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

Dear Marcus Savage, I’m not sure if you read this thing, but you basically booked me this wedding. You rule.

Marcus, my musical mentor in high school,  introduced me to a band called the Weakerthans and it quickly became one of my favorite bands. We’d drive around for literally hours when we had nothing to do (back when gas used to be kind of cheap) and listen to them. They’re still one of my favorites and remind me of Marcus and high school and everything else. Thankfully, my musical taste has been totally unwavering throughout the years so they’re still in the forefront of favoriteness, and it totally won us this wedding.

Kelly had been e-mailing me for a while, and we had another wedding in the Outer Banks the weekend that we met them for the consult. I liked them. They looked beachy. That’s the best way I can describe it. They also looked like they liked good music (I have good music sense radar). We sat down. Talked about their wedding for a bit. Somehow got on the topic of music. Asked Danny what bands he liked and listed among his top 3 answers were the Weakerthans, and it was pretty much all over.

I distinctly remember me and Danny getting really excited, and Kelly going, “OHhhhhh, no. Well, that’s it. I’m sure Danny’s made his decision.” It seemed like this had thrown a total wrench in the plans of them making any sort of objective decision about their photographer, and we were IN. Yesss! (Side Note, Marcus: Fallow was Danny and his mom’s first dance song and I may or may not have sang to myself the entire time).

And it’s been great from there. We’ve been in monthly contact with these two for a long time and have looked forward to their wedding for over a year. We stayed in the bridesmaids beach house and were welcomed like family. I’m not entirely sure what Kelly plans on doing with her time now that the wedding is done, or exactly how little sleep she’s been functioning on for the past year due to the following facts:

1. Kelly designed and planned the event herself. She made all of the details. Each table was designed so that the centerpieces on it would reflect and represent each person sitting at the table, so all of the tables were themed differently depending on who sat there. She spent a long time collecting the random things to represent their guests who appreciated it greatly and thought it was awesome.

2. She’s been learning guitar from Danny and they sang their first dance instead of danced it.

3. She booked Paleface, one of Danny’s favorite musicians, to play at the post-rehearsal party at Corolla’s Beer Garden as a surprise for Danny (some pictures included to start off the blog)… who basically wigged out for two solid hours straight.

4. Kelly’s aunt made her dress. Go ahead. Go scroll down and find the dress. Then read this sentence again: KELLY’S AUNT MADE HER DRESS.

So I apologize in advance for the crazy long blog post, but this was a pretty cool weekend staying with this crew. Not only was their wedding on my birthday (yay!) but it was our first wedding on the beach. Ever. Really? We’ve been doing this since 2008 and that was our first wedding on the beach? Way overdue. WAY way overdue.

Date: October 6, 2012 (Happy birthday to meee!)

First Song: Kelly and Danny sang (and played on their guitars) “You Swept Me Away” by the Avett Brothers

Kelly’s Occupation: Professor at ECU

Danny’s Occupation: US Postman

How You Met: We met at brunch at Buddy’s in Richmond, VA

Interesting Bride Fact: Still convinced she’s marrying Seth Avett

Interesting Groom Fact: Danny’s mustache has a mustache

Honeymoon Destination: Pacific Northwest camping road trip

Ceremony and Reception Location: Pelican’s Landing // Corolla, NC Outer Banks

Officiant: Rev. Shirley Anne

DJ: DJ Bruce Jones

Florist: Bells and Whistles

Cake: Petite Sweets by Mary Lou Schomburg

Caterer: Costal Provisions Market

Hair/Makeup: Salon Blonde // Greenville, NC

Coordinator: A Premiere Event // Heather Clark

Tent: Sperry Tent by Skyline Tent Company // Charlottesville, VA