Amanda+Patrick // A 1920s-themed Wedding

Ahhh, our first 1920s-themed wedding! This may sound strange, but the 1920s are actually my favorite decade should I choose to go back in time. I think it’s the fact that women had short hair and their dresses had a lot of fringe. Plus it seemed like they threw some pretty awesome parties. Basically, I picture the entire decade like that scene from The Shining in the ballroom of the Overlook Hotel (I’m sure that’s totally accurate, right?). Anyway, Amanda and Patrick’s wedding was ’20s themed and it was awesome. They had their guests dressed up which was incredibly impressive because they actually listened and came up with the most amazing things. There were lots of feathers, black and white, fringe, wing-tipped shoes, pin stripes, those long cigarette holder things, kids dressed like newsboys, and a guy who brought a violin case with a plastic automatic weapon inside. They danced the Charleston and plays 1920s music and Patrick’s grandfather wore a fake mustache. I’m not sure we could ask for more than that. It was the best ever.

Amanda and Patrick are some pretty sweet people who we like a lot. When we first met for their consult, Amanda brought her old high school copy of Resident Evil (the book!) for me to read. I was totally going to steal it and read it anyway if they didn’t book us, but they did, so I gave it back when I was done reading it. Not many people have the dedication to read the actual book for Resident Evil, so I was quite impressed with Amanda (plus I liked her red hair), but then we found out that Patrick’s a real life actual rocket scientist and so he won the first-impression-impressiveness-contest, but we came away loving them both equally despite Amanda’s lack of degrees in rocket scientism. They are super nice, and Amanda gave me a ginger beer on her wedding day and introduced me to all of the adorable dogs in the family… and there were cool string lights and a piano and salt and vinegar chips and caramel apple bites! I’m gonna live mentally in this wedding forever. We’ll miss you, Amanda and Patrick!! Amanda, you should still send emails when you’re bored.

Date: October 12, 2014

Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Garden on Millbrook // Raleigh, NC

First Dance Song: “Transatlanticism” – Death Cab for Cutie

Amanda’s Occupation: Drafter at an engineering firm

Patrick’s Occupation: Aerospace engineer at NASA

How You Met: High school art class

Interesting Fact: Have two cute mutts, paint in oils and play music together for fun, have been together 8 years before getting married

Honeymoon Destination: St. Croix

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Mike Seipal (Patrick’s Uncle) | DJ – Barbour & Hinton | Florist – Vang Flowers at the Farmer’s Market | Cake – Ashley Cakes | Caterer – Garden on Millbrook | Hair – Kristi at Vanity Salon in Garner | Makeup – Amanda and Patrick’s mom, Kate | Coordinator – Marc Dabagian at the Garden on Millbrook and Amanda’s Aunt Becky

Ashley+Kyle // Raleigh Engagement Session

We liked Ashley and Kyle as soon as we met them. First, Ashley is a bit littler than I am which always makes me happy because I think that’s happened exactly twice, and it enables me to have a lot easier time photographing them because no step stools are involved. Second, they love cats as much as we do and slightly more (Ashley could probably talk me into the pros of adopting twenty more cats if I gave her fifteen minutes and I would be thoroughly convinced). Third, they’re big fans of both zombies and the 1990s… and the song “Zombie” from the 1990s… which Kyle played while proposing to Ashley (if that doesn’t make a girl say yes, I’m not sure what does). So, basically, they’re us, only with a little more cats and slightly less height. We had an awesome time getting to know ourselves a bit better during their session. We did run into a slight hiccup when Ashley stepped into the territory of some unfriendly fire ants, but not before she and Kyle had already defaced the side of a building with their wedding date (don’t worry, it was chalk spray paint, which, amazingly, not only washes off in the rain, but is surprisingly just as bright as normal spray paint!). We’re looking forward to playing some Munchkin with these folks and hanging out with more cats. ;)

Hannah+Harrison // Wedding at Solas

This wedding had so much personality, but we knew that it would from the second we met Hannah and Harrison, and continued once we met Hannah’s parents, and continued again once we met their bridal party and friends. :) Hannah and Harrison (from here on known as H2) were referred to us by their dear friend (and our photography friend!) Melissa Tuck. Her in-laws are great friends with Hannah’s family, and she so graciously referred us for the super important job of documenting this amazing wedding, and we couldn’t be happier. Hannah wore a vintage wedding dress that was worn by both her grandmother and her mother. It had an outstanding hoop skirt and was overall just fantastic. Harrison had on some badass suspenders on both evenings, and can rock a bow tie pretty hard. On day 1, Carolyn was introduced to the concept of “snack cheese” (which, apparently, is just cheese you eat for a snack, but instead of calling it… cheese… you call it “snack cheese”) and was schooled by an eight year old girl on how to tell a frog from a toad. H2 had their first look next to a giant mural of themselves painted on the side of her childhood home by a friend (it features Hannah driving happily with her eyes closed and Harrison being extremely terrified). Then Hannah and Harrison dug up some bourbon that they buried in the backyard, drank it, made some faces, and proceeded to go take pictures with us. Their wedding ceremony was held in Heater Park (where Harrison proposed) in Cary with about fifty people and some yay signs. Their reception was held in the backyard of Hannah’s parents which they had totally redecorated and landscaped for the occasion (it was beautiful). There was a chandelier made out of branches and some tin can people dressed up like a bride and groom. The second night involved a rooftop reception held at Solas in downtown Raleigh. Peter Lamb and the Wolves graced us with their amazing presence (we are super lucky and happy to be joining them for a wedding again in January) and everyone danced the night away (and spilled some glow sticks, which was kind of fascinating. If they break, it spills into a bunch of electric glowing droplets, which, as it turns out, can severely stain your shirt). They talked about epic and legendary family games of Risk, and a good time was had by all.

Date: September 26 and 27, 2014

Ceremony Venue: Heater Park // Cary, NC

Reception Venue (Night 1): Backyard // Private Property

Reception Venue (Night 2): Solas // Raleigh, NC

Hannah’s Occupation: Clinical Research

Harrison’s Occupation: Global Business Intelligence

How You Met: At a party. He thought she was Asian; she was not. Luckily it still turned out ok :)

Interesting Fact: The bride went to the hospital on her bachlorette party because she fell down 2 stairs and knocked herself out.  The groom has impeccable coordination.

Honeymoon Destination: Beach now, Australia/New Zealand later.

Vendor Credits: Officiant – Linda Rhoades | Band – Peter Lamb and the Wolves | Classical Guitar – Mac Ogden | Cake – Blue Moon Bakery | Caterer – Thrills from the Grill (Friday night) and Solas (Saturday night) | Hair/Makeup – The Hair and Face Lounge | Coordinator – Gretchen at RedBird Events | Muralist – Sam Ogden