CSP Class of 2013.

We’ve been doing “CSP Class of” posts for the past couple of years and we love it. You’re all like our darling pupils… coming into our lives for a year, allowing us to impart our wedding wisdom onto you, occasionally having your moms call us to ask us questions. Then you’re gone and we only see you when you visit (where you probably notice that we look a little older and worse for the wear since the last time you saw us), during which we reminisce about all the things that you worried about leading up to the wedding and how none of it came true (or did, depending). Instead of apples you bring us rum or vodka, and we pat you on the head and then you leave (or really you’re probably patting me on the head due to my very short stature).

Here’s to all the amazing people and places we went in 2013. Here’s to the excitement, the occasional tears, the joy, the on-the-road snacks, sleeping in people’s houses that we don’t know, traversing many state lines, bustling all the dresses, checking for ticks on a constant basis, eating post-wedding nachos, editing all the pictures to really cheesy Netflix dramas that Geoff makes fun of me for (mostly Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill this year… don’t judge me), and to each and every one of you for trusting us with photographing a very important day in your lives… and for the fantastic memories you’ve given us. 2013 was lovely.

Lindsay+Rishi’s Two-Day Wedding(s)

Hey there, readers! Sorry about the long absence. After this wedding at the end of December, we skipped town to be with our families for the holidays and have only recently returned. We’re excited to share our last wedding of 2013 with you and we’re looking forward to the upcoming Year in Review posts in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

So while almost all of you are either currently stressed or were recently stressed about your wedding, Lindsay and Rishi planned two separate weddings over two days the weekend before the holidays. Two ceremonies, two receptions, two different outfits, the whole shebang. So right now we’re declaring Lindsay and Rishi the unofficial queen and king of weddings and that’s that until someone decides to out-do them with three ceremonies in a row (although I can’t guarantee that we’d be able to shoot three ceremonies in a row since we were pretty sore from this). Personally, while I haven’t met him, I hold their cat Bogart personally responsible for their zen-like state in organizing all of this since he looks really put-together on Lindsay’s Instagram account.

Day One was a beautiful Hindu ceremony and day two was a traditional ceremony held at the Umstead Hotel which totally holds up to the rumors about how awesome it is (and how awesome their staff is). There were a lot of sequins. And a little known fact about sequins? They photograph awesomely and all photographers love you when you have sequins (this is a proven, irrefutable fact). There were also little elephants, a grown man who did a lot of karate moves on the dance floor, Randy Bennett – DJ extraordinaire, Christmas lights (also another photographer favorite), some random deer antlers, giant pinecones, and a lot of fun had by all. Thank you to Lindsay, Rishi, and their wonderful and welcoming friends and family, and their ever-helpful bridal party for having us! We had an amazing time. Now I apologize in advance for a super long blog post.

Day One.

Day Two.

Date: December 20th and 21st, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue for Friday: The Embassy Suites // Cary, NC

Ceremony and Reception Venue for Saturday: The Umstead Hotel // Cary, NC

First Dance Song: “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” – Barry White

Lindsay’s Occupation: Special Education Curriculum Designer at Relay Graduate School of Education

Rishi’s Occupation: MBA Candidate at University of Chicago – Booth School of Business

How You Met: At UNC – Chapel Hill

Interesting Bride Fact: The bride’s last name is an amalgam of her parents’ last names, but sans a hyphen.

Interesting Groom Fact: The groom swam with the world’s largest fish, and kicked it in the face.

Honeymoon Destination: Mini-moon in Puerto Rico… honeymoon TBD!

Vendor Credits for Friday: Officiant – Shoba Mehta | DJ – Sitar Player | Florist – Tre Bella Flowers (Becky) | Caterer – Raaga | Hair/Makeup – Salon Blu | Coordinator – Priscilla Erwin of Orangerie Events

Vendor Credits for Saturday: Officiant – Justin Savesky | DJ – Randy Bennett of the Joe Bunn DJ Company | Florist – Tre Bella Flowers (Becky) | Cake – Sweet Memories Bakery | Caterer – The Umstead | Hair/Makeup – Salon Blu | Coordinator – Kelley Ann Ward (The Umstead)

Nicole+Blake // Married!

We had the pleasure of meeting Nicole for the first time several years ago when she was a bridesmaid at a wedding, and now we are so happy to reunite with her gorgeous self and her amazing  husband Blake! They were married a couple weeks ago at the courthouse and are having a reception in January. Like a ton of our couples, they met online (we should start submitting commercials to Match.com, etc. to receive royalties) and had their first date with some friends at the Carolina Ale House where they instantly clicked. They were married a few months later and now both reside in Raleigh with their adorable dog Lily (despite living in North Carolina, Blake still adamantly cheers for the South Carolina Gamecocks, but begrudgingly agrees with that Lily the dog is an NC State fan along with her mother).

These were to be mostly their engagement photos with a few pre-wedding photos thrown in for good measure before the reception. We did a first look with them in their wedding attire after they changed (Blake hadn’t seen her wedding reception dress yet!) and couldn’t have asked for better weather for a girl in a sleeveless wedding dress. :) It was chilly but the sun was out, and there’s not much more you can ask for this time of year! Lake Johnson has special meaning for them so we happily joined them by the edge of the water for these pictures… and were photobombed by a heron. :) Congratulations to the new husband and wife team, and we’re excited to share their reception with you in a few months!

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