Katelyn & Chad’s Lake Gaston Wedding by NC Wedding Photographer Fancy This Photography
If tubing is an olympic sport or you have a “Lake Life” car decal, this blog is for you. All jokes aside, Katelyn Messier and Chad Whitaker’s Lake Gaston wedding was epic. Like, jaw-dropping gorgeous - from the processional to the sparkler exit. The best part? They hired me, NC wedding photographer Fancy This Photography AKA Nikki Whitt Belch, to capture the entire event on camera.
Bride Katelyn and Groom Chad stroll with their wedding party along the water’s edge at Lake Gaston.
How Katelyn & Chad’s Love Led to a Lake Gaston Wedding
Katelyn and Chad first met before the start of senior year at Panther Creek High School in Cary, North Carolina. Even though Katelyn attended Appalachian State University and Chad attended N.C. State University, the pair remained romantically attached throughout college. They dated a whopping 11 years (just teasing Chad) before saying “I do” at their Lake Gaston wedding. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
For their 10-year anniversary in July 2020, Chad booked a cabin outside of Asheville. Katelyn says she didn’t expect anything of it. “We love the mountains and had been cooped up in the house, so I looked at it as a getaway for a change of scenery.” On the very first morning of the trip, Chad got down on one knee. Katelyn gave a tearful, albeit shocked “yes” and then the newly-engaged North Carolinians celebrated by taking a hike with their sweet pup Lady.
Aside from booking me (obvi), one of the first vendors that Katelyn and Chad booked was Anthem House wedding and event planning team. This luxury wedding planning team is based out of Raleigh, but can travel anywhere to serve couples on their special day. Real talk - I cannot recommend hiring a professional event planner enough, especially during an ongoing pandemic.
Keep scrolling to read more about Katelyn and Chad’s experience and to witness their Lake Gaston wedding day.
Romantic Rosemont Winery Rehearsal Dinner in Southern Virginia
On Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, Katelyn and Chad kicked-off the weekend of wedding festivities with a rehearsal dinner at Rosemont of Virginia Vineyards & Winery. Located on 450 acres of sprawling farmland in Southern Virginia, Rosemont Winery was the perfect place to welcome friends and family. Don’t be fooled by the winery’s homestate. Even though Rosemont Winery is located in Virginia, it’s less than a 20-minute drive away from Littleton, North Carolina.
Whether you’re looking to hire a NC wedding photographer or a Bracey, Virginia wedding photographer - I’m your girl! Click here to learn more about my services.
Bride-to-be Katelyn, bridesmaids and Lady the dog get ready for a Lake Gaston wedding ceremony.
Bridesmaids lean in for a beautiful group portrait with the bride at Lake Gaston.
Lovely Lake Gaston Wedding Ceremony in Littleton, North Carolina
The next morning, Katelyn and Chad got ready (separately) for their Lake Gaston wedding in Littleton, North Carolina. Their venue, The Whitaker Family Home, is located in Littleton and is planted at the water’s edge. Which is exactly where Chad and Katelyn shared their vows on Oct. 2, 2021. Not only does the lakeside residence have a special place in Chad’s childhood memories, but it was also a place where the Whitaker’s got to know Katelyn and welcomed her into their family. I love to photograph at-home weddings because they are usually filled with priceless family moments and meaningful details.
Katelyn and Chad’s Littleton, North Carolina wedding was no exception. Their Lake Gaston wedding ceremony was intimate and witnessed by approximately 40 guests. Katelyn’s parents, Terri Messier and Gary Messier, presented their daughter to Anne Whitaker and Trampas Whitaker’s son. One of Katelyn and Chad’s closest family friends officiated the waterfront wedding ceremony. Katelyn looked stunning in a Lillian West wedding dress from Maggi Bridal and Chad didn’t look too bad himself, in a gray suit and stormy blue tie from The Black Tux.
The bride and groom shared a romantic first look moment beside Lake Gaston.
An intimate and meaningful Lake Gaston wedding ceremony.
Post-Wedding Ceremony Sunset Boat Ride on Lake Gaston
In case you thought riding off into the sunset was an activity reserved solely for romance novels, I’m here to tell you that you’re mistaken. After Katelyn and Chad said “I do,” kissed and exited their Lake Gaston wedding ceremony, we climbed onto the Whitaker Family steed. AKA their Sylvan pontoon boat. If you know, you know.
