Mary Ryan & Dan’s Intimate Wedding

A mini-mony backyard soiree filled with all things Zoom!

“We hired Nikki for our small backyard wedding and she was an absolute dream come true. We LOVE our photos - they look ethereal and magical. She masterfully captured the joy, love and beauty of our day.

But, gorgeous photographs aren’t the only reason she was a dream to work with! She was responsive and cared deeply about making sure she understood what we wanted. She was professional and helpful on our wedding day. And, she delivered our finished photos in record time!

We loved every step of working with Nikki and we hope to do many more shoots with her in the future. Highly recommend! She was worth every penny.” — Mary Ryan, the Bride

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I know Covid-19 sucks. Really, it does. But, I do try to find the light and to be honest—this year has been a year of straight love. Its not the year I, myself, planned; or really, any of my couples had planned, but it has outdone itself with the beautiful elopements and small weddings. I have had the chance to photograph so many fun elopements this year. Its exactly what I have always wanted to do. Silver lining? I meet amazing people like Mary Ryan and Dan.

Mary Ryan and Dan hosted their wedding on their backyard deck. The deck just so happened to host the beautifully painted mandella that Mary Ryan happened to orchestrate during the peak of quarantine this year. It was gorgeous! And how fun that it would have a front row seat to this couples wedding. Their wedding was an intimate soiree that included all of their small close-knit masked family and friends. Those that were not present joined in via zoom, which the computer was strategically placed right in the middle of the “aisle” so that everyone had a front row look.

It was special and unique. Their vows were some of the best I’d ever heard. I mean that. They spoke about social justice, the true meaning of health in this covid-19 world, and beautiful stories that brought them together. I was honored to hear about it. I am even more honored that I was able to document it for them.

Congratulations, Mary Ryan & Dan!

Ariel & Zackary’s Elopement

A covid-19 wedding story that took place in a backyard somewhere in Chapel Hill, NC

Friends, I have the absolute best wedding story hitting the blog right now. The best part? The couple, Ariel and Zackary, will have a one of a kind wedding story unlike any other. Fancies, get ready to see some pretty.

Ariel and Zackary were set to marry at a venue in Raleigh, NC. With the stay at home orders from the governor going in to effect that same weekend as their wedding date, they knew that they could not have the wedding that they previously planned. Instead of cancelling, they decided to postpone their celebration (to this December!), and married on their original date elopement style in a friends backyard in Chapel Hill, NC. Since this ceremony was set to take place in a backyard, the newlywed couple thought it was prime time to bring their dearly beloved cat—Kitty Purry. Yes, if you were wondering about how amazing it felt for me to photograph a wedding with a cat—just know, it was amazing in all ways you could imagine.

Ariel and Zackary tied the knot overlooking a large pool and in front of the prettiest pine trees that North Carolina could boast. Their florals were provided by Rabbit Foot Florals and to be honest, they provided the sweetest touch as the couples backdrop. We all were socially distant, and the best part was that Ariel and Zackary’s family FaceTimed the entire ceremony (thanks to the lovely Officiant’s husband!).

We are all in this together. And, if this coronavirus has taught us anything, its the fact that love prevails.

Special thanks to Sarah P. for putting together an amazing ceremony space and surprise for the couple.

PS In case you were wondering where you may have seen these wedding photographs before…Ariel and Zackary’s wedding was recently featured in the Heart of NC Weddings blog!