This beautiful lady got married this weekend so now I can finally share a few of my favorites from her bridal portraits several months back! The dress that she wore had a hoop skirt.. a HOOP skirt, you guys! It was her grandmother’s wedding dress as well as her mother’s wedding dress and is absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to share her and Harrison’s wedding pictures with you guys… it was a good time. :)
We first met Laura and Josh online as we Skyped with them from their place in Brooklyn, NY. Later, as the wedding got closer, we met with them on their family’s property where the wedding ceremony would take place. They thought I’d be taller. I thought they’d be taller (even though they were still taller than I am). Geoff’s tallness seemed accurate to everyone. These guys are real and authentic. They knew what was going to be “them,” and what wasn’t. Nixing a first look that they thought would be too staged, they opted rather for just kind of running into each other in the hallway of the house. In lieu of a wedding party, they had a group of friends dubbed The Special Helpers from all parts and periods of their life, but with no assigned clothing choices for the wedding and with all sorts of different assigned tasks (that they preformed amazingly – especially the ones wielding fake swords to guard Laura and Josh after the ceremony). They wanted a wedding with their close-knit family and friends involved. Many people played a special part, and the wedding was all about family and community.
Josh’s dad is a Rabbi and, strangely enough, was Laura’s childhood Rabbi despite her not ever meeting Josh until much later, in New York, and online. It’s kind of amazing to see that whole storyline come full circle with Josh’s parents discussing what she was like when she was a little girl at the wedding reception of their son. There was a ton of joy, a lot of laughter, and even (my favorite) Locopops. :) We were so thankful to be able to a part of Laura+Josh’s wedding!
Date: August 17, 2014
Ceremony Venue: Private Residence // Chapel Hill, NC
Reception Venue: Judea Reform Congregation // Durham, NC
Laura’s Occupation: Dancer, dance/yoga teacher for kids and adults, and a graduate student in Education.
Josh’s Occupation: PhD student in Anthropology and Jewish Studies at U Michigan
How You Met: OkCupid in Brooklyn…but it turned out that Josh’s dad was Laura’s childhood rabbi!
Vendor Credits: Officiant – Rabbi John Friedman | DJ – Harren Hunicutt | Florist – Heather Cook | Dessert – Locopops | Caterer – Boxcarr Farms (Austin and Dani) | Hair – Malinda Crump | Makeup – Nikki Johnson | Coordinator – Shind!gs (Heather Cook) | Photobooth – Celebration Photobooth (Paul Syros) | Sound for Ceremony – Brian Pate Entertainment | Dishware – China Dolls | Rentals – American Party Rentals
We first met Suzi and Jason at the wedding of Melanie and Nicole in Durham, a little over a year ago. Suzi was Melanie’s maid of honor and helped us with all sorts of tasks, including (but not limited to) blowdrying Melanie’s wedding dress after taking pictures in a tropical storm, so I loved Suzi instantly. We didn’t get too much of a chance to talk to Jason as we were kinda busy photographing the reception, but we know him well now, and I have to say that these are some of the nicest and most level-headed people in the world. It was hot (very hot) in the sun when we took pictures on the beach at 1pm and while we were all very, very uncomfortable… and sweaty… and sticky and ugggh. And during all that, Jason was super cooperative and never complained and was completely and utterly amazing. This should tell you a lot about him considering he was the only one wearing a black suit. ;) We already knew Suzi was like this after meeting her in NC, but with their powers combined, they were SO NICE. Also, their reception was travel and Dr. Who themed, and who doesn’t like slow dancing with a giant Dr. Who cardboard cut-out? Nobody, that’s who.
When we were asked to photograph their wedding in northern Michigan, we were super excited because going to new states is fun and because being in Michigan in August should’ve, theoretically, been cooler than being in North Carolina in August (turns out that this really isn’t true, but that’s okay). But the best thing we’ve learned from all of this is how beautiful Michigan is! Glen Arbor, where their venue was, had water that was crystal clear and Caribbean blue and it was totally Lake Michigan and I was confused and perplexed but not complaining all at the same time. We drove up to Traverse City from Chicago and had a super scenic and gorgeous drive along the way, and in conclusion, I would recommend going to Michigan because it’s beautiful (also, I had several amazing omelets while I was there).
To Suzi and Jason – we think you’re great, and we’re so thankful to have been able to see Michigan because of the two of you, and we’re sending you big hugs and high-fives from North Carolina!
Date: August 15, 2014
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Homestead Resort // Glen Arbor, Michigan
First Dance Song: “Fields of Gold” – Sting
Suzi’s Occupation: Project Manager
Jason’s Occupation: Sr. Server Administrator
How You Met: Camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes!
Interesting Fact: We are heathens and had a child out of wedlock ;-) and named said child after a Dr. Who character.
Honeymoon Destination: Cinque Terra, Italy (next year)
Vendor Credits: Officiant – Salim Bhabhrawala | DJ – Aaron Wolinski | Florist – Melanie Ballance | Cake – Cate Ackerman | Caterer – The Homestead | Hair/Makeup – Lillyjade Spa at the Homestead | Coordinator – Barb Ellis | Photo Booth – Kristen Richardson
