Gaby & Andrew: Part II
As promised, more photos from Gaby & Andrew's beautiful wedding day on August 15! Their fabulous reception took place at one of the most elegant venues in the Triangle area and my personal favorite, the Carolina Inn. I always try to step outside for a few exterior shots once the sun has set, but it's not fully dark yet -- that's when you get that beautiful deep blue in the sky.
Some details from the reception, helmed by the always-wonderful Tracy Adams of Adams and Events. (Seriously, call her -- she makes wedding-related stress disappear.)
The couple's grand entrance into the Old Well Ballroom -- there were so many flashes going off, this must be what it's like to be Brangelina.
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The first dance. Gaby's just the right height so that when she looks up at Andrew, her face is at the perfect angle. Just one of those things photographers notice -- and love.
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The exquisitely-detailed, scrumptious cake from Cinda's Creative Cakes. The inspiration: champagne bubbles!
Andrew's brother Jeffrey kicks off the toasts, while Andrew's mom and dad proudly look on.
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Rather than toss her bouqet, Gaby presented it to her cousin and maid-of-honor, Emily. Gaby gave a wonderfully warm speech about how much Emily means to her. There's always a moment at every wedding where I get a little misty-eyed -- this was it.
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I love this shot of Gaby's dance with her dad. I've been asked before how I make decisions about which photographs to leave as captured (in color) and which ones to convert to black and white. The answer is both technical and mysterious -- sometimes the color in a photo is perfect and enhances the subject matter, as in the photo below. I love how the colors in the background seem to surround Gaby and her dad.
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But in this shot, up close -- I love how deleting the color and going with classic black and white helps to focus on their expressions.
Andrew takes a turn with his mom.
And then Gaby takes the floor for a spin with her stepfather, Arnold.
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Later, Gaby danced with her mom, Marianne. Love it!
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Everyone was having fun. This fine gentleman looks like he can't believe his luck!
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Oh how I love to photograph guests having fun at a wedding. Nothing's worse than framing up the perfect shot of a guest having a ball --
then they notice me and turn their back! FAIL!
The talented DJ responsible for keeping everyone on their feet having fun? Mel Manning from Joe Bunn DJ Company.
But best of all were Andrew and Gaby, thoroughly enjoying themselves. It's too bad Gaby's so unexpressive. ;)
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Gaby and Andrew met at one of Chapel Hill's most famous nightspots (I won't call it a bar) He's Not Here -- so naturally, the couple gave out cups with the distinctive logo.
Mayhem ensued. Just what was in those cups?
Weddings are also family reunions of a sort, so I'm always happy to take time out from the festivities to capture relaxed group shots like this one
of grandparents and grandchildren. These pictures are so important to get when everyone's together.
All too soon, it was time to call it a night. Last dance.
Off to Paris!
Gaby and Andrew -- words fail me. Thank you for being so wonderful to work with and giving us so much loveliness to photograph! We wish you everthing wonderful and a long life, with plenty of time for rocking on the porch together!
Gaby & Andrew: Sneak Peek
Congrats to Gaby and Andrew, who were married on August 15 at the Newman Catholic Student Center in Chapel Hill. The reception followed at the Carolina Inn. I love this shot below of the gorgeous couple framed by the theater doors on the campus of UNC. Check back soon for more from their beautiful wedding and reception. If you're in need of a dose of fabulosity, go check out Gaby's bridal portraits in the Bridal Spotlight gallery on Sweet Life Photography's website -- she will knock your socks off!
Amusez-vous a Paris!
Jackie and Brett
Jackie and Brett were married on October 7 at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill. I don't know what it is about the Carolina Inn, but whenever I am lucky enough to shoot there, inevitably, the images are some of my favorites. Maybe it's the gorgeous surroundings, from the elegant suites where the brides and grooms get ready, to the pretty outdoor courtyards where the ceremonies take place, to the elegant Old Well Room with its graphic black-and-white tiled floor. Maybe it's because that's where Frank and I got married over 17 years ago. Whatever magic happens there, I hope it keeps happening. I love Carolina Inn weddings!
When I photographed Jackie and Brett for their e-session, I remember looking at the images and thinking Jackie looked like she stepped out of a Kennedy family portrait. She has such lovely, classic features -- what they would call "patrician" up North. The dress she chose was actually called the Jackie Onassis! It was absolutely stunning on her, so obviously my Kennedy comparison was right on target. And of course, my blog readers will remember Brett as my Ashton Kutcher look-alike, so really, how could their wedding images be anything but gorgeous?!?
Looking at their ceremony pictures makes me wish I had that same freedom to move around during church ceremonies. I think it is so sad that most churches require wedding photographers to stay in the very back of the church. Now, I know there are some obnoxious wedding photographers out there who get way too close, but there's a way to capture the ceremony from different vantage points without being distracting and in-your-face. I love that Jackie and Brett's outdoor ceremony (and the couple themselves) gave me the freedom to get some angles that I don't usually get inside a church -- like shots of the couple's parents' faces as their grown-up children said their vows and formed a new family. To see what I mean, click here to view Jackie and Brett's slideshow. Now, I'll climb down off my soap-box...
We had to race to finish photography ahead of the quickly fading Fall light, then it was off to the reception in the Old Well Room. Frank got some amazing shots of the couple during their first dance and I love the images from the individual dances the couple had with their parents. There's always a moment in every wedding when I find myself getting all emotional and it's usually when the bride dances with her father and the groom with his mother. I don't know how that tradition began (I'm gonna Google it) but it never fails to make me go all mushy!
