, and resemble something of which Martha Stewart would be most proud.

The way the sun shines through my kitchen window every morning, making even the coldest Winter day feel new and warm.

The toothless and scrunchy-nosed smiles of my nephews.

The way my dad’s eyes light up when he talks about his newest hobby. Sometimes boats. Sometimes cars. And, sometimes a new burger joint in town.

The excitement on the faces of my Crossfit friends when they set a new personal record. I’ve had that feeling. Hear me roar.

The way my 91-year-old grandmother’s gold and gaudy rings, now fit loosely on her thinning fingers. She has timeless style and turquoise eyes.

The way the produce spread at the farmers’ market looks like a colorful painting. A painting that I wanna eat. Badly.

The way my sister inspires me with her passions. Seeing and hearing her lead others in worship makes me wanna ugly cry. Every. Single. Time.

The way a tower of pancakes for brunch on a lazy weekend can fix just about any problem. With boatloads of real maple syrup, of course.

These things. All these things. They’re beautiful.

In a packed room, a young photographer shared her story. There’s no explanation or reasoning behind what she’s going through. Her story is one that is full of “why?” moments. She’s facing unfathomable medical issues. The kind of issues we photographers fear most. The kind of issues that could cause the loss of sight. The kind of issues that could rob her from seeing the beauty in a tower of pancakes on a Sunday morning. Or, the earthy grit beneath her husband’s finger nails. And, it’s because of her story- where she stood there, baring it all in Vegas, that I am most-changed. That I am most inspired. That I am most thankful. It takes courage of insurmountable proportions to open up, and to share what she shared. After days on end of “sell more,” “be more,” “do more,”- her story inspired me to just be still. To be thankful. To soak in the beauty of the every day.

At the end of an extremely emotional 2 hours, Justin & Mary Marantz gave every one of us in that room of wide-eyed artists, a single $1 bill. In years prior, The Marantz’s have been known as the best in the giveaways department. Their iconic, Tiffany-blue boxes containing gourmet chocolates and discounts to their sold-out workshops were coveted. They’ve even hosted a Twitter contest that I was lucky enough to win last year with my clever tweet regarding Taylor Swift and Mary’s determination to shoot her wedding (and, based on the relational success Miss Swift references in her songs, it seems Mary may have to wait a few years for that to happen). Mary challenged us to make a change with our $1 bill. My immediate reaction was to think of something regarding photography. Something relating to my business. My brand. My work. Me.

And, here I am. Today. Doing laundry, listening to some Mumford & Sons, and realizing the best investment I could ever make, has nothing to do with my business. Or, my brand. Or, my work. Or, ME.

Almost 3 years ago, my husband Ted believed in me enough to help me start my business. We maxed out credit cards. We scraped to get by. But, he believed in me. He made sacrifices for me.

Here’s the $1 bill that I received from Justin & Mary.

The way that I am passionate about light, and shoes, and details on a wedding day, is the way Ted is passionate about the artistry of making beer.

Ted is full-time engineer who spends all his free time perfecting his brews. He’s a pretty relaxed, chill kinda guy- some might say he’s unexcitable; but, when it comes to beer, that man gets excited.

He gets passionate.In fact, sometimes he just won’t shut up about it. And, I don’t want him to.

Ted deserves to do what he loves. And, I want to invest in that, because he scarified and invested in my dreams.

I’m starting a savings account with this $1 bill, so that I can send Ted to get his Master Brewers’ Certification. And, one day, I want that brewery he dreams of opening to be in our neighborhood. I want to make sacrifices for the man who sacrifices for me on a daily basis.

This $1 bill will change the life of the man who changed mine. Who loves me even in my messy ponytail and baggy pajamas (aka, my “uniform”).

Who loves my messes, and my inability to cook without burning something.

The man who loves my heart.

The man I want to share towers of pancakes with. For the rest of my life.

I am forever indebted for the challenge to GIVE. For the challenge to change.

And, for challenging me to open my eyes and see the beauty everywhere I am-

This is for you, Natalie.

For them, it was about their love for each other, and their love for their children.

Their wedding was truly a celebration of love and family- blending all the separate components together to form one, beautifully-bow-and-satin-ribbon-tied family.

And they laughed. And they cried. And they danced. And it was perfect.

Here’s a little sneak peek of all things white, navy, green, and pink (LOVE THIS COLOR COMBO!)- enjoy!

xoxo, Lauren

Special Thanks To:
Wedding Planning/Coordination: The Graceful Host
Ceremony Venue: Avondale Presyterian Church
Florals: New Creations Flower Company
Reception Venue: Dressler’s

We are so, SO honored to have photographed this celebration of Heather & Jimmy’s love for one another, and not only fell in love with them as a couple, but their families and friends as well! Thank you to all the friends, family, and the amazing vendors who made this day possible- and Heather & Jimmy- we love you both! xoxo – Lauren & Ted

Special Thanks To:

Flowers: New Creations Flower Company

Venues: Westin Uptown Charlotte, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Hair/Makeup: Erin Ashley

DJ: Audio-To-Go (these guys are AMAZZZZZING!)

Wedding Coordination: Something Blue Charlotte

Sam & Chase- we CANNOT WAIT to see you again and be a part of your big day- you both are fabulous! Hugs from North Carolina- and we’ll see you soon! Enjoy

I started reading the inquiry to Ted:

“Wedding will be in Spartanburg, SC. I love BRIGHT colors. 600-700 guests expected to attend-

Wait a minute.

That must have been a type-o. Did she said SIX TO SEVEN HUNDRED guests? Seriously, though. That can’t be right. Can it? I’m calling this girl RIGHT NOW!”

I spoke with Lauren right after receiving her email (almost positive it HAD to be a typing error), and in her infectiously bubbly voice she said “No, really! Six to seven hundred guests!”

Lauren and her family are very well-known in Spartanburg for having founded the Christian Sports Ministry, Upward Sports, and wanted to invite everyone they know and love to join in the celebration of Lauren and Colby.

And WHAT a celebration, indeed! Lauren and Colby were surrounded and celebrated by such inviting, energetic, and thoughtful people- in fact, WE felt like family, too!

Lauren absolutely LOVES bold, bright colors and mixing and matching them with black & white, which made for an AWESOME and unique color palette.

We loved, loved, LOVED, their “first hand hold” (in lieu of a first look)- it was a way for them to say “hello” and calm some of the nervousness without seeing each other before the ceremony- LOVED IT!

The night went on with live music, dancing, AND……Lauren’s sister got engaged at the reception! WHAT?!?!?!??!?!?!!?!??! What better way to celebrate a day of love than with MORE love?!

Lauren and Colby are so loved, and so, so much in love. I kept saying throughout the day “Have you EVER seen a more giddy, bubbly, excited bride?!”

Seriously, guys- this was the best day ever.

Congratulations, Lauren & Colby! We are so honored to have been there to capture these moments- ENJOY!

Church: First Baptist Spartanburg

Reception: Upward Sports Headquarters

Flowers: Electric City Blooms

Catering: Cribbs Kitchen Catering

Cake: Gretchen’s ABS Cakes

Rental/Tent: Event Rentals

Band:The Kicks (They just had their song “Hawk Eyes” featured on Fox’s BONES! Congrats, guys!)

