Tag: Chapel Hill Wedding Photographer

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

Now that Whitney + Brian have tied the knot, I am excited to share these photographs from Whitney’s bridal session from this May.

This session couldn’t have been any more enjoyable. Whitney hails from Western NC and has a natural love of the outdoors and adventure. When I suggested using the Haw River as our portrait setting, Whitney hiked up her dress and dauntlessly bounded from one rock to another over the river.

We chose the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, NC for our bridal session spot. This has always been one of my favorite venues to work at, given the proximity of the river and the beautiful natural light inside the ballroom. We made the most of our shoot, trekking from the woods to the river to capture a variety of backdrops.

Whitney, not only are you a stunning bride, but your adventurous spirit made this shoot an absolute pleasure! It’s always a treat when photography feels like play, and I certainly had a blast with you (and your mom!) during this shoot. I can’t wait to finish your wedding photos and share them in just a few weeks! Thanks for being such a breeze to work with!

To view all of the photos from Whitney’s bridal session and order prints, please visit her gallery on my online print shop!

Sarah + Doug tied the knot in an intimate backyard wedding in Chapel Hill on June 9, 2013.  After assisting a photographer at a 350+ person wedding the day before, Sarah + Doug’s 40 person wedding was a nice reminder that sometimes all you need for a beautiful, meaningful celebration are your family, closest friends, a rabbi, and maybe a cigar or two for the reception.  🙂

Both the ceremony and reception took place at Sarah’s grandmother’s house, nestled cozily in the woods.  Sarah grew up just one house over, and I loved that the location of her wedding occurred in such a familiar and memory-laden place for her.  In an age of destination weddings, it seems a rarity to get married in the home you grew up in (let alone have your family remain in the same location for 30+ years!)  Instead of signing their ketubah in a stale hotel conference room, Sarah and Doug sealed their promises to each other in Sarah’s grandmother’s home office, which was filled with sweet mementos and photographs- Sarah as a child, Sarah’s graduation picture, and other knickknacks that had been collected over the years- each with its own story.

Sarah + Doug, thank you so much for the opportunity to preserve even more memories that can be added to your grandmother’s collection.  Your wedding was truly refreshing, and I hope that you will cherish these photos for years to come.

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

Dress:  Galina

Shoes: New York Transit

Groom’s clothing: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Victoria Park Florist

Cake: Mad Hatter

Catering: The Catering Company of Chapel Hill

Invites: Gartner

Photography Assistant:  Layson Peters

 

It was chilly when Sarah and Erik read their vows to each other underneath the wooden trellis, but everyone was warmed by this couple’s deep love for one another.  It made me wonder why more couples don’t get married in the winter, since the environment was so intimate and cozy!  Perfect for a wedding.

Sarah and Erik got married at the Rigmor House in Chapel Hill, one of my favorite places to shoot because of all the natural light indoors.  They adorned the tables with festive candles, cranberries, and red roses, which gave the reception a romantic feel. Their friends were extremely fun; I enjoyed watching everyone’s sick dance moves.  I was also pretty amused by the amount of shots consumed in the kitchen in between dances.  🙂

I shot this wedding with my brand new high school intern, Layson Peters.  She did a phenomenal job, and it was so fun to live vicariously through her enthusiasm, since this was her first wedding to shoot ever.  It was nice to realize that my love for wedding photography hasn’t waned over time; every time I create a new picture of a new moment with a new couple, that quiet thrill hits me. It’s the same feeling I had during my first wedding, and I hope that as long as I am in this profession it will continue to shape my work.  And I hope the same for Layson.

Sarah + Erik, thank you so much for sharing your day with us!  Enjoy!