Annie+James // Wedding at Shady Wagon Farm

October is, in my humble opinion, the best time for weddings. The light is always amaaaazing and the weather is always perfect and people seem generally more comfortable and relaxed. It’s also my birthday month (yay!!) and we had the good fortune of getting to spend it with this crew. :) When I got to Annie’s hotel room, she presented me with a beautifully wrapped birthday present of adorable ceramic measuring cup whales for spending my birthday weekend with them! LITTLE WHALES!!! We couldn’t be luckier. I was super pleasantly surprised that they a.) remembered my birthday and b.) bought me something, but it turns out that their kindness and generosity seem to be very well known (for obviously good reason).

They’re also have a great sense of humor and a good bit of geekiness to them in the best way possible. James is a bit of a Star Wars nut, much like Geoff, who was led into Geoff’s office/dungeon during our initial consult to see just how many Boba Fett figurines Geoff has (we’re pretty sure they booked us because they were impressed with his collection). He also requested that their harpist learn to play the Imperial March and Cantina Song for their ceremony (she did – it was amazing). It was one of James’s only requests. ;) In addition to them being super sweet and fun, their wedding party totally adopted us and took us under their wing for the night (and they had some of the best dance moves we’ve ever seen). We were super lucky to be at Annie and James’s wedding, and we are thankful to have met such fantastic people!

Date: October 4, 2014

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Shady Wagon Farm // New Hill, North Carolina

First Dance Song: “Everlasting Light” – The Black Keys

Annie’s Occupation: Policy Analyst

James’s Occupation: CAD Team Lead

How You Met: Match.com

Interesting Bride Fact: I have an ongoing ranking system of chocolate chip cookies.

Interesting Groom Fact: I collect Star Wars toys.

Honeymoon Destination: Barcelona, Spain

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Reverend G | DJ – Spin DJ (Ryan Pflumm) | Florist – A Ming Rose Floral Design | Cake – Daisycakes | Caterer – Durham Catering | Hair/Makeup – Onlokation Makeup by Pamela Hung | Coordinator – Your Special Day (Amanda Frystock)

Ashley+Kyle // Raleigh Engagement Session

We liked Ashley and Kyle as soon as we met them. First, Ashley is a bit littler than I am which always makes me happy because I think that’s happened exactly twice, and it enables me to have a lot easier time photographing them because no step stools are involved. Second, they love cats as much as we do and slightly more (Ashley could probably talk me into the pros of adopting twenty more cats if I gave her fifteen minutes and I would be thoroughly convinced). Third, they’re big fans of both zombies and the 1990s… and the song “Zombie” from the 1990s… which Kyle played while proposing to Ashley (if that doesn’t make a girl say yes, I’m not sure what does). So, basically, they’re us, only with a little more cats and slightly less height. We had an awesome time getting to know ourselves a bit better during their session. We did run into a slight hiccup when Ashley stepped into the territory of some unfriendly fire ants, but not before she and Kyle had already defaced the side of a building with their wedding date (don’t worry, it was chalk spray paint, which, amazingly, not only washes off in the rain, but is surprisingly just as bright as normal spray paint!). We’re looking forward to playing some Munchkin with these folks and hanging out with more cats. ;)

Hannah+Harrison // Wedding at Solas

This wedding had so much personality, but we knew that it would from the second we met Hannah and Harrison, and continued once we met Hannah’s parents, and continued again once we met their bridal party and friends. :) Hannah and Harrison (from here on known as H2) were referred to us by their dear friend (and our photography friend!) Melissa Tuck. Her in-laws are great friends with Hannah’s family, and she so graciously referred us for the super important job of documenting this amazing wedding, and we couldn’t be happier. Hannah wore a vintage wedding dress that was worn by both her grandmother and her mother. It had an outstanding hoop skirt and was overall just fantastic. Harrison had on some badass suspenders on both evenings, and can rock a bow tie pretty hard. On day 1, Carolyn was introduced to the concept of “snack cheese” (which, apparently, is just cheese you eat for a snack, but instead of calling it… cheese… you call it “snack cheese”) and was schooled by an eight year old girl on how to tell a frog from a toad. H2 had their first look next to a giant mural of themselves painted on the side of her childhood home by a friend (it features Hannah driving happily with her eyes closed and Harrison being extremely terrified). Then Hannah and Harrison dug up some bourbon that they buried in the backyard, drank it, made some faces, and proceeded to go take pictures with us. Their wedding ceremony was held in Heater Park (where Harrison proposed) in Cary with about fifty people and some yay signs. Their reception was held in the backyard of Hannah’s parents which they had totally redecorated and landscaped for the occasion (it was beautiful). There was a chandelier made out of branches and some tin can people dressed up like a bride and groom. The second night involved a rooftop reception held at Solas in downtown Raleigh. Peter Lamb and the Wolves graced us with their amazing presence (we are super lucky and happy to be joining them for a wedding again in January) and everyone danced the night away (and spilled some glow sticks, which was kind of fascinating. If they break, it spills into a bunch of electric glowing droplets, which, as it turns out, can severely stain your shirt). They talked about epic and legendary family games of Risk, and a good time was had by all.

Date: September 26 and 27, 2014

Ceremony Venue: Heater Park // Cary, NC

Reception Venue (Night 1): Backyard // Private Property

Reception Venue (Night 2): Solas // Raleigh, NC

Hannah’s Occupation: Clinical Research

Harrison’s Occupation: Global Business Intelligence

How You Met: At a party. He thought she was Asian; she was not. Luckily it still turned out ok :)

Interesting Fact: The bride went to the hospital on her bachlorette party because she fell down 2 stairs and knocked herself out.  The groom has impeccable coordination.

Honeymoon Destination: Beach now, Australia/New Zealand later.

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Linda Rhoades | Band – Peter Lamb and the Wolves | Classical Guitar – Mac Ogden | Cake – Blue Moon Bakery | Caterer – Thrills from the Grill (Friday night) and Solas (Saturday night) | Hair/Makeup – The Hair and Face Lounge | Coordinator – Gretchen at RedBird Events | Muralist – Sam Ogden