FotoRecord » Wedding Photography

category: Wedding Photography

05.16.2012

I’d been looking forward to working with Vanessa and Josh again since photographing their engagement session in October.

Vanessa is a long-time friend of my niece Melissa, and Missy was excited about being in the wedding for some time.

Well, we all know that plans don’t always work out, and the arrival of Missy and husband Rob’s beautiful twin daughters meant they couldn’t attend.

But Missy sent her best wishes and everything else went perfectly on a very joyous day,

from the beautiful ceremony at First Baptist Charlotte to the fun-filled reception at Roof With a View.

I always enjoy working with the talented Alan Daly of Crown Alley Films and thanks to the helpful planners from Sweet Carolina Weddings. And thanks as always for the assistance of company photographer Laura Mueller.

Congratulations to Vanessa and Josh and their families.

Vanessa and Josh

Vanessa's mother helps with the dress

Team effort

Having some fun while waiting

Vanessa with flower girl Avery and her mother, Brandi

The ladies

Vanessa's family

The beautiful bride

Time for the ceremony

Laura photographed the men at Marshall Park

Almost time

Laura's view of the ceremony

Fun shot of the flower girl from Laura

Time for some portraits in the park

At the reception

First dance

Josh dances with his mother

Enjoying the view

Time to dance

Exit

02.29.2012

I’ve traveled far and wide documenting weddings over the past nine years.

So it was really nice to be able to photograph a wedding very close to home at Lake Forest, the church my family has been attending for the past several years.

And it was an especially joyful celebration as Michael, one of our excellent ministers, married Mandi, another member of the church family.

The first thing you notice about Michael is that he is tall…really tall. But once you talk to the Davidson College grad a bit you also recognize that is incredibly smart, and he infuses his sermons with wit and wisdom.

Mandi is friendly and personable and she has worked extensively with the youth of the church. Betsy and I also had the pleasure of serving for a time on the hospitality team with Mandi.

The couple opened their invitation to all the church members and a large number turned out. Lead Pastor Mike Moses and Mitch White, pastor of spiritual growth, teamed for the service for their fellow minister. Michael leads the mission efforts at the church and preaches on Sundays at our new location in Davidson.

Tracy Grubbs, head of creative production at Lake Forest, always comes up with interesting sets for our Sunday services and she created a beautiful candlelit setting for the wedding. Musicians Kyle Dillard and Matt Glass added their talents to the ceremony as well. Helping pull it all together was Lake Forest wedding coordinator Tracy Frank.

Highlights included an improvised step stool used in the service to help Mandi get a little closer to Michael for their kiss and a frenzied finish to their first dance.

Congratulations and all the best to Mandi and Michael and their families.

Mandi and Michael

A beautiful afternoon at Lake Forest Church

First look

Taking a few moments before the ceremony

Mandi with her flower girls

The bride

Waiting with family

Mandi gets a kiss from her mother

Michael's footwear of choice

Lead pastor Mike Moses waits

Michael's brother and brother-in-law and ministers Mitch White and Mike Moses gather to pray with the groom

Flower girl gets a little stage fright

Lake Forest's Mike Moses and Mitch White greet the guests

Exchanging rings

Michael is very tall...Mandi is not, Rev. White helps even things up a bit

Michael is very tall...Mandi is not. Pastor Mitch helps even things up a bit

Stepping up

Kiss

Enjoying the moment

Time to celebrate

Mandi and her sister Sherie

Double hug

Celebrating with grandparents

Happy couple

A few minutes alone

After starting slow, the pair broke into an energenic dance

After starting slow, the pair broke into an energetic dance

Fun finish

A large number of church members joined the festivities

How low can you go Billy?

The couple gets showerd in lavender buds

The couple gets showered in lavender buds

Saying goodbye

01.27.2012

There was an air of a familiarity as I photographed Emily and Patrick’s wedding at First Presbyterian Church and the reception at Quail Hollow Club.

I had photographed her sister Ellen’s wedding a few years back at the same venues and I welcomed a chance to work with her wonderful family again.

It rained heavily much of the day but there were a few breaks that allowed some outdoor photos. This was my third-straight wedding at First Presbyterian and I always enjoy the beautiful architecture of the historic church.

Everything was in place for an excellent event including a wonderful service by the Rev. Katherine Kerr, great work by Elizabeth Pearson Frost and the staff at Quail Hollow and another amazing cake from the talented Kathy Allen of Kathy Allen Fine Wedding Cakes. Company photographer Laura Mueller was on hand and created some beautiful images.

It was such a pleasure working with everyone and congratulations to Emily and Patrick!

