weddings Archives - Courtney Potter Studio

Ying-Ju + Ming-Feng | Asian-fusion Wedding at a Science Museum | Durham Wedding Photographer

Shelley — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 16:23:49 +0000

Ying-Ju and Ming-Feng tied the knot on March 26, 2017 in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. I loved everything about documenting this Asian-fusion wedding: from the beautiful dual traditions to the butterfly release in the conservatory after the ceremony.

This sweet, well-traveled couple met in 2004 at their college harmonica club and got engaged in 2016. Ming-Feng proposed with purple tulips in Amsterdam, and Ying-Ju obviously said yes!

After moving from Taiwan to Durham, North Carolina, this couple wanted to honor their roots during their Durham celebration. They incorporated many beautiful traditional Taiwanese details into their day, like Ying-Ju’s Chinese reception dress, gold jewelry, and hand-made guest favors.

Are you planning an Asian-fusion wedding this spring and looking for a photographer who is excited about your ideas?

Or maybe you’re blending two different faith traditions and are not sure where to even start? I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Check out my wedding photography packages and let’s work together!

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible!

Second Photographer: Shaena Mallett

Coordinator: Friends Cheo-Ying & Lydia

Officiant: Friend Brian Head

Bride’s American Dress: Pronovia Ornani, from Tre Bella Bridal

Bride’s Chinese Dress: Made in Taiwan

Florist: Tre Bella Florist for bride’s bouquet and main table centerpiece; DIY guest table centerpieces and aisle markers

Dessert: Guglhupf

Catering: Southern Harvest Catering

The post Ying-Ju + Ming-Feng | Asian-fusion Wedding at a Science Museum | Durham Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

5 No-Fail Tips for Hiring Your Wedding Photographer

Courtney — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 01:00:40 +0000

Hiring vendors for your wedding is hard work, so I’ve compiled a guide to making hiring your wedding photographer easy as pie.

Chances are, you’ve never planned an event larger than your grandma’s birthday party, and you feel lost. Whether you end up hitting it off with me or choosing another photographer, I want you to find the perfect fit… and stay sane doing so!

I’ve listened to my couples’ struggles over the years, and I’ve come up with 5 no-fail tips for hiring your wedding photographer.

Married couples: what do you think? Is there any other advice you’d add to this? Sound off in the comments!

1. Find the Right Style

Be clear on what style of photos you’d like. Do you like trendy VSCO filters? Or do you prefer the dreamy grain of film photography? Would you rather have candid moments of your wedding guests boogieing down on the dance floor and nix the cheesy portraits?

Make sure your photographer’s work is what she/he says it is—a newspaper photojournalist skilled in capturing unexpected moments probably won’t be too jazzed to photograph mason jars. And a fine art photographer who specializes in stunning portraiture might not be excited to let things happen candidly.

Get clear on your preferences and have your photographer do the same. Then look at their work to make sure they practice what they preach.

Katherine + Caley loved my natural light portraits, so we budgeted enough time to snag a few dreamy sunset shots at magic hour. Check out their full wedding gallery to see more of what they wanted in their photography!

2. Find the Right Connection

Do you feel a connection to your photographer? They’ll be with you for the entire day, so if you hate the perfume she wears or can’t stand those terrible Dad Jokes, then you may want rethink your choice. Picking a vendor is a bit like picking your partner—you want there to be a connection.

Here’s a behind the-scenes moment from a fall wedding of my intern Ali and I making sure we got the perfect shot. Photo cred to my fab associate Lis Tyroler for capturing this cute moment.

3. Review Their Work

Look through their work—lots of it! (This is the fun part… especially if you’re having a boring afternoon at work). Already know your venue? Chances are your photographer has shot there before. Ask to see a wedding album from your venue! Even if you’re getting married in a backyard bungalow, they probably have something to show you that will help you visualize the space.

Adrienne + Matt planned a backyard wedding at their family’s home in Aberdeen, NC. While planning for their wedding photography, we looked at plenty of my samples from similar backyard shindigs to help visualize their space.

