A little back story. We shot Abby and Aaron’s engagement session in the Outer Banks earlier this year. We gave them the pictures back while sitting in Mediterranean Deli discussing haunted houses for several hours. They took the pictures home and showed them to one of their flower girls, Caroline. Caroline promptly declared that the pictures were “ok… but the ones of Casey are GREAT.” Casey is their miniature German Shepherd. I quickly developed a very enthusiastic fan club in the 8-12 age range based on one photo of Casey alone (Geoff, despite shooting at the engagement session, was outright dismissed because he didn’t take any photos of just Casey).

Fast forward several months into the future, and I showed up to the salon on their wedding day only to be flanked by flower girls. They were initially nervous around me (having taken that amazing single picture of Casey and many other “ok” pictures of Abby and Aaron, I can understand their star-struck state), but then they quickly became comfortable and started photobombing most of my pictures. Then they got a hold of someone’s DSLR and started documenting me (Abby later sent me an e-mail: “There were 15 photos of you. I condensed for your sake.”). Then they started documenting each other – asking one another to pose. One of the girls would take the photo, while another one of the girls would stand slightly off to the side and say, “Look at the bunny ears!” while she gave bunny ears to the photographer in an apparent effort to put the subject at ease. I could learn something from them.

While this post will mostly contain “ok” pictures of Abby and Aaron, I did photograph Casey at the reception much to the flower girl’s total awe and hopefully she’ll find those photos better than the ones below. To Abby and Aaron – we love you and prepared to be our haunted house buddies here in about a month… and I’m going to make Aaron go back to Mediterranean Deli in order to give you your pictures despite the fact that school is in session so he won’t want to go because of parking/traffic. But it is so delicious!

Date: August 9, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Pelican’s Landing // Corolla, NC

First Dance Song: Jack Johnson

Abby’s Occupation: Office Manager at UNC Chapel Hill

Aaron’s Occupation: Healthcare Reimbursement Analyst at UNC Chapel Hill

How You Met: We were staying at the same hostel in Paris.  She was a travel agent in Chapel Hill and recognized his friends in the internet lounge.  They met again at the hostel’s bar after dinner and hung out.  Later went frollicing under the Eiffel Tower, and met to go to the Louvre the next day.  They met up again a few days later in London and then remained friends in Chapel Hill, later to start dating.

Interesting Bride Fact: She first referred to Aaron as her “boyfriend” to Roy Williams (coach of the UNC basketball team)

Interesting Groom Fact: He can unicycle and juggle, although not at the same time.

Honeymoon Destination: Will decide after the wedding when life has calm down.

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Reverend Heidi Gessner | DJ – DJ Bruce of I Do Entertainment | Florist – Harris Teeter Kitty Hawk for the Bride and Groom | Origami Bouquets/Boutonnieres hand made by very gracious helpers who followed CSP’s previous bride Lauren’s instructions on how to make them! | Cake – Hibou Pasteries | Caterer – Coastal Provisions Market | Hair/Makeup – Eden Day Spa

I had this idea floating around my brain for a while and just kinda needed to get it out. For those who know me well, I don’t take my giant camera gear with me anywhere to take pictures for fun. It kind of feels like taking your paperwork from the office out for an evening stroll. So for fun I use my iPhone or (more recently) an old toy film camera (more on that soon). But – sometimes I have an idea that I want to try that makes me really want to bring out the big guns and just shoot for fun. So this time I did.

A very, very big thank you to everyone involved in bringing this to life! Credit for this 1950s swimsuit model styled shoot goes to:

Model: Katie Markelz

Hair/Makeup: Kristen Henry of Carolina House Handmade

Gracious Use of Her Awesome Pool: Beverly McKernie

Set Director (i.e. mover of pool noodles): Gabby Fekete

The ChaCha: Kathryn Mueller

BBQ Master: Geoff Brown

Concept/Posing: Carolyn Scott

Clothing: Model’s own bathing suits (blue owl suit is a genuine 1940s cotton suit)

Accessories: Model’s own and Makeup Artist’s

Brandie and William are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and it saddens us a bit that they live in Nashville, Tennessee now because we can’t really see them, but we’ve assured them that we’ll come visit (and we mean it) because they are great and because Carolyn is their dog Quinn’s bff. Their other dog, Parker, is slightly less well adjusted (no offense, Parker) and was originally going to be boarded for their wedding after it was decided that he would be too scared to be in the actual ceremony. However, it was also then decided that he would be too scared to be boarded as well, so he came to the wedding but sat upstairs and hid under Brandie’s dress and pouted the whole time, essentially taking the place of a 3-year-old flower girl. Carolyn had to hide her ridiculously high level of enthusiasm that the dogs were there (because they are so cuuuute) and try to avoid taking only pictures of the dogs (look how cuuuuute).

The wedding was held at Brandie’s parents’ backyard in Stem. They bought the property and built the house a few years ago, but the backyard was wooded. They slowly cleared it out and landscaped, building a path and a gazebo for the wedding, and doing an incredible amount of hard work to make it a beautiful place for Brandie and William’s ceremony. Brandie and William put together a ton of the decor (all peacock themed) and transported a car full of cupcakes (and two dogs) all the way from Nashville successfully, which we consider to be a substantial feat. Their officiant had married Brandie’s parents 39 years ago and, coincidentally, her parents won the longest married anniversary dance that same evening. :) At the end of the night their families had put together a fireworks display and Geoff took some beautiful pictures while Carolyn ran and hid in the woods (I’m quite terrified of fireworks). It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we are so grateful for Brandie and William being awesome people and clients! Congratulations! 

Date: August 3, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Brandie’s parents’ home // Stem, NC

First Dance Song: “Lost Without You” – Robin Thicke

Brandie’s Occupation: Med/peds Hospitalist

William’s Occupation: Sales specialist for Home Depot

How You Met: We met in Chapel Hill, NC while visiting friends on Cinco de Mayo

Interesting Bride Fact: Not happy unless reading 4 books at once.

Interesting Groom Fact: He is a Words with Friends champion.

Honeymoon Destination: The Florida Keys

Vendor Credits: Officiant – The Rev. Dr. Edward O. de Bary (Interesting fact: He married Brandie’s parents 39 years ago and is a family friend) | DJ – Tim Hazell from TJDJ Music | Florist – Ashley Jordan Florist | Cake – The Cupcake Collection in Nashville, TN | Caterer – Simply Delicious | Hair – Courtney Difluvio from Urban Edge Salon | Makeup – Dawn Hicks, family friend | Coordinator – Beth Lewis, friend | Landscaping Flowers- Coley Bunch Nursery