Sonia and Vivek’s beautiful Charlotte wedding is featured in the new Fall/Winter 09 issue of The Knot North Carolina.

You may recognize them as one of the attractive couples scrolling across the top of our blog.

Our coverage of the lavish event held at The Westin in Charlotte began with the Sangeet ceremony the night before the wedding. The two days were steeped in traditon, included wonderful, colorful clothes and some of the most visual events I’ve had the opportunity to photograph. You can see mores images from the wedding on our website under featured weddings.

I added just a few photographs, which were first featured on our old blog, below. Congratulations again to Sonia and Vivek and thank you for letting us be a part of this spectacular event.

Sonia and Vivek's Charlotte wedding featured in The Knot

Sonia as she prepared for her Sangeet ceremony the night before the wedding

Vivek heading to the ceremony

The wedding ceremony at The Westin in Charlotte

Listening to speeches at the reception

A quick kiss outside the reception

Kelly and Ben, or Benny as he is known to most of his many friends, first met several years ago in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Benny, who is from Melbourne, Australia, first planned on a short stay in Jackson Hole on his way to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Kelly, a North Carolina native who had recently graduated from N.C. State, went to Wyoming for a summer job, loved the area and stayed for two years. Benny, who spent time as a snowboard instructor, returned for four more winters. And while they became friends at that time, their romance wouldn’t hit full stride until they connected again when Benny came to Charlotte for a mate’s wedding. Kelly, now a grad student at UNC Charlotte, contacted Benny when he came to town and their relationship blossomed.

Their beautiful wedding at the Deerpark Restaurant on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate had a decidely international flavor with many guests from Australia, Ireland and even Sweden.

I had the pleasure of working with Kelly, her mother Margot and Ben’s mother Robyn in late May when we did Kelly’s bridal portraits all around the grounds at the Biltmore Estate.

Company photographer Laura Mueller, who once spent a year living in Australia, gave me an assist and did a great job covering the men. She was able to swap some stories of her adventures with the Aussie contingent.

The staff at the Deerpark Restaurant did a great job and the Flower Gallery in Asheville created a fantastic atmosphere with vibrant, colorful florals. Alan Daly of Crown Alley Films captured the moving pictures with help from his assistant Craig Mace.

Thanks to Kelly, Benny and their wonderful families. Cheers!

Kelly and Benny

Kelly with the Biltmore Estate in the background

Carolyn applies Kelly's makeup as Alan Daly of Crown Alley Films records the scene

Another makeup detail

Katie and Mollie get ready at the Inn at the Biltmore Estate

Kelly's beautiful Judd Waddell dress

Kelly gets her dress on with help from her mother and MOH Price

Benny has some fun while haning out with his mates

Laura photographed Benny and the boys at the Biltmore

The ladies on the grounds at the Biltmore

Kelly's mom Margot and her brother Lawrence hug right before the ceremony

Benny and his stepfather and best man Barry take their positions

The groomsmen looking sharp

Benny watches Kelly walk down the aisle with her father

Kelly looks at her father Larry as he prepares to give her away

Some of the beautiful flowers from the Flower Gallery in Asheville

First kiss as husband and wife

Kelly and Benny exit the ceremony

Barry gives a big bear hug following the ceremony

Kelly's mom haves some fun as she exits with her husband and son

Kelly and Benny relax a little after the wedding

The happy couple shares a kiss

A few more pictures before the reception

The Deerpark Restaurant, which also created the cake, was a wonderful setting for the event

Florals from the Flower Gallery in Asheville

First dance in the courtyard at the Deerpark Restaurant

I love the intimacy of this shot

The couple displays some fancy dance moves

Benny dances with his mother Robyn

Cutting the cake was a team effort

Kelly and Benny share a laugh with Kelly's dad

Making their escape in a shower of rose petals

The couple got a surpise as they tried to get in the car to find it full of bridesmaids

We’ve been very busy with a variety of photo shoots and post production computer work of late and I haven’t had a change to update the blog.

I was on a corporate photo shoot this morning when I encountered a gentleman with such an interesting face I knew I had to take some time to take his portrait. Arnie, who will turn 80 later this month, introduced himself as “Arnie the Carny” and explained that he was a carnival worker much of his life. The journalist in me enjoyed hearing stories of his experiences.

My corporate client, one of the region’s premiere builders, created an award-winning apartment complex for elderly people who have extremely limited income. A great idea and a wonderful facility.

Check back soon for what promises to be a fantastic wedding in Asheville and some bridal portraits we haven’t been able to share just yet.

Arnie, who was a carnival woker for much of his life, turns 80 this month