Emily gets ready

Portrait at Quail Hollow Club

Beautiful bride

Quick group shot at home before Emily got dressed at the church

Emily's nieces got a bit impatient as their mothers were photographed

Custom attire for the bride

Heading to the church

Emily took everything in stride, including a little spelling snafu on their sign

Patrick and his father arrive at First Presbyterian

The ladies arrive

The bride makes her way to the church

Laura captured Patrick, his father and his brother with the groomsmen

The groom heads out for a few pictures

Family portrait

Sister Ellen gets ready as Emily waits

Bridesmaids discover a hair issue

Heading to the chapel

A misty night at First Presbyterian

Patrick watches his bride enter as the Rev. Katherine Kerr and his father look on

The Rev. Kerr has the wedding party turn to see the guests

Ruth hugs her new son-in-law

Emily's father, Paul, congratulates Patrick

Time for pictures

Emily has some fun during the family photos

Emily and Patrick

Heading to the reception

The trolly gets ready to head to Quail Hollow in this cool shot from Laura

The trolley gets ready to head to Quail Hollow in this atmospheric shot from Laura

Making their entrance

Patrick's parents have some fun on the dance floor

Patrick's parents enjoy the dance floor

Getting ready to cut into an edible masterpiece from Kathy Allen Fine Wedding Cakes

Emily's grandmother, right, got into the act as the ladies took to the stage

Emily took to the stage with her sisters and her mother as her grandmother added some backing vocals

Emily sings with her sisters and mother as her grandmother adds some backup vocals

Patrick did a little performing too

Escaping through the flower petals

Sendoff

01.18.2012

Hunter and Michael exchanged vows at First Presbyterian Church in a joyful day filled with family.

I love the historical setting of First Presbyterian, which stands in stark contrast to the gleaming uptown buildings that surround it.

Michael’s family has deep Louisiana roots, but even a loss by their beloved New Orleans Saints couldn’t put a damper on this day.

The service was followed by a wonderful party at Charlotte Country Club.

The Rev. Kirk Hall conducted the ceremony and Jean Cochran served as wedding director. Thanks to company photographer Laura Mueller for all of her beautiful work and to the excellent staff at Charlotte Country Club.

And congratulations to Hunter, Michael and your families.

Hunter and Michael

First Presbyterian Church

The guys were keeping a close watch on the playoff game between and Saints and the 49ers

Michael with ring bearer Cameron, who is his nephew and God-son

Michael with ring bearer Cameron, his nephew

Michael with his sisters

Hunter with her brothers

Getting some help with the dress

Hunter has some fun while getting ready

Hunter with her father, Laurens

Placing the veil

Hunter's mother, Libbie, makes sure everything is in place

Hunter spots a friend

Waiting

High-five for flower girl Natalie

Hunter hugs her grandmother

Almost time

Laura captured Hunter's grandparents being greeted in the church

Hunter's brothers prepare to escort their mother into the service

Entering the ceremony

Michael watches Hunter and her father arrive at the alter

Beautiful historic setting at First Presbyterian Church

Newly married

Libbie hugs her new son-in-law

A little touch-up before group shots

Quick kiss from Mamie, Hunter's grandmother

Making an entrance at Charlotte Country Club

Making their entrance at Charlotte Country Club

First dance

Father/daughter dance

Hunter and her grandfather, another nice moment from Laura

Hunter's parents enjoy the night

The bride and bridesmaids entertain the crowd

Flower petal finish

01.08.2012

Gretchen and Mark’s intimate celebration was a wonderful way to finish off our 2011 wedding season.

And as Gretchen told me, “Mark and my story is one of joy, grief, and many, many, blessings.”

The couple, who have known each other for many years, both lost a spouse to cancer. Gretchen’s first husband, also Mark, was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer in 1988. “He was an amazing man who dealt with his illness with tremendous courage,” Gretchen noted.

Mark’s wife Louella was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Gretchen and Mark would speak every so often about caring for a spouse with cancer. Mark lost his wife in April 2008 and Gretchen’s husband passed away in August 2008.

Gretchen said, “There are not many people widowed in their 40s who are raising children, so Mark and I continued to talk every so often. We both loved our spouses very much and grieved their loss very hard. In early 2010 Mark and I met for a business lunch and spent two hours talking about our spouses. A few weeks later we met for a not so business lunch and that was the beginning of our life as a couple.”

She added, “He has two wonderful boys, Russ and Luke, and I have two great kids in Alec and Gracie. We are incredibly blessed in that despite having lost so much so young, the kids recognize that our relationship makes their parents happy and they have been really supportive. This doesn’t mean we haven’t had bumps, but so far it has worked well and Mark and I are very excited about our new life as a family.”