I’m still obsessing over every second of Rachel & Eric’s Charlotte Wedding from yesterday afternoon.

The air was chilly. The hugs were warm. The laughs were sweet. The tears were make-up destroying. The love was real.

Until I can actually calm down and put real words together to describe just how perfect this wedding was, I’m just going to let the pictures do the talking-

Enjoy.

xoxo- Lauren

EVERYTHING.WAS.INCREDIBLE! Their rich, Fall color palette, their candy AND Mimosa bar, their guests, their location- WE CAN’T STOP RAVING! And, not to mention, that Elena & John are two of the sweetest, hilarious, most genuine people you’ll ever encounter.

We were so honored to be a part of Elena & John’s wedding, and were thrilled to work with some of our dear friends and favorite vendors, The Graceful Host (AMAZING wedding planners!) and New Creations Flower Company (Melanie, you completely outdid yourself, yet again!). The tastes. The sounds. The sights. The love. It was all so, SO perfect.

John & Elena- thank you so much for letting us share in your day- we’re SO HAPPY to share these with you! ENJOY!

We had so much FUN shooting this wedding. Their wedding party was such a blast and made us laugh so hard! I mean, it’s not every day you photograph a wedding where a groomsman couldn’t make it, so he sent a cardboard cutout of himself IN WEDDING ATTIRE. No, we’re not kidding. It’s amazing.

After their beautiful ceremony (officiated by Heath’s brother- another sweet, personal detail we loved,) cupcakes were enjoyed, The Wobble was Wobbled, drinks were flowing, and the evening came to a close with one of our favorite things- LANTERNS!

Brooke & Heath- we are SO, so honored to have been your photographers, and have been so excited to share these with you! So, let’s do this thing- ENJOY!

Congratulations!

xoxo,

Lauren & Ted

Humbled. Excited. Honored. Loved. Thrilled. Blessed. Thankful. 

To all our amazing couples, thank you.

To all of you who support and encourage us with your sweet words, thank you.

To all the incredible vendors who make each day unique, thank you.

Thank you for the honor of telling your stories.

Thank you for inspiring us.

Thank you for bringing love into the world.

This is our toast to an amazing 2012.

Here’s to life. To love. To photographs.  (And to spankin’ new branding we CANNOT WAIT to share with you)

With all the love my little heart can hold,

-Lauren

Surrounded by dear friends & family, Adrienne & Jeremy were completely glowing on their big day. Between Adrienne’s antique lace dress, and quite possibly one of the sweetest first-look’s we ever captured, this wedding AND this couple were completely picture-perfect. Some of our favorite shots from the day happened during that glorious time we all love (GOLDEN HOUR!), and it was REALLY tough to narrow it down (we wanted to share EVERY. SINGLE. ONE).

Adrienne & Jeremy, thank you so much for inviting us to capture your beautiful day- we loved being a part of the celebration! We’ve been so, SO excited to share these images with you, so without further delay, here are some of our favorites from your day-ENJOY!

Special thanks to our awesome & incredibly talented associate photographer, Emily Lapish for helping us out!

When I first met with Rachel, she was glowing with excitement. Her love for life and for Eric is completely infectious. Rachel is absolutely a low-maintence, easy-breezy bride. One of the first things out of her mouth was “I just want to be married to Eric. I just want to wake up in the morning and have coffee with him. It’s all I want”. GAH. Their love is so beautiful, so romantic, so simple. The way they look at each other completely melts my heart. Rachel, a long-time fan of The Avett Brothers (the kind of fan that knew them way before they were playing on your Pandora station), incorporated her love for all things banjo by playing a couple tunes during the session (LOVED IT!). This sweet couple is also having a January Wedding (completely appropriate for Avett Bros. fans), and we are so honored that we’re the ones who get to be there to capture their big day.

With how laid-back Rachel is, and how sweet they are as a couple, I can’t help but really feel that their entire wedding will be so full of love, and friends, and family, and completely live up to these lyrics:

“She keeps it simple

And I am thankful for her kind of lovin’

‘Cause it’s simple
No longer do we wonder if we’re together

We’re way past that

And I’ve already asked her

So in January we’re gettin’ married
She’s talkin’ to me with her voice

Down so low I barely hear her

But I know what she’s sayin’

I understand because my heart and hers are the same

And in January we’re gettin’ married”

Read more: AVETT BROTHERS – JANUARY WEDDING LYRICS

Some of my most favorite photographs to-date, are the images captured when Rachel & Eric completely tuned the cameras out, and tuned into the  music, dancing across the lawn of The Mint. All nervousness faded, and they were both glowing with love for each other- and it shows in the photographs. I just love these two beyond words.

So, without further delay, here are a few of our favorites from our time with Rachel & Eric. Enjoy!

*Special shout out to Ashley (one of our brides!) for assisting during this shoot! You’re awesome Ashley Can’t wait to share your beautiful wedding in the next few days!

-Tom Hanks, You’ve Got Mail

GAH! Who doesn’t LOVE that movie? A couple times a year, one of my favorite things to do, is curl up on the couch with a big mug of hot chocolate and watch Joe Fox (of Fox Books) and Kathleen Kelly (of The Shop Around The Corner) fall in love by means of email. On our $2 VHS player from Goodwill. And eat junk food. And swoon over things like “bouquets of newly sharpened pencils” and butterflies who would “get off at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are”. Tom Hanks. Meg Ryan. New York City. Fall. Books. Email. Coffee. Love. All these wonderful things paint a picture of all the things that make my heart happy; which, brings me to Carolyn & Jeff.

Holy moly. I love this couple! Most engagement sessions we do last a couple hours, we talk, laugh, grab a coffee, and carry on with our day. Welp, somehow we managed to steal 7.5 hours away from their lives. We invited them over for Sunday mimosas (that’s right folks, we highly encourage loosening up with adult beverages before a photo shoot!), and then continued on to roam the colorful outskirts of Charlotte, where we found really dreamy light. We had so much fun photographing these two- they made our job SO easy! I so, so, SO love when couples are the best of friends- and Carolyn & Jeff are absolutely one of those couples. They spent a good chunk of time in a long-distance relationship, and brought along all the cards & handwritten letters they’d exchanged over the years (SO SWEET!). They’re both very much movie-lovers, and we thought it would be nothing short of perfect to incorporate their love for movies with their love for each other- so, thank you, You’ve Got Mail, for the inspiration!

After our shoot, we all grabbed some dinner at our favorite spot in town (The Diamond in Plaza Midwood), and got to know each other over some delicious greasy goodness and found out we all have so much in common! We’re so excited to share this little sneak peek with you, and CANNOT WAIT to photograph their wedding in June!

Here are a few of our favorites from our time together. Enjoy!

When we vacation, there’s 3 things on the agenda:

1) Eating. A lot.

2) Taking pictures of what we eat.

3) Sleeping in, and waking up so we can eat some more

Everything other than what I’ve listed here is considered an added bonus. If we happen to see sites? WONDERFUL. If we happen to ride the most spectacular Ferris Wheel we’ve ever encountered? FANTASTIC. If we happen to meet amazing street acrobats and subway musicians? EVEN BETTER.

