Suzi+Jason // Wedding in Glen Arbor, Michigan

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

Jamila+James // Wedding at NC Arboretum in Asheville

Greetings from Asheville! Oh man, it was great to be there for the past few weekends because the humidity drops substantially and it was actually cool and wonderful outside for a change! Asheville’s also an awesome place to have a wedding in the States when you have quite the international crowd as these guys did. I believe we had some Brits, a Danish guy, possibly a Finn if we’re remember correctly… and many of them live in Guatemala. :) Jamila and James themselves have been internationally long-distant frequently over the course of their relationship. They met salsa dancing in Guatemala, but Jamila was finishing up her doctorate and residency in Connecticut while James lives in England running his business. But they stuck it out and made it work, and now that their wedding is finally done, and Jamila’s officially a doctor, she’ll be going overseas to live with James in England. :)

They held their wedding in Asheville because Jamila’s family lives there, but also because it’s a beautiful place to take all of their awesome international friends for a gorgeous wedding over the 4th of July. We were super excited to be there and photograph the wedding among a supportive cast of characters who love Jamila and James so much! For instance, check out the lengthy scroll of the Best Men speech below (completely with rainbow stickers and hearts on the back for decoration). That was, in fact, the actual length of the speech, and it was an incredible speech for all ages (I wish we’d have videotaped it, but we kind of were occupied taking photos). Their reception was a crazy amazing dance party where we felt incredibly inadequate comparing our non-existent dancing skills to theirs (but thankfully people don’t pay us to dance). A huge thanks and congratulations to Jamila, James, and their wonderful family and friends for having us in Asheville!

Date: July 5, 2014

Ceremony Venue: NC Arboretum // Asheville, NC

Reception Venue: The Venue // Asheville, NC

First Dance Song: “La Llave De Mi Corazon” – Juan Luis Guerra

Jamila’s Occupation: Doctor

James’s Occupation: Entrepreneur

How You Met: Salsa dancing in a bar in Guatemala through mutual friends

Interesting Fact about Jamila: She still knows all the Disney princess songs by heart and sings them regularly!

Interesting Fact about James: He drove a Guatemalan chicken bus from Kansas City to Antigua, Guatemala. What bus license?

Honeymoon Destination: Maldives!

Vendor Credits: Officiant –Rev. Gary Mitchell (fun fact: was to be Jamila’s high school choir director before he changed careers) | DJ – James Donaldson of Sound Extreme | Florist – Beth Hohensee at FloraDiva | Cake – Karen Donatelli at Donatelli Bakery | Caterer – The Venue | Hair – Adorn Salon | Makeup – Wendy Ballance at Blush | Coordinator – Cassey Barret

Sarah+Joe’s Felicita Wedding in Harrisburg, PA

There are so many good stories entangled in this one wedding that it’s going to be a bit difficult to explain them all to you, but I’ll try.

Once upon a time at WVU, two girls named Diane and Jane were roommates. Diane was dating this other guy on campus named Mike. Mike had a roommate named Rick and Jane thought he was cute. Jane and Rick were introduced. Later, of course, Diane and Mike married. Jane and Rick married. Jane and Rick grew up and had two kids: Sean and Sarah. Diane and Mike had children too, all of whom became very close to Sean and Sarah, but a particularly close friendship grew between their daughter Abi and Sarah. Around this time Geoff (yes, our Geoff) was born in a town far away.

Fast forward several years and Geoff goes to college at RIT and gets introduced to his first (and forever) roommate Sean, Jane’s son. They hit it off right away, and that’s when Sean started intruding on several of our long-distance calling card phone calls to each other in college, and sending me ridiculous pictures of Geoff on AIM. This went on for several years.

Around graduation time, I went up to RIT and was introduced to Rick, Jane, and Sarah, who were all there to see Sean graduate. Everyone graduated (thank goodness) but kept in touch despite us moving to North Carolina and Sean moving to Seattle with his wife Mylissa.
Fast forwarded a few more years and we received and inquiry from a girl named Abi and her fiancé Ryan, who had been referred to us by Jane. We then shot Abi and Ryan’s wedding at WVU in 2011 and were introduced to Mike and Diane and took pictures of Joe but didn’t know him at the time! Then fast forward a few more years and finally we arrive at Sarah and Joe’s inquiry for their upcoming wedding in Harrisburg, PA at Felicita Gardens (a really amazing resort). We were so thrilled to finally get to meet and know Joe (who is an incredible guy!!) and to reunite with Sarah, Sean, Mylissa, Jane, and Rick.

And how’s this for how amazing the whole family is? Sarah let us sleep in her childhood bedroom the night before her wedding while she slept on a futon in the office. Don’t worry – we did try to argue with her and felt really bad, but she insisted. :) We are SO grateful to be a small part of this seriously wonderful group of people, and so honored to have had the opportunity to shoot this lovely wedding. Here’s a few of our favorites. :)

Date: June 28, 2014

Ceremony and Reception Venue: Felicita Garden Resort // Harrisburg, PA

First Dance Song: “Crazy Love” – Van Morrisson

Sarah’s Occupation: Labor and Delivery Nurse

Joe’s Occupation: Elementary School Phys Ed Teacher

How You Met: Like all great love stories… in a bar.

Interesting Fact about Sarah: In college Sarah and three of her bridesmaids once ate a Ben and Jerry’s Vermonster (26 scoops of ice cream) in 1 minute and 48 seconds, defeating ten other teams including one comprised of all UVA football players.

Interesting Fact about Joe: Joe can recite where 98 percent of all NBA players attended college.

Honeymoon Destination: Italy and Greece

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Reverend Christina Ruehl | DJ – Ryan Miller | Florist – Robin Metz | Cake – Camp Hill Bakery | Caterer – C&J Catering | Hair/Makup – Sass Salon | Coordinator – Heather Rohrer