Gretchen’s friend, the Rev. Katherine Kerr, led the service at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte . They had become close during Gretchen’s husband’s illness.

Following the ceremony in the church’s chapel, the group moved to Myers Park Country Club to celebrate. Thanks to Karen Litton, event coordinator at the club, and the Rev. Kerr for their help.

It was a privilege to play a small part in this special celebration and best of luck Gretchen, Mark and their children!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year to all!

Gretchen and Mark and their children, from left, Alec, Gracie, Luke and Russ follow the Rev. Katherine Kerr's invitation to greet their guests during the service

Gretchen, Mark and their children, Alec, Gracie, Luke and Russ, follow the Rev. Katherine Kerr's invitation to greet their guests during the service

Gretchen waits with her father, stepmother, sister and daughter before the wedding at First Presbyterian Church

Gretchen and Gracie share a quiet moment while waiting

Mother and daughter laugh as they prepare for a big life change

Gretchen and her father

The ceremony

Gretchen celebrates with her sister and her mother

Mark's sons Luke and Russ with their grandmother

Gretchen and Mark

A festive holiday setting at Myers Park Country Club

Some tasty dessert

Finishing off a wonderful night

12.13.2011

Ingredients for an amazing wedding: excellent venues, top-notch professionals and, or course, a wonderful couple.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, was the perfect setting as Holt and Aidan exchanged vows and later partied the night away with family and friends from near and far.

Aidan’s family is from Ireland but he grew up in Charlotte. They have since move back to the Emerald Isle but traveled to Charlotte for the big event. The University of Tennessee, Holt’s Alma mater, was well represented as many of her sorority sisters were part of the wedding party.

The talented Ivy Robinson and her team worked with Sarah Larkey and the the incredible staff at The Ritz for an event that all in attendance will remember for some time.

The weekend started on Friday night as I photographed the rehearsal and a great dinner and party at Bentley’s on 27.

Company photographer Laura Mueller helped out on Saturday as we documented the event at The Ritz. Some other notables included hair and makeup artist Lindsay Reagan Thorne of Be Pretty, the band The Maxx and flowers from Studio Floral Diva and Daniel De La Portillia and his English Carriage Company, who whisked the couple away at the end of the night.

Everything came together for a memorable night.

Congratulations to Holt and Aidan and their families!

Holt and Aidan following their ceremony at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

Having some fun during the rehearsal at The Ritz

Practicing

Aidan's family travled from their home in Ireland

Beautiful setting for the rehearsal dinner at Bentley's on 27

Great view

Holt and Aidan in the candlelight

Enjoying the speeches

Holt's sorority sisters had everyone laughing

Getting some help with the dress

Close inspection

Hugs all around

Picture time

More pictures

The ladies

Laura captured the men out on Tryon Street

Just before the entrance

Sensational setting at The Ritz

Vows

Ceremony

Kiss

Time to celebrate

Holt is ready to party

An inviting table

Details

Preparing to enter the reception

Big entrance

First dance

Aidan hugs his mother following their dance

Time for cake

Cake kiss

Dancing

Fun on the dance floor

Holt and her UT sisters sing Rocky Top

Busy dance floor

Nothing like a little snow for a December wedding

Making their getaway

Holt and her mother

More goodbyes

End of a great night

11.07.2011

With a gorgeous fall day as the backdrop, Kristan and Dana were married at The Point Lake and Golf Club in Mooresville.

Beautiful florals from The Place for Flowers added to the autumnal feel on a sunny but sometimes chilly October day.

Kelley Cartrett-Phifer, director of private events, and the staff at The Point always do a fantastic job and it was great working with our company photographer, Laura Mueller.

Congratulations Kristan and Dana!

Kristan and Dana

Getting ready at The Point

Touch-up

Kristan's mother has some fun getting ready

Fixing the dress

Gorgeous

Beautiful bride

Kristan's father helps Dana get read in this image from Laura

Kristan's father helps Dana get ready in this image from Laura

Interesting light as an usher prepares, another image from Laura

Dana has a moment of solitutde before the ceremony

Dana has a moment of solitude before the ceremony

First look, and Dana is very impressed

A closer look

Enjoying the moment

The men arrive

Kristan and her father make their entrance

The ceremony site

Beautiful fall day

Kristan's parents during the ceremony

Exchanging rings

Kristan's ring

Celebrating

Amazing late-day light illuminates the bride

The wedding party

Friends

Heading to The Point's boardwalk for some portraits

Kristan and Dana

Beaming bride

Happiness

Heading to the reception, in a beautiful capture from Laura

Pretty setting

During the speeches

Dancing with her father

Party time

Send-off

10.28.2011

Lauren and Jeff were married at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church on a spectacular fall day in Charlotte.