We found killer deals at some thrift stores in Wicker Park. We pretended to be locals in an AWESOME apartment we found on AirBnB.com (YOU MUST CHECK THIS OUT FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP) (I HEART CAPS LOCK). Oh, and Ted got a shirt with Obama’s face on it (take it easy, America. This isn’t about politics- it’s just a tribute to Chicago. Whew!). Then we moved to a swanky-swank hotel on the river with the most spectacularly comfy bed I’ve ever slept in/jumped on. It was SO comfy in fact, that I lost many hours of my life being lazy in it and reading the stacks of magazines I’ve been meaning to read for the past 5 months (oh, and I found out that the Sheraton has their own line of beds and bedding that they sell online. Hello, piggy bank. I’ll be giving you all my spare change to save up for this bed). Splendid, I tell you. SPLENDID.

WE ATE.

Our Favorites::

 Doughnuts (we got the Old Fashioned and the Chocolate) from Glazed & Infused in Wicker Park

 Chicago style popcorn cheddar & caramel MIXED (what the what? Life-changing).

Deep dish pizza from Giordano’s (duh).

Penne Alla Vodka &  a burger the size of your head on a pretzel bun: Francesca’s Forno in Wicker Park

WE DRANK.

Our Favorites::

AMAZING handcrafted beer from Piece in Wicker Park

Super cool German restaurant (also featured in The Dark Knight movie!) Berghoff

WE SHOPPED.

Our Favorites::

 Made-to-order custom t-shirts while you wait by The T-Shirt Deli in Bucktown. They have the CUTEST packaging & branding you’ve ever seen- AND they include a treat! YUM!

Awesome selection of unique Men’s and Women’s apparel (we found the perfect flannel & super cute lace shorts) at Una Mae’s on Damen St

WE WERE LAZY.

Going on a trip and looking for great deals on where to stay? Check out our new favorite site: AirBnB.com

Our favorite spot to eat/drink/shop/relax in the city:: Bucktown/Wicker Park

We love Chicago. Here’s some of our favorites from our time in The Windy City. Enjoy!

See this? This is the goat-cheese & marinara dip from Piece Brewery in Wicker Park. You’ll lick the bowl clean (well, at least I did).





When you’re 6’2, thin, with crazy, long arms- it’s hard to find the perfect flannel shirt- but the thrift stores in Bucktown did NOT disappoint! Ted scored some awesome shirts for under $3.

Those purple corduroy pants? My size. Lucky Brand. $4. BOOM.


Our first morning in Wicker Park, we noticed a mob of people wearing Red shirts. My initial thought was “this can’t be right.. We’re in Obama country, right?”. Turns out we were there for the first day of a Teachers’ strike for which they all wore red shirts, and this clever little shop honored teachers by designing this twist on the classic City of Chicago flag (traded stars for apples). Loved it!






Ted was so proud of his custom-designed t-shirt with Obama’s face on it. I’m still bummed I never ended up with an “Obama Yo’ Mama” shirt. Been wanting one for 4 years now. I settled for a baseball shirt with a cub wearing Harry Caray glasses. Seemed a little more my speed.

Move over, Krispy Kreme & Dunkin’ Donuts. You’ve got nothin’ on these guys. Hole-y goodness. (See what I did there? Hole-y? Hole? Get it? Donut Hole? HA.)







That’s me and my caramel apple from Margie’s. I was supposed to share it. And, I didn’t. I ate it all. By myself. While sitting in bed. The end.

…And then, we turned the corner and found these “Hardcore, Parkour!” (for all you fellow Office fans) guys practicing their moves. Some of the pictures are a little blurry. I probably was eating something and taking pictures at the same time. All their explosive energy just made me even more hungry. In fact, I’m getting hungry now just talking about it. Nonetheless, Hardcore Parkour!  In Chicago and interested in Parkour? CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!:: ParkourWays








The apartment we stayed at in Wicker Park had a guestbook with fun entries from people all around the world. We decided to turn our pages into a scrapbook, and let everyone know how much we loved the area (SO glad we had our FujiFilm Instax with us this trip!)












In addition to the most comfortable beds, The Sheraton in downtown Chicago had the coolest bathroom lighting- ring lighting! The mirror was surrounded by awesome light, and I couldn’t help but snap a self-portrait. If you take a look at my pupils, you’ll see an circle of light- that’s the reflection of the light around the mirror. So cool! (I know. Uber dork photographer talk). Oh! And this perfect light was a great excuse to feature my lovely Ombre ‘do I got from an adorable little Aveda salon, Blueberry Moon.






We relaxed on a bench at the end of Navy Pier on September 11th, and this seemed to be the perfect way to capture the feeling in the city that day.

“People keep talking

They can say what they like

But all I know is

Everything’s gonna be alright”…

Read more: ALICIA KEYS – NO ONE LYRICS

The photos were beautiful. And inspiring. And peaceful. And so, so full of love. They were the wedding photos from Elizabeth’s dear friends (also very well-known photographers), Jose Villa & Joel Serrato. There was not a dry eye in the room. With her photographs, Elizabeth was able to tell the story of two men, deeply in love with each other- and in those moments, we all believed. All pretenses and judgments- religious and political,  were dropped. And we celebrated love. And it was beautiful. Elizabeth took the stage with a long, dramatic moment of silence (other than when I interrupted several times with my sniffling mess of a self), and she spoke these words:

“Love is love

is love, is love

is love, is love

is LOVE“

So, I ask all of you to, just for a moment, drop your political and religious agendas. Drop your Democrat. Drop your Republican. Drop your judgment. Drop your hatred. Drop your signs of all things “anti”. And embrace that love is love (is love, is love, is love, is love, is LOVE)

Hayley and Jess were undoubtedly made to love each other. They’re best friends. They’re complete opposites, but exactly alike. They have nicknames, and inside jokes galore, and a completely infectious love for life and each other. When I first met with Hayley & Jess I was nothing but completely honored and completely honest. I let them know I had never photographed a same-sex couple before, and it would be a completely new learning experience for me. We all joked about how things could get really awkward. Jess said “Hayley’s style is more girly than mine, I don’t even really like wearing makeup, but, I’m not a guy, so, I don’t want to stand behind her and have you ask me to pick her up or something”. I died laughing. Hysterically laughing, in fact. It was then that the two of them continued to refer to everything as en”gay”gement. They have an incredible sense of humor towards all of it, in fact, they laugh about everything (and I’m pretty sure it’s why everyone loves them both so dearly).

This has to be the most detail-oriented wedding I’ve ever laid eyes on. With 3 photographers capturing a wedding day, usually most details can be covered in a matter of minutes; but, when we arrived to Camp Sky Ranch in Blowing Rock, NC and saw what these ladies had done with the place, we spent at least an hour photographing their Anthropologie-esque details. I’m pretty sure I was drooling the whole day (gross, I know, but I can’t help it. I’m a sucker for details!). Hayley & Jess even incorporated part of their story together into their bridal party gifts. They got engaged while on a picnic under the stars in Boone, NC, and so they gave all the people in their wedding party an adorable little picnic blanket, a mini bottle of champagne, and the coolest bottle opener, EVER (looks like an old key! What, the what?!)

They traded vows they wrote themselves. And cried. And laughed. And danced. And laughed.

And all their closest loved ones showered them with hugs, and kisses, and warm, sweet, supportive words. Hayley and Jess taught us all a lesson in love that day. And it was beautiful.

And so now, here are some of our favorites from their wedding. Enjoy.