“Courtney was such a competent, warm presence during our day! We talked to other photographers before we found you that had expectations about our wedding and our needs before they even met us. But you totally heard our desires, and respected our wishes (like our short list of posed shots!) while making us feel comfortable and content. We’re so grateful!” –Adrienne + Matt, married April 2016

4. Communication is Key

Hiring a photographer isn’t that different than online dating. Does your photographer really listen to your wants and needs? or does she have preconceived notions of what your wedding should be? Is she excited to hear your ideas? It’s your photographer’s job to guide you, help you feel at ease, and clearly communicate with you.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a unique Rock Quarry wedding! Associate photographer Bri Brough and I LOVED Jenn + Kennedy’s idea of having a “first jump” into the quarry instead of a traditional first dance. We all put our heads together to figure out how to capture that unique moment in an unconventional way…and decided to rent underwater gear + flotation devices and get in the water. Here are some of the shots captured of that special moment! What do you think? (To view all the photos from this wedding and learn more about how we got these shots, visit the full blog gallery from Jennifer + Kennedy’s wedding!)

5. Pick a package with prints

I can’t emphasize this one enough: print your photos. Invest in wedding albums and large canvas prints for your home. There’s something magical about holding a tangible photograph in your hand. You notice details that, when left on a cell phone LCD screen, are obscured by smudges and dust. You step inside the scene and feel the ambience in a way digital images can’t offer. Photos are meant to be printed because YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER is too valuable not to be seen. Beheld. Remembered. You worked hard to build a relationship that will last. Commemorate that.

Planning a wedding and feel like we’re a good fit? Let’s grab a drink and get to know each other! Give me a shout, and let’s connect!

The post 5 No-Fail Tips for Hiring Your Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Unconventional Wedding | Sara + Daniel’s Snipes Farm Retreat Celebration | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer

Courtney — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 13:57:18 +0000

Sara + Daniel tied the knot on May 2, 2015 at Snipes Farm Retreat in Chapel Hill, NC. This creative couple planned an unconventional wedding stripped of imposed wedding traditions–proving that your wedding can be infused with imagination.

From a self-officiated ceremony to an anarcho-feminist puppet show, their unconventional wedding reflected this couple’s authenticity.

Sara and Daniel wanted their day to be a celebration of a world that is more free, just, joyful, loving, and beautiful. And their wedding certainly did not miss the mark.

Read the Q&A below to learn more about Sara + Daniel’s inspiration for their unconventional wedding celebration.

Are you planning your own unconventional wedding? Come check out the Raleigh LGBTQ Wedding Expo on February 25.

This event is an amazing resource—not only if you’re LGBTQ—but also if you’re a hetero couple looking for LGBTQ-friendly vendors who share your values.

Everyone is welcome at this event—gay, hetero, single, curious—and there’ll be all types of vendors, from photographers like myself, to catering, music, and everything in between. Admission is free, click here for more info and to RSVP. I hope to see you there!

1. How did you meet and fall in love? I’d love to hear a little bit more of your story.

We met at Connecticut College when I was a freshman and Daniel was a sophomore.

We first interacted at a film showing against the war in Iraq that Daniel presented with the campus leftist group he started. I had seen Daniel around campus (who could miss his ridiculous mohawk?), but Daniel apparently got smitten with me after I made “a biting criticism of US foreign policy” (His words, not mine. I think he just thought I was cute).

After a couple of goofy missteps we connected, exchanged mix tapes, and started a fun, passionate relationship. We got a chance to spend a summer together in Mexico during different internships, and we bonded over delicious food and revolutionary politics.

Over the last eleven years we have lived together in Mexico, DC, and North Carolina, and we spent years apart while I worked/studied in Guatemala, Ecuador, and Philadelphia. Neither of us can pinpoint the moment when we realized that we are going to be life partners. In some ways I think we both always knew

2. You incorporated some really unique elements into your unconventional wedding day (Before you, I had never photographed a puppet show at a wedding!) Tell me about some of these personal touches and the inspiration behind it.

It was very important for us that each element of our unconventional wedding day felt authentic to our relationship, heritage, and values. We are two folks that like to question authority and the status quo, so it makes sense that we tried to spin wedding traditions into something that felt representative of us.

We chose to officiate our own wedding because both of us are atheists, but we wanted to make sure that some of our closest friends and family members could contribute to the ceremony.

Our close friends are in a puppet troupe, the Mysterious Rabbit Puppet Army, and they offered to write and perform a puppet show for us our wedding. The puppeteers knew that I am obsessed with my cats, so they made them the narrators of this sweet anarcho-feminist puppet show. It was amazing!

