The Wedding Show: January 2 and 3, 2010

 

I have a confession to make: I like bridal shows.

 

I know I risk sounding like a total wedding geek, but I love the sights, sounds, color, chaos and -- yum -- all the itty-bitty wedding cake samples. I love seeing all my colleagues in the wedding business; the "Hey!"s and "How are you?"s and "Did you have a great 2009?"s that we call out to each other as we're busy carting in and setting up all the components that make up the booths. Some of the best people you will ever meet are in the business of making wedding dreams come true. And even though we're supposed to be fierce competitors, I love seeing all my photographer friends. There are so many extraordinary photographers in the Triangle area and it's awe-inspiring and humbling to look at some of the work they've produced over the past year. I feel proud to be in their company. Over the years, I've gotten pretty Zen-like in my philosophy about the clients we book from these shows. I truly believe that the clients who commission us to photograph their weddings are the clients we're supposed to have. So it's not hard to wish my fellow photographers good luck and hope that they have a successful show too. 

 

But the best part of bridal shows? YOU. The brides, their moms, mothers-in-law-to-be, sisters, maids-of-honor, even those reluctant grooms showing how much they love their fiancees when they tag along on these orgies of all things wedding-related. The excitement in your faces. Hearing your engagement stories. Finding out what's important to you when it comes to your wedding day photography.

 

Wedding planning can be truly over-whelming. I'm convinced that it's like having a second job. Attending The Wedding Show is one way to make it infinitely easier. Any person, any thing, any service that you could possibly need to plan, execute and pull off the wedding of your dreams will be under one roof. You'll get amazing ideas. I can promise you that if you're one of those lucky newly-engaged couples, you will experience a little shell shock from the sheer number of vendors. You'll start thinking: Oh wow, I never even thought about that. Or that. Or that! Bring comfy shoes, your support team and enjoy the chaos. And definitely plan to stop by our booth! Frank and I will both be there and ready to help in any way we can. So come say hi and tell us your stories. We'll be offering 10% off any of our packages at the show.

 

Here are some of the amazing couples that we've meet through bridal shows over the years.

 

Heather and Jason:

 

 

 

Siobhan and Mario (who are expecting their baby boy any minute now!):

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle and Frank:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate and Randy:

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan and Michelle:

 

 

 

 

 

Lindsey and Clayton:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carey and Daryll:

 

 

 

Jaime and Craig:

 

 

 

Meghan and Preston:

 

 

 

Stephanie and David:

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so excited about 2010. I know it's going to be an amazing year. Some of the couples who'll make it so great we'll meet Saturday and Sunday, January 2 and 3rd amid the wonderful chaos of the Wedding Show. The anticipation is killing me! (Almost as much as my feet will be killing me at the end of the show!) Congratulations on your engagement -- we can't wait to meet you!

 

Dec 30, 2009 | Wedding Photography | Leave A Comment »

Kelly and Chase: Married!

Kelly and Chase were married on October 10 at beautiful Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. I knew I was going to love working with Kelly when she scheduled a boudoir session as a gift for her husband-to-be. Then she said they wanted to see each other before the wedding so we'd have plenty of time for natural light photography. I love it when the photography is so important to a couple that they're willing to set aside old traditions to make our time together on the wedding day a priority. I knew it was going to be a fabulous wedding and it was, from mimosas in the salon early in the morning to their bubble send-off. Here are some of my favorites from the day.

 

I was trying to sneak a shot of Kelly putting on her eyeliner, but she caught me -- and I like this result better anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite type of bridal portrait is what we photogs call 3/4-length. A face this gorgeous and a smile so radiant should be seen up close, but with a 3/4 length, we also get to see details like the beading on her gown and her gorgeous bouquet.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Chase gets some help with his tie from his best man, Gary. They were teammates on NC State's Men's Golf Team.  Chase is a volunteer coach for the team now and is a golf pro -- so if you need lessons, call me and I'll put you in touch!