WEDDING PLANNER: Beautiful Day Weddings

DRESS: Nitsa’s Bridal

FLOWERS: Arranged by Kristen of EverBloom Designs,  Flowers from Shady Grove Gardens

CAKE: Hallmark Cakes

Transportation: Azalea Carriage Tours

Veil: Noelle Dudek of Feathered And Worn

LOVED THESE “Hangover Remedies” they had for guests to take home. Nothing like Gatorade and Tylenol to cure a bad case of the morning-after’s!

The flowers. The dress. The hair. The vision of the perfect, outdoor, fairytale wedding.

Planning an all-outdoor wedding is risky, and, the common alternative is to take everything into the dreaded “white tent” or completely change venues (or dates. eek). But what happens when the bride & groom have a certain love for Seattle (spent time living there & got engaged there), and Seattle decides to send it’s love via an unexpected weather forecast? I can tell you what happens: These beautiful, romantic images. Here I go again referencing The Notebook, but just like every other romantic chick-flick where the long-awaited for “kiss scene” happens in the middle of a torrential downpour, we’re all reminded again that it’s not about the details. It’s about the promise. (AND, that rain can make things pretty dang beautiful)

…And there were umbrellas instead of sunglasses.

…And there were guests huddled together, trying to stay dry & warm.

…And there were laughs. A LOT of laughs.

…And there were tears.

…And there were vows.

…And you know what? Ashley & Austen got married that day.

…And it was good. All was good.

There are many, many more amazing images from our time together, but I wanted to share these with all of you to reassure you that rain isn’t the end of the world, and even if things happen that you cannot control, love wins. Enjoy-

Where do I even begin with April & Brian? I suppose I could start by telling you how they met (singing karaoke), or I could start by sharing their FABULOUS engagement session with you, or, I could start by saying there really are no words. There are no words that can fully describe the energy and dynamic of this couple. There are no words that can even begin to describe their wedding. I mean, I can try:: local, music, unique, quirky, funky, colorful, “THEM”. Or, there’s the things April told me in one of our meetings “Oh! We’re going to have confetti canons fire off when we make our entrance to the reception!”, “OH! We’re literally “tying the knot!”, “Oh, oh! We’re having a wedding cake shaped piñata and karaoke during our reception!”, “Oh, this? Oh, this is just my custom-designed dress from Hayden Olivia. It’s the top of one dress and the bottom of another. NBD”. And, the list goes on.

I think I’m still recovering from all the awesomeness at this wedding. They were both so passionate about incorporating as many local friends, artists, and vendors into their wedding- and they did such an AMAZING job.  The local food (mac n’ cheese & bbq & a caramel apple station & chocolate covered bacon). The custom-designed favors (bottle openers from one of my favorite local designers). April’s signature lime green cowboy boots. Their Save The Dates (custom “band” posters with their faces on it!). And, there were also details of Brian’s hometown of Philly incorporated as well (like mini Philly-Cheesesteaks served at cocktail hour & April’s Phillies garter). Their colors. Their vows. Their awesome friends & family. The music. The energy. Their love. HOLY SMOKES. I can’t shut up about this wedding. I apologize to ALL of you for the fact that if we ever indeed meet face-to-face, that I’ll probably start raving about this wedding. Oh, and April is quite the Wonderwoman. Yea, she planned and designed it all on her own (no planner! WHAAAAAT???!).

April & Brian have spent years falling in love, and as the best of friends- which was ever apparent whenever they were in front of the camera. They’re so in love and so in-tune with each other, that they made being in front of the camera look effortless. We ended up with an overwhelming amount of photo-ops throughout the day, as we traveled from location to location. We basically took a mini-tour of Charlotte, and encompassed all of their favorite spots into the day. I’m SO stinking excited to share these with you!

A special shout-out to Melissa of Melissa Joy Photography and our intern Sarah, of Sarah Elizabeth Grantham Photography for all our help and fabulous work helping us capture this wedding. Sarah, your fisheye pics are awesome! Thank you! You ladies are the cream in our coffee

April & Brian- we are SO, so happy to call you friends, and that you chose us to capture these moments. Thank you for inspiring us with all your unique elements of your day, and your sweet love for each other.

Here are some (and by “some” we mean “A TON”) of our favorites from our time together. Enjoy!

Cake: Got What It Cakes

Dress: Hayden Olivia

Suits & Bridesmaids dresses: J. Crew

Hair/Makeup: Re Salon & Spa

Flowers: New Creations Flower Company

Catering: Something Classic, Midwood Smokehouse

DJ: Scott Weaver

Favors: Nikki Mueller of Not Made In China

I would like to take a moment to award the young lady in the photo below with the “Best Song Of The Night” award. Not ONLY did she sing my all-time favorite song, (“To Be With You”, by Mr. Big), but she ROCKED that awesome dress while doing so. So, little lady, you win. Congrats.

Wrap those 4 things up with a little bow, and you’ve got Lauren & Colby’s engagement session in Spartanburg, SC. Colby is an avid golf-lover, and Lauren…well, Lauren loves Colby and looks really good when he shows her how to putt like a pro (But she did get a hole-in-one! Girl’s got skills!)

When I first spoke with Lauren she said “I just really, really love bright colors!” So, with this in mind, we incorporated some fun, colorful things into today- including the greenest grass around (at a local golf course), some fun swirly-twirly lollipops, and an awesome blue/purple-y wall (that just so happened to be a Domino’s Pizza in a pretty sketchy side of town- ha!). We had such a blast with these two, and CANNOT WAIT for their wedding in November! Lauren & Colby- we love you guys!

Here’s just a few of my favorites from our time together today, but stay tuned for more colorful goodness- Enjoy!

Enjoy.

Venue: Ballantyne Country Club

Wedding Coordinators: Something Blue

Ceremony Music: Michael Holian

DJ: All The Right Grooves

Flowers: New Creations Flower Company

Rebecca & Sean, thank you, THANK YOU for the honor of capturing these moments. We are so happy for you both & wish you every bit of happiness! Congrats! We love you guys!

Enjoy!

Ceremony: Sardis Presbyterian Church

Reception: Bentley’s Charlotte

Flowers: New Creations Flower Company

Transportation: Ballantyne Limousine

DJ: Split Second Sound

Other: The Omni Hotel

These two win the “Dancing With The Stars Have Got Nothin’ On These Two” award….

And this young lady wins the award for “Best Air Guitar We’ve Ever Seen, EVER”. Seriously- she even found a breeze for her hair to blow around!

My first experience in Boone, NC at ASU was in the Fall. We tailgated along with the other alums (Ted is a proud alum of ASU), sported black & gold, and cheered for the football team (and ate more hotdogs in one weekend than I had ever in my entire life). I’ve never seen a more excited crowd IN MY LIFE. There’s something magical about 30,000 + fans of all ages, covered in face paint, together in a stadium literally nestled into the side of a mountain (it’s like Hogwarts, for all my fellow HP fans). ASU is known for their football team, so it only seemed fitting that we capture Savannah & Brady (and their wedding party- all current students, or grads of ASU) on the field. I’m completely obsessed with the images from the football stadium. Nothing screams “YAY, COLLEGE WEDDING!” like pom-poms and a collection of state champ rings.(And to all you North Carolinians- if you’re ever looking for a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon in the Fall, find something black & gold, drive up to Boone, and get ready to have more fun than you’ll know what to do with. You can peruse the cute antique shops, eat organic, locally sourced bites at Hob Nob Farm Cafe, and prepare to fall in love with this mountain town. The only rule- you better invite me. I’m fun. I promise).