3. What was your favorite part of your unconventional wedding day?

Both of us agreed that our favorite part of the wedding day was dancing the final dance while a huge group of our friends encircled us. Our DJ, Alex DB, played “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which was on the first mixed CD I gave to Daniel. Daniel and I both cried our eyes out while our friends hugged us. It was really moving.

4. What factors other than photos went into your decision on a unconventional wedding photographer? Why did you pick me?

We wanted someone who would seem comfortable with some of our nontraditional choices. You were more than game and were very validating of our choices. You also seemed relaxed and confident.

5. Your photography package included an engagement session. What was it like to work with me during this? Did it make the wedding day easier in terms of nerves about photography or what to expect from our collaboration?

I was really not looking forward to the engagement shoot. I was very nervous because I don’t really enjoy getting my picture taken, but you made me feel at ease. Your directions helped me focus on Daniel and our relationship, rather than whether I looked good enough.

6. What is the first thing you want to do with the images from your unconventional wedding?

We want to re-experience our unconventional wedding through your amazing photos!

7. What is next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

It’s been almost difficult going back to our normal routine considering we had such a wonderful unconventional wedding day! This fall we’re traveling to Vietnam and Laos. We’re excited to go on an adventure together.

8. Now that you are seasoned wedding planners, what advice do you have for other couples planning an unconventional wedding?

Be playful! Many traditional wedding elements conflict with our radical feminist sensibilities. We kept the traditions we liked, and we re-imagined or tossed the traditions we did not like.

Sara and Daniel, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day. There are times when photographing events feels like heavy labor, but this felt like child’s play- and I owe that to the environment of playfulness and imagination that you created. It was truly one of the most enjoyable celebrations I have ever witnessed. Thank you!

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Wedding Planner: RedBird Events

Photography Assistant: Katy Folk

Puppet Show: Mysterious Rabbit Puppet Army

Bride’s Dress: BHLDN

Shoes: Swedish Hasbeens

Groom’s Clothing: Ted Baker

Florist: Teacup Floral

Ice Cream: The Parlour

Cake: Wants and Kneads

Catering: Kokyu

Invites: Daniel Meltzer, printed by CatPrint

DJ: Alex DB

The post Unconventional Wedding | Sara + Daniel’s Snipes Farm Retreat Celebration | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Una + Sam | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer

Shelley — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 20:25:19 +0000

Una + Sam tied the knot in Chapel Hill on April 29, 2017 in their colorful, spirited non-traditional Rigmor House wedding.

These lovebirds met as high school sophomores (shout-out to Mr. Reed and his outdoor ed class for bringing them together!) Fast-forward several years, when Sam proposed over a game of scrabble. Una said yes, naturally.

I loved everything about this Rigmor House wedding- from the lush ferns (grown by Una’s dad for months!) to the fire alarm snafu during dinner, which prompted Una to borrow a firefighter’s helmet for magic-hour portraits while everyone else evacuated the building, laughing and drinking, unfazed by the turn of events.

It doesn’t hurt that Sam has a glorious man-bun, either, or that Una makes the world’s best/scariest faces. All. The. Time.

This spirited couple sat down and talked with me about their Rigmor House wedding in their own words. Read about their experience below, and get ready to laugh!

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Sam : Una is my perfect other half. She is calm where I am high stress and high stress where I am calm. We balance out each other’s goofiness and seriousness. But most importantly, we compromise frequently and willingly, but we don’t ever let each other stop being our individual selves, and that was reflected beautifully and perfectly in our vows.

Una: Well crap, I don’t know how to compete with what he just said! But I love that Sam expresses his emotions with fullness and integrity and that he is so comfortable in his own skin. I love that he loved planning this wedding as much as I did, and that we did it together.

2. What was most important to you in planning your Rigmor House wedding?

Keeping it low-key, stress free, and enjoying the process of planning! (It only happens once!)

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

Una: The morning of the wedding I woke up and went downstairs to eat toast and happened to glance out the window to see my parents digging up ferns in our backyard. TOO FUNNY. Isabelle, a family friend and our wedding planner, had spotted them weeks before and knew she wanted to use them for decoration. My mom made our wedding cake and I cherish that labor of love. She had never made a cake that large, much less a wedding cake, and it was beautiful (and DELICIOUS.)

Another sweetness was during the parent dances, which I expected to be chill dancing until my dad started spinning me around the dance floor. It was such a silly and fun moment.

