Read about this spunky Durham couple’s outdoor wedding (complete with butt tattoos, delicious pie, and some outrageous dance moves) in the Q&A below!

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

We actually dated in high school and lived a couple of blocks away from each other growing up!  Our high school romance only lasted about a year but we stayed close friends all through college and afterwards.  We wrote letters to each other, always hung out during the holidays, and then finally Jenny confessed her love to Victor and the rest is history.  It may or may not have had to do with a mix CD.

2. One of the risks in planning an outdoor wedding during North Carolina’s summer is the high likelihood of rain. Did this deter you from planning an outdoor wedding? What did your rain plan include?

The outdoors means a lot to us and it was never really even a consideration to get married inside.  We were worried a bit about rain so we rented a tent to have as back-up ceremony space and talked to our caterer about a rain plan.  We also followed an old tradition and buried a bottle of bourbon upside down on a beautiful day a few weeks before our wedding– it worked!!

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

We got a great recommendation from a close friend who is also a photographer.  Once we checked out your photos we were really impressed and excited to meet and learn more.  We loved the way you were so personal and open with us, and how you were so genuine in wanting to get to know us as.  We also loved your documentary style and your attention to quirky details in the photos that we saw of other weddings.  All of our interactions and meetings made everything feel natural and easy on the day of the wedding!

4. Did you foresee any part of your wedding day being difficult logistically or emotionally? Did I make it easier? If so, how? What surprised you about working with me?

Whenever there are so many moving parts and people, events can be really intimidating.  I think you really helped things run smoothly by having us make a detailed schedule for photos so that everyone knew when to be where.  It was great that you were on board with the schedule we came up with, and then you stuck with it and made it happen!  We were pleasantly surprised about your ability to be both totally in control and serious in giving direction, and also silly and fun at so many points during the day.  You walked that balance so well!

5. What is the first thing you want to do with the images? 

Well, probably we will shrink them down, turn them into temporary tattoos, and give all of our friends and family butt tattoos

Just kidding! We are really excited to share them with everyone and to have them to remember how incredible the day was.

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

We are just really diving back into our local granola business, Silo, and trying to have as many of adventures and travels as possible.  No big plans yet!

Are you planning your own unconventional backyard wedding? I love photographing DIY weddings and would love to help you better envision your day. Shoot me a message, and I’ll send you my wedding photography brochure!

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

Venue: Carol’s Garden Inn

Dress: Skirt from Urban Outfitters

Florist: Gillian Galdy

Cake: Desserts by Scratch and DaisyCakes

Second Photographer: Elizabeth Mendoza

Catering: Durham Catering

The post Jenny + Victor | DIY Backyard Wedding | Durham Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

This wedding will be forever etched in my memory as one of the most adventure-filled ones this spring: the combination of the quaint country setting and sudden summer rainstorm made for truly unforgettable backyard wedding photography.

Their ceremony and reception took place outside on a beautiful piece of property owned by Ashton’s family friends in Wadesboro, NC., just twenty miles from the small town of Norwood.

Ashton was raised by her dad and grandparents in Norwood, NC, and all the wedding preparations took place in this adorable town. With a population just under 2500 residents, Norwood is by the far the smallest town I have ever traveled to for a wedding.

While getting dolled up at the local hair salon, curlers still in her hair, Ashton turned to me and asked with her cute Southern drawl, “Is this the most country wedding you’ve ever shot?”

My answer was an unequivocal yes, which was made more emphatic when I learned that Ashton had been coming to this salon since she was a little girl. Her hair stylist had seen her through middle school dances, prom, and now her wedding day.

Minutes before Ashton walked down the aisle, the steadily darkening skies unleashed a downpour of rain.

Guests made makeshift umbrellas out of ceremony programs and made a beeline towards the overhang of the main house.

As I huddled with guests who were kind enough to invite me to stand under their umbrellas, I was happily reminded of my weather feature-hunting days as a photographer at The Naples Daily News. I admired everyone’s ease with the rain; instead of becoming frustrated about the weather, Ashton and Thomas laughed it off and waited out the storm, and their guests happily followed suite. Thirty minutes and dozens of epic rain-feature photos later, the groomsmen began wiping down the seats.

And then they had a backyard wedding. An epic one.

Ashton and Thomas, thank you so much for inviting me and Kallyn to be a part of your intimate backyard wedding. It is always an honor to shoot a fellow photographer’s wedding (and a Tarheel one, no less! Check out Ashton’s fabulous portfolio if you get a chance!) I was so impressed with your undercurrent of calm and joy during what could have been a stressful day for you. I also loved getting to know your story and your wonderful families and hope that these photos captured that love for years to come.

Are you planning your own unconventional wedding and looking for some stunning backyard wedding photography? I love photographing DIY weddings and would love to help you better envision your day. Shoot me a message, and I’ll send you my wedding photography brochure!

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

Coordinator: Mary Jane Jones with Unveiled Design & Events

Second Photographer: Kallyn Boerner

Dress: Bridal Sense Atlanta

Shoes: Nocona Boots

Groom’s Clothing: Men’s Warehouse

Ties: High Cotton

Florist: Dorothy Lineberger

Cake: Dorothy Lineberger

Catering: Evan’s Catering (Ginny Evans)

Invites: Ann Marie Sanctis & Allegra Printing

Band: The Charlie Band

Transportation: Sunway Charters

The post Ashton + Thomas | Country Backyard Wedding | Charlotte Wedding Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.