FotoRecord » 2008

month: October 2008

10.29.2008

Following the ceremony at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Jackie and Stuart’s wedding celebration moved to the Ballantyne Resort.

The evening kicked off with a cocktail party complete with a signature cocktail - the “Fogalino.”

As I peeked inside the ballroom I was treated to a spectacular vision that came from the combination of the efforts of Sha Sha Harnik of Distinctive Events in Charleston, Todd Crawford of Crawford and Company Florist in Charlotte and the staff at the Ballantyne Resort. The cake by Jill Delmastro of Wedding Cakes by Jill added even more elegance to the setting.

I need to mention the efforts of Lee MacLeod of Sterling Event Planners, Ballantyne catering sales manager Kelly Randazzo, Ballantyne’s events concierge Sarah Slovensky and Jennifer Wouters from Soiree Charlotte. Jennifer did an amazing job as the point person for the event.

The team from Cinematrimony, led by Darin Holiday, was also great to work with and I appreciate their unobtrusive style.

The Atlanta 80’s cover band The Breakfast Club kept the party going all night and a photo booth from Party Booths was another nice touch.

Jackie and Stu are such a fun couple and they made the night all huge party for everyone. Thanks to you both and to your families for a fantastic event.

Jackie and Stuart outside the Ballantyne Resort

Signature cocktail - the "Fogalino"

An amazing setting insdie the Ballantyne Resort

An amazing setting inside the Ballantyne Resort

All the details were done to perfection

An incredible cake by Jill Delmastro of Wedding Cakes by Jill

The staff at the Ballantyne Resort did a fantastic job

The staff at the Ballantyne Resort is top notch

The wedding party made some grand entrances

Jackie and Stu's first dance

Group hug after the first dance

Jackie's grandfather gave a wonderful speech

Jackie and Stu get words of wisdom from her grandfather

Jackie and the wedding party react to a speech by her father

Stuart's father is a minister and he gave the blessing

The first course arrives

Jackie dances with her father

Jackie gives her father a big hug at the end of their dance

Jackie shows her appreciation to her father

Jackie's grandmother has a great time on the dance floor

Looking for a photo opportunity

Jackie gets things moving on the dance floor

Jackie and her mother enjoy the reception

Atlanta 80's cover band The Breakfast Club gets some backup vocals from the bride

They wore their sunglasses at night, as per Jackie's request

Jackie's father took a break for cigars and single malt scotch

Jackie did a little fake-out on the first attempt at the bouquet toss

Jackie and Stu make their exit

Sparklers light the way for the escape

Jackie and Stu met at a golf course so the golf cart was very fitting

Jackie and Stu met during college while working at a golf course so the cart was very fitting

10.28.2008

We’ve been very fortunate to photograph some incredible weddings during the past few months.

Jackie and Stuart’s wedding in Charlotte Saturday included all of the elements needed for a great event. Great people, excellent venues and talented wedding professionals. Also in abundant supply was something that sometimes gets overlooked - fun.

I first got to know Jackie and Stu at their engagement party at Providence Country Club in March. They were so easy to work with and I saw first-hand their love of family and laughter. Earlier this month, we did Jackie’s bridal portrait session at the Duke Mansion.

I knew going in that this was going to be a special day with some amazing moments. Stuart’s father, the Rev. Arthur Ford Fogartie, led the service and was helped by Catholic priest, the Rev. Patrick’s Cahill, from Jackie’s church. Stuart’s grandfather, the Rev. James Eugene Fogartie, was pastor at Myers Park Presbyterian for almost 20 years.

Our company photographer, Laura Mueller, worked as a second photographer and helped document a full day of activities. We ended up with so many great images that I decided to split this wedding into two blog posts.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for images from the reception and many more details from this beautiful affair at the Ballantyne Resort Hotel.

I have to give a special mention to wedding coordinator Jennifer Wouters of Soiree Charlotte. She helped coordinate a multitude of people who helped make this day.

It was so refreshing to work with Jackie and Stu and their families - people who all know how to have fun.

Jackie And Stuart at Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Laura's shot of Jackie watching her new sister-in-law Drew getting her hair done by Penn from Roland's Salon

Laura's shot of Jackie watching her new sister-in-law to-be Drew getting her hair done by Penn from Roland's Salon

Another Laura photo of Jackie with her "double cousin" Lauren at the Ballantyne Resort

Jackie's grandparents watch people arrive at Myers Park Presbyterian Church

Groomsman gets an assist with his tie prior to the ceremony

Jackie looking gorgeous prior to the service

Helping hands as Jackie gets ready

Michael looks on as Penn assists Jackie with her veil

Bridesmaid Leighton is the sister of Ross, whose wedding we photographed in August. It was great to see her and her parents

Lauren touches up Jackie's lips

Bridesmaids have some fun waiting for the wedding

Stuart's sister Drew waits for the signal to start the ceremony

Jackie and her father head down the aisle

Stu waits for his bride

Stuart's father, the Rev. Arthur Ford Fogartie, conducts the service with an assist from the Rev. Patrick Cahill

Jackie and Stu make their way back down the aisle

A quiet moment right after the ceremony

Jackie's beautiful bouquet, phalaenopsis orchids by Crawford and Company

Having some fun after the ceremony

Jackie and Stu take a moment before heading to the reception

Jackie and Stu pause before heading to the reception

10.20.2008

Our weddings have taken us to many fantastic locations throughout the Carolinas and beyond but it’s always nice to photograph an event close to home.

Amy and Rob chose Saint Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville for their ceremony and the Peninsula Club in the Lake Norman area for their reception.