Sam: I would add that our officiant (who is also a best friend from college) wrote the most simple but touching speech for the ceremony. And, since it was 92 degrees and people were melting in their chairs, it was thankfully short! And also the fire alarm – we can’t forget that! We always joked that as long as no one died at our wedding we would rate it a success, and we saw it as a good omen that the alarms do indeed work! (And no one died, so, success!)

4. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning their wedding?

Forget about the tiny details; if you’re worried someone is going to side-eye your napkins or something, know that they are going to side-eye no matter what. If you’re on a budget, scratch that, because you are on a budget, pick the things that really matter to you and go cheap on the rest. We knew we wanted a live band, so we splurged on them (they. were. AMAZING.) and in exchange, we spent $50 on my dress.

5. What is the first thing you want to do with the images? Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame?

As a wedding gift, a friend of ours who frames art professionally is doing a few chosen photos. We are really looking forward to hanging those. And of course, we are going to make an album to be placed somewhere in our house that is easily reached for a nostalgic perusal.

6. What’s next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

Una: I finish graduate school next May and we delayed our honeymoon until after I finish. Since most of my extended family lives in Ireland, and Sam has never met many of them or traveled to Ireland, we are planning a long-awaited summer trip!

7. Anything else you’d like to add about your Rigmor House wedding or experience working with me?

While I was pretty sure from the photos alone that Courtney would be a perfect fit for us, after we met I was sure of it. She listened to our thoughts and nailed everything we wanted while also capturing wonderful moments we would never have thought to ask for. We spent zero moments worrying about photography once we booked her, and we couldn’t have had a better experience. Our wedding was joyous and loving and so much fun, and our photos reflect that.

Are you a low-key couple looking for a photographer to capture your own silliness and joy on your big day? Check out my 3 wedding photography packages and drop me a line– I’d love to hear from you!

A shout-out to our fab vendors who made this day possible:

Photography Assistant: Katy Hall

Coordinator: Isabelle Congleton

Officiant: Ethan Sagin- Sam’s college friend

Bride’s Dress: Rainbow’s End

Bride’s Shoes: Modcloth

Cake: Ann Walsh, bride’s mother

Florist: Isabelle Congleton; ferns by Larry Sammon, bride’s dad.

Dessert: Chapel Hill Restaurant Group

Catering: Chapel Hill Restaurant Group

Band: The Finns

The post Una + Sam | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Stacy + Jay | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer

Shelley — Fri, 26 May 2017 18:54:27 +0000

Stacy + Jay tied the knot at the Rigmor House in Chapel Hill on April 22, 2017. This laid-back duo wanted a celebration that felt less like an extravagant production and more like a backyard barbecue.

And they wanted their dog, Pepper, to be the star of the day. They incorporated lawn games, s’mores around the bonfire, and ample room for Pepper to roam and guests to stretch their legs (and slip her food!).

Do you think they pulled it off? Check out these pics, and sound-off in the comments below!

Are you planning a laid-back outdoor wedding and looking for a photographer who loves cornhole, North Carolina BBQ, and your fur-baby?

Or maybe you’re renovating your home for your backyard wedding and have no idea where to put all the guests? I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Check out my 3 wedding packages and schedule a 30-minute phone discovery session with me by August 15 and receive 10% off your photography package.

A shout-out to our fab vendors who made this day possible:

Photography Assistant: Kasha Ely

Coordinator: Lauren Wilson

Officiant: Kathie McCutcheon

Bride’s Dress: Amy Kuschel, purchased at Lana Addison Bridal

Bride’s Shoes: Imagine by Vince Camuto

Bridesmaid Dresses: Weddington Way

Florist: Tre Bella

Dessert: Nantucket Bakery

Catering: Hillsborough BBQ

Invites: Wedding Paper Diva

DJ: Montgomery Morris

Transportation: Greenway Transit

The post Stacy + Jay | Rigmor House Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Bejal + Brittany | NC Botanical Garden Wedding | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer

Courtney — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 14:35:05 +0000

Time to revisit one of my favorite weddings! Bejal + Brittany’s Indian-fusion wedding in Chapel Hill was eclectic, emotional, and super-fun to shoot.

When Bejal explained her LGBTQ wedding vision as “peacock-themed with Hindu influences,” I was hooked! I always love when couples create a wedding experience that is unique to their story, and this Indian-fusion wedding in a relaxed garden setting was definitely true to Bejal and Brittany.

