October Wedding at The Bottle Factory Monroe NC 

On Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, I had the supreme pleasure of documenting Joshua Komer’s wedding at The Bottle Factory Monroe NC. I first met this Charlotte-based photo and video journalist at Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC where we were both enrolled in the graduate school photography program. After graduation, I moved to Durham and started Fancy This Photography. My friend Josh, on the other hand, moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota for a summer internship. We could have never predicted that this is the place where he would meet and fall in love with his future wife, Stephanie Proffer. 

Josh joined Grand Forks Herald's newspaper staff as a photography intern the summer of 2015. Stephanie, originally from Missouri, worked at the Herald as a page designer. She became one of Josh's first friends in the unfamiliar town. Early mornings chasing deadlines quickly turned into late evenings playing pool and eating at local diners.

Long story short: Josh caught major feels for Stephanie that summer. But how could a relationship between the two work? After all, Josh had to move back to Charlotte at the end of the summer. Despite the challenge, the pair dated long-distance for six months until the Herald offered Josh a full-time job and he returned to North Dakota/Stephanie. 

Josh and Stephanie outgrew Grand Forks after a few years of dating and documenting local life. So, they packed a UHaul, crated Stephanie's cranky cat, and drove across the country to the East Coast.

They built a new life together in Charlotte, North Carolina. Josh proposed to Stephanie on a romantic getaway to Charleston 18 months later. She said “yes” and they scheduled an October 2020 wedding at The Bottle Factory Monroe NC. Then COVID-19 happened. Keep scrolling for the rest of Josh and Stephanie’s real wedding story!

At 10,000 square feet, The Bottle Factory venue is part of the 1927 Coca Cola Bottle Company that originally resided in Monroe, North Carolina. 

 Intimate Microwedding at The Bottle Factory Monroe NC

In light of the pandemic, Josh and Stephanie had to decide whether or not to go forward with their original wedding plans. They came to the conclusion that it would be best to have a microwedding ceremony at The Bottle Factory Monroe NC on Oct. 10, 2020 without friends and family present. Mr. and Mrs. Komer promised loved ones a second ceremony and reception a year later at the same venue on the same date. 

I, Nikki Whitt Belch, had an incredible time celebrating and photographing these lovebirds (twice!). Josh and Stephanie asked Fancy This Photography to capture both weddings. These two are a true pair; their laughs are in sync and they are a true testament to finding the one that fits. Josh and Stephanie, same time next year? Just kidding … kind of. 

Josh got ready in the Coca Cola Company’s original speakeasy from 1927.

Stephanie’s mother secretly watched the first look from a window on the second-floor of The Bottle Factory.

“I Do” Round Two 

Not many people get to marry their soul mate, let alone twice. And yet, on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, Josh and Stephanie woke up ready to re-celebrate their love. Another unique characteristic of this wedding is the day on which it was held. Most people stray away from Sunday weddings because it’s often more difficult for guests to attend on this day than Saturday. However, I believe that the people who love you will do everything in their power to be present on one of the biggest days of your life. Plus, Sunday weddings have some pros. In my experience, Sunday weddings are typically less stressful and less expensive! Food for thought.   

Nestled in the historic district of Monroe, North Carolina, The Bottle Factory is a warehouse wedding venue with some serious soul. 

“We really liked the vintage, industrial vibes of the space,” says Stephanie. “We felt that it matched our style perfectly.”

Keep scrolling to watch Josh and Stephanie’s second wedding unfold and to learn more about The Bottle Factory in Monroe NC. 

Wedding Day at The Bottle Factory in Monroe NC 

North Carolina is full of diverse venues. Fancy This Photography has captured weddings on working farms, in boutique hotels and atop mountain ranges. One of our favorite event space styles to photograph are warehouse wedding venues. The Bottle Factory in Monroe NC perfectly fits this category. At 10,000 square feet, The Bottle Factory venue is part of the 1927 Coca Cola Bottle Company that originally resided in Monroe. 