Savannah & Brady were surrounded by love the entire day. Their ceremony was sweet and intimate, and their reception was a cozy, friendly after-party with yummy food, dancing (where we learned “The Wobble“, and where I actually got to dance with some of my favorite people!), and lots of laughs. We loved the  ”I love Brady because..” and “I love Savannah because..” notes they used for table decor. Sweet things like “because he puts my name into songs”, and “because she’s a perfectionist” stole our hearts! And, what’s fun for a day-time exit from a reception? Forget sparklers- BUBBLES! Obsessed with that idea.

Congrats, you two! We’re so excited about these images, and we can’t wait to hear all about your new jobs! Yay, marriage! Yay, grown-up jobs! Yay, football season being around the corner! YAY!

There’s something so romantic about a weekday wedding. While others are shuffling along to work, dropping the kids off at practice, school buses busying the streets- there’s a couple, so, so in love, promising to spend their lives devoted to and loving each other. GAH. I love it. And even more- I. LOVE. THIS. COUPLE.

We met Jordan & Luke a little over a year ago when they were living here in Charlotte. Luke was a drummer in our band at church, and one night in practice he started talking about his, then girlfriend, Jordan. Luke had always been kinda shy, kinda quite, kinda silly, kinda smiley- but, he LIT UP when talking about Jordan; and, when I finally had the chance to meet Jordan, I completely understood why he was so crazy about her! Not only is Jordan drop-dead gorgeous, but she’s extremely down-to-earth, and hilarious! After getting to know the happy couple a little better during their engagement session, I was just dying for their wedding day to come along so I could get them in front of the camera again.

Jordan’s dress- GORGEOUS. This church- STUNNING. Their friends & family- SO LOVING. Every second of this wedding was filled with the excitement and overwhelming love of their dear friends & family, completely melting my little heart.

Oh! And just you wait ’til you see their exit! Now THAT’S what I call being swept off your feet!

Jordan & Luke- Thank you, THANK YOU for inviting me to capture these moments. I’m so thrilled for you both, and I hope we can all get together again some time soon! We love you guys!

VENUE:: ALL SAINTS CHAPEL

FLOWERS: NEW CREATIONS FLOWER COMPANY (amazing work as always, Melanie!)

DESIGN/COORDINATION:: BEAUTIFUL DAY WEDDINGS (we love you, Mariel!!)

**Special thanks to Melissa of Melissa Joy Photography for all her help! Girl-not only are you an amazing friend, but you’re an incredibly talented photographer! (And I can’t wait to take your bridals!!!!!)

Megan and William met one night in the pub where William had been tending the bar (and carefully eyeing Megan). Ladies- you know how we all dream of being pursued? Well, William did just that. Through a series of clever tricks, William stole Megan’s heart (and Megan his). It’s by no means going overboard to say that these two are completely smitten with each other. They are the complete package of creativity, smarts, humor, generosity, and style. From William’s custom designed & tailored suit from a local London shop (Newman Pearce Tailors), to Megan’s stunning custom-designed dress from another local London designer (Amanda Wakeley), every inch of this celebration was uniquely “Megan & William”.

Their first look stole my heart- completely. Megan grew up on this huge chunk of land in Landrum, SC, where she’d explore, ride horses, and soak in all the natural, beautiful scenery. Their first look took place in what’s called “The Enchanted Forest”, surrounded by these tall, luscious trees, and from there we wandered the fields of tall grass, and explored some very nostalgic spots along the way (the old covered bridge from Megan’s childhood, for example). Megan & William were so thankful for their family & friends from all over the world coming together for a day to celebrate their love for each other, and their love for life. In fact, this happy couple referred to the weekend of their wedding events as “Wedstock”. I LOVE IT!

In a conversation I had with Megan she said “I would rather have pictures of the food, than of me”. Now, if that’s not a sign of a true foodie, than I don’t know what is! Megan & William are so passionate about good food- so, they sought out the best of the best, using all organic, locally grown & harvested fine foods for their big day. Overflowing spreads of gourmet meats, cheeses, nuts, fruits, desserts, wines & beverages continued throughout the evening, creating very much a relaxed, comfortable, Eur0-inspired dinner party atmosphere. They ate (INSANELY delicious cuisine). They drank (Pellegrino & Champagne). They danced (to the musings of an incredibly talented swing band, The Gold Diggers, from Nashville, TN). They laughed. As a film producer, Megan has such strong ties to films, which she cleverly tied into the theme of the wedding by using names of classic movies & handmade paintings (done by William’s incredibly talented sister) as place cards/ table decor. My personal favorites were of Audrey (the queen of style, class, and all things sassy), and of the scene from The Little Mermaid where Ariel is up on the rock singing her heart out to Prince Eric- sigh. Ahhh, romance.

Everything was beautiful. Everything was meaningful. Everything was emotional. Everything was…Perfect.

Megan & William- your love is so inspiring, so beautiful, so warm. From the bottom of my little heart- I love you both, and wish you every bit of beauty and love you both deserve in life. Thank you, thank you for inviting me to share in and capture these moments. Congratulations to you both, Mr & Mrs. Rubens!

**And a special thanks and shout out to the talented Alicia from Alicia White Photography for helping me tell Megan & William’s wedding day story! I love you, lil’ lady!

Megan’s Dress: Amanda Wakeley

London Shoes: Angela Nuran 

William’s Suit: Newman Pearce Tailors, London 

Hair & Make Up: Katie Cotton of Cotton Rouge

Wedding Design & Flowers: Michael Pelkey Design

Catering: Stone Soup & Brian Kerr *all locally sourced ingredients

Bridesmaids Dresses: MV Couture via Etsy

Groomsmen: Brooks Brothers 

Band: The GoldDiggers Nashville, TN

I like to consider myself ready to discover divine designs anywhere and everywhere; however, with a camera in hand, there’s proof I’ve been ready to discover.

We’ve all heard of “Ah-ha!”, moments. You know, those little moments where the lightbulb pops up above Wile E Coyote’s head when he’s devised yet another plan to catch Roadrunner.

For me, there wasn’t a lightbulb. There weren’t any piles of dynamite to strategically place in order to catch that darned Roadrunner once and for all. But, there was emotion. And, my breath was stolen from me… all with the click of my shutter. What I’m about to show you may just be another picture of a beautiful bride (and ISN’T she stunning?), to you- but to me? To me, this photograph confirms that I’ve finally found my way in this world. Through all the confusion, all the troubles, all the laughter, all the searching- I’ve found it… and, I’m so, SO, blessed to be using my life to capture moments like this.

So in love with April & Brian’s Charlotte Wedding- cannot wait to share more goodness with you.

To all our “Ah-Ha” moments…and to pursuing our passions and loves- Enjoy.

Sandie & Chris’s Graylyn Estate wedding truly was like something from a fairy tale. The weather (that’s usually so unpredictable here in North Carolina), was PERFECT. It was intimate. It was colorful. It was so full of love. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: SWOON.

