Life can't get much better when you have a couple in front of your lens who is just head over heels for each other. Carol Anne and Joe have dated for many years and are high school sweethearts. These two went together so easily and just gave my heart the sweetest of notions come wedding day.

Carol Anne and Joe tied the knot at the gorgeous (and I mean gorgeous) Cody Creek located in Dobson, NC. Carol and her bridesmaids got dressed, prepped and ready at the house on top of the hill that overlooked a serene little pond with rolling hills. It was a beauty to sit back and take it all in. It was the first day of many cold days, but that did not stop Carol and her girls from having fun before the day. All of the laughs were heard, and you could tell Carol Anne was beaming from ear to ear. I love this. Every bit.

The couple wanted to do a first look, a private moment together before the bustle of the day. They did this under a giant awning that overlooked that beautiful and quaint little pond, and it was just one of the sweetest sites to see. The look on Joes face was priceless, but I know that moment meant the world.

They married in an adorable little chapel that is also located on the Cody Creek premises. Every single seat was sat, and Carols uncle was the Officiant. I love that little detail. Her uncle almost made me choke up during the ceremony; he talked about how proud he was of Carol and that she became such a wonderful young woman. It was sweet to hear and I know the rest of the guests felt that emotion, as well.

My favorite part of the reception had to have been the mother/son dance and the father/daughter dance. The reception hall was adorned with rustic details, but my favorite were the antlers that hung as chandeliers. This gave me an opportunity to create such a sweet composition, especially with these dances. have I told you that these dances are some of my favorite?

After a night full of dancing and singing, Carol Anne and Joe capped off the night with a sparkler exit. I love how those images came out!

Venue The Depot at Cody Creek
Film Richard Photo Lab

A few years ago Teresa moved to North Carolina for a career opportunity. While on the flight to North Carolina she sat beside a lady who striked up normal conversation with her, you know, the good southern thing to do. Teresa mentioned she was looking for friends in the area as she would know no one; this stranger on the plane said "I know of someone you should meet, I met him a few weeks back on another flight, he is the absolute sweetest man and I think you two would just hit it off!" Teresa, of course, feeling slightly put off by this stranger telling her this, pays no attention but accepts this ladies offer by writing down how to get in touch with him.  Keith, who is the CEO of the Special Olympics, was not hard to find. After a few weeks of living in North Carolina, Teresa decided to take a chance and email Keith, and if anything, they could both joke about how off the situation was. They met for coffee and the rest was history! Seriously, I know it's unheard of but talk about the odds!

I am over the moon about Teresa and Keith's quaint little wedding day! With it's ties to all things "Carolina," I am sure you will find humbleness and maybe even some pudding pie. Teresa and Keith wanted their wedding to be based more so around family, more humble, and down to their roots. Their bridal party was small, consisting of only 1 family member on both sides, and of course their 2 sweet pooches. Yes, they even had bow ties! The venue was set at Top of the Hill in Chapel Hill, NC, overlooking a crowd favorite of Franklin Street. The details surrounding the venue were delicate, small, but impactful. The best detail off the bat was their family crest on a scroll which served as their ceremony backdrop. Everything from the topiary florals to the hummingbird champagne stationary really set the scene for a romantic night.

Wedding Venue Top of the Hill in Chapel Hill, NC
Gown from New York Bride and Groom in Garner, NC
Calligraphy by Danielle Olcott with Mason Dixon Designs
Flowers from Tre Bella Florist in Durham, NC
Music by Stylus
Hair and Makeup by Perfection by Patricia
Shoes by Badgley Mischka
Gown Designer Maggie Sottero
Transportation by Raleigh Rickshaw
Grooms Suit by Kannon's Clothing
Grooms Tie by Alexander Julian

I love it when my couples are one in the same. Carol and Joe are like two peas in a pod and their happiness is contagious! Carol and Joe plan to tie the knot later this upcoming fall at the beautiful and lustrous Cody Creek in Dobson, NC and I can not wait to see them say their "I do's!"  If their wedding is anything like their engagement session, it will surely be a sweet one. I love that this year I have had the chance to document weddings all across the state, especially weddings in western Carolina.

I am particularly fond of their session as it was shot purely on film, and it pulls at my heart strings with their cuteness. The best thing I could ever do for my couples is to make sure I give them intimate moments; gestures people normally don't notice, or genuine laughs that are never captured. It's the little things that people remember and hold close. I am glad to give that to them.

Cheers!

Film Scans by Richard Photo Labs

When your couple tells you that in their travels they make it so that they visit ALL of the breweries together and collect the cute beer mugs from each of them--then you kind of have to give them an awesome engagement session! Marina and Dustin are tieing the knot next October at the beautiful Mayton Inn in Cary, NC, which I think would be perfect for their personalities! Have you been to the hotel?! It's a beauty and has a charm that no other venue can resemble.

Most of our engagement session took place in various areas of downtown Durham, like the Durham Hotel, Alley 26, and even 21C Hotel. We timed our photography session perfectly as we headed to the parking lot that overlooks downtown Durham and the sun set just over the horizon--how lucky were we?!

The kicker? These images were shot on film and I about screamed once my images were developed; I was so happy and I know you will understand why in a few brief seconds. There is something so dreamy about film, the colors are just so true to life and just plain magical. It was amazing to see Marina and Dustin's personalities shine through with each and every image. I had to give them something unique and totally them; after all, their favorite band is Blink 182 and they are pretty much my dream couple right about now, so yeah, there's that.

All film images were processed by Richard Photo Labs.