One of my favorite elements of Brittany and Bejal’s NC Botanical Garden ceremony was the layout of the space. Instead of walking down a center aisle, Brittany and Bejal processed together but on separate sides of the circular perimeter, around the guests instead of cutting through them. I also loved that they did their first dance right after they said their vows and kissed instead of during the reception.

When I first blogged this wedding back in 2014, it was the 2-year anniversary of the gay marriage ban passing in North Carolina. This gross, discriminatory law was finally overturned, and couples like Bejal + Brittany can now legally wed.

A family member’s speech during this wedding lingers with me in light of this: courage is doing what is right and true, even in the face of opposition. I’m so glad Bejal + Brittany chose to keep on lovin’ each other and sharing it with all of us.

Are you an LGBTQ couple looking for a chill, open-minded LGBTQ wedding photographer?

I’d love to photograph your day! Check out my three wedding packages or come meet me in person at the 5th Annual Raleigh LGBTQ Wedding Expo on Sunday, February 25th (admission is FREE – click here for more info and to RSVP.)

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Second Photographer: Grace Farson

Dress: Bridal Mart

Shoes: Van’s and DSW

Bridesmaid dresses: Bridal Mart

Florist: 9th Street Flowers

Cake: Vimala’s Curry Blossom Cafe

Catering: Vimala’s Curry Blossom Cafe

Invites: Lime and Ruby

The post Bejal + Brittany | NC Botanical Garden Wedding | LGBTQ Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Allison + Will | Inclusive Wedding at the Haw River Ballroom | North Carolina Wedding Photographer

Becky — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 14:51:11 +0000

Allison + Will tied the knot in a classic ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Burlington on October 15, followed by a fun, vibrant reception at Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw. This rad couple planned a celebration that commemorated their Alamance County roots as well as their appreciation for diversity and inclusivity.

From their selection of local food vendors to a feminist DJ, their inclusive wedding reflected their authentic joy for one another and their community.

Read the Q&A with this intentional couple, featured below, to learn more about their wedding inspiration and photography experience!

—

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Allison: Will’s sense of humor and present-orientedness helped in some stressful times.

Will: I appreciated Allison’s thoughtfulness for other people, attention to detail, organizational skills, and general event-planning mastery.

Our families mean everything to us and they were so, so generous and supportive throughout the process. We tried our best to balance the vision our parents had for the events with our vision—and it seemed to work out pretty well.

2. What was most important to you in planning your inclusive wedding?

Our engagement started with us proposing to each other, and that mutuality and the egalitarian nature of our relationship was reflected in the ceremony and the other traditions we chose to honor, alter, or leave out.

We wanted the ceremony and reception to reflect our values and vision for what we want the world to look like: a just, equitable, welcoming and joyful place where community is strong and everyone can be fully present and fully themselves—with fabulous music, let-loose dancing, and delicious food and drinks of course! We know that having a wedding and a state-recognized marriage is a privilege, and one that couples like us have had longer than others, and it was important for us to acknowledge that, even if in a small way with some text on the bulletin. The ceremony used gender-neutral language, and we didn’t gender our wedding party or their clothes—Will had a posse, I had a posse, and they wore clothes from the same color palette. We spent a lot of time picking out the readings and music for the ceremony and determining how our friends and family would be involved in ways they’d enjoy. We both grew up in the Presbyterian church and it was important in shaping our values and sense of community, so it was special to have the ceremony in the church in which Allison was raised. We’re also both from NC. The Haw River Ballroom reflected both different parts of North Carolina we identify with—the textile mill, the river, the country roads, and the music, arts, microbrew, and proximity to Chapel Hill where we met.

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

The passing of the peace (an element we added to the ceremony)
Will’s incredibly talented cousin Joseph singing Be Thou My Vision
Driving together from the church to the reception, just the two of us
A father-daughter dance that included spontaneous clogging, a sweet mother-son dance, a mother-daughter dance to the Gilmore Girls theme song, and a dance solo by Will’s dad
When Will’s family and friends took the life-sized cutout of our dog Wally to the dance floor. Wally danced half the night!
So many moments with family and friends, many of whom travelled far to celebrate with us, and many of whom contributed in such loving ways

4. Your photography package included a bridal session. What was it like to work with me before the wedding? Do you have a favorite photo or moment from your session?