One of bride Katelyn’s favorite wedding-day memories included this sunset boat ride on Lake Gaston. As they cruised around and I took golden-hour wedding photos, both Katelyn and Chad took a deep breath, looked around and soaked up the glory of the moment.
“Take in each moment, no matter how small, and do not let anything or anyone take away from the day you married the love of your life!” - Katelyn
If you’re wondering how they stopped fellow lake lovers from honking or blasting music during their Lake Gaston wedding ceremony, peep the sign below.
Golden-hour wedding portraits on Lake Gaston.
Wondering how to keep people on the lake quiet during your waterfront wedding ceremony? Make a sign!
How to Get the Best Golden-Hour Wedding Photos
I give a lot of thought to timing when planning for a couple’s wedding portraits. If you’re getting married outside, I recommend that your wedding ceremony starts right before golden hour, which is the last hour and a half before sunset. For example, since in October, the sun sets between 7 and 7:30 p.m., I suggest a 5 p.m. ceremony start time, so that I can photograph everyone during the pivotal time when the sun is at its prettiest. However, it is perfectly okay if your ceremony is not in the evening. When you’re working with a professional NC or Virginia wedding photographer, they can make any lighting conditions work.
If you ask me, pets make wedding portraits more fun.
Lake Gaston Wedding Reception
After our boat ride and golden-hour wedding photo session, Katelyn and Chad re-joined loved ones at the reception. Y’all, this Lake Gaston wedding reception was one for the books.
Someone please tell me - Is there anything more magical than a clear-top outdoor reception tent filled to the brim with twinkle lights and flowers? This whimsical wedding tent was provided by CE Rental party rental supply store. You could even see the starry night sky from your seat, or if you’re like me, from your position on the dance floor. Just kidding! You will not find me on the dance floor while working a wedding, unless I’m taking live-action dance photos or I’m there as a guest.
This whimsical wedding tent was provided by CE Rental party rental supply store.
You know you’re a fine art wedding photographer when you beautifully frame moments within flower arches.
Love Is in the Details - Lake Gaston Wedding Reception
Katelyn and Chad’s wedding ceremony flower arch by Meristem Floral was repurposed in two ways at their Lake Gaston wedding reception. First, it served as a fun doorway for the newlyweds to make their reception entrance. Second, it functioned as a beautiful backdrop for the cake display table. I love how creative and resourceful my couples are!
In addition to the fab flower arch, Meristem Floral designed a showstopping floral chandelier that hung directly above the dance floor from the center of the tent. A neutral palette with greenery and pops of dusty and stormy blue made up the wedding colors.
After a delicious meal prepared by Rocky Top Catering, guests danced the night away with Bunn DJ Company. Ashley Triggiano’s live painting of the Lake Gaston wedding ceremony provided another unique form of live wedding entertainment. Not to mention, the couple now has a beautiful keepsake to decorate their home. While Katelyn and Chad cut their sweetheart wedding cake, guests dug into pints of their favorite ice cream from Two Roosters.
Love & Lake Gaston Weddings Photographed by Fancy This Photography
It was an honor to photograph Katelyn and Chad’s Lake Gaston wedding ceremony and reception. “Nikki is outstanding and so talented,” says Katelyn. “We have loved every minute of working with her and she knows exactly how to make us feel comfortable in order to capture the moment.”
Today, the newlyweds are living out their happily ever after in Raleigh. Chad works in finance and business operations within the biotech industry and Katelyn is in project management for pharmaceutical companies.
Interested in booking Fancy This Photography for your wedding? Click here to learn more.
Chad and Katelyn were all smiles as they exited their Lake Gaston wedding reception through a tunnel of sparklers.
Photographer // Fancy This Photography
Planner // Anthem House
Caterer & Cake // Rocky Top Catering
Rentals // CE Rental
Florals // Meristem Floral
Live Painting // Ashley Triggiano
Videographer // Wayward North Films
DJ // Bunn DJ Company
Venue // Private Home at Lake Gaston
Rentals // Cottage Luxe
Makeup // Marie Bullock Makeup Artist
Hair // Modern Alchemy NC
Formalwear // The Black Tux
Wedding Dress // Lillian West from Maggi's Bridal
Jewelry // Kendra Scott
Bridesmaid Dresses // Azazie
Paper // Em Paper Co.
Ice Cream // Two Roosters
Rehearsal Dinner // Rosemont Winery
Victoria Wyche and Chris Hollinger were wed on October 15, 2022. The Mill at Rock Creek wedding in Boone NC was a sight to behold.