Monthly Archives: January 2010

Elizabeth & Nick | Duke Chapel | Washington Duke Inn Wedding

Ceremony: Duke Chapel – Durham, NC
Reception: Washington Duke Inn – Durham, NC
Cake: Sweet Memories – Apex, NC
Flowers: Watered Garden Florist – Raleigh, NC
Videographer: Barton Creek Weddings – Raleigh, NC
Carriage: Triangle Carriage Company – 919-542-7810
Band: TBA

Well, I wanted to start off 2010 with a bang, this was certainly the way to do it! It all started quite a few months ago with, of all things, a wrong #. Elizabeth had called me looking for wedding hair & makeup. Not that I offer this service (my wife does), but somehow our numbers had gotten transposed on a vendor list, so, she got me instead. I was a bit out of my element when she asked for Ginger on my phone so when I found out she needed hair & makeup, I gladly gave her Ginger’s phone number. Now, for those that know me, or read my blog, you know I am a bit of a smart alec at times… So of course I asked her if she needed a wedding photographer as well. She did.. and, well, the rest is history. I can now say, however, that I booked a client from a wrong number, and it’s the truth! :)

Nick & Elizabeth, first of all, have been such a joy to work with throughout the planning stages of the wedding. Our last consult involved some rather exotic beverages and a wonderful dinner down the street from my photography office. With a lead up like that, you know this was going to be an awesome wedding! I can honestly say, wow! When I first arrived and met Elizabeth in her room at the Washington Duke Inn, I was floored at what a lovely bride she was! I don’t think I was in the room for more then 5 seconds before I immediately began shooting. As I moved around the room, I noticed that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was embroidered, stitched, labeled or otherwise notated with Elizabeth & Nick’s names, initial or monograms. Wedding cookies, water bottle, tote bags.. you name it, there was their names on it! In other words.. totally awesome! I headed from the brides room into the grooms suite and photographed the guys getting ready. Nick presented me with a wonderful present from both him and his lovely bride – a bottle of imported Rum (which I am waiting for your guys return to crack it open – so hurry up! :) ) – thank you so much!!!

We headed over to the Duke Chapel where Elizabeth put on her wedding gown and got ready to walk down the aisle! I want to give a special thank you to the officiant, who had Nick & Elizabeth turn around during the ceremony to look at everyone in attendance – allowing me to get quite a few great shots! After the ceremony, the train on the wedding dress was adjusted, as well as the groom’s tux getting brushed off, we ran off for family formals and a little alone time with the newly married couple.

At the Washington Duke Inn, I was, well, floored when I saw the room setup. Absolutely gorgeous!!!! We had discussed this photo idea beforehand so we got into the room before anyone else, and my happy couple shared a dance, alone, in the middle of the dance floor. I Love this photograph and I am so glad we made all the arrangements to make it happen! After the reception was over and the happy couple exited the hotel in a shower of rose petals, a horse & carriage awaited them. As they rode off, I ran after them, hopped in, and we took a quick stroll around campus while I was photographing their ride. Of course, I hopped out after a bit and got a few great shots of them on the Duke Campus, at night, in a horse & carriage.

So, to Elizabeth & Nick – congratulations to you both! Thank you so much for having me capture your wedding and I cannot wait for you to see all the photos!!! Now, on to a few of them!

washington duke inn wedding preperation photography

groom getting ready on wedding day

bride getting ready on wedding day

informal formal wedding photography

groom wedding portrait

bridal portrait

bride with bridesmaids

bride entering duke chapel

duke chapel wedding

duke chapel wedding

duke chapel wedding

leaving duke chapel after wedding ceremony

emotional congratulations after the wedding

wedding formals with duke choir

duke chapel formals

bridal portrait at duke chapel

duke chapel wedding photography

duke chapel wedding photography

dancing alone at the washington duke inn

wedding cake by sweet memories

wedding reception centerpiece by watered garden

first dance at the washington duke inn

parents dance at the washington duke inn

wedding reception at the washington duke inn

wedding reception favors for dogs

washington duke inn wedding reception

unique wedding ring photography

bride & groom during toasts

wedding reception dancing

wedding reception at the washington duke inn

bride & groom dancing

wedding reception photography

grooms father dancing at the wedding reception

wedding ring photography

dancing at the wedding reception

doing the alligator at a wedding reception

wedding rose petal exit

horse & carriage wedding exit

bride & groom kiss in a horse & carriage

duke chapel at night

View full post »

New Years Eve | The Umstead Hotel | Cary, NC

Well, after an AMAZING year for weddings, I didn’t think it could literally get any better. That was until I was approached by the Umstead Hotel to photograph their 1st ever New years Eve Gala. Needless to say I was absolutely elated as the Umstead really knows how to take care of their guests and I knew this event would be a wonderful way to finish an incredible year!

As I arrived, I immediately began salivating with all the food selections prepared especially for this event by the Umsteads Executive Chef, Scott Crawford. AS the evenings guests began to arrive, I got a really great example of Umstead service at its finest. From the moment the band began playing, the dance floor began to fill and, literally, I blinked (I felt like it was that fast) and midnight was upon us. Now I knew in advance that I wanted to do something special when it hit midnight as the Umstead had arranged for confetti cannons to go off. Using a slightly different flash technique, I actually had the directional light coming off of the dance floor instead of the ceiling (which illuminates the whole room). The end result, in my opinion, was spectacular!

My hats off to the Umstead for demonstrating what fine dining and an elegant gala really is. You certainly set the bar high this year.. can’t wait to see how you top it in 2010!

On to a few photos!

Casablanca performing at the Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

Casablanca performing at the Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala table setup

Dancing at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NC

Dancing at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NC

Dancing at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NC

Couple dancing at the Umstead Hotel in Cary, NC

Couple dancing at the Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

Umstead Hotel at night

dancing at the Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

Confetti cannon at Midnight - Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

New years eve kiss at the Umstead Hotel

dancing at the Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

couple at the Umstead Hotel New Years Eve Gala

View full post »

F o l l o w   M e
F e e d s