We met Emily and Taylor for the first time at Abby and Aaron’s wedding we photographed in 2013 in the Outer Banks. Taylor is Abby’s brother. Now we’re friends with Abby and Aaron due to our mutual love of Halloween and our love-bordering-on-obsession of their dog Casey (look at that face), so because we hang out, we’ve also had the opportunity to hang out with Emily and Taylor at Abby’s Halloween parties (when we can recognize them in their costumes, that is). We liked them because they also like Halloween, and because they also like Casey, and because Emily retouches photos for a living so we can complain about mutual editing things. Now we like them even more because they had moss and ferns at their wedding, and Muse as their first dance song, and because they too, like Abby and Aaron, had the amazing Uncle Bill (Abby and Taylor’s uncle who plays Rod Remington on “Glee”) sing at their wedding (he is truly amazingly talented and also hilarious and we might’ve taken a selfie with him). So. It’s settled then. We like them. We’re unsure how they feel about us (jury’s still out since they called our Interesting Fact question “terrible”). But either way they’ll be forced to see us at Abby’s parties and we’ll win them over eventually.

Bride putting on makeup Wedding dress and invitations Groomsman playing pool Groom getting ready Groom getting ready Groom and groomsman Bride getting dress off hanger Bride putting on dress Bride putting on shoes First look Wedding photographs at The Oaks Events Bride and groom at The Oaks Events Wedding venues in Charlotte NC Bride and groom in Charlotte NC The Oaks Events wedding Outdoor wedding venues in Charlotte NC Bride and groom walking Wedding portraits in Charlotte NC Bride and groom at lake Wedding at The Oaks Events Bride and groom in woods Bridal portrait Portrait of groom Bridal portrait Wedding bouquet Wedding ring and birdseed Candid guest shot Moss and succulent wedding decor Wedding guests Groom looking at bride walking down the aisle Bride and father walking down aisle Outdoor wedding venue in Charlotte Moss and fern wedding decor Wedding ceremony at The Oaks Events Exchanging vows Birdcage and moss wedding details Wedding ceremony at The Oaks Events Bride and groom exchanging rings Succulents in wedding decor Wedding ceremony First kiss Wedding recessional Bride and groom walking Bride dancing with father Groom dancing with mother First dance Speeches at wedding Green moss wedding cake Wedding guests Wedding singer Bill A Jones Wedding guest Farm wedding venue with tent Reception tent Wedding reception games Farm wedding near Charlotte Wedding guests on farm Bride and groom cutting the cake Jenga Fail Wedding guests Groom and dad laughing Wedding reception tent lights Wedding guests Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding guests dancing Wedding reception The Oaks Events Birdseed exit
  • Date: May 30, 2015
  • Ceremony + Reception Site: The Oaks Events // Midland, NC
  • First Dance Song: “Starlight” – Muse
  • Emily’s Occupation: Photo retoucher
  • Taylor’s Occupation: Mobile Paralegal
  • How You Met: Halloween Par-tay! Taylor was the only one at the party to get Emily’s costume (Mia from Pulp Fiction).
  • Interesting Fact: Sincerely spent 30 minutes trying to come up with ‘interesting’ facts about themselves. What a terrible question.
  • Honeymoon: Bali, Indonesia
  • Vendor Credits: Officiant –Uncle Ralph Jones | DJ – CrackerJack | Cake – Delores Holt | Caterer – Concord Union Bistro | Hair – Images Salon | Makeup – Letsgetvamp Makeup | Coordinator – Michelle from The Oaks Events | Wedding Singer – Bill A Jones

One Ellie. One Carolyn. Two Geoffs with the correct spelling(!). Two beards. Two RIT alumni. One hotdog tie. One R2D2 table greeter. Several amazon women sculptures. A few Princess Bride references.

Two months ago, one Ellie e-mailed one Carolyn to ask if we would be available to travel to  upstate New York to shoot their wedding on a Wednesday (well, it’s kind of southwesternish New York… about an hour south of Buffalo, but our Geoff claims that when he grew up in upstate New York that everything outside of the city is often referred to as upstate, so we’re sticking to it). In her e-mail, Ellie mentioned that she was upset because she hasn’t been able to find her Ace of Base cd lately, to which Carolyn enthusiastically mentioned that she used to roller skate with her sister in their parents’ basement to the Ace of Base cassette tape on repeat when she was younger. Ellie responded that she has a scar from roller skating in her parents’ basement and she then forwarded the e-mail to her Geoff, who responded that he also used to roller skate in his parents’ basement, but not to Ace of Base. An immediate bond was formed. We found out that Ellie’s Geoff also went to RIT (where our Geoff went) and also has a beard (so does ours!!). Clearly, this was very much meant to be.

They chose their date because they thought it’d be nice to have fireworks on their wedding anniversary every year. They based their wedding colors off of Geoff’s BMW M series. They bought old mattress springs online, cut and stained wooden boards to attach them to, and used them as vases for their awesome fabric flower centerpieces complete with random keyboard keys. They bought us Dharma Initiative pins to wear around as button-eres. There was a hotdog tie as a reference to the groom’s last name.

I think if it wasn’t for the possibility of a lot of ticks in the tall grass and for the shred of dignity that I’ve managed to hang on to, I probably would’ve rolled around on the ground like a puppy in the sun for a good while when I saw their wedding ceremony location at Griffis Sculpture Park. I never thought giant naked stone women would make for such an interesting or useful background but it did. I could type a lot more but I’m tired and you probably want to see the pictures. Ellie and Geoff – we are forever grateful for this wonderful experience that you kindly bestowed on us this summer and the absolute kindness you all showed us while we were there. We look back on it with big smiles.

Date: July 3, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Griffis Sculpture Park // East Otto, NY

Ellie’s Occupation: Research Assistant

Geoff’s Occupation: Part of the IT Crowd

How You Met: At work

Interesting Bride Fact: Never lived in the state I was born in

Interesting Groom Fact: Has never seen Titanic

Honeymoon Destination: Cancun

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Wayne Schultz, PhD | Cake – Paula’s Donuts | Caterer – Dina’s on the ‘Mont | Videographer – Helen Cook of Love Delights Cinematography | Bottlecap Pins – MyHoard store on Etsy | Veil – BrendasBridalVeils store on Etsy | Design of flags, menu board, paper airplane programs, thank you cards and hair and makeup all done by the “Best Sister Ever!” – Ruth Baratta | Actual making of centerpieces and menu boards and all the cool stuff you see is credited to Ellie, Geoff, Ruth, and other family members.