THIS WEDDING. Alright alright alright!!!! Everything about it was AMAZING.

Rain on your wedding day is actually considered good luck, and boy was that the case for John + Jess’s wedding. John and Jess got married at the Forest Theatre, the exact location where they met back in 2005. It was lightly raining as Jess walked down the stone steps of the amphitheater to her groom, but that only added to the romance of their ceremony. Family and friends teared up and shouted for joy beneath their colorful umbrellas as John and Jess were pronounced husband and wife. So tender.

John and Jess held their reception at Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, a beautiful rustic venue that was perfect for their day. Their reception was hands down my favorite reception of the year (partially because I didn’t have to listen to a single Carly Rae Jespen song). They broke it down on the dance floor to awesome Caribbean music (Jess’s family is from Trinidad), and I couldn’t help but sway my hips while shooting. I also loved the energy that came from Jess’s Zeta Phi Beta sorority sisters and John’s Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brothers . But what I loved the most about their reception was the range of genuine emotion. Tears were shed without shame, guests were doubled over laughing as John enthusiastically removed his wife’s garter (with his mouth!), and an amazing time was truly had by all.

John and Jess, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your day. It was a joy to work with you. I hope that these photos bring you back to every detail and emotion of your wedding day.