Caroline & Brian’s Downtown Raleigh Engagement Session

Caroline and Brian came into Raleigh all the way from Charlotte to have their engagement portraits taken, and we are lucky to have had the opportunity to meet them! Finally, Carolyn was able to unite with someone who loves school supplies as much as she does, despite no longer being in school and despite not longer being a teacher. :D They also shared our love of 80s movies and reminisced about past job horror stories. On top of all this, we were pleased to find out that only one half of Caroline and Brian enjoy the Goonies and the Princess Bride, much like only one half of Carolyn and Geoff. We wish they lived closer so 50% of us could try to convince the other 50% that the movies are good (or bad, depending on what side you’re on).

These guys met in Raleigh, went on their first date to Gravy and the Raleigh Times (both of which we visited during the session), and have since moved to Charlotte. They’re getting married in Wilmington next spring as a middle ground of their families’ and their own locations. Brian likes golf and refused Carolyn’s suggestion that they go mini-golfing for their engagement session, and Caroline wouldn’t let him bring his golf clubs into downtown. Caroline was both her high school mascot and their prom queen, and also cries at emotional stories about children throwing out the first pitch on ESPN. They’ve both solidly convinced us that the West Wing is probably a good show to start after we run through House of Cards. We had a great time with these two, and we are so happy they came out to Raleigh to see us! Here’s a few of our favorites.
engagement photographer raleigh nc

Susan+Michael’s Wedding at the North Carolina Museum of Art

Susan and Michael have fast become some of our favorite people. Previously Carolyn had declared herself and her sister as the unofficial presidents of U2’s fan club, but I’m happy to say that we’re going to scootch over a little bit to make some room for Susan and Michael, and we’re happy to do it. I could say a lot about these guys… and how they are awesome and kind and funny and genuine… or about how they made a bunch of paper cranes for their wedding and then thought, “Is this enough paper cranes?” and it turns out that it was way more than enough paper cranes… or about how all of their guests were so sweet to us and there were a lot of Jamaicans there wearing hats and were highly entertaining people… or about Susan and Michael’s super good fashion sense that makes me want to raid both of their closets. But instead I’m going to leave a bit of the reading that they read to each other here. They edited it a bit, and I’m writing down what I can remember from a combination of my memory and the actual book text. (so forgive me when I inevitably get this a little bit wrong) But it’s too sweet to not put in the blog post and has been one of my favorite wedding readings ever.

“I like you and I know why. I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it’s special, and you remember it a long, long time. When I think something is important, you think it’s important too. We have good ideas. When I say something funny, you laugh. I think I’m funny and you think I’m funny too. I like you because if I am mad at you, then you are mad at me too. It’s awful when the other person isn’t. If you find two four-leaf clovers, you give me one. if I find four, I give you two. If we only find three, we keep on looking. I like you because I don’t know why, but everything that happens is nicer with you. I can’t remember when I didn’t like you. It must have been lonesome then. If you and I had some drums, and some horns and some horses, if we had some hats and some flags and some fire engines, we could be a HOLIDAY! We could be a CELEBRATION! We could be a WHOLE PARADE! Even if it was the nine hundred and ninety-ninth of July. Even if it was August. Even if it was way down at the bottom of November. Even if it was no place particular in January. I would go on choosing you, and you would go on choosing me, over and over again. That’s how it would happen every time.” – Excerpt from I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg.

Date: May 31, 2014

Ceremony and Reception Venue: NCMA // Raleigh, NC

First Dance Song: “The Way I Am” – Ingrid Michaelson

Susan’s Occupation: Career Counselor at George Washington University

Michael’s Occupation: School Administrator at Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School

How You Met: In a French class at North Carolina State University

Interesting Fact about Susan: Studied Arabic in Morocco and Jordan. Mumtaz!

Interesting Fact about Michael: Went to Space Camp…twice!

Honeymoon Destination: Santorini, Greece! Bookended on either side with a night in London.

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Dan Holodnik (friend of bride and groom) | Band – The Swinging Swamis | Florist – The Watered Garden | Cake – Cinda’s Creative Cakes | Caterer – NCMA (Iris) | Hair/Makeup – Body Bliss Salon | Coordinator – Morgan Greer of the NCMA

Samantha+Tim // Pittsburgh, PA

Last weekend we ventured up to Pittsburgh, PA to take part in Geoff’s sister’s wedding and to welcome our wonderful new brother-in-law into the family! I’ve known Sam for twelve years and I’ve never seen her happier. She has found exactly the right person for her and it makes us happy to see her so happy and I think I’ve used the word “happy” too many times in the post now. :) We met Tim a few years ago and liked him right away. Maybe it’s the sarcasm or the Seinfeld quotes, but he fits right in. We’re so grateful to have him around, even when he gives us a hard time about getting his picture taken. :D Their rehearsal dinner was held the evening before at their home in the South Side, and we snuck  the two away for a little bit to go take some pictures down the street. Here are a few of our favorites. :) Congratulations, Sam and Tim! It was a beautiful wedding and we couldn’t be more thrilled for the both of you!