As a married wedding photographer, especially as a married wedding photographer who shoots weddings with her husband, I always come back from weddings saying “Oh. My. Word. We totally should have had our wedding there!” or, “Those flowers! I should have had those flowers!”, or “HER DRESS! I wish I had worn that dress!”. That’s when my loving, patient (and the rest of all things good) husband looks at me and says “But ours was OURS. It was US. It was perfect for US”. Geez, he’s always right. ALWAYS. (Shh! Just don’t tell him that I said that).

So, Sandie & Chris- thank you for letting me vicariously live through your  sweet, love-filled, and breathtaking wedding by photographing it From the bottom of our little hearts, thank you for inviting us to share in your day. We love you both dearly, and were so, SO honored to be your photographers- and better yet, we’re so thankful to now have you as friends.

Enjoy!

Shout out to ALL the amazing vendors who made this wedding a dream to photograph. Your passion for what you do made this day happen!::

Venue: Graylyn Estate

Trio: Elegant Ensembles

Florist: Beverly’s of Midway

Videographer: Bryce McNabb

Wedding Director: Jo Stanley

DJ: A & A Disc Jockey

..AND….. A HUGE Thank you to our good friend, Bryce McNabb, for capturing the whole day on video! We love you, Bryce!

Congrats, Erin & Alok! And thank you so much for having us be a part of your big day! We love you both dearly- Enjoy.

Flowers:: New Creations Flower Co

You know how much we love dancing- so, it’s only appropriate that we offer up dancing awards from time to time. This next young lady really had some killer moves, and was the first and last on the dance floor. In fact, I never even saw her stop for food or drink (THAT’S HOW SERIOUS THIS GIRL IS ABOUT SOME DANCING). And for that, we’re giving her an award for “Best Moves & Highest Caloric Burn” of the evening::

Our next dancing award goes to this fella. Move over Adam Levine, cuz I’m afraid THIS guy’s got moves like jagger (and the lady crowd to prove it!). We’re awarding him with “Most Dance Sandwiches Of The Night” award. Oh, and also an award for telling us that we’re the best wedding photographers he’s ever met

Our last dance award is going out to this Bhangra dancer. When the DJ turned from Top 40 pop to Bhangra, she TOOK OVER the floor with her killer moves, showing everybody around how dancing should really be done. We’re giving her the “Show Those Kids How To REALLY Dance” award::

Sarah & Mark- thank you, thank you for inviting us to be a part of your beautiful day. We love your love, and wish you both all the best! Much liebe to you

Enjoy!

Ceremony: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Uptown Charlotte

Reception: Founder’s Hall, Uptown Charlotte

Flowers: New Creations Flower Co.

Planners: The Graceful Host

After getting to know Erin a little bit before her wedding she said “We want our wedding to be a joint celebration of our life together. We want to show love and thanks for the support of friends and family, and CELEBRATE with all these people from different parts of my life.” Coming from very different backgrounds, Erin & Alok decided to have a two-part wedding: a traditional Hindu ceremony, and then a traditional Christian ceremony on the following day (stay tuned for that goodness! Not every day you find a bride covered in Henna sipping a mint julep!). Erin & Alok absolutely deserved a two-day mega wedding, as Erin has been finishing up her residency in Urology at Duke Hospital in Durham, NC, and Alok was doing his final preparations for his doctorate (we’re talking defending his dissertation the month after the wedding. How about THAT for a honeymoon?!) These two are so hard-working, but love each other and everyone else just as hard.

We absolutely fell in love with Indian weddings after this. The vibrant colors, excitement, and a mid-ceremony outfit changes (what girl doesn’t want to wear TWO outfits on her wedding day??!) were incredible.

Erin & Alok were surrounded by loving friends & family who all took part in the ceremony, which really made this an unforgettable coming together of two families and absolutely something to celebrate. And, man, oh, man- what a feast for the eyes!!

We were so, so honored to be a part of this day. We were treated like family, and fed the most delicious Indian cuisine until our little tummies were full. Erin & Alok- we love you both dearly! Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your day(s)!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this mega wedding (coming soon!) Just a little teaser: Derby Day. Hats. Mint Juleps. And…some rather ominous clouds……..

Enjoy, and, Namaste

Flowers:: New Creation Flower Co

Every inch of this wedding from Lauren’s timeless style, to the family & friend-filled reception (complete with salted caramel brownies from Amelie’s French Bakery in Charlotte, which they ceremoniously cut in lieu of a cake..MY FAVE!), was swoon-worthy.  Lauren & Nathan traded vows beneath the trees of Asheville, NC, overlooking the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Lauren & Nathan’s family and friends are what made this wedding so full of love and so, so FUN.

One part of Lauren & Nathan’s story that I absolutely adore, is that their first date was breakfast. Am I alone in feeling that breakfast is not only the best, but most romantic meal? Give me eggs (over medium, please) and toast and a warm mug of coffee (or, an espresso, if you’ve got it), over a fancy-pants dinner ANY DAY. I thought it’d be fun to incorporate these cute little signs I bought a while back from YeeHaw Industries, one of my favorite little shops in the heart of downtown Knoxville, TN. They are their own printing press, and makes some of the coolest band posters, and cards, and all things paper (I’m a complete sucker for paper products. Complete. Sucker).

The weather was absolutely perfect for Lauren & Nathan’s wedding- the sun was warm, the night was cool, everyone was on the dance floor (make sure you try your guess at the “What’s That Guy Dancing To?” Challenge to win yourself a Starbucks gift card! Scroll through the post to get more info). Oh, and the campfire was cozy. That’s right. I said campfire (complete with a s’mores station, where Lauren, still in her dress, opted out from dancing for a couple songs just to go make herself some s’mores! Seriously, though. Could she be any cooler of a bride?)

We had such an amazing time celebrating their love with all those they love most, and are absolutely thrilled to be sharing these with you. Enjoy!

(Pssst! Hey, you! Interested in making the Amelie’s Salted Caramel Brownies yourself? Here is the recipe! I made some for my sisters birthday a little while ago, and lemme tell ya, HEAVEN. And, it’s a really simple recipe to follow. Trust me, I don’t have the patience for difficult cooking instructions, ESPECIALLY when I’m craving something sweet. Bon Appetit!)

Venue: Crest Pavillion

Makeup/Hair: The AMAZINGLY talented Blush By Wendy Ballance

And now, ladies & gentlemen- I would like to invite you to the first ever “What’s That Guy Dancing To?” Challenge. If you think you know what song he’s dancing to, leave your answer as a comment on this post. First person to get it right gets a Starbucks Gift Card!!! (hint:This is pretty much the most precise interpretive dance, ever. He’s literally acting out every word of a chorus to a song he dances to with his young daughter at home). AND…….GO!

May – Roasted Balsamic Strawberry & Buttermilk
June – Window Box Mint & Dark Chocolate
July –  Sweet Corn Blue Ridge Berry
August – Piedmont Peach Cobbler
September – Honey Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate 
October – Spicy Pumpkin

Interested in learning more? Here are the deets..

What is included in my 6-month ice cream subscription?

1 pint of locally sourced, knock-your-socks-off ice cream at the beginning of every month. Flavors appropriate to the season.

How do I get my ice cream?
Free home delivery to the following neighborhoods: Belmont, Villa Heights, Optimist Park, Plaza-Midwood, NoDa, Chantilly, Elizabeth and Uptown. If you live outside the above neighborhoods shoot me an email and we can discuss other options.

