Anna+Winston // Haw River Ballroom Wedding

When I first spoke to Anna on the phone, we clicked like old friends. And every time I’ve spoken to her since, it’s been the same way. She’s easy to talk to and hilarious, and her friends all echoed the same sentiments (her friends, likewise, are the same way!). We didn’t actually meet Anna or Winston until the day of their rehearsal dinner, but we very quickly realized that Winston is exactly the same. Easy to talk to, extremely funny, very friendly. They like cheese, dogs, and Paul Simon, so I’m not sure exactly how you could go wrong with them as clients. They’re both super intelligent but neither takes themselves too seriously and they’re a perfect match. Plus they’re good looking.

Rain was scheduled at 100% this day. Then it went down to 10%. Then up to 50%? Then I think it went back to 100%, and then down to 0%, but it rained anyway (thanks, North Carolina forecast!). But thankfully it was a brief rain that then cleared up and then left us with beautiful weather for their incredible wedding at the Haw River Ballroom (which is our very favorite wedding venue). Some bright yellow wild flowers were out in full-swing and we took advantage of them fully for their portraits (one of the reasons Anna had chosen the Haw River Ballroom was that she loved the mix of linear architecture combined with the wild plants surrounding it). Then we went inside to celebrate with the band Punch (also our favorite wedding band!) and Anna and Winston’s friends and family. We’re so grateful that we got to spend the weekend with these guys and so glad we got to be their wedding photographers!

Date: October 19, 2019
Ceremony+Reception Venue: The Haw River Ballroom // Saxapahaw, NC
First Dance Song: “Graceland” – Paul Simon
Interesting Fact: Both left-handed! Bride lived on a street with the same last name as the groom when they first met, which would later become her married name.
Officiant: Reverend Bob Bauman
Band: Punch
Florist: Brides & Bouquets
Cake: Sugar Euphoria
Caterer: Saxapahaw Catering
Hair/Makeup: Perfection by Patricia
Coordinator: Kathy Swope of Sally Oakley Weddings & Events

Lizzie+Tommy // A Durham, NC Wedding

Well, it’s finally taken us ten years but we finally had a couple use their cat as a prop in their photobooth (not their actual cat, but a large cardboard photo of their cat) and Geoff and I took full advantage. It’s also taken us ten years to finally get a The Doge cookie cake at a wedding. What’s been taking all of you so long? So thanks to Lizzie and Tommy for finally making our dreams come true in so many ways. We had an awesome start to 2019 at their wedding, and are so glad they were our clients this year! Lizzie likes to make a variety of different faces which I appreciate (as someone who also makes a lot of faces) and she also likes to bust out into a variety of different dance moves (The Chicken Dance being a favorite but there are some other ones I am pretty sure she invented that are just as good). She is funny and wonderful and I want to hug her all the time. Tommy clearly feels the same way, and together they’re an unstoppable team of smarts and love for cats. Tommy just got into a fellowship at the University of Arizona, so they’ll be moved to Tucson shortly, where we will visit them and force our friendship and authentic Mexican cuisine upon them (Geoff’s parents live there). But we’re glad that they got married in the Durm where they shall hopefully return after they get some good tans. Their wedding was fabulous (as evidenced below) and you guys, I am telling you, the band Punch is THE BEST and we’re glad we got to see them again. We may or may not have stayed after we packed up all of our stuff to listen to them play Purple Rain because PRINCE YOU GUYS! Lizzie saw me swaying my invisible lighter in the corner and appreciated it as only one person who makes up ridiculous dance moves to another can.


Date: January 5, 2019
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Cotton Room // Durham, NC
First Dance Song: “Coming Home” – Leon Bridges
Tommy’s Occupation: Surgeon
Lizzie’s Occupation: Marketing Extraordinaire
How You Met: Interwebs – the dating app formerly known as Hinge
Interesting Fact: Did we mention we have a cat. She is the best cat. Her name is Sazzy (short for Sazerac). We love board games, traveling, snow days, and OH! We’re about to move to Arizona for a year during Tommy’s fellowship at University of Arizona.
Honeymoon: St. Lucia in January…hopefully Japan in July!
Officiant: Dame Gracie Bassett
Band: Punch
Florist: Cupboard
Cake: Whole Foods
Caterer: The Cotton Room
Hair/Makeup: Wedding Hair by Liz
Videographer: Dogwood Media
Coordinators: Michelle Alred and Heather Schaffran
Photobooth Prop Extraordinaire: Princess Sazzy – (this is still a joke about our cat…but we really do have a fathead of her in the photobooth)