The Bottle Factory embraces its history by maintaining original elements - exposed brick walls and ceiling beams, floor-to-ceiling columns, hardwood floors, Coca Cola paraphernalia and my personal favorite, warehouse windows. If you are planning a warehouse wedding, be sure to book a NC wedding photographer who understands light. In warehouse wedding venues you will either have a ton of window light, or a ton of wall space without light. You want to hire a photographer who understands how to appropriately light the subjects in either case.

At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, Josh and Stephanie renewed their vows to one another before friends and family at The Bottle Factory venue.

Intimate Wedding Ceremony & Reception at The Bottle Factory in Monroe NC

At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, Josh and Stephanie renewed their vows to one another before friends and family. The Bottle Factory venue’s industrial-chic interior softened in the glow of twinkle lights and chandeliers hung from exposed ceiling beams. White tulle draped across the event space served as beautiful frames for candid reception photos. 

Josh and Stephanie's second wedding was vintage-industrial with a fall color palette of olive green and burnt orange. All of the table centerpieces were antique or thrifted items that the couple had fun collecting together.

Josh and Stephanie's second wedding had a vintage-industrial style with a fall color palette of olive green and burnt orange.

“Because Josh went to photo school with Nikki, he always knew he wanted her to shoot his wedding. She’s so talented, has a strong perspective and is easy-going and fun to work with.” -Stephanie

"We wanted to infuse a lot of our personalities and interests into our wedding," explains Stephanie. "Each centerpiece included a vintage camera from Josh’s collection. We also made a lot of our décor (the ceremony arch, table numbers, all of the signage, etc.) because we both enjoy building and creating art."

Maid of Honor, Tasha Neuhaus and bridesmaids, Sarah Soles and Tiffany Hardy, looked lovely in olive green bridesmaid dresses. Steve Komer, Josh's brother and Best Man, and groomsman, Jordan Oakley, wore white dress shirts and suspenders. The groom looked dapper in a gray, textured suit and a skinny tie with a warm floral print. 

One of my favorite details was the newspaper-inspired welcome sign, a fun reference to how Josh and Stephanie met!

The wedding reception table centerpieces were antique or thrifted items that Josh and Stephanie had fun collecting together.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Komer! Thank you for choosing Fancy This Photography to capture your wedding at The Bottle Factory Monroe NC. Looking for more warehouse wedding inspiration? Click here to see Katy & Chris’ wedding at The Cotton Room in Durham, North Carolina.

Instead of sparklers, Josh and Stephanie exited their wedding reception through a tunnel of bubbles.

Photographer // Fancy This Photography
Venue // The Bottle Factory Venue
Caterer // The Improper Pig – “The Oinker” Food Truck
DJ // DJ America
Bartenders // Sweet Sips Bartending
Dress // Meagan Kelly Designs via Savvy Bridal

Stephanie & Joshua

A Monroe, NC Mini-Mony

If youre a photographer, then you understand the feeling when you photograph another photographer. Joshua and I became good friends while we we are Randolph Community College finishing our degree in Photography. I have enjoyed seeing this guy and all of his accomplishments over the years—but, more so, his artwork. I even bought one of my very favorite prints from him; an architecture image of a building in Charlotte. He is good with light and has an eye for detail. I have always admired what he sees through his lens.

Joshua and Stephanie had big plans for a fun soiree in October for their wedding, but decided to postpone their big celebration to next year. I love that they decided to go forward with a sweet ceremony on their original date. Next year they will bring the party, which I am very excited about! They married one another at The Bottle Factory, a wedding venue nestled in the historic district of Monroe, North Carolina.

Afterwards, we celebrated by heading around the cutest of little towns and photographed these two together. These images were shot on both film and digital mediums, and I am having a hard time nailing down favorites! I will say, my favorite thing about these two is the way Joshua looks at Stephanie. It is genuine, sweet, and pure. I feel honored to have been able to document them. Big hugs to Stephanie and Joshua!

Special thank you goes to Caleb with Caleb Small Photography; he was a fabulous second shooter.