Category: Weddings

Bridgett+Michael’s Wedding at the National Aviary // Pittsburgh, PA

Bridgett is one of Carolyn’s best friends from college (go Point Park!) and, together with Mr. Greg Burks, pretty much solely responsible for my career as a wedding photographer. Bridgett credits me at the end of the post saying that I’m responsible for her taking her wedding photography business full-time, but Bridgett’s responsible for me doing anything regarding photography at all, so I think I have the trump card maybe. ;) I followed Bridgett and Greg around, looked at their photos, listened to them talk about editing, and they inspired me to start taking pictures myself. So Bridgett has played a major role in my life in many ways, and I was super honored to be her wedding photographer (and terrified, because let’s face it, it’s kind of hard to be a wedding photographer’s photographer).

But we were also ridiculously excited. Excited to see Bridgett get married, and excited to meet Michael who is so perfect for Bridgett that it’s amazing to see. Michael’s also heavily obsessed with the Beatles which is something I can appreciate being heavily obsessed with them myself, and he’s into video games which charms Geoff every time. Plus! Their wedding was in Pittsburgh and held at the National Aviary, where I used to go with my family a ton when my sister and I were little (I’ve only been pooped on once!). The best part of having your wedding at the National Aviary: the macaw and penguin visiting your wedding guests. Of course, I wish the penguin was more free roaming… perhaps in a tuxedo on top of his nature-made tuxedo and casually walking amongst the guests, but we understood why his safety was in jeopardy (because he is so awesome!!1) and we resigned to just waving at him excitedly from a distance. The birds inside the Aviary didn’t come out for our portraits with Bridgett and Michael, but it’s probably just as well to avoid getting pooped on in a wedding dress.

Bridgett and Michael – we love you both very much and were thrilled to have the opportunity to be trusted to document this for you. We had the best time and were so happy to see you guys be so happy in a happy place together with happy friends and happy family. Congratulations, friends. :)

Date: August 24, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The National Aviary // Pittsburgh, PA

First Dance Song: “Something” – The Beatles

Bridgett’s Occupation: Event Photographer

Michael’s Occupation: Computer Support Technician (IT guy) for MARC USA

How You Met: We met while working at the Apple Store in Shadyside.

Interesting Bride Fact: Carolyn Scott is responsible for inspiring Bridgett to take her photography business full-time.

Interesting Groom Fact: Michael is a technology fiend, a video game extraordinaire, and believes in love above all else (inspired by the Beatles).

Honeymoon Destination: Secrets Maroma in Riviera Maya, Mexico – we have a swim-up room!

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Christian Kriegescotte (friend) | DJ – Sean Nice | Florist – Summer Blossoms by Nancy Orr (friend) | Cake – Oakmont Bakery | Caterer – Atria’s | Hair/Makeup – ROOTS Hair and Nail Salon | Videographer – Fineline Weddings

Abby+Aaron’s Wedding in the Outer Banks

A little back story. We shot Abby and Aaron’s engagement session in the Outer Banks earlier this year. We gave them the pictures back while sitting in Mediterranean Deli discussing haunted houses for several hours. They took the pictures home and showed them to one of their flower girls, Caroline. Caroline promptly declared that the pictures were “ok… but the ones of Casey are GREAT.” Casey is their miniature German Shepherd. I quickly developed a very enthusiastic fan club in the 8-12 age range based on one photo of Casey alone (Geoff, despite shooting at the engagement session, was outright dismissed because he didn’t take any photos of just Casey).

Fast forward several months into the future, and I showed up to the salon on their wedding day only to be flanked by flower girls. They were initially nervous around me (having taken that amazing single picture of Casey and many other “ok” pictures of Abby and Aaron, I can understand their star-struck state), but then they quickly became comfortable and started photobombing most of my pictures. Then they got a hold of someone’s DSLR and started documenting me (Abby later sent me an e-mail: “There were 15 photos of you. I condensed for your sake.”). Then they started documenting each other – asking one another to pose. One of the girls would take the photo, while another one of the girls would stand slightly off to the side and say, “Look at the bunny ears!” while she gave bunny ears to the photographer in an apparent effort to put the subject at ease. I could learn something from them.

