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.)

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

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!

The post Whitney | Saxapahaw Bridal Session | North Carolina Portrait Photographer appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

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

The post Sarah + Doug | Chapel Hill backyard wedding appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

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!

The post Sarah + Erik | Rigmor House Wedding appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

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The post Julia + Eduardo | Chapel Hill Wedding appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

The Yows were more than accommodating—Betty Sue gave me a personal tour of Valley View Farm
the day before my shoot and even sold me some amazing beefsteaks and
sausage from her cattle.  She made suggestions for portrait locations,
which included a blue bus that had been abandoned in one of her fields, a
pond near the cow pasture, and an old wooden barn nestled in a field of
yellow flowers.

I had a blast during this shoot, wandering from one scenic location
to the next and following the dynamic post-thunderstorm evening light.
Hunter looked beautiful in her long gown, and I loved her cowgirl
boots!  Shoots like this make me grateful to be photographer living in
Chapel Hill—there are so many beautiful locations to choose from (not to
mention wonderful Chapel Hillians who generously lend me a space to
create beautiful images).

The post Hunter | Chapel Hill Bridal Session appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.

Kim + Justin tied the knot on one of the first spring days of the year in Chapel Hill. Cerulean skies and bright green grass made for a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the Rigmor House, just a few hours before sunset.

Kim and Justin are both down-to-earth and love the country, and their wedding was a beautiful reflection of that. They played country music throughout their cocktail hour and reception and even had an adorable camo-print groom’s cake! I also really loved seeing how they incorporated their engagement photos  into the reception decor, using the photos as both canvas artwork and favors for guests.

Kim’s flower girls also stole my heart. They followed me around throughout the day, twirling in their bright yellow dresses, their perfectly curled hair bouncing in the spring breeze. One of my favorite moments of the day was when a flower girl caught the bouquet during the bouquet toss. Since she is too young to be “the next to get married,” as wedding tradition has it, her mother declared a redo. Too funny!

Kim and Justin, thanks for being such easy, down-to-earth clients to work with! I am so impressed with the fact you were high school sweethearts and loved hearing stories about your steadfast relationship during the toasts. Thank you so much for inviting me to document your wedding! I hope that you cherish these photos in the years to come.

To see more photos from Kim+Justin’s wedding and purchase prints, please visit our print service here!

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

Venue: Rigmor House

Second Photographer: Bridget McEnaney

Shoes: DSW

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Groom’s Clothing: Men’s Wearhouse

Florist: Jane Utley

Cake: Cute & Sweet Boutique

The post Kim + Justin | Rigmor House Wedding appeared first on Courtney Potter Studio.