Katherine+Jon // Raleigh Engagement

Katherine and Jon are pretty stellar and I’m not just saying that because we have a creepy amount in common and I’d like to think Geoff and I are cooler than we actually are. We are super excited to shoot their wedding next summer at the Merrimon-Wynne House and also to run into them at weird, random concerts between now and then. Jon is one of two really, really excited clients named Jon/John Rush fans that we’ve had this year and we always appreciate those with a deep love for Geddy Lee. Katherine and Jon also love Brand New, one of Geoff and I’s favorite bands, that we all saw this summer along with several other clients in a big, Brand New love fest.

In an obvious connection upon seeing either one of us, Katherine and I are both very short and Geoff and Jon are normal-people sized, so it was only logical for both her and I to dress up as Eleven from Stranger Things for Halloween this year (me with a shaved head, Katherine with her blonde hair). Jon went as Dr. Martin Brenner and Geoff went as the Demogorgon. Twinning and winning. Or, you know, at least getting candy.

We followed them around Raleigh for their engagement session, a city that they love very much and where they had their first date, and then continued on to NC State where we took a few more pictures of them and then watched as Jon drove his car to a lake and lovingly gazed at it for a long time (Katherine was there too but it was mostly about the car). We’ll keep you updated as to whether or not the car makes an appearance at the wedding. We’d assume it would be the getaway car, but I feel like there’s a fair chance we could see it take part in the lighting of the unity candle or something.

Hannah+David // Durham Wedding

Hannah and David had a wonderful afternoon wedding at the Cotton Room. Both of them are absolute pictures of calm. The 100% cool and collected expression Hannah is wearing through this entire blog post is not carefully curated; she was just like that all of the time. And I’m pretty sure she can give Tyra a run for the money in a closed-mouth-smile competition. Also, she kind of reminds me of Natalie Portman. Plus, she wore a lace dress with this awesome detachable skirt thing made of tulle. It’s kind of like a veil, but for the lower half of your body instead of your head. I love Hannah and it is obvious.

It is also very obvious that David loves Hannah, as he spent most of the day lovingly gazing at her and why wouldn’t he?! Of course he would. David is wonderfully kind and charming and was so sweet to us all day… making sure we ate and were okay and thanking us for being there. They are just the best. It’s kind of how I picture the wedding of any sort of royal prince and princess in maybe England or something. Is that weird? Maybe. Anyway, we had a lovely time, and then dragged poor Hannah and David into the mosquito infested woods of Durham to take pictures of them post-wedding (yes, both of them looked this good after their entire wedding, which is pretty unbelievable). Congratulations to two wonderful people – we were so happy to photograph your wedding!

  • Date: October 1, 2016
  • Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Cotton Room // Durham, NC
  • First Dance Song: “Forever” – Ben Harper
  • Hannah’s Occupation: CPA
  • David’s Occupation: Renewable Energy Business Development
  • How You Met: Slim’s Downtown Raleigh – first met and then met again a year later at which point we started dating
  • Interesting Fact: David loves dogs and is allergic to cats but has grown quite fond of Hannah’s cat. The dog and cat have grown quite fond of one another too!   Hannah is a vegetarian. David is not – but graciously compliments each vegetarian dinner Hannah makes – even when he wishes they contain meat :)
  • Honeymoon: Sedona, AZ
  • Vendor Credits: Officiant – Reverend Felix (Tony) Futtrell. DJ – Island Sound (Frankie). Florist – English Garden. Cake – Ashley Cakes. Caterer – The Cotton Room/Triangle Catering. Hair/Makeup – Makeup for Your Day. Coordinator – Shelley Clayton. Exit Car – Dave’s Car.

Chelsea+Austin // Chapel Hill Carriage House Wedding

Any wedding that has goats and/or paper cranes automatically gets an A+, but when you add in some stuffed animal versions of the stomach-bursting and face-eating aliens from Alien, you reach a whole new wedding level. Then there was hula hooping and one very charming ring bearer and also an entirely gluten free food truck (thanks, Deli-icious!) and a wedding party who looked damn good all in different “costumes” that Chelsea had picked out. Austin shaved his head. The wedding guests sat down in their seats for the ceremony but then got rained out, left their seats, only to come back like 10 minutes later when the rain stopped. There was a bagpiper and an alpaca. And the DJ played “Space Oddity” and “Birdhouse in Your Soul.” There were gummy bears too. The wedding exit involved whipping the bride and groom with Jiu Jitsu belts. And there was not just a regular goat but a baby goat.

Yet, even if the above things hadn’t happened and Chelsea and Austin would’ve just gotten married in a little patch of grass somewhere, it would’ve been just as charming and lovely because Chelsea and Austin are two amazing people. They love each other a lot, and it shows. They’re fun. And happy. But you know what? The goats and everything were seriously awesome so I’m blogging it all.

  • Date: September 3, 2016
  • Ceremony + Reception Venue: Chapel Hill Carriage House // Chapel Hill, NC
  • First Dance Song: “The Book of Love” – Magnetic Fields
  • Chelsea’s Occupation: Whole Foods grocery stocker
  • Austin’s Occupation: Physical Therapist
  • How You Met: College. I asked Austin if he could fix my computer. He couldn’t. I let that slide.
  • Interesting Fact: We both do Jiu Jitsu. We have been together 11 years. Austin is a ninja. Chelsea knows American Sign Language and is a freelance costume designer.
  • Vendor Credits: Officiant –Rabbi Marc Kline. DJ – Kate Steiman. Cake – The Cupcake Bar. Food Trucks – Porchetta, Chirba Chirba Chinese Dumplings, and Deli-icious. Videographer – Alex Maness. Coordinator – Lynn Scott of Happily Ever After. Chapel Hill Carriage House Owner – Brenda Leeper.