While this post will mostly contain “ok” pictures of Abby and Aaron, I did photograph Casey at the reception much to the flower girl’s total awe and hopefully she’ll find those photos better than the ones below. To Abby and Aaron – we love you and prepared to be our haunted house buddies here in about a month… and I’m going to make Aaron go back to Mediterranean Deli in order to give you your pictures despite the fact that school is in session so he won’t want to go because of parking/traffic. But it is so delicious!

Date: August 9, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Pelican’s Landing // Corolla, NC

First Dance Song: Jack Johnson

Abby’s Occupation: Office Manager at UNC Chapel Hill

Aaron’s Occupation: Healthcare Reimbursement Analyst at UNC Chapel Hill

How You Met: We were staying at the same hostel in Paris.  She was a travel agent in Chapel Hill and recognized his friends in the internet lounge.  They met again at the hostel’s bar after dinner and hung out.  Later went frollicing under the Eiffel Tower, and met to go to the Louvre the next day.  They met up again a few days later in London and then remained friends in Chapel Hill, later to start dating.

Interesting Bride Fact: She first referred to Aaron as her “boyfriend” to Roy Williams (coach of the UNC basketball team)

Interesting Groom Fact: He can unicycle and juggle, although not at the same time.

Honeymoon Destination: Will decide after the wedding when life has calm down.

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Reverend Heidi Gessner | DJ – DJ Bruce of I Do Entertainment | Florist – Harris Teeter Kitty Hawk for the Bride and Groom | Origami Bouquets/Boutonnieres hand made by very gracious helpers who followed CSP’s previous bride Lauren’s instructions on how to make them! | Cake – Hibou Pasteries | Caterer – Coastal Provisions Market | Hair/Makeup – Eden Day Spa

Brandie+William’s Backyard Wedding

Brandie and William are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet and it saddens us a bit that they live in Nashville, Tennessee now because we can’t really see them, but we’ve assured them that we’ll come visit (and we mean it) because they are great and because Carolyn is their dog Quinn’s bff. Their other dog, Parker, is slightly less well adjusted (no offense, Parker) and was originally going to be boarded for their wedding after it was decided that he would be too scared to be in the actual ceremony. However, it was also then decided that he would be too scared to be boarded as well, so he came to the wedding but sat upstairs and hid under Brandie’s dress and pouted the whole time, essentially taking the place of a 3-year-old flower girl. Carolyn had to hide her ridiculously high level of enthusiasm that the dogs were there (because they are so cuuuute) and try to avoid taking only pictures of the dogs (look how cuuuuute).

The wedding was held at Brandie’s parents’ backyard in Stem. They bought the property and built the house a few years ago, but the backyard was wooded. They slowly cleared it out and landscaped, building a path and a gazebo for the wedding, and doing an incredible amount of hard work to make it a beautiful place for Brandie and William’s ceremony. Brandie and William put together a ton of the decor (all peacock themed) and transported a car full of cupcakes (and two dogs) all the way from Nashville successfully, which we consider to be a substantial feat. Their officiant had married Brandie’s parents 39 years ago and, coincidentally, her parents won the longest married anniversary dance that same evening. :) At the end of the night their families had put together a fireworks display and Geoff took some beautiful pictures while Carolyn ran and hid in the woods (I’m quite terrified of fireworks). It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we are so grateful for Brandie and William being awesome people and clients! Congratulations! 

Date: August 3, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Brandie’s parents’ home // Stem, NC

First Dance Song: “Lost Without You” – Robin Thicke

Brandie’s Occupation: Med/peds Hospitalist

William’s Occupation: Sales specialist for Home Depot

How You Met: We met in Chapel Hill, NC while visiting friends on Cinco de Mayo

Interesting Bride Fact: Not happy unless reading 4 books at once.

Interesting Groom Fact: He is a Words with Friends champion.

Honeymoon Destination: The Florida Keys

Vendor Credits: Officiant – The Rev. Dr. Edward O. de Bary (Interesting fact: He married Brandie’s parents 39 years ago and is a family friend) | DJ – Tim Hazell from TJDJ Music | Florist – Ashley Jordan Florist | Cake – The Cupcake Collection in Nashville, TN | Caterer – Simply Delicious | Hair – Courtney Difluvio from Urban Edge Salon | Makeup – Dawn Hicks, family friend | Coordinator – Beth Lewis, friend | Landscaping Flowers- Coley Bunch Nursery