At first I felt awkward and nervous to be in this special outfit (still having conflicting feelings about wearing a wedding dress!) with attention focused on me, but Courtney was easy to be with and I trusted her direction and vision. Soon we were laughing and cracking jokes. It was really special for both my parents to be there during the session (and I was really doing it for them). My dad put some music on and seeing their smiling faces made me smile. Also, I snuck in a prop—The Essential Feminist Reader. I had to insert at least a little sass and a nod to feminism and the complex tradition of marriage. One of my favorite moments was looking down at my book and reading about Pauli Murray while Courtney was snapping photos. It was poignant in that moment to have the company of a person who courageously laid claim to so many facets of their identity and way of being in the world. My other favorite moment was my parents photo-bombing the final portrait shots. I’ll probably frame that photo.

5. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning an inclusivewedding?

Trust your instincts, make lists, and recognize the point when it’s time to say “eff that ess” to anything that is negative, overwhelming, or otherwise unneeded. Schedule some time around the wedding to be with friends and hang out. Those are some treasured hours! Also, it’s just one day. It’s an amazing day of solemn vows and celebration and togetherness, but it’s just one. Every day that you share with your partner is a day that you are making promises and building a life together. Honor that, and enjoy it. That’s what it’s all about.

—

Allison + Will, thank you for being such thoughtful, inspirational clients! I admired how intentional you were in celebrating your values on your inclusive wedding day, and how you welcomed friends and family from all walks of life. Your love for your community was made manifest in every part of your celebration, and I’m so thrilled to have documented that for you. Thank you for inviting me to be your photographer and share in your joy.

Are you planning a inclusive wedding and looking for an experienced North Carolina wedding photographer who supports your values?

I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Check out my 3 wedding packages and drop me a line to set up your free wedding consultation.

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Second Photographer: Kallyn Boerner

Ceremony Venue: First Presbyterian Church

Ceremony Coordinator: Cathy Dusenberry

Reception Venue: Haw River Ballroom

Haw Reception Coordinator: Grace Beason

Flower Girl Dress: made by groom’s mom, Joy Alley

Florist: Special Arrangements

Dessert: Main Street Cake Shoppe, other desserts by friends and family

Catering: Saxapahaw Catering Company

Invites: Juliepatoolie’s

Programs: designed by bride

Band: Daniel Seriff trio

DJ: DJ Fifi Hifi

The post Allison + Will | Inclusive Wedding at the Haw River Ballroom | North Carolina Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Dana + Ben | DIY Duke Gardens Wedding | Durham Wedding Photographer

Becky — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:50:42 +0000

Dana + Ben tied the knot in a beautiful DIY outdoor ceremony at Duke Gardens on September 24, 2016.

I photographed Dana’s sister’s wedding in 2014, and it was a special treat to document another family celebration just two years later. I loved the laid-back but romantic feel of Dana + Ben’s Duke Gardens wedding and am excited to share these photos!

Read the Q&A with this laid-back couple, featured below, to learn more about their Duke Gardens wedding inspiration and photography experience!

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Dana: Ben is kind, calm, and very organized. He’s good at remembering the things that might slip through the cracks- like getting a marriage license. I always feel like he’s on my team. He was holding my hand, dancing, and just with me all night.

Ben: Dana makes everyone feel very comfortable, and as a result our wedding was relaxed and friendly.

2. What was most important to you in planning your wedding?

It was important to us that everyone was going to have fun! And also that the wedding reflected us. Our ceremony felt very “ours”- like hugging our parents instead of being given away, and having our friend Virginia as the officiant.

Even though we kept our family in mind, we felt like it fit us. We tried to do some DIY things to keep costs down. We bought these rubber stamps and ink to decorate our invitations, and we used them again for the programs.

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

Dana: Seeing Ben’s face as I walked down the aisle is something I won’t forget. Seeing so many loved ones. Getting ready with my sister and girlfriends.

Both: The toasts were truly special- heartfelt and touching.

4. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning their wedding?

Wedding planning takes a lot of time, especially the small things. Start early, and leave yourself enough time, and try to divide and conquer a bit. It’s so helpful when something is handled by one member of the couple and you know your own task.

Remember to soak up the day. It goes by so fast. Savor being with your partner on the special day.

