Category: Weddings

Jen+Leo Get Married in Downtown Raleigh

Leo is from Florida and Jen is from Illinois but they’re both obsessed with downtown Raleigh. This is pretty apparent from Leo’s popular blog on the city’s growth and planning, The Raleigh Connoisseur, and from their constant Twitter streams showing pictures of them out and about in various downtown locations promoting local events and giving suggestions to the city on better ways for Raleigh to grow. And now their obsession with city planning has worked its way into their own wedding. :)

They were engaged in Nash Square downtown, so they decided to hold their wedding there in a beautiful outdoor ceremony with only one small fire engine mishap. ;) Their wedding reception was held at Cobblestone Hall where all of the table names were local streets and the placecards were attached to postcards with a vintage photo of downtown Raleigh. Acorns were appropriately hanging out to identify us as the City of Oaks. :) It was, I think, one of the most couple-appropriate-themes we’ve seen… a theme that was really right for them and a theme that really said a lot about them as a couple. They really love it here and are trying to make Raleigh the best it can be… even spending their honeymoon in Boston essentially researching the city for inspiration. :)

Now. I’m really happy for all the weddings this year so far. And Imma let you finish. But Jen and Leo had one of the best wedding receptions of all time! For real, though. Not only were they our first couple to play both the Beastie Boys and “I’m on a Boat”, but 50% of the guests had cloth napkins tied to their heads. Normally, we eat dinner and eventually the party slowly starts with toasts and some people start dancing, but while I was eating, Jen came up to me and said, “I am so sorry, but I think we’re going to have to start the toasts early. We really can’t hold them off any longer.” These people wanted to party. Now. And party they did. And it was amazing. Also, yes, that couple that you’re seeing in the background is actually familiar to you… it’s our very own Becky+Jake reunion!… complete with excessive pictures of their mutual friend Andy, just like last time. Congratulations, Jen and Leo! We had a fantastic time and we’ll be seeing you around downtown!

First Dance: “A Wink and a Smile” – Harry Connick Jr.

Bride’s Occupation: Writer/Editor – Owner of the Final Drafts

Groom’s Occupation: Engineer

How You Met: Jennifer’s best friend Ginny introduced the pair on St. Patrick’s Day 2008. Months later, they became friends. And several months after that, Leo just had to knnow if Jen felt the same way he did. He asked her out on a date in March 2009.

Interesting Bride Fact: Jennifer is co-author of a book on organizing and also works as a professional organizer. (Interesting couple fact: We went to Australia in 2011.)

Interesting Groom Fact: Leo writes a blog about downtown Raleigh. The Raleigh Connoisseur can be found at dtraleigh.com.

Honeymoon Destination: Boston and Northeastern US

Date: June 2, 2012

Ceremony Venue: Nash Square Park // Raleigh, NC

Reception Venue: Cobblestone Hall // Raleigh, NC

Officiant: Rev. Jennifer Holder

DJ: Island Sound // Frank Hagan

Musicians: Blue Sands Music

Florist: Fallons Flowers

Cake: Cinda’s Creative Cakes

Caterer: Ladyfingers Catering

Hair: Alter Ego // Raleigh, NC

Makeup: Ginger Mullins

Videographer: Events in a Box // Chantel Smith

Michele+David’s Wedding at All Saints Chapel in Raleigh

I loved Michele and David right off the bat for a whole series of reasons: 1. Michele is in vet school and I love people who love animals as much as I do. 2. I don’t think David’s said anything to me in the entire duration of their clienthood that’s involved more that 3 serious, non-sarcastic words in a row. 3. Michele has an awesome yellow sapphire ring and I am a sucker for colored stones. 4. They are totally chill and relaxed in every single way.

And when I mean chill and relaxed, I really mean it. A few of the pictures below look like we posed David in some really GQ way, but in reality that’s just what happens when you point a camera at him. Coincidentally, his daughter Chloe does the exact same thing. I think it must be genetic. Never serious and always messing with everyone within 5 feet of them. David can keep a straight face through his antics most of the time, but I love that Michele can’t… and he keeps her laughing constantly. Michele is so incredibly nice and calm that I remember telling Geoff afterward that it didn’t feel like we had shot a wedding. The whole day was just so ridiculously chill with the closest friends and family. Michele looked gorgeous, David looked handsome, and their daughters Chloe and Arielle were beautiful.  We loved every second with this crew… even if the adults were over a foot taller than me and I was as tall as the ten year old. ;)

