Emily and I had coordinated completely over the phone as she lives out of town.  So the day of the wedding was the first time we had actually met in person, but having talked with her and her Mom over the preceding months, it really felt like like we had known each other for some time.  Emily and Patrick both got ready at the Kirk of Kildaire, in separate areas of course, but it makes getting shots of the both of them during the getting ready pretty easy.  We had plenty of time before the ceremony so I could actually play with the dress a bit and use the unique layout of the church to my advantage.  We took the guys outside to get their individual and group shots and, during this time, I realized that, well, they came to party!  Not at the church mind you, at the reception. 

After a great moment with Emily and her father seeing each other, we headed into the ceremony area.  Now, I am used to walking into churches that are, well, dark, but this was a real treat!  Floor to ceiling windows flooded the entire sanctuary with a gorgeous natural light and it made photographing there a real pleasure!  The ceremony was gorgeous and the church staff was honestly a real pleasure to work with.  After the ceremony and couples formals (including getting a bridal portrait beside a tree her father planted at the church when she was born), we headed over to the Renaissance Hotel for their wedding reception.

Now, the Renaissance Hotel in North Hill is a really gorgeous location and the architecture and art hanging on the walls.  So being able to photograph a wedding or reception here is really a treat.  The hotel staff is incredible and it seems like every time I have a wedding here, the celebration is, well, epic!  That was certainly the case with Emily & Patrick.  With the band getting the party started, and keeping it going, I think the entire congregation was on the dance floor.  It certainly made for some gorgeous photos and, even though Patrick will probably kill me for this, I had to post the “beer sling” photo.  Yes, it was that crazy!  After the party was over, I realized it felt like I had been in a full scale workout.  There was so much going on that I had shot a crazy amount of photos – almost all of them were spectacular shots also (except for a few shots of my shoes I always seem to get).

Patrick & Emily – thank you both so much for allowing me to capture your wedding day!  It’s always an honor for you to allow me into your lives on the first day of your new lives!  I had a wonderful time with you and both your families!  I hope you enjoy my view on your wedding and, of course, a few select wedding photos!

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While Kerri got ready in a beautiful suite in the Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh, Greg headed over to the church in downtown Raleigh with the guys and my 2nd photographer captured them doing their thing (Won’t be posting those, sorry guys – but I see there was a table harmed in the process). As Kerri got ready, it was very apparent how close everyone in the bridal party and family was. A big challenge for photographers on the wedding day is finding out the relationships between everyone so we can better tell the story. Well, with Kerri’s party, I couldn’t determine who was immediate family and who were friends – since they were all treated like family, I did the same.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral is beautiful and a great example of architecture in downtown Raleigh and following the ceremony, we were able to get a few quick photos in before everyone took a break. The reception picked up that evening at the Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh at North Hills and, with it being my first time there, I was very excited to check out the property. One words comes immediately to mind – beautiful! With the happy newlyweds and 100 of their friends and family celebrating, Kevin Majoros (Joe Bunn DJ) got the party rolling and, well, let’s just say a few pictures had to be censored for decorum purposes.

Congratulations to you both! I am always honored to be chosen to both document and create artistic imagery during a wedding day – so thank you for choosing me!

Wedding: Sacred Heart Cathedral – Raleigh, NC
Reception – Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh – North Hills – Raleigh, NC
Flowers: The Purple Poppy – Wake Forest, NC
DJ: Joe Bunn DJ – Kevin Majoros – Raleigh, NC

And on to the photos:

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