5. What drew you to my photography style? Why did you ultimately decide to hire me? Was it worth it?

We loved your photography from my sister’s wedding, which was probably the best way to vet you too! You are so comfortable to work with. You are friendly and calm but are not afraid to tell people what you need. The composition in photographs is very nice, and it’s clear that you’re thinking about the whole frame.

6. What is the first thing you want to do with the images? Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame?

I’m just looking at these over and over again, re-living the wedding. Social media posts to come, and we’ll certainly pick out a few to frame, and potentially an album. We also gave a few of the group shots to our friends and family as gifts.

7. What’s next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

We have a trip planned just the two of us- without the dog- to New Orleans. Just a short trip but it feels like honeymoon round two. We’re loving living together after being long distance. Life is so much better.

Are you planning a laid-back outdoor wedding and looking for an experienced North Carolina wedding photographer who supports your unique vision?

Or maybe you’re renovating your home for your backyard wedding and have no idea where to put all the guests? I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Check out my 3 wedding packages and schedule a 30-minute phone discovery session with me by August 15 and receive 10% off your photography package.

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Venue: Duke Gardens

Photography Assistant: Katy Hall

Coordinator: Liz Gordon

Officiant: Virginia Rutter, friend

Bride’s Dress: Melissa Sweet

Bride’s Shoes: Seychelles / BHLDN

suitBridesmaid Dresses: The Reformation, No. 6 / BHLDN

Groom’s Clothing: J. Crew

Ties: J. Rich / Suit Supply

Florist: Tre Bella

Dessert: Rose’s Sweet Shop

Catering: Durham Catering Company

Invites; DIY, rubber stamp from Beeswax Rubber Stamps

Programs: DIY

DJ: Friends- Ellie & Michael

The post Dana + Ben | DIY Duke Gardens Wedding | Durham Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Julia + Eric | NC Botanical Garden Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer

Becky — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:21:15 +0000

Julia + Eric tied the knot in an intimate fall wedding on October 29, 2016 at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill.

This chill couple wanted a simple party with a laid-back feel, and they incorporated some unique elements I haven’t seen before in my eight years as a wedding photographer–(dinosaurs in the table settings, kitten cake-toppers, not to mention an unforgettable throw-down to Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited” on the dance floor). And the NC Botanical Garden venue was the perfect colorful fall backdrop for their unconventional day!

Read the Q&A with this quirky couple, featured below, to learn more about their NC Botanical Garden wedding inspiration and photography experience!

1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Julia: Eric is very laid-back and balanced out a lot of my wedding nerves!

Eric: Julia is reliable, smart and measured in her priorities and approach, always getting things done well while understanding what really matters. In the lead up to the wedding, she knew what she wanted and how to work together to help make a wonderful time for the two of us and the people we love.

2. What was most important to you in planning your wedding?

We wanted it to be relaxed and fun – we didn’t want to spend a lot of time agonizing over whether it was the Most Special Thing Ever. It’s a best friends forever party with all the people we love most – we wanted to keep that in mind and keep things in perspective.

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

This sounds like a cheat, but the whole thing. The entire night was lovely; no one moment really defined it.

4. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning their wedding?

Don’t stress. Make a good faith effort to share the burden. Try to be there for one another and do what makes you happy.

5. What drew you to my photography style? Why did you ultimately decide to hire me? Was it worth it?

Definitely worth it! We were more than pleased with both Courtney’s warm presence at the event and what we’ve seen of the photos.

6. What is the first thing you want to do with the images? Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame?

Look through them together and share them with friends and family! Then look at them again!

7. What is next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

We’re headed to Japan for our honeymoon. From there, who knows!

Are you planning a laid-back outdoor wedding and looking for a photographer who is excited about your original ideas?

Or maybe you’re blending two different faith traditions and are not sure where to even start? I love helping you clarify + celebrate your true values on your wedding day. Schedule a 30-minute phone discovery session with me by August 15 and receive 10% off your photography package.

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Photography Assistant: Katy Hall

Venue: NC Botanical Garden

Dessert: Party Delights

Catering: Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe

The post Julia + Eric | NC Botanical Garden Wedding | Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Teague + Tim | Caffe Luna Wedding | Raleigh Wedding Photographer

Becky — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 17:29:52 +0000

Teague + Tim tied the knot in a classy, intimate evening wedding at Caffe Luna in downtown Raleigh on November 5, 2016.

