Love Stories
Jonathan & Lauren | Intimate Myers Park Wedding
Jonathan & Lauren’s wedding was certainly one for the books. Tuesday afternoon ceremony, booked the day before, global pandemic on our doorstep, stay-at-home order announced during the ceremony, and 100% rain in the forecast. .
We spoke to Lauren on the phone the day before to run through all of the details. It wasn’t what she had planned whatsoever, except for the ceremony location. What was supposed to be a packed out church ended up being only the couple’s immediate family. Their date was supposed to be in mid-April with a grand reception planned nearby their church ceremony, but was cancelled due to the current Covid-19 crisis. You could say that a lot seemed to be stacking up against Lauren’s big day.
HOWEVER...Lauren & Jonathan were ready to get married and they just couldn’t wait. Lauren was so amazingly positive about the situation and didn’t let it steal her joy or excitement to marry her soulmate one bit. There was one super apparent theme coursing through the day and that was…family. Both Jonathan & Lauren were surrounded by their immediate families, and they were so extremely supportive and encouraging for the couple. You could just tell they wanted the day to be as perfect as possible for the two.
Not only was Lauren literally surrounded by her family, she was also wearing several family heirlooms…a pearl necklace given to her by her late maternal grandmother, a fur stole that belonged to her paternal grandmother, the beautiful white lace tablecloth we used for her ring and stationery shots belongs to Jonathan’s mother, and her veil was first worn by her sister.
During the ceremony, the pastor gave family a chance to come up and share some words for the couple. Tears were shed, love was expressed, and laughter was aplenty. The grooms dad went on to share about how Lauren’s Olympic gold medal (a HUGE deal) couldn’t even compare with her beauty…inside and out. And he was right. Lauren looked amazingly beautiful, and had such a sweet spirit about her.
It poured rain during the whole ceremony, but when we looked outside afterwards...no rain! We were able to capture all of their family formal portraits outside in front of the beautiful Myers Park Methodist church. Cars were driving by honking and it almost seem to bring a sense of hope that life will go on once this crisis passes. We even set up a faux “exit” with bubble guns. Lauren was determined to use them and why not?! Surrounded by bubbles and her cheering family...it was beautiful and so much fun.
We ended our time with some couples portraits, and let me say, the light was to DIE for. Brides, do not fret about a lil rain or overcast skies on your wedding day. The rain seems to deepen the colors of everything and the clouds diffuse the softest, most beautiful light. The couple and their families were so thankful and gracious throughout the entirety of the day, which made our job of capturing the moments for them so much easier.
We’re proud to share with you…Jonathan & Lauren’s big day at Myers Park United Methodist Church.
Venue: Myers Park United Methodist Church
Hair/Makeup: Cali Stott Artistry
Florals: Lily Greenthumb’s
Videography: Bowser Films
Catering: The Duke Mansion
Stationery: Reaves Engraving
Hers
Dress: Stella York purchased at The Savvy Bride Boutique
Shoes: Nina New York
His
Jacket: J.Crew
Shirt: Ledbury
Shoes: To Boot New York
Theirs
Rings: Diamonds Direct
Hunter & Camden | Romantic Max Patch Sunset Session
When Courtney and I decided to do a portrait session giveaway on Instagram for New Years, we were both super excited and super nervous at the same time. We couldn’t have been more excited about who the software chose at random. We go way back with Camden and her family, and she was so excited to have been chosen.
Camden wanted to travel somewhere for the session, and we were so down, so off to Asheville we went! We have been wanting to shoot at Max Patch for a while now, so that was definitely our first recommendation. We decided to go for two totally different looks, one trendy casual for downtown Asheville, and the second a little more romantic for the bald mountain top at Max Patch.
We met up with Camden and her boyfriend Hunter at The French Broad Chocolate Lounge in downtown Asheville and just began walking. We hit a couple alleyways and streets, and then jumped in the Subaru to drive the hour and fifteen minutes to Max Patch. I have to say, Max Patch is now one of my absolute favorite places to shoot…period. It’s a bald mountain top on the NC/TN border with 360 degree mountain views. INCREDIBLE!
