Michelle+Richard // Raleigh Wedding

Michelle fulfilled my ongoing search for the unicorn bride: tattoos, short hair, and tea-length dress. Richard knows a lot about Star Wars. Together, they had cat-themed thank you gifts and a guest book consisting of two framed artwork portraits of cats in formalwear. Bonus bonus bonus points: Michelle is gluten-free so I could eat everything at this wedding, including all of the flavors of cupcakes, of which I had both chocolate and lemon (thank you, JP’s Pastry, for making me a very happy woman on this day). They were married on a very hot and sunny day at Fred Fletcher Park near downtown Raleigh amid some blooming Magnolia trees, an old and beautiful historic building, and some bridesmaids wearing fake mustaches. We laughed, we cried, we watched people do the Single Ladies dance. All in a fantastic day’s work for these two very awesome people.

Polka dot wedding dress Groom getting ready Blue and white striped shoes Bridesmaids getting ready Groom putting on shoes Raleigh Wedding Photographers Groom putting on tie Bridesmaid getting ready Bride getting hair done Groomsmen in hotel Borden Building Raleigh Bride putting on shoes Bride with tattoos Borden Building Wedding Wedding at Borden Building Raleigh Bride getting ready First Look Bridesmaids laughing Groomsmen portrait Bridesmaid with fake mustache Couple cuddling Raleigh wedding portrait Outdoor wedding in Raleigh NC Wedding at Fred Fletcher Park Fletcher Park Raleigh NC Outdoor wedding venues Raleigh NC Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bride with tattoos Groom portrait Raleigh NC Bride walking down the aisle Couple getting married Fred Fletcher Park Wedding Fred Fletcher Park Wedding First kiss Receiving Line at Wedding Borden Building Wedding Reception Cat signature guest book Kids playing at wedding Coffee wedding favors Wedding reception Wedding reception Cute kid with hat Wedding reception guests Cupcakes Fletcher Park Wedding Reception Kid jumping in park Kids playing in park Outdoor wedding venue Raleigh NC Couple first dance Raleigh Fletcher Park Wedding Reception Father Daughter Dance Father Daughter Dance Fletcher Park wedding reception Raleigh Wedding Photographers Outdoor reception Raleigh NC Wedding Reception Raleigh, NC Fred Fletcher Park Wedding Raleigh NC Wedding Reception Raleigh NC Borden Building Wedding Raleigh NC Wedding Reception Raleigh NC Borden Building wedding Fletcher Park Borden Building wedding Fletcher Park Dancing at wedding reception Ring bearer at reception Groom dancing with mother-in-law Guests dancing DJ Alex Choi of Vox DJ Borden Building Raleigh Bride playing frisbee Night sky Wedding reception Raleigh Wedding Photographers Wedding Reception Wedding Reception
  • Date: May 23, 2015
  • Ceremony + Reception Site: Borden Building at Fred Fletcher Park
  • First Dance Song: “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys
  • Occupations: Richard is starting as an assistant professor and Michelle is starting a position in social research at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in August.
  • How You Met: Wet met in graduate school at NCSU – Richard was two years ahead of Michelle in the sociology program.
  • Interesting Fact: Richard and Michelle play a lot of board games together.
  • Honeymoon: England for work/mini-honeymoon in June, and then a full honeymoon to a beach resort in December.
  • Vendor Credits: Officiant – Rev. Ingrid Weber Sagula | DJ – Alex Choi of Vox DJ Company | Cake – JP’s Pastry | Caterer – Irregardless Cafe | Cat Print Guest Book – Ryan Berkley Illustration

Mckenzie+Bob Get Married in Raleigh

When we first met Bob, he was deathly afraid of cats (see his interesting fact below). However, come their wedding day, we were informed that Bob is getting over his fear of cats, of which we’re very proud. We wouldn’t have held his cat fear against him, of course, but our cats might’ve. So it’s good that we’re all on the same page now.

Bob is one of the least serious people we’ve ever met (in a good way) and is always joking around (so you wouldn’t exactly suspect him of a cat phobia… which is, perhaps, what the cats are banking on). Mckenzie is super sweet. Their bridal party was one of the nicest ones we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and that says a lot about Bob and Mckenzie. They put up with a lot of things from us (walking in semi-sketchy locations and standing in front of caricatures of fruit) without complaint. Mckenzie and Bob’s wedding involved a lot of happiness, a lot of partying, some pinwheels, a dash of trolley transportation, and a gold coin Mckenzie kept in her shoe that her sister, her mother, and her grandmother all wore in their shoes on their wedding days (the penny was kept in a box with the label of all the names and dates of the weddings – an adorable idea!).

Their cake topper was a Mckenzie and Bob, sitting on a couch, with Bob playing Skyrim and Mckenzie on her iPad. It was pretty amazing. And accurate. Here are our favorites from the day.

Date: April 20, 2013

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Cathedral // Raleigh, NC

Reception Venue: Cobblestone Hall // Raleigh, NC

First Dance Song: “Carolina in My Mind” – James Taylor

Mckenzie’s Occupation: Accountant

Bob’s Occupation: Software Engineer

How You Met: Mutual friends.

Interesting Bride Fact: Most indecisive person ever, I think.

Interesting Groom Fact: Used to be a stand up comedian who is deathly afraid of cats.

Honeymoon Destination: St. Lucia

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Father Schriber | DJ – Collin Y | Florist – Flueressence | Cake – Simply Cakes | Caterer – Rocky Top Hospitality | Hair/Makeup – Carla White | Cake Pops – Raleigh Cake Pops

Kirsten+Michael Have a Winter Wedding in the South

The South is normally a bundle of sunshiney cheer, but this winter has been rough. And by “rough” I mean in the 30s and 40s and a lot of rain. That’s pretty “freaking awesome!” when you live in the north, but it’s atypically cold and wet for North Carolina. Unfortunately Kirsten and Michael’s wedding day was no exception to the “ugh” that’s been this winter here – cold and rainy.

But – and prepare yourselves for me to get totally cheesy right now – this couple has been a great ray of sunshine for us. Ohhh! So cheesy, but so true. They’ve been great. Genuinely nice people whose love is very evident for each other and the people around them. Kirsten bought me a scarf to say thank you before their wedding because she’s the sweetest girl ever. I took a few pictures of Michael staring at Kirsten in the most adorable way possible during the ceremony while their witnesses were signing their marriage license. Finally, just when I thought they were too cute, Kirsten’s dad gave a speech: Kirsten and her family are from Zimbabwe, where it’s traditional for a groom to pay a Labola to the bride’s parents in exchange for their daughter. It’s typically in cash or cattle. So Michael gave Kirsten’s parents a large teddy-bear shaped container filled with animal crackers.

When you’re looking at how cute they are, keep reminding yourself that Kirsten not only made her wedding cake, but her wedding dress. Yes, the whole thing. I still have my mom sew buttons on my coat when they fall off, so consider that.

Date: February 23, 2013

Ceremony Venue: Jones Chapel at Meredith College // Raleigh, NC

Reception Venue: The Pavilions at the Angus Barn // Raleigh, NC

First Dance Song: “Green Eyes” – Cold Play

Kirsten’s Occupation: Sommelier

Michael’s Occupation: Doctor

How You Met: Wine Tasting

Interesting Bride Fact: Kirsten is a Zimbabwean trillionaire!

Interesting Groom Fact: Michael had to pay lebola (African brideprice)

Honeymoon Location: Shh! It’s a secret!

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Rufus Massengill // Band – The Dickens // Cake – Kirsten Holshausen, yay! // Caterer – The Angus Barn // Hair – Dani Begley // Makeup – Kirsten Holshausen