October is often a fantastic month for weddings in North Carolina as the temperatures cool and the humidity drops. And Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day albeit a bit cool for the area.

Rob’s slight fumbling of his vows gave everyone a good laugh and everything else went off without a hitch.

Thanks to Peninsula Club catering manager Diane Stevens who was so helpful and did a wonderful job throughout the night. Carolyn Shepard of the Carolyn Shepard Design Group did her usual stellar job on the flowers and table decor.

It was so great to see Anne and Kelly, whose wedding I photographed one year ago today. See photos from their wedding by clicking here. I also ran into a friend, Chris, another former client, whose lovely wife Heidi had another commitment and couldn’t attend. Their sons Grant and Anderson are among our favorite subjects.

Diane got us some golf carts and we took Amy and Rob down near Lake Norman for some fun pictures. The crisp, fall evening and the backdrop of the Peninsula Club made for some awesome images.

Thanks Amy and Rob and good luck to you both!

Amy and Rob at the Peninsula Club at Lake Norman

A beautiful fall sky at Saint Gherese Catholic Church in Mooresville

A beautiful fall sky at Saint Therese Catholic Church in Mooresville

Amy's dress was eye-popping

Amy looked radiant

Amy and her dad compare notes as they wait for their entrance

All eyes are on Amy as she walks down the aisle

The Monsignor Richard Bellow blesses the couple

A smile after the kiss

Amy and Rob relax after the ceremony

Those darn paparazzi are always around

Beautiful bouquet and dress

Amy at the Peninsula Club

Amy jokes with the wedding party

Outside the Peninsula Club

Amy and Rob enjoy the moment

On the docks at the Peninsula Club

A nice place for a stroll

I love the color and lines in this image

Gorgeous table decor from the Carolyn Shepard Design Group

Happy Anniversary to Anne and Kelly, whose wedding I photographed one year ago today. Congrats!

Memorable wedding cake

First dance.

Amy snuck a little extra cake on Rob's face

DJ Michael Catlow kept everyone moving

Amy and Rob share a slow dance

10.14.2008

I always look forward to Charleston weddings with all of the city’s history and unique settings.

A significant amount of rain over several days didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits as Lucy and James prepared for their wedding Saturday at the historic First (Scots) Presbyterian Church on Meeting Street.

Lucy looked classic as she wore the veil her mother wore at her wedding. While the rain made outdoor photography difficult, we did get a chance to take some photos outside and the soft light made for some great portraits.

I knew the minister, Dr. William Wood, looked familiar and it turned out I had worked with him at his home church, First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

Although Lucy’s parents live in Charlotte, they are long-time members at the Yeamans Hall Club and that is where Lucy wanted her reception. Many of the guests stayed at cottages there.

Thanks to Charleston wedding planner Calder Clark of Blue Moon Events, who did a great job keeping everything on track despite the rainy conditions. The band Party on the Moon out of Atlanta was amazing. With 13 musicians including a horn section and five singers, the party never stopped and the dance floor was full the entire night.

It was such a pleasure working with Lucy and James and their families and I wish them all of the best when they head back to New York to live and work in the Big Apple.

Lucy and James pause following their wedding ceremony

The historic First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston

Lucy wore her mother's veil

James checks the time before the ceremony

Lucy gets ready

Time for some photos

Lucy shares a laugh with her dad

Beautiful bride

Guests arrive at the church

James heads to the ceremony with his dad and the minister

James heads to the ceremony with his dad and Rev. Wood

Waiting outside the church

The bridal party enters the church

A bridesmaid spots Lucy

I love the timeless quality of this image

Waiting to walk down the aisle

Exchanging rings (Rev. Dr. William Pape Wood of First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte did the service)

The kiss

Leaving the church

Lucy's mom and brother Tarlton after the service

Lucy's mom and brother after the service

The tent outside the Yeamans Hall Club

Lucy and James enter the reception

First dance

Big finish

Lots of great dancing

Party on the Moon, an amazing band from Atlanta, rocked all night

Party on the Moon singers kept everyone moving

Lucy's grandmother and cousin at the reception

Lucy's dad and mom dance with friends

The band, and the dancing, never stoppped

The band, and the dancing, never stopped

Lucy and James make their exit

Off into the night

10.08.2008

While photographing Jackie and Stu’s engagement party earlier this year and I knew right away that they were going to be fun to work with. They are both very laid back and love to laugh.

Unfortunately Jackie had to deal with some serious bridal stress over the past few months. She had ordered her Lazaro dress at the ill-fated La Bella Sposa (you may have read about them in the news) and ended up having to scramble for her dress as well as all of the bridesmaids dresses. Jackie wanted to thank the folks at J Major’s Bridal Boutique who she said were a huge help reordering and obtaining all the dresses.

As I set out to photograph Jackie’s bridal portraits at the Duke Mansion I wanted to make sure to capture some of her vibrant personality.

I recently did a rehearsal dinner at the mansion and was impressed with all of the unique settings it offers. Thanks to Aundrea Hopkins, the wonderful senior conference services manager at Duke, who helped set everything up. Although they don’t do wedding receptions, the Duke Mansion does an incredible job on rehearsal dinners and corporate events and is also a bed and breakfast.

Jennifer Wouters of Soiree Charlotte, who is the planner for Jackie’s wedding, also stopped by to lend a hand. Thanks also to photographer Joe Strickland for doing another excellent job assisting me on the shoot.

Check back for images from Jackie and Stu’s wedding later this month. I’ll also soon be posting images from a Charleston wedding.