I'm so excited to feature Heather and Dave's wedding on the blog. Heather did an amazing job with all the details and I loved her color scheme -- pink and orange. If there is a happier color combination, I don't know what it is. It was absolutely perfect for a May wedding at Duke Gardens on Mother's Day.

 

 

 

 

 

The day began in my favorite suite at the Washington Duke Inn. The light is always beautiful in the bedroom -- perfect for showing off Heather's gorgeous gown.

 

 

 

The ribbon detailing and beading-encrusted back-bodice on Heather's gown was so lovely and unique.

 

 

 

 

Love the body language -- maybe just a tad nervous? Who isn't on their wedding day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather checks her make-up and jewelry one last time.

 

 

 

All that fuss was worth it, Heather -- you were breath-taking.

 

 

 

 

While Heather was getting ready upstairs, Frank was working with Dave downstairs.

 

 

 

 

 

I love this shot of Dave with his mom.

 

 

 

 

No wedding would be complete without a little drama. Heather and Dave's came in the form of major over-crowding at the gardens. Apparently, everyone in the Triangle wants to take their mom to Duke Gardens on Mother's Day -- especially if it's a gorgeous day. I have never in all my years shooting at the gardens seen anything like this. It was crazy. Mother's Day Madness. All the parking lots were completely full and a security guard was turning away everyone -- even wedding guests. I had to leave the inn early to make sure I could get to the gardens, find a parking spot and haul my equipment to the Doris Duke Center in time for the wedding. Luckily, Frank was already there, so I knew we would be covered if I had to park blocks and blocks away, but it was nerve-wracking for everyone involved. Eventually, everyone made it in, but word to the wise -- if you're getting married on Mother's Day in Duke Gardens, make sure to plan for a little parking-lot mayhem.

 

 

Heather arrived at the gardens with about 10 minutes to spare. I still have no idea where her mom parked the truck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave walks in with Rev. Kayelily Middleton -- one of my favorite people on the planet -- to begin the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Dave chose each other's sibling to be their only attendant. Here's Heather's brother, Tommy, Dave's best man.

 

 

 

 

 

And Dave's sister, Lisa, Heather's maid of honor.

 

 

 

I love the amphitheater behind the Doris Duke Center. It may be the most private place in a public garden to get married. But when you're in the amphitheater on a bright sunny day in the late afternoon, you're getting hit by some serious sun. When you're a guy in a dark suit getting married, you get a tad sweaty. Here Kayelily does her part to keep Dave looking his best. Plus, I think he'd just finished his vows at this point. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Married!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few of my favorite details, beginning with Heather's gorgeous bouquet by Tre Bella.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cake was by Guglhupf Bakery in Durham.

 

 

 

 

 

You could tell Heather and Dave had worked hard on mastering the steps of their first dance -- they were flawless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great jazz music by the John Brown Band set the mood for the evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The getaway car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The getaway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Dave, it was an honor to photograph your beautiful wedding. We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

 

 

 

Venue

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

 

Officiant

Rev. Kayelily Middleton

 

 

Hair and Make-Up

Makeup for Your Day

 

 

Floral Design

TreBella Florist

 

 

Catering

Triangle Catering

 

 

Cake

Guglhupf Bakery, Durham NC

 

 

Music

John Brown Band

Meet Heather and Tyler. Two things you should know about them: 1) Heather has the most amazing, contagious laugh and 2) Tyler loves to make Heather laugh. Basically, if you spend enough time around them, your cheeks will hurt from smiling and laughing along with them. I'll probably need physical therapy for my face after their October 15th wedding in Raleigh. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tyler proposed in the very chic bar at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills, so we headed over as the light faded. After a quick outfit change, these two were back on -- and such good sports, 'cause it was pretty hot and humid. You'd never know it by looking at them! (Now me, that was a different story -- humid hair horrors.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Tyler's only photo request was to get something in the same spot where Tyler proposed -- and of course, it was occupied. But after a little gentle intimidation from me, in the form of hanging out too close to the banquette and sighing loudly, we were able to get some cool shots. (Those of you who know me are laughing right now -- because I couldn't intimidate a squirrel.)

 

 

LOVE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather and Tyler, thanks for being so much fun! Frank and I can't wait for October 15!!

Vanda and Scott were married on a beautiful June day at Duke Chapel in Durham. I adored working with these two -- they are so sweet and devoted to each other. Vanda incorporated many lovely hand-made touches to personalize her wedding -- this is one Etsy-loving girl! She stepped away from the confines of tradition by having her brother and her sister as her only attendants and walked down that long, long aisle by herself, meeting her parents two-thirds of the way to the altar and then walking the rest of the way with them. I loved every moment of their emotion-filled day.

 

Vanda, you were just stunning -- such a beautiful bride!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scott, lookin' good, my friend...

 

 

 

 

Scott with his grandfather (who was also his best man) in front of a plaque commemorating the contributions of Edwin Eugene Dacus, who quarried the distinctive stone used throughout Duke campus -- and also Scott's great-grandfather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the moments right after the ceremony -- there's always so much happiness to go around!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the ceremony, Vanda and Scott and their guests headed for the Siena Hotel for an elegant reception centered around the fabulous food at the hotel.

We ate realllly well that day. :)  (Thanks, you two!)

 

 

 

 

 

Love this shot of Vanda's mom and Scott's grandfather enjoying a dance together!

 

 

 

 

 

Scott with his mom. If you couldn't tell, the official color of Vanda & Scott's wedding was a certain shade of blue (and it was NOT Carolina blue)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanda and Scott, thank you so much for allowing us to share your wedding day with you! We wish you a lifetime of love and happiness!

Congratulations to John and Becky, who were married yesterday in Becky's home church in Wendell, NC. When I was breezing through the files looking for a sneak peek photo, I found tons I could have used from their First Look (which was so amazing and emotional) to their portraits, but it was this shot taken during the first dance that really tugged on my heart strings. I think it captures so well the atmosphere of total joy that they radiated to everyone and especially, to each other, on their wedding day.

 

 

 

 

John and Becky, enjoy your honeymoon cruise! It was such an honor to be your wedding photographers. We'll see you when you get back!

 

 

Amanda and Marshall are such troupers. When their first session date was canceled due to torrential rains, we rescheduled for what had to be one of the hottest days of the summer. You'd never know it from looking at their pictures! We are so excited about their October wedding, not only because they are awesome people, but because Marshall is the brother of Jonathan, whose wedding to Emily we photographed last June. Their reception was at one of our favorite venues, Hinnant Family Vineyards. Sadly, their images have yet to make it up onto the blog...I have quite a "back-blog" of weddings waited to be posted. Maybe we'll do a double wedding blog post after Amanda and Marshall's wedding. :)

 

Here are a few of my favorites from the session. Amanda and Marshall, thanks for toughing it out in the good ol' NC heat. We can't wait for the wedding this Fall when it will (hopefully) be much cooler!

 

 

(Amanda has the most beautiful eyes! Marshall's are pretty amazing, too. I'm willing to bet their kids' eyes are going to have hypnotic powers.)