Sarah+Adam Have a Downtown Raleigh Wedding

Sarah and Adam like Seinfeld and their Beagle named Crosby (after the Pittsburgh Penguins player) and good beer. Adam plays in a band and Sarah watches a lot of House Hunters. They met online and it turned out pretty good for them, huh? We think so. We’re glad it worked out because we’re happy to call them clients and friends, and I’m happy to drop off Sarah’s bridal portraits at 10pm and then proceed to get chased around the kitchen in circles by their dog. We’re looking forward to dropping off their wedding pictures so I can do that again. :)

They’re really good people and had a super fun wedding downtown at All Saints Chapel and Marbles. Their bridal party was pretty phenomenal and I even got in some dance moves myself by the end of the night. There was awesome Larry the Bellhop, plastic dinosaurs, stuffed dogs that looked like Crosby, flip flops in lieu of high heels, and a guy who danced wearing a miniature child’s life preserver. I even taught the 8 year old flower girl about depth of field in a DSLR. Everyone won! It was a cool wedding. We love you, Sarah and Adam and wish you nothing but happiness and tasty tasty milkshakes from Fresh.

Sarah’s Occupation: Teacher

Adam’s Occupation: Systems Engineer

How You Met: Match.com

Interesting Fact About Sarah: She is a cheese connoisseur.

Interesting Fact About Adam: He is a drummer.

Honeymoon Destination: Italy

Date: August 4, 2012

Ceremony  Venue: All Saints Chapel // Raleigh, NC

Reception Venue: Marbles Kids Museum // Raleigh, NC

Officiant: Rev. Robin Renteria

DJ: Eric Hodgden // All Around Raleigh DJ

Florist: Julie Liles for Ceremony // Bride for Reception

Cake: Rachel Smith // Tartlette Treats

Caterer: Green Planet Catering

Hair/Makeup: Courtney at Blo

Videographer: Rob Johnson

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