I am absolutely thrilled this morning to see Desiree and Marty’s wedding featured on the Southern Weddings blog!!! Thank you SO much, Lara and Danielle!!!
Monthly Archives: July 2008
Alenna and Doug had the most wonderful wedding! The ceremony was at one of my absolute favorite places – The Basilica of St. Lawrence. The cathedral is magnificent! Of couse, there are a lot of rules, but it is still hands down the biggest, prettiest church. After we finished up the family photos, I asked the church coordinator if we could go up in the choir loft. Both she and the organist responded that it was so dirty up there and were questioning why I would possibly want to do that. The resulting shots are some of my all time favorites!!!
The couple, their families and bridal party rode from downtown to Crest Center by Asheville Historic Trolley. Alenna was super excited about the trip. It was rainy and windy, but totally fun! I love the photo of their reflection in the trolley mirror.
Alenna was so happy and radiant! I LOVE radiant brides!!!! Her dress from Dar-Lynn’s in Charlotte was stunning. I couldn’t stop taking pictures of her! I LOVE the shots from our mini-fashion shoot in the women’s restroom. The shot in front of the Audrey Hepburn photos is a new favorite!
Karen from Brown’s Floral Design made her funky cool Gerber bouquet and other fun flowers. The cake with photos of the couple on all the sides was by Juanita of The Bake Shoppe. I was so thrilled to see several engagement photos, especially the hilarious photo of their dog Jack, on the cake! A bundle of nerves, a snug dress and lack of digestion resulted in a bride not feeling so well and an outfit change. Doug got to hang out in the women’s restroom while some decisions were made. Alenna was able to make it through the rest of the reception and tons of fun was had by everyone!
Alenna played a trick on Doug! Alenna is a NC State grad and Doug is a Carolina alum. (See get to know post below). Well, normally the garter is the groom’s university. She was such a prankster and had the bright red State garter hidden. Everyone was in on it, too! Poor Doug’s face just dropped and then all the Wolfpack fans started with their wolf signs. It was just mean! GO TARHEELS! lol!!!
The Crest Center faces west and usually there is a nice sunset. For their wedding, especially after the rain, it was unbelievable!!!! Bright pinks and oranges. I think if Alenna had still had her dress on we would be looking at possible billboard material!
A huge thanks to Danny Wilson for all his help on this one. I love having him 2nd shoot with me.
When I was in Raleigh for baby Sophia’s baptism, I finally got to meet Carrie and Carl in person. I had emailed back and forth with Carrie and talked to her on the telephone, so it was great to finally meet her and Carl. They love being outdoors and hiking. We met at Umstead State Park that lies between Raleigh, Cary and Durham. We were really lucky to get a day with nice weather, temperatures that were actually quite mild and some seriously awesome late afternoon light!
Carrie and Carl were so much fun! We walked around in the woods to several different spots, chatting about them and their September wedding at Homewood and Coleman Place. This is the year of the TALL groom! I think Carl said he is 6′5″, which is just a little shorter than Barron. Since I am so vertically challenged, it is always interesting photographing someone so much taller! About the same time last year, I got posion oak on an esession and I was trying to be so careful. Apparently, it was growing up the side of a log I sat on, because I spent the next 3 weeks with a miserable rash up the back of my leg.
Alenna and Doug were one of the 8 couples that I met at the Wedding Festivals bridal show in January that hired me! I had only talked to them briefly in the middle of all that chaos and then on the telephone before they hired me. After a few times being rained out attempting to do the engagement portraits in Blowing Rock, I ended up making the trek to Charlotte for their “get to know you” session. When I pulled up to their home, the first thing I noticed was their “house divided” flag. Of course, I had to have them sit on the front steps for a few photos. Much to my surprise, Alenna is the NC State grad and Doug is the Carolina guy. This is not their only difference! Alenna is so bubbly and constantly smiling and laughing. Doug is a lot more reserved and laid back. They compliment each other perfectly!
We went to the park where they enjoy spending time. On the way there, I saw one of my favorite things – trees draped with loads and loads of wisteria. I had always wanted to shoot a portrait with wisteria, so I suggested we stop there on the way back. Little did I know that we would have to carefully walk down the side of a busy road to an interstate overpass bridge to get to it. Alenna and Doug were such troopers – I love it when a couple trusts what I want them to do.
Back at their house, we did some shots with their dog Jack. One shot with a closeup of his nose looks like the series THE DOG. Alenna and Doug emailed that they laughed so hard over that photo. Little did I know it would make the cake!
My grandmother rode in the Balsam July 4th parade less than 2 months before she passed away in 2006. She was so happy to be included in the parade, since she had lived in our little community for over 75 years. I miss her a lot, especially today. Happy Fourth of July!