We braved the muddy 15 minute hike from the parking lot up to the top and just pure magic followed. Let me tell you…these two are just the cutest couple, and they were such troopers. The temps hovered around 30 degrees with light winds. However, they still had so much fun with one another, and just simply loved on each other.
Please enjoy Hunter & Camden’s Max Patch Sunset session.
Jayme & Teresa | Snowy Sunset Engagement Session at Max Patch
Somewhere along the way, Courtney and I have definitely become “Asheville Photographers” living in Charlotte. And to be honest, we really don’t mind because we absolutely love Asheville! The culture, the people, the breweries, the vibes, the mountains…need I say more. So of course when Teresa brought up the idea for she and Jayme’s engagement session, we were down for an adventure in downtown Asheville and a sunset session at the beautiful Max Patch.
We started our day off with Jayme and Teresa for lunch at Wicked Weed Brewing, one of our favorite spots, and from there made our way through the streets and alleys of South Slope Asheville. We then packed up in the car and started the drive West to Max Patch.
If you remember a couple blogs ago, we did another sunset session at Max Patch, but this one was different. There was around 4”-6” of snow on the bald mountain top! We’ve been dying to do a snow session and we finally got our chance. It was absolutely MAGICAL.
Please enjoy Jayme & Teresa’s snow-filled Max Patch, sunset session!
Robert & Holli | Intimate, Fun-Filled Wedding at Historic Ritchie Hill Estate
Everything about Holli & Robert’s big day at Ritchie Hill was calm, cool, collect, and laid-back. Even though rain clouds loomed in the distance, Holli never stressed or let it get to her. She seemed perfectly content surrounded by her best friends, family, and the only goal for the day was to marry her best friend Robert and to have a blast doing it.
The couple shared the sweetest first look on the covered porch outside the bridal suite. Everyone needs somebody to look at them the way Robert looked at Holli when he turned to see his bride for the first time…seriously.
The ceremony was absolutely perfect as rain storms were avoided, and the couple tied the knot amongst their friends in the most beautiful, secluded spot out behind the historic home.
The rest of the day was filled with beautiful couple’s portraits, heart felt toasts, laughter and happy tears. Throughout our time with Robert & Holli, we’ve found a common theme…not only their crazy love for one another, but their love and care for others. It was beyond apparent that their circle of friends is a SUPER tight knit group that would do anything for one another. We like to think that over the past year and a half that we’ve become a part of their circle.
The day was a blast, and one for the books. But, don’t just take my word for it…enjoy Robert & Holli’s perfect fall day at Ritchie Hill.
Planner/Coordinator: Elle M Events
Venue: Ritchie Hill
Florals: Gather Flower Studio
Hair/MU: Mirror Bomb Studio
Her Ring: Michellia Fine Jewelry
His Ring: Tiffany & Co.
Cake/Desserts: Delish Cakery
Catering: Roots Catering
Bailey & Grace | UNCC Botanical Gardens Sunrise Engagement
I had a good feeling the first time I spoke with Bailey about the possibility of shooting he and Grace’s Virginia Boho barn wedding. Bailey is a Marine and he and Grace have been making the long distant thing work, and we wondered how we would be able to hook up to shoot their engagement session. It just so happened that Grace was heading down to Florida where Bailey would be graduating from a Marine training course, and they would be road tripping back up to VA after his graduation. When we figured they would be driving through Charlotte it was game on…it was our chance.
It was a super chilly fall morning, as we met up at sunrise at the UNCC Botanical Gardens, which is absolutely beautiful by the way. The gardens are split right down the middle with the left path leading to a dreamy Japanese style garden, and the right path leading into a North American themed forest. We made our way through both and these two are just pure magic together.
Please enjoy Bailey & Grace’s sun-soaked, woodland engagement session.