Do I get to choose the flavors?
Maybe when we are millionaires! Currently, we’ll make one blissfully yummy creation each month that all subscribers will receive. Each flavor is locally sourced and appropriate to the season and the Carolinas. Some aromatics are only available from afar – but we are committed to using ethically sourced ingredients. Period. All milk and cream is sourced from Homeland Creamery in good ‘ole Julian, North Carolina.

Are there other reasons to feel good about my subscription?
I’m thrilled that you asked that. Yes! $1 of every pint will support education in Malawi via Equitas, Inc. With 30 subscribers, that’s enough to send one Malawian child to secondary school for a year. I think that’s something to feel pretty darn good about! Haven’t checked out Equitas? Prepare to fall in love…. www.equitas.cc

Heather & Jimmy are both teachers (Teach For America: Hey-oh!), started as friends, and fell in love on a  group trip to the Dominican Republic. Though their wedding is planned for October, Heather loves her some warm weather, so we decided some yummy sunlight was completely necessary to really capture their vibe as a couple. We spent some time walking around the park, and then made our way to Plaza Midwood for sprinkled-covered ice cream cones (because, um, HELLO, what’s a warm day without ice cream?!)

We are SO, SO, thrilled to not only be a part of Heather & Jimmy’s wedding, but we’re so glad to have them now as friends (we go to the same church and never knew it!) I seriously have a crush on every outfit Heather brought with her. I mean, seriously- girl’s got STYLE.

Heather & Jimmy- we love you guys!

Here are some of my favorites from our dreamy, sunny time together. Enjoy!

(…I think I’m going to need a sprinkled-covered ice cream cone RIGHT. THIS. INSTANT. yum!)

We got our toes sandy. We splashed a little in the lake. And, oh, that cotton-candy sunset- how SWEET it was to watch from inside the dragon boat! That’s right, everyone. I went out in the boat with this amazing couple, and got a little glimpse at how they fell in love. I was total dead weight as they paddled us across the lake, but, hey, I had to keep the cameras dry!

We are SO excited to be a part of Elena & John’s swoon-worthy wedding this October at Carrigan Farms.

Elena & John- we love you both, dearly!

Here are a few of our favorites from our time together. Enjoy!

Here’s a few of my favorites from our time together this morning. Happy 2nd birthday, lil’ guy! Here’s to cake, candles, and choo-choo’s Enjoy!

Heather & Jimmy are absolutely the quintessential All-American couple. They’re adorable. They’re both teachers. They go on date nights (after our session, they went out to dinner because they were all dressed up. How stinkin’ cute are they?). And, they fell in love in the Dominican Republic doing some amazing work. I absolutely adore this couple- and, we’re really enjoying getting to know them! (Turns out we even go to the same church. Hey-oh!)

Here’s just a few of my favorites from our time together. (caution: these pics will make you seriously want a vanilla soft serve cone with sprinkles on it. I hope for your own sanity that you’re close to a Dairy Queen). Enjoy! (both the pics, AND your soon-to-be-had dessert)

We had so much fun with these two last night walking around the park, getting our feet wet, hiking through the woods, and most of all- riding in a DRAGON BOAT!

We’re so, SO excited for Elena & John’s October wedding, and just couldn’t help but share a few of our favorites from our time together last night. Enjoy!

So often you’ll hear a bride describe how she wants to feel like a princess on the day of her wedding, and ladies, if you’re looking to feel like a princess- Graylyn Estate, in Winston Salem, NC, is the venue for you. This place looks like a castle, and is so perfectly manicured and maintained that I felt like if I opened a window and sung a happy song, birds would come flying to the sill to listen to me (ya know, like in the Disney movies). Prior to their wedding, I wanted to scope out the grounds, so my mom and I made a day trip up to Winston Salem to walk around Graylyn and take in the sites. The skies were that crisp Carolina blue, the grass was perfectly mowed, flowers were in the bloom, the sun was warm on our skin, birds were happily chirping- it was PERFECT. In fact, we stood there in silence taking in all the beauty and my mom suddenly shouted out “IS THIS A REAL DAY?!”.

Sandie & Chris’s wedding was absolute perfection as they were surrounded by their close friends & family for one of the sweetest, most love-filled weddings I’ve ever seen.

Sandie & Chris- from the bottom of our little hearts, thank you for inviting us to share in your day!

Here are just a few of my favorites from their wedding (many, many more to come!) Enjoy!

Every inch of this wedding from Lauren’s timeless style to the family & friend-filled reception (complete with salted caramel brownies from Amelie’s French Bakery in Charlotte, which they ceremoniously cut in lieu of a cake..MY FAVE!). This wedding was swoon-worthy.  Lauren & Nathan traded vows beneath the trees of Asheville, NC, overlooking the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Lauren & Nathan’s family and friends are what made this wedding so full of love and so, so FUN. We had such an amazing time celebrating their love with all those they love most.

Here are just a few of my favorites so far from their Asheville wedding (but trust me, there are MANY more to come!) Enjoy!

PS- They had a fire pit out back and we caught some awesome shots of Lauren making s’mores! Stay tuned for those in the full post

Venue: Crest Pavillion

Makeup/Hair: The AMAZINGLY talented Blush By Wendy Ballance

I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I’ve lived in the south long enough now to know that guys + their trucks= a happy man. And, let’s face it ladies- we all know it can be like pulling teeth to get our guy to spend a Saturday afternoon all dressed up to have their pictures taken.

I knew this would be a perfect fit for them. Rebecca told me Sean got up early on Saturday so he could wash and wax the ole truck. When they showed up, she leaned in to me and said “He even shined the wheels. He was so excited”.

Further on into the session we noticed all the streets were completely empty and blocked off for some sort of biking road race. So, we used the traffic-less streets to our advantage! I’ll be honest- I’ve almost lost my life a few times trying to cross the street uptown, so, this was a relief! I love the shots of them walking down the middle of the road..totally reminded me of the scene in The Notebook where they danced in the middle of the road beneath the street light (I totally feel like a girly-girl right now, referencing such a film).

So, a red truck. A beautiful Carolina-blue sky. And finishing the afternoon in the park. It couldn’t have gotten any better than that! Rebecca & Sean- we can’t wait for your wedding in August! Really looking forward to seeing you both again. (Do I smell a red Toyota pick-up as a getaway car…?!)

Here are a few of my favorites from our time together. Enjoy!

Kiyah’s parents, Adam & Rachel, are the best brother/sister in-law a girl could ask for. We’ve done everything together from camping trips and music festivals, to Sunday motorcycle drives and entire weekends dedicated to Family Feud marathons on the Wii. I love these two with all my heart, and couldn’t thank them enough for making me an Auntie for the third time (but this is my first NIECE!). I can’t help but buy Kiyah REALLY girly things (like a bathing suit with a tutu attached! How stinkin’ cute?! I mean, seriously?!) since my world has been filled with superheroes and boogers for so long now (still, I love my two nephews with all my heart).

Sweet Kiyah, Happy first birthday. In your first, curious year, you’ve managed to make everyone fall in love with you- and boy, do we love to love you!

Here are a few of my favorites from our morning in the park. Enjoy!

I couldn’t have been more thrilled. I’ve lived in the south long enough now to know that guys + their trucks= a happy man. And, let’s face it ladies- we all know it can be like pulling teeth to get our guy to spend a Saturday afternoon all dressed up to have their pictures taken.

I knew this would be a perfect fit for them. Rebecca told me Sean got up early on Saturday so he could wash and wax the ole truck. When they showed up, she leaned in to me and said “He even shined the wheels. He was so excited”.

Further on into the session we noticed all the streets were completely empty and blocked off for some sort of biking road race. So, we used the traffic-less streets to our advantage! I’ll be honest- I’ve almost lost my life a few times trying to cross the street uptown, so, this was a relief! I love the shots of them walking down the middle of the road..totally reminded me of the scene in The Notebook where they danced in the middle of the road beneath the street light (I totally feel like a girly-girl right now, referencing such a film).

So, a red truck. A beautiful Carolina-blue sky. And finishing the afternoon in the park. It couldn’t have gotten any better than that! Rebecca & Sean- we can’t wait for your wedding in August! Really looking forward to seeing you both again. (Do I smell a red Toyota pick-up as a getaway car…?!)

Here are a few of my favorites from our afternoon together. Many, many more to come! Enjoy!

Lauren & Nathan’s love story began over a cozy breakfast at Zada Jane’s Corner Cafe (one of my favorite local joints amongst the row of amazing thrift shops in Charlotte). So, naturally, we decided that incorporating breakfast into their engagement session was a MUST. Ya know, those awkward first moments with a photographer where you look at them and say “Uh…what do we do now? What do we do with our hands?? Err…”? Yea, we avoided that with mixing bowls and whisks; and might I add, that these two are QUITE the cooks! In addition to eating yummy food, they love cooking yummy food. Our good friend, Kayla (who is actually kinda responsible for introducing these two lovebirds), let us make a mess in her kitchen to start out our session with a little home-cooked goodness. I get all wrapped up in engagement sessions, and couldn’t help but let my imagination run wild while watching them interact from behind the camera.

This was a glimpse into how their love started, and where their love is taking them. Slow, Saturday mornings. French press coffee. Massive amounts of home-cooked yumminess. A stolen hug and kiss while the quiche is in the oven. Lauren & Nathan’s love is simple, and pure, and beautiful (which made my job insanely easy). If anyone will, these two will absolutely put all their new Crate & Barrel goodies to good use. (P.S.- Lauren, girrlll….you got me HOOKED on Bailey’s creamer and French Press Coffee! YUM!)

After dirtying all the dishes, we headed outside of Charlotte to face the fierce, February winds and chilly temps. My natural instinct as a photographer/admitted perfectionist was “Oh, NO! WIND! BRIGHT, HIGH SUN! THIS IS NEVER GONNA WORK!” (of course, I kept my cool and didn’t mention that to them); and, while we did face forceful winds and the kinda cold that makes your nose run, these two were so wrapped up in each other that the weather didn’t matter. High, bright, sun? No problem. Wind so strong it could have blown Lauren away? Not an issue… Nathan was there to keep her on the ground

Finally, when we decided our cheeks were just the right amount of rosy, we headed to my new favorite (and somewhat secret spot), The Peddler’s Post, a new antique mall in NoDa. Conveniently located next to my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE coffee shop in town (Amelie’s, in case the fact that I’ve talked about them at least a thousand times in my blog hasn’t clued you in,) The Peddler’s Post has a little bit of everything. On a lazy afternoon after having lunch with my mom, we decided to peruse the aisles and endless rooms of The Peddler’s Post, ’til our exploring brought us to this enormous, dusty, wonderfully window-lit warehouse, filled with mismatched furniture and vintage lamps. I knew at that moment THIS was the place for Lauren & Nathan. It completely encompassed “something new, something old”, and when they gave me free reign to basically do whatever I wanted for their engagement session (I love when couples trust my gut), I couldn’t have been more excited. (Oh, and if you find yourself at The Peddler’s Post any time soon, you can forget about the rustic, turquoise farm table. That joker will be mine…one day).

This post is a lengthy one- but, I couldn’t resist. Every image I went through I found myself saying “OH. WOW. Like, WOW”. Lauren & Nathan, we CANNOT WAIT to be a part of your Asheville wedding next month at the beautiful Crest Pavillion. Already counting down the days! Telling your story is quite an honor, and we love you both with all our little hearts.

Here’s (quite) a few of my favorites from our time together. Enjoy!

This session wouldn’t have been complete without my new friend/fellow photographer, Melissa, of Melissa Joy Photography. (Is she not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? I mean, seriously.)

Melissa volunteered her Saturday to come hang out with us, help make dreamy light, and well, almost blew away with the wind while holding my 6ft reflector. Thanks, Melissa for all your help, and well, for risking your life! Haha! It’s always fun making a new friend who has the same passion and interests as you. I’m always down for some fellow photog friend quality time. Here are some of Melissa’s favorites from Lauren & Nathan’s Engagement Session (Great work, Melissa!) You’ll be seeing a little more of Melissa’s work in the near future. Really looking forward to working with her this Summer!

Their vows were beautiful. The room was full of loving friends and family. There was dancing. And funny sunglasses. Bridesmaids (AND THE BRIDE) danced in turquoise slipper-booties. Sarah and Joe were lifted up into the air on chairs. Balloons fell from the ceiling. Plastic top hats were rocked. And then, when all that was over, the Galanti-Shoemaker crew took over the hospitality suite and continued the party well into the first day of 2012.

To call this a “wedding” doesn’t even begin to describe what took place. This? THIS was a momentous celebration of life, and love, and absolutely all things merry.

Sarah & Joe, I LOVE YOU GUYS! Congrats, and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for inviting us to photograph your wedding, and more than that- making us feel like family.

Coordination:: Bluming Creativity  (AMAZING TO WORK WITH! Tara & her team are pretty stinkin’ awesome!)

Venue:: Alpharetta Marriott (BEAUTIFUL!)

This was a really special moment to me. Because Sarah’s dress had an element of surprise, she couldn’t have any of her family or friends help her get her dress on; so, I stepped in. I snapped a few pics to capture the excitement and beauty of the moment, but I was so honored to be able to take part in one of my favorite parts of any wedding day.

…I EVEN GOT A WEDDING DAY T-SHIRT! HEY-OH!Nothin’ I like better than earning a race t-shirt without having to run! Win-win..WIN…

Let the games begin! Saturday morning “Race To The Altar” 5k race (complete with custom t-shirts!). How fun is that?!

Ever wondered what the guys are up to on a wedding day? Well..Here’s what these guys were up to.

..Meanwhile, the ladies were gettin’ all prettied up.

…Then there was the big reveal. GAH! I love this moment.

And, of course, the handsome groom..

The hotel had such gorgeous natural light and interesting patterns and colors. LOVED it! It was such a perfect venue for Sarah & Joe’s wedding

This was one of my favorite moments of the entire day. There was a first look for Sarah and her dad (I’m such a Daddy’s girl, so this moment spoke straight to my heart). SO SWEET.

…Remember that element of surprise I was talking about concerning Sarah’s dress? Well, here it is! CONVERTIBLE WEDDING DRESS!!! Amazing.

…And just when you thought the party was over, we said “goodbye” to 2011 and “hello” to 2012 with a countdown, dancing, and a balloon drop!