Heather+Graham Get Married in Raleigh

This was the most intimate wedding ceremony that I’ve ever attended, with myself being the only guest. I also doubled as the witness and the photographer, and I was pretty excited. Excited because I’ve known and loved Heather for a while (she used to live down the street from the family I worked for when I was a nanny), I love small weddings (their officiant said a welcome and Heather said, “That means you, Carolyn!”), I love green wedding dresses (green is the best!), and I loved that their close friends were throwing them a fabulous reception party at a friend’s really fantastic house. Plus they are really good looking. And Heather’s shoes were sparkly.

But enough about my excitement for me – I was also super excited for them. Graham is an amazingly kind person and it’s quite clear that they make each other so happy. Heather’s kids, Wyatt and Theo, just adore Graham and together they’re now one good looking family. :) Heather and Graham were married on Friday, April 12th at Meredith College under the gazebo that her father designed as an architect. She carried a photograph of him, as well as a photo of her opening presents on her 4th birthday party held at the same gazebo. Their friends joined them afterward (and Geoff joined me!) for an awesome party to celebrate their new marriage. We were so happy to be there and met a bunch of really awesome people, two cute cats (very important), and reunited with couples from my nannying days. A fantastic time was had all around. We love you, Heather and Graham!

Lauren+Nick // A Downtown Raleigh Wedding

Remember Lauren and Nick? They probably look familiar from jumping off baggage carousels at the airport for their engagement session. Their wedding was equally impressive and entertaining on all fronts.

Fun facts: 1.) They played Rockabye Baby lullaby renditions of Pearl Jam songs for their ceremony seating 2.) Lauren handmade all of the paper flowers for the bridesmaid bouquets and the boutonnieres 3.) Their friend made delicious cupcakes (and gluten-free ones!) and I ate them happily 4.) Lauren’s shoes had giant birds on them and were the best things I’ve seen in a long time and I should probably buy these for myself right now 5.) Their first dance was to Hall and Oates. And what self respecting person doesn’t love themselves some Hall and Oates?

The weather was gorgeous, the bride and groom were gorgeous, and we had a fantastic time. They let me put their rings on sushi and weren’t afraid of a little graffiti or slightly muddy/train track conditions. Lauren informed me that her dress was bought online and also comes in blue, so as soon as I can think of an opportunity to wear a dress this fabulous, I’ll buy it. Congratulations on your marriage, friends, and we hope to see you at a Pearl Jam concert real soon.

Date: April 6, 2013

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Stockroom // Raleigh, NC

First Dance Song: “You Make My Dreams” – Hall & Oates

Lauren’s Occupation: Building Science Specialist at Advanced Energy

Nick’s Occupation: Senior Finance Associate at Delta Airlines

How You Met: AmeriCorps! Gettin’ things done for ‘merica.

Interesting Bride Fact: She moved her entire life (at one time), including a bike and a snowboard, from Florida to North Carolina in her Honda Insight (no… not the 4 door version… think the two door hatchback).

Interesting Groom Fact: He ate 40 chicken nuggets in 7 minutes. And the last minute was used to leisurely consume the last couple – rubbing his triumph in the face of his competition.

Honeymoon Destination: SOUTH AFRICA (Antartica is the only continent left after this!)

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Friend Kirsta Egger | DJ – Spotify | Florist – English Garden for Lauren, hand-made paper flowers by Lauren for the bridesmaids | Cupcake Maker Extraodinarie – Meg Fanney | Kolache Nut Roll Production Team – Paul and Stephanie Westmoreland | Italian Pignoli Baker – Lisa Bendz | Caterer – Green Planet Catering | Hair – Alter Ego | Dress – Tadashi Shoji

Perry + Shawn + Huckleberry + Finnigan + Lexie

Objectives: to photograph the amazingly talented and gorgeous Perry Vaile of Perry Vaile Photography alongside her handsome husband Shawn. Also, to photograph the slightly elusive and slightly adorably-crosseyed cat Lexie. Also, to photograph the previous racing dogs learning how to be precious house dogs Huckleberry and Finnigan. This was the mission I accepted at their house. The second mission was to go to Perry’s neighbor’s farm down the road and photograph them there… where there happened to be the most adorable miniature donkeys ever.  Now, I’m not sure that “ever” really describes it as I’m fairly certain that miniature donkeys ANYWHERE would be the cutest ever, but, you know what I mean. So the house mission combined with the farm mission was total cuteness overload and WAY too much cute to photograph in 2 hours… so just know that I tried, Perry, but your family is way, way too cute… and thus this was only a glimpse into its cuteness.

I was super honored to be chosen by Perry to photograph her family this year as she is a WONDERFUL photographer and I was crazy nervous a bit like this. She and Shawn were so amazingly sweet to me and made me feel perfectly comfortable though… and I’m so happy to have worked on this for them!