This was such a fun way to end the 2016 wedding season, as I couldn’t have asked for a more adorable couple who gave me carte blanche to carry out my creative vision.

Often wedding days are packed with one event after another, but Tim and Teague wanted to have ample time for portraits. So we spent a glorious stretch of time wandering from one cool spot to another during “golden hour,” spanning City Market, Historic Oakwood Cemetery, and even Pup’s Day Out to visit their fur-babies.

Read the Q&A with this spunky couple, featured below, to learn more about their wedding inspiration and photography experience!

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1. What are some of your favorite things about your partner? How were these attributes expressed during or leading up to your wedding?

Tim: We didn’t have a very long engagement, while I wouldn’t say Teague is super detail-oriented, she was very decisive. Teague is a creative problem solver and, as a result, our wedding process wasn’t stressful, which is what you often hear. I also admire Teague’s intelligence, and I think because she thought through everything ahead of time, things came together really well.

Teague: Tim is more optimistic than I am, and sometimes throughout the wedding planning process, his optimism was necessary for me as I would often say “we should have just eloped” anytime something would come up. Tim is reliable and was solely responsible for our cake and DJ. It was really wonderful being able to rely on him and not feeling like I had to make every decision. Tim is a loving and supportive partner, and our wedding planning process really just reiterated how lucky I am to have him.

2. What was most important to you in planning your wedding?

The most important part of our wedding planning was to keep things simple. So much of the wedding industry has “must do’s” and it was important for us to think through these checklists to determine what was important to us. We didn’t have a wedding party, which alleviated many of the costs/time involved in planning a wedding. The venue we selected handled every aspect except the flowers/cake. Not having to worry about minor details was very important. As a result, our wedding day honestly wasn’t stressful and we could just enjoy ourselves.

3. Are there any details or moments from your wedding that are particularly special to you? (E.g., you wore your momma’s dress, your partner unexpectedly serenaded you, there was a double rainbow all across the sky…).

Tim: The first look pictures were special as well as Teague’s brother, Charlie, singing while she walked down the aisle with her father.

Teague : My favorite moment was when Tim and I first saw each other, I loved that it was just us plus our awesome photographer.

4. Now that you’ve tied the knot (and survived!), what advice would you give to other folks planning their wedding?

A bit of practical advice first: don’t get a hotel block, there are many online options for guests. But most importantly, I would say surround yourself with a good team and let them do their jobs, these are professionals that don’t need to be micromanaged. Focus on yourself, don’t worry about what others will think, just do what makes you happy.

5. What drew you to my photography style? Why did you ultimately decide to hire me? Was it worth it?

I really liked that you didn’t have many staged photos, they all felt like honest moments that you captured. A lot of the wedding photographers have almost identical photos for every wedding they shoot, and I loved your documentary style that showed the personality of the couples. We ultimately hired you because we felt comfortable around you and we really enjoyed hanging out with you, you put us at ease. Choosing a photographer is the biggest decision we made in planning, and we knew you would be trustworthy and give us great photos to keep forever.

6. What is the first things you want to do with the images? Wallpaper the hallway? Internet fame?

We cannot wait to see them and order a ton! We will use them as thank you cards and gifts.

7. What is next for you as a couple? Any big plans?

We are planning our honeymoon to Australia/Fiji next year!

8. Anything else you’d like to add?

We can’t imagine having a different wedding photographer on our day. A couple of other photographers we met with had preconceived notions of the photos we “must have”. You really listened to what we wanted and what was important to us, even if it meant going to our dog’s boarding location and the cemetery!

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Teague + Tim, thank you for being such fun and down-to-earth folks! I honestly couldn’t have imagined a better way to end the 2016 wedding season. I enjoyed every minute with you (especially over beer + giant pretzels) and am looking forward to our post-wedding portrait session later this winter. I hope you enjoy your pictures!

A shout-out to all our fab vendors for making this day possible:

Venue: Caffe Luna

Officiant: Katherine Edwards

Second Photographer: Alex Lassiter

Bride’s Dress: Truvelle, bought at Bellissima Brides

Bride’s Shoes: Yosi Samra

Groom’s Clothing: Combatant Gentlemen

Florist: Watered Garden

Catering: Caffe Luna

Invites: Minted

DJ: Willis J Entertainment

The post Teague + Tim | Caffe Luna Wedding | Raleigh Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.