A special shout-out and props to Chloe the Salon Dog at Atomic 2 Salon who kept everyone in the best mood all morning because LOOK AT THAT FACE. And Michele, you knew Chloe would be the one opening the blog post, right? ;)

 

First Dance: “Come Away With Me”  – Nora Jones

Bride’s Occupation: Student at NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2015

Groom’s Occupation: Communications

How You Met: Shiki Sushi Restaurant

Interesting Bride Fact: Her family says she’s a professional student

Interesting Groom Fact: He’s a sports trivia guru

Honeymoon Destination: Miami Beach for a week then a 5 day cruise to the Carribean

Date: May 26, 2012

Ceremony and Reception Venue: All Saints Chapel // Raleigh, NC

DJ: Island Sound // Jason Huggins

Florist: Savoir-Faire Event Planning and Management // Elana Walker

Cake: Once in a Blue Moon Bakery

Caterer: We Cook For You // Alvin Cotto

Hair: Atomic 2 Salon // Lynette Martin

Makeup: Makeup Culture // Stephanie Sevilla

Coordinator: Savoir-Faire Event Planning and Management // Elana Walker

Wine: Brandywine Cellars and the Wine Cellar

 

Annie+Michael Got Married in Lakewood, New Jersey and Took Us With Them

I had to go back into my e-mail and refresh my memory. Michael e-mailed me first in December 2010 to inquire about having us photograph him and his fiancee Annalisa’s wedding. They were both from New Jersey, but graduated from NC State and were currently living here and going back and forth over whether or not to have their wedding in NC or NJ. I met with them, we loved each other, they decided to have their wedding in New Jersey, and they decided to take us with them to photograph our first New Jersey wedding (NEAT).

In between booking them for their wedding and their actual wedding, I went over to Annie’s to take photographs of her cat and dog (Pookie and Sabrina, respectively). We got along super well (you’d be surprised how quickly you bond with a stranger when laying on the carpet shaking cat treats around above your head) and realized that we had many similar interests (Annie’s a World War II and True Blood buff and obsessed with cats). One of the things I remember her saying during that time was that Michael wasn’t sure whether or not I would find it appropriate or weird if he friended me on Facebook, and that he wasn’t sure what to do about that, which I found really funny. At some point, Michael came to Annie’s mom’s house just as I was leaving, and asked about bringing Beatles props to their engagement shoot (Michael is a huge Beatles fan, and Annie loves the Doors). At this point, I was really loving the two of them as I was obsessed with the Beatles from about 3rd-8th grade (as I am sure anyone who knew me then can attest to), but the deal was permanently sealed with Geoff shot their engagement session with me, and it was discovered that they both have practically every Seinfeld episode memorized. Um, friends for life? Done.

At some point after the engagement session, they invited us over to their house (they had just bought it!), and we bought them a horror movie anthology collection as a housewarming gift (did we mention they also are horror movie obsessed?). Geoff learned that they have a designated horror movie room that has both a giant Friday the 13th poster and New York Yankees memorabilia… and a bromance was born. They are also the only two people we know who literally have matching his-and-her machetes in preparation for any zombie apocalypses that may occur (very useful people to know although I get kind of nervous whenever Annie brings them out). We’ve been seeing them just about every week ever since. They’re great hang out friends. The type who understand that we don’t actually want to go out, but would rather just sit there and talk or play board games or watch bad movies. We love them. We love them sooo much. And it was such a great honor to be at their wedding as friends now… and to hear Annie’s incredible New Jersey accent in its proper place. And the whole thing went off without incident, too… except a teensy weensy little infection that spread rapidly through the bridal party that caused them to crave brains.

First Dance: “These Arms of Mine” – Otis Redding

Bride’s Occupation: Full time French tutor

Groom’s Occupation: Mortgage QA Analyst at Wells Fargo

How You Met: At a locker in our high school’s hallway in Tom’s River, New Jersey in 2003. We have been together ever since!

Interesting Bride Fact: Has a collection of 72 Chapsticks and “hoards, I mean, collects” fake eylashes

Interesting Groom Fact: I love horror movies… but the classics!!! Such as Friday the 13th, Night of the Living Dead, the Evil Dead, etc.

Honeymoon Destination: The Bahamas – Sandals

Date: May 19, 2012

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Eagle Ridge Golf Club // Lakewood, New Jersey

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn // Lakewood, New Jersey

Officiant: Reverend Patrick Sheehan

Cake: Piece O’ Cake

Hair: Profiles Hair Salon

DJ: Sound Connection Entertainment // Jason Jani