Amber+Kevin // A Winston-Salem Wedding

Amber and Kevin have been client gems for many months now and we’ve been so lucky to have them! Not only do they like cats (check) and Star Wars (check) and The Walking Dead (check) and Game of Thrones (check) but they are also going to Costa Rica for their honeymoon which is where we went (check) AND are rad enough people to not let a decent amount of really cold rain and weather get them down for their wedding. We were planning on doing their portraits around Old Salem (which is so cute from what I saw on the trolley) but due to pretty significant rainfall and super cold conditions we headed straight for the WONDERFULLY ADORABLE covered bridge instead and took over. Not a bad rain plan for pictures at all. Amber and Kevin remained positive and adorable themselves and had a great time, so rain didn’t spoil this parade. And I am loving all these winter stoles! Not only do they look cute but I do get them to wear them occasionally for half the time shooting so they also keep me warm as well (that’s the only reason why I have brides sometimes remove them).

Prior to the pictures, Amber and Kevin were married at the Trinity Moravian Church in a ceremony that included some sweet traditions. A unity candle was lit first, then Amber and Kevin passed that light to their own candles, then to the wedding party members, and out into every wedding guest present. Amber was also wearing a pink ribbon prior to the ceremony, which was changed into a blue ribbon by her mother to signify a married woman in accordance with Moravian traditions. Then we froze outside for a while on a bridge. Then we went to Footnote to celebrate with dancing and cake and some Pearl Jam (yessss). It was a beautiful day for these two stellar people, and we wish them the best of luck in their lives in Oklahoma! So glad we were your photographers!

Date: December 1, 2018
Ceremony Venue: Trinity Moravian Church // Winston-Salem, NC
Reception Venue: Footnote // Winston-Salem, NC
First Dance Song: “Tennessee Whiskey” – Chris Stapleton
Kevin’s Occupation: Senior Assistant Manager for Discount Tire
Amber’s Occupation: Aduiologist
How You Met: We lived in the same apartment building and Kevin finally got the nerve to actually ask Amber out… as we were both on the way to the grocery store. One grocery trip and another actual date for sushi, cocktails, and a late night drive was the start of the best forever!
Interesting Fact: Kevin has taught Amber more about Star Wars than she ever wanted to know, and is very envious of Geoff’s Boba Fett tattoo. Amber taught Kevin he actually likes vegetables (here’s looking at you, kale and brussels sprouts!). We enjoy watching The Walking Dead, GoT, and The Big Bang Theory together. We have a two cats; Louie the OG kitty and Bruce the new kitten. Louie and Kevin will not admit that they are best best friends.
Honeymoon: Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica in May 2019
Officiant: Reverend Joe Moore
DJ: Dow Oak Events
Florist: Beverly’s Flowers
Cake: Savannah Brodar (Amber’s cousin)
Caterer: Footnote
Hair/Makeup: Elyse Jerome
Coordinator: Perfect Pair Events
Church Coordinator: Sara Gentle
Transportation: Triad Trolleys

Olivia+Gunnar // Raleigh Elopement

Olivia and Gunnar eloped in Raleigh in mid-November and had their closest family and friends in from out of town to stay at a big house in Raleigh to celebrate with them. Olivia and Gunnar are originally from Alabama but recently moved to the area for jobs, and we’re so glad they did! They are awesome people who are super sweet and like key lime pie. And I automatically trust anyone who loves key lime pie. They enjoy cooking together and are pretty into food. But, so is their dog, and upon returning from a honeymoon in Ireland where they brought home chopsticks from one of their favorite restaurants there, their dog dug through their bag and ate said chopsticks. You can’t with ’em all. They told us of driving through Ireland on the wrong side of the road which sounded terrifying, and they told us about black pudding which sounds totally disgusting, but beyond that, Ireland sounds really great and it’s still high on our list of places to visit someday (just without the black pudding maybe). At home, Gunnar likes video games and building computers and doing techie things, and Olivia likes all things true crime and watching movies (and we all agree that Pet Semetary definitely should not be remade as it’s perfect in its original form). We had a great time meeting their families at their elopement in Raleigh, and then a great time on a slightly drier day photographing them in Durham. Thanks for finding us, Olivia and Gunnar, and may you have many more chopsticks someday that your dog doesn’t eat. Congratulations!

Amanda+Joe // Wake Forest Family Session Part 2

Remember Amanda, Joe, Michael, Lucien, and Aria from this summer? Amanda was pregnant then, and the boys were so excited. They didn’t know if they’d have a new sister or brother, but they were cool with either, and just so excited to help their mom and dad. Amanda and Joe planned a home birth, and Michael was to announce the sex of the baby. But, as it often does, life got a little bit in the way: a bad house flood caused by a hot water tank that happened while they were on vacation put a damper on things, causing the family to have to live elsewhere during home repairs while 36-40 weeks pregnant. However, a family friend quickly and successfully fixed their home good as new (including beautiful new hardwood floors!) and Fiona, their new baby girl, was born on September 15th successfully at home on the morning of Hurricane Florence. Michael was indeed able to announce to everyone that they had a new little sister, and now another girl joins the ranks of the household, evening up the numbers to 3 girls and 3 boys (yes, of course I am counting Aria the Husky as a member of the family). So happy for all of them! It was so fun to document them again. They’re such a tight knit group, and the boys are obsessed with their little sister! We had a great time taking some updated shots around the house (Amanda was especially interested in documenting the family dynamics pre and post new baby), and then walking along the beautiful greenway near their home where Amanda, a super talented photographer herself, often likes to shoot. Such a great time working with this fabulous family again!