Mary Beth+Brandon // The Cookery Wedding

Mary Beth and Brandon came to us via beloved clients Megan and Carly, so we already knew that we’d like them. Then we liked them more when we found out that they like Twin Peaks, and also cats. Then we liked them even MORE when their first dance was to the Twin Peaks song “Dance of the Dream Man” by Angelo Badalamenti – bonus points for them being totally illuminated by red lights via the Black Lodge, err, I mean, their DJ. Then we liked them EVEN MORE when we got to hang out with them all day at their wedding. They are two of the most thoughtful, kind, gentle people who I want to hug all the time. They had flower crowns and flower necklaces (!) and flower bracelets (!). They planted little popsicle sticks in flower pots for a seating chart. They walked down the aisle together, and planted a tree in a pot for their ceremony, with each of their parents watering it. They treated everyone with kindness and were two of the most gracious wedding hosts. All the vendors were able to sit at a table with the guests and eat (!!) and we were treated so very well. They’re just good people.

The day contained added bonus points for using taking pictures in a neighborhood that contained a friendly neighborhood cat who then, once befriended, we literally could not get rid of. He’s in like, every picture after that unless we cropped him out. He insisted on posing with them and stopped just shy of giving us suggestions and directions and taking over the entire wedding by himself. I know they say that rain on your wedding day is good luck, or pennies in your shoe and stuff, but I’m fairly certain that a cat who’s knowledgeable about photography and inserts himself into every posed picture has to mean SOMETHING, right? I’m guessing it’ll mean like 25 years of the BEST LUCK EVER and then after that just regular good luck. And I hope so, because Mary Beth and Brandon deserve it. So happy to have come across them and to photograph this beautiful wedding at The Cookery’s new space!

Date: June 23, 2018
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Cookery // Durham, NC
First Dance Song: “Dance of the Dream Man” – Angelo Badalamenti
Brandon’s Occupation: Energy Specialist (Mechanical Engineer)
Mary Beth’s Occupation: Speech-Language Pathologist
How You Met: In farm school in Pittsboro, NC in 2008
Interesting Fact: We have crossed paths in many different avenues of life, even prior to officially meeting. Brandon still owes Mary Beth $3 which he borrowed from her at the thrift store in 2008.
Honeymoon: France (Paris, Provence)
Officiant: Michelle Johnson, LCSW
DJ: PlayPlay
Florist: Bluebird Meadows
Cake: Kelley G Cupcakes
Caterer: Snap Pea Catering
Hair/Makeup: Natasha Abe
Coordinator: Events by Emily

Amy+Cullen // Museum of Life and Science Wedding

Amy and Cullen are the bee’s knees. Cute, cute, very cute, and more cute. They are SO fun and SO giggly and basically a photographer’s dream to work with. It poured the morning of their wedding. Like, torrential. And it had been pouring for several days prior. And ground was muddy, yet this would not stop them! Brave and valiant souls, they still wanted to go outside for pictures and had their ceremony in front of the gorgeous butterfly conservatory at the Museum of Life and Science. Thank goodness, too, because that place looks like Jurassic Park and is quite fun to shoot as someone who loves plants, butterflies, and also escaped raptors.

The way these guys found us is kind of fun, as Amy used to do framing. She did the custom framing for this fab family, whom we’ve done photographs for the past several years. They have what I consider to be a bonafide Museum of Carolyn Scott Photography, and I was so glad to meet the gal who did some of their incredible framing! Amy also loves Halloween and was attracted to our bats, much in the same way that we’re attracted to her Nightmare Before Christmas tattoo. It was a match made in heaven. Also, there’s Cullen, who is a wonderfully fun redhead and whom I now possess much reception photo blackmail over, and I’m pretty sure neither one of us would have it any other way. We adored working with this whole crew and were so thrilled the rain held off for this one!

Bonus picture: Geoff feeling incredibly uncomfortable and laughing nervously after a Pittsburgh Steelers-colored butterfly lands on his neck and refuses to leave during the butterfly release ceremony. Occupational hazards of a fluttery nature. ;)

Date: May 19, 2018
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Museum of Life and Science // Durham, NC
First Dance Song: “Past Lives” – Bornes and “There goes our Love Again” – White Lies
Cullen’s Occupation: Account Rep for Nutanix
Amy’s Occupation: Project Manager for 3C Store Fixtures
How You Met: Girl walks in bar, boy works at bar…boy complimented on girl dance moves.
Interesting Fact: Cullen is the rain man of movies and pop culture. There’s is no song that Amy can’t dance to.
Officiant: Lawyer Jonathan Crook (friend)
DJ: Michael Gay of All Around Raleigh DJ
Florist: Fallons Flowers and Libby Baskervill
Cake: Lisa Tedder (Cullen’s Aunt)
Caterer: Porchetta
Hair/Makeup: Rock Paper Scissors

Lara+Mike // Fearrington Wedding

When Lara and I met in person for the first time at her wedding, we instantly clicked, and I instantly loved her. She has a larger-than-life personality… big smile, big laugh, big hair… and she is THE BEST. She is hilarious and has a phenomenal sense of humor and we kept each other highly amused throughout the day. Right before she went up to Mike at their first look, I told her that she could say anything to him: tell him to turn around, go up and hug him, tap him on the shoulder, etc. Whatever she felt like doing. She thought about this for about 0.5 seconds and then said, “I know what I’ll do. You know that Cards Against Humanity card that says, “Mr. Clean, right behind you?” I’ll say that.” And she did. And they both burst out laughing. And it was our first (and possibly last, but I hope not) first look that Cards Against Humanity and/or Mr. Clean, and it was perfect.

Lara and Mike have a really genuine connection and keep each other laughing and giggling and they’re just PRECIOUS. They wanted pictures by the cows. We asked, “What’s your favorite thing about cows?” to which they both looked at each other and went, “MOOOOOO” at exactly the same time. I don’t even know. I just know they’re the best. Because of their love for New Orleans, this wedding had a Second Line (brought to you by Bulltown Strutters who were MAGIC) and a ton of beads (the beads I wore for most of the night were green and shaped like beer mugs). Lara sported a parasol that she was pretty thrilled with. The weather was perfect and the food was delicious and there was even a girl named Carolyn from Pittsburgh who was present. You just can’t beat it. Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Date: May 6, 2018
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Fearrington // Pittsboro, NC
Mike’s Occupation: Professor
Lara’s Occupation: Doctor
How You Met: Tinder!
Officiant: Anna McFarland
DJ: Ninety Nine Entertainment // Jim Unger
Florist/Cake/Catering: Fearrington
Makeup: OnLoKtion Makeup // Pam Hung
Coordinator: Gilda McDaniel
Second Line Band: Bulltown Strutters