The bride looked amazing in her white silk dress from Ines Di Santo.

Adding to the day were beautiful flowers from The Blossom Shop and an incredible cake from Haines Barksdale of For Goodness Cakes. The staff at Charlotte Country Club did their usual superb job and Big Ray and the Kool Kats kept the party going all night long.

Thanks to Adam Coker for his photography help and it was great to work with makeup artist Adrian Howe of the Beauty Sophisticate and videographer Amanda Pagano of Isabel’s Corner.

Congratulations all!

Lauren and Jeff

The bride arrives at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church

Ready for the guests

Waiting with the bridesmaids

A portrait before the ceremony

Beautiful

Sharp-dressed men - Jeff and his father

Lauren shares her excitement with her grandmother

Waiting

Making an entrance

Checking the time

Quick kiss

Jeff waits for his bride

During the ceremony

Unity

Happy bride

Honoring the Virgin Mary

Joyful

Lauren with her mother Mary Helen

Picture perfect

Arriving at Charlotte Country Club

The wedding party

Lauren and Jeff enjoy a gorgeous fall afternoon

Lost in the moment

Classic

So happy

Heading back to the reception

One more of the bride

Time to celebrate

Setting at Charlotte Country Club

Details

Cool cake

Lauren got emotional during her father's speech in this image from Adam

But he soon had her laughing again

First dance

They capped the beautifully choreographed first dance with a lift and a spin

Jeff's brother dances with his mother

Dancing with brother Will

Lauren's father Bill, far right, and his brothers with their interpretation of "Soul Man"

The crowd approves

The bridesmaids get into the act

Cake and a kiss

And they danced into the night

09.29.2011

I first met Reginia when I photographed her sister Ticia’s wedding in 2005.

And I welcomed the chance to work with her family again when she contacted me to photograph her wedding to Vincent in Old Salem in Winston-Salem.

Vincent proposed to Regina on the covered bridge in Old Salem, which encompasses 100 acres of restored and reclaimed landscapes, gardens and museums.

Some unexpected cool, rainy weather threatened the outdoor ceremony, but a tent provided insurance against bad conditions.

It was a pleasure working with both families and it was nice to see clients Scott and Ticia and their children, Sawyer and Walden as well as Regina’s parents.

Family friend April Greenwood was excellent in her role as wedding director and Amy Grimes, manager of special events at Old Salem, was great to work with too. Thanks again to photographer Adam Coker for his help and excellent images.

Congratulations Regina and Vincent!

Regina and Vincent at Old Salem in Winston-Salem

Regina and her mother arrive at the Zevely Inn

Bouquets

April Greenwood, a close family friend who also worked as their event planner, greets Regina and her sister Ticia

Planner April Greenwood greets Regina and her sister Ticia

Finishing touches

Portrait

Beautiful bride

Regina with nephew Sawyer

Sawyer's sister Walden

Having some fun with the bridesmaids

Regina and Ticia share a quiet moment

Vincent reads a note from Regina

A hug from his mother

Waiting with the minister just before the service

Regina and Ticia head to the ceremony

Brother-in-law Scott gets ready to escort Regina's mother to the ceremony

The children make their entrance

The men are ready

The bride and her father arrive

Vows

Blessing

Sealed with a kiss

Leaving the ceremony

Time to celebrate

A kiss from her father

Vincent niece, a beautiful image from Adam

Vincent's niece, a beautiful image from Adam

Love this moment of celebration between mother and daughter

Their joy was apparent

The happy couple

Heading to the reception, another image from Adam

Vincent proposed on this very spot

Party time

First dance

A funny moment from Ticia's speech

Time for cake

Beautiful setting at the James A. Gray Jr. Auditorium at Old Salem

Vincent did a great job on the microphone

Vincent provided some great vocals

Tearing up the dance floor

Sparkling end to the evening

09.21.2011

Suzanne and Ryan chose the beautiful Lexington Baptist Church for their ceremony and then took a short ride to the reception at the Columbia Marriott.

It seemed that all the details had been taken care of, right down to USC getting a football win in a close game. Gamecock fans were plentiful and the victory added another layer of happiness to this joyful day.

I have to give a nod to Craig and Julie Houston and Rex and Sylvia Rish of White Tent Event. They coordinated everything and transformed the Marriott’s ballroom into an amazing setting. Also thanks also to photographer Adam Coker for his fine work and help.

Thank you to both wonderful families and congratulations Suzanne and Ryan!