 

 

 

Whenever a couple chooses to see each other before the wedding, we insist that it be a private affair. That means no family, no wedding party -- just the bride and groom (and me and Frank, of course). We use long lenses so that we can be somewhat at a distance to give couples privacy when they see each other for the first time on their wedding day. We've done this many times and it never fails to move me to tears. It's a great moment and in my opinion, more powerful than seeing each other in front of 200+ guests. Plus, sometimes it's the only time you have alone together on your wedding day until it's all over.

 

Here, Kelly waits for the word that Chase is in position and she can head out to see him for the first time. In her hands is his wedding gift: an album of images from our boudoir session. I think I was almost as excited to see his reaction as she was! Look at this beautiful light on Kelly in this image. So gorgeous.

 

 

 

 

When we set up the First Look session, Frank and I get to the venue ahead of time (either earlier in the day or the week) and find a private place for our couple to meet. It was pretty challenging at Prestonwood on a gorgeous Fall Saturday, but we managed to scope out a path that was out of the way of both golfers and curious guests! I also like for the groom to have the bride's flowers with him so that he can present them to his bride. That's also a tradition, but oddly, one that didn't survive as strongly as the old "bad luck to see the bride before the wedding" superstition.

 

Here's Chase, with Kelly's bouquet. (Plus, don't you just love the unexpectedness of a shot of the groom holding the bouquet?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those raised eyebrows say it all! I think he likes his gift.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I mention Chase is a golf pro? Maybe Kelly is his secret weapon.

 

 

 

 

Kelly's beautiful bouquet and all the flowers for the wedding were created by A Ming Rose.

 

 

 

 

 

I love how the reds, golds and oranges in the bridesmaids' bouquets pop off their black gowns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the groomsmen and ushers were golfers, so of course, we had to make use of the props to be found naturally on a golf course.

Golf cart shot -- check.

 

 

 

Love the light pouring in through the windows as Kelly and the bridesmaids head to the ballroom for the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting married in a ballroom with huge windows? Sign me up!

 

 

 

 

Love these happy expressions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prestonwood at night.

 

 

 

First dance.

 

 

 

A different perspective on a heart-felt toast by the best man.

 

 

 

 

The scrumptious three-tier chocolate mousse cake was made by the very talented pastry chef at Prestonwood.

 

 

 

 

 

With all the formalities complete, it was time to begin the party. Here, Kelly dances with her niece and flower-girl, Maya.  DJ Billy Ezzell with Complete Music had everyone on their feet and having a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge group hug to end the night!

 

 

 

 

Chase's mom lovingly hand-applied the customized labels to the champagne bubble bottles.

 

 

 

 

Bubble send-offs are so much fun to photograph! I love the way the bubbles show up at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Off to Happily Ever After!

 

 

Dec 30, 2009 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »

And to all…a goodnight!

 

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays!

 

Love,

Elizabeth and Frank

 

Dec 24, 2009 | Wedding Photography | 1 Comment »

Jen & Adam: Fearless

Well, this is a first: Jen and Adam's Fearless Bridal session is up before their wedding post! When my "summer vacation" starts in January, the number one item on my To Do list is to catch up on blogging, so expect a tidal wave of posts this winter. Here are a few of my favorites from our session in early November.

 

Love the yummy golden colors of the field and the light. I pumped up the warmth to accentuate those colors that grace us each Fall in North Carolina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jen, you are so gorgeous...check out those eyes! Her make-up was done by Kristin Patkunas at Tanas in Cary. I'm excited to say Kristin will be a Sweet Life bride herself next October when she marries Amin at Highgrove.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it was Adam's idea to throw the leaves. It took repeated tries, but we finally got the leaves falling and great expressions all at once.

 

 

 

 

 

When I say "Fearless Bridal" I literally mean fearless. Jen gamely tromped up a hill covered in crunchy late Fall foliage (thorns, stickers, etc.) to get these next shots. Thank you, Jen...you're officially bonafide. We shot in November and something about these next two shots made me think of winter, so I processed them to bring out the blues and lend a wintry feel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Jen and Adam for bringing a sense of adventure along with loads of affection and stunning good looks!

Check back for their wedding post soon...

Dec 14, 2009 | Wedding Photography | 2 Comments »