Madison Ball and Preston Roberts made it official on July 8th of this year in a small ceremony followed by an epic, large reception. The ceremony was intimate and romantic, and on the groom’s family farm in Warrensville, near a bend in the river, surrounded by 30 or so of their nearest and dearest. No rain, but some tears while they were saying their vows. The reception with 200 guests was held later at Jefferson Landing Country Club in Jefferson, NC and included lots and LOTS of dancing, drinking, karaoke and