I’m so glad that these clients are my friends. Jess and I started chatting wedding photography on August 15, 2017. Over the next couple of years I had the pleasure of grabbing coffee with her and John (and George the wrinkly-faced squiggly-tailed pug) 2-3 times to talk wedding stuff, take engagement pictures, and just hang. The more we got to know each other the more comfortable and relaxed we all felt so much so that on documenting their wedding just felt like hanging out with friends, and capturing their big day felt personal to me because I felt like I had walked through a little bit of their journey together with them.

When we arrived on site at the perspective downtown houses, guys at the couple’s home and the girls at a sweet craftsman’s AirBnb, there was such a camaraderie. The couple provided personal gifts for their wedding party, plenty of snacks and the morning of preparation unfolded comfortably with a dash of champagne and whiskey, a pug and a cat, and a whole lot of anticipation.

Jess’s mom and sister helped her don her sleek and graceful silhouette dress and shared a first look with her dad in the brightly lit hallway. We then all made our way to the venue —the Cannon Room from whence we walked to the city capitol building for the couple’s first look under the iconic old oaks.

We were quickly met with the wedding party and family and took some snazzy group photos around the architecture of the capital building. The rain that had come through earlier that morning left us with deep hues, so when I took the couple around the block for portraits the rich settings contrasted beautiful with Jess and John’s classic ensemble. The ceremony space at the Cannon room, framed by large windows and white walls, decorated with emerald green and gold accents, ushered the couple in. They shared tears from laughter and convictions. It was beautiful.

Of course, no wedding day is without snags whether its a cantankerous relative, a delay in the schedule, or a wardrobe malfunction, but regardless these two prioritized each other. It can be easy to be so focused on your guests that you don’t have time to devote some time to the very person you’re marrying. I know how fast this day can go by. It’s so so important to take a few moments and think through what you were thinking when you first saw each other, what have been the highlights of the morning, what was the silly things you forgot that just don’t matter, and this is what they did. At cocktail hour at the Whiskey Kitchen, Jess and John asked me if I could ask the guests to head back to the reception a little early so they could share a drink together alone. It was really cool to see them carve out time to do this, and guess what? It didn’t ruin the timeline, the guests were fine, and the couple got to take it all in, take a breath, and snuggle!

I can’t say much about the reception that isn’t said in the photos. It was a party. So much laughter, dancing, sipping and singing.

Celebrating with you guys was a privilege and we wish you all the best!

Vendors:

Venue - The Cannon Room, Raleigh, NC
Hair & Makeup - The Parlor
Dress - Anna’s Bridal
Caterer - Neomonde
DJ- DJ GIno
Florist - Fallon’s Flowers
Cake - Publix Bakery
Stationary - Magnet Street
Rentals - CE Rentals
Bartending - Celebration Sidekicks