I met Kristine a few years ago when I did promotional photos for a local veterinarian’s office where she was the receptionist. I liked her a lot because she was holding a bunny since she had cats that wouldn’t be good photographic subjects (I was doing head shots of the office staff with their pets). Fast forward a few years and she was engaged, contacted us, and we met with her and her fiancé, Kevin, and her amazing parents (who have been beyond helpful to us in this entire process). We knew they were incredible people inside and out. They were planning an intimate afternoon brunch wedding at the JC Raulston Arboretum in spring with close family and friends and were making their own cupcakes (!!) since Kristine’s an amazing baker (Kevin’s also an amazing cook and it’s their hope to one day open a restaurant which I would then frequent all the time).

And so finally it came to be that CSP encountered its first black wedding dress since its beginning in 2008. :) Yes! We were pretty pumped about this as we had a Halloween wedding and I (Carolyn) looked for a black wedding dress for some time but finally gave up since in 2010 they didn’t really exist so I was so happy to finally see someone get and wear one. And it was very Kristine and Kevin. :) I can’t really picture her wearing a white dress. And oddly enough, our getting-ready roles were kind of reversed for this wedding too. Kristine wore her hair normally while Kevin got his cut and straightened, so Geoff saw more hair-primping action than I did this weekend. ;) Which was, again, very Kristine and Kevin. Everything was! From their black and red color scheme to the cupcakes that they baked to the tattoo that Kristine got specifically for their wedding to the sandbox that they stood in for their ceremony (Kevin proposed by drawing a circle on the beach in which they stood for his proposal… so they were married in a circle in a sandbox!)… it was all very them. And they had a beautiful day filled with people who meant the world to them and we couldn’t be happier for these two. :)

Date: April 12, 2014

Ceremony and Reception Venue: JC Raulston Arboretum // Raleigh, NC

Kristine’s Occupation: Receptionist at Cat Clinic

Kevin’s Occupation: Delivery driver for Chinese restaurant

How You Met: Kristine went to school with Kevin’s two cousins. Kevin saw Kristine’s picture on Facebook under the “People you may know” section. He requested to add her and she added him back since “he couldn’t be that crazy, she knew his cousins”. They started talking and eventually after a few weeks of talking on Facebook and on the phone, they decided to go on a first date. They agreed to meet at the Food Lion up the street from her and they then would drive to “The Upper Deck” (a bar right up the street). Kristine needed some alcohol to calm her nerves, as did he. Once she actually got out of the car and was facing him, she knew he was the one, and he had felt the same way. It was total love at first sight. After some talking they drove to the movie theater to continue their date. And the rest is history.

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Rev. Barbara Lodge | Florist – The Blossom Shop | Cupcakes – Kristine and her mother | Caterer – Food Lion & Harris Teeter

heather and jason were married in duke gardens in early april and were such a cool couple to work with. heather and i hit it off so well at our consult that we were there for a couple hours  before our significant others called to ask where we were, so i knew their wedding would be a blast! they were such a great couple and had so many awesome family members and friends. everyone had a super great time and the whole day went off without a hitch. what a beautiful day and gorgeous couple. congratulations!!

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this salon is so awesome. it’s wavelengths in durham, and has one of the most super awesome interiors of any salon i’ve been to, as well as incredibly natural light. also, i wanted to take those couches home with me.

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at the hotel…buncha girls getting ready and looking through old photographs. so cute!

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we had a little time before the ceremony to snap some pictures in front of duke gardens. great natural light and a beautiful bride!

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i can’t remember for the life of me what was taking place at the time to my right, but the expressions on the sisters’ faces make me crack up:

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heather and jason are so sweet…thank you and keep in touch!!