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June 17, 2011 by Elizabeth Myers

Duke Gardens Bridal Portrait :: Lauren

When I met Lauren and her mom Kelly at Duke Gardens for her bridal portrait session, I gasped when I walked into the room and the bride-to-be turned around. She literally took my breath away! Her white satin gown had the most gorgeous asymmetrical pleating on the bodice. So one-of-a-kind, just like Lauren. She has a truly infectious laugh and her smile has a life of its own! I quickly learned that this was one bride who would not be giving me any of the angsty-fashionista pouts that seem to be so common these days in bridal portraits -- she was going to smile and smile big. I think the third photo down is one of my all-time favorites. I just love a bride who's so happy she can't help laughing!

 

 

Springtime bridal portrait session at Duke Gardens in Durham NC

 

 

 

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June 13, 2011 by Elizabeth Myers

Newman Center and Carolina Inn :: Lauren and Joe are married!

Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows how much we love Carolina Inn weddings! I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that Frank and I got married there just a few years ago. :) Whenever we're there, everything seems to go flawlessly. The same was true for Lauren and Joe's May wedding. I love the window light in the portrait of Lauren below. There's beautiful light every where you look at the Carolina Inn.

 

Lauren and Joe get dressed at the Carolina Inn

 

I've said it many times before and I'll keep saying it: I love First Looks! Anyone who believes that you'll miss out on "that special moment" when he sees you in the your dress: call me, please! You get to have that moment -- you just get to have it in private, away from the eyes of your nosy aunt and your future husband's boss. (I'm kidding, I'm kidding. No, I'm not. First Looks are awesome!) I love how Joe looks a tad bit nervous in the first photo, but when he turns around to see his bride, he's all smiles afterward!

 

seeing the bride before the ceremony First Look at Chapel Hill

 

"You don't marry one person; you marry three:
the person you think they are,
the person they are, and
the person they are going to become
as a result of being married to you."
Richard Needham

 

Newman Center wedding ceremony photographs

 

Welcome to the party! Wow, do Lauren and Joe's friends and family know how to have a good time! Jason with Island Sound kept everyone on their feet all night. It was everything a wedding celebration should be. Lauren and Joe, thanks for letting us be a part of it!

 

Lauren and Joe's Carolina Inn reception

 

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that's AMORE!"

 

Wedding reception dancing at Carolina Inn

 

 

Enjoy more of our favorite images from Lauren and Joe's wedding in their slide show:

 

 

The following fabulous vendors helped make Lauren and Joe's day one to remember:

 

Venue/Wedding: The Newman Catholic Center and Parish in Chapel Hill, NC

 

Venue/Reception: The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC

 

Floral Design: Tre Bella

 

DJ: Jason Huggins with Island Sound

 

Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes

 

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June 9, 2011 by Elizabeth Myers

Duke Gardens :: Elizabeth and Trey are engaged!

Elizabeth and Trey are just one of the many awesome couples we had the pleasure to meet at the Southern Bridal Show and Expo in April. These two lovebirds met while both were attending UNC at Chapel Hill and took the most sensible route of being friends before they started dating. Spend even a little time with them and their love for each other is crystal clear: it's in their eyes when they look at each other, in the way Trey can make the more reserved Elizabeth laugh, how he wraps her up in his long arms and she looks completely serene and peaceful when he's near. We are so excited about their Old Salem wedding next April. Until then, here are just a few of my favorites from their engagement session at Duke Gardens a few weeks ago.

 

Duke Gardens engagement session withe Elizabeth and Trey

 

Enjoy Elizabeth and Trey's slideshow:

 

 

 

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June 6, 2011 by Elizabeth Myers

Preston Woodall House :: Susan and Taylor are married!

Susan and Taylor were married on May 14 at Preston Woodall House in Benson, NC. Before jumping into the story of their day, here are some of the details of this lovely wedding, featuring shades of apple-green and coral-pink. You can see the couple's fresh and modern touch in everything, from the table markers to the hand-made wooden bird favors. Everywhere we looked there were fantastic details to capture.

 

Preston Woodall House details

Flowers and bridesmaid at Preston Woodall House

 

How gorgeous was Susan's dress??? And it suited her perfectly. One of my favorites! The vintage pins in her hair and on the back of her gown were a beautiful touch.

 

Preston Woodall house wedding gown

 

Taylor and the groomsmen looked smashing in bespoke charcoal suits with sophisticated pin-stripes.

 

Preston Woodall House groom and grooomsmen

 

The weather was iffy all through the early afternoon. At the rehearsal, both Susan and Taylor talked about how much they wanted to get married outside. Even with a great rain plan in place, I could tell they were both really hoping that the rain would hold off just long enough for the ceremony to take place. At about 4:30, the clouds opened up in great torrents, but slowed to a light drizzle eventually. Diane, the coordinator at Preston Woodall House, held the ceremony for about 15 minutes, long enough to get the seats dried off and the guests seated so that Susan and Taylor could have the ceremony they wanted. The sun even came out briefly during the ceremony. It was lovely.

 

Preston Woodall House ceremony

Preston Woodall House outdoor ceremony

Preston Woodall House portraits

 

What a fun reception! It was obvious everyone had a great time, but none more than the bride and groom. I love their dancing photos!

 

Preston Woodall House reception photos

Bouquet and garter tosses at Preston Woodall house in Benson, NC

Dancing at the Preston Woodall House

 

At 10:30, the couple had a sparkler departure, but the surprise was on the guests -- after "departing", the bride and groom lead the guests in a conga line back into the house for more dancing and Photobooth fun.

 

The bride and groom depart Preston Woodall House

 

See more of Susan and Taylor's big day in the slide show:

 

 

 

 

 

Susan and Taylor, thank you so much for allowing us to share in your wedding day happiness! Here are the vendors who helped make the day such a success.

 

Venue, Catering and Accommodations: Preston Woodall House, Benson NC

 

Coordinator: Diane Seymoure

 

Flowers: The English Garden

 

Cake: Cake Dreams by Sally

 

DJ: John Carter, Perfect Day DJ

 

Check out all the fun from Susan and Taylor's Photobooth on Facebook!

 

 

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April 11, 2011 by Elizabeth Myers

Duke Gardens Engagement Session :: Lauren and Daniel

Meet Lauren and Daniel. This adorable couple will be married in May at Campbell University's nearly-new Butler Chapel. Lauren is a Campbell grad and will finish up her Doctor of Pharmacy degree shortly before she walks down the aisle. Daniel is a second-year law student at the Elon University School of Law. Busy as they are, they found time to roam around Duke Gardens last Wednesday for their engagement session. Lauren and Daniel met in the 5th grade when they both took part in an AG program where students from different schools were "email buddies." It would be too perfect to say they were email buddies -- they weren't -- but they met when the two classes got together at the end of the year. Sometimes during a session, I'll ask couples to tell each other what they remember the most about the first time they met. I had backed off with my 200 mm lens, so I didn't hear what Lauren said, but I did hear what Daniel told his bride-to-be. "I thought you picked out really cool food at the Golden Corral buffet the first time we met." Lauren and I both cracked up! "Do you even remember what I ate?" Lauren asked. "No," said her future husband. "I just remember thinking that you were a really cool girl with good taste in food."

 

 

Duke Gardens spring engagement session

 

Lauren and Daniel, we're very excited about your wedding in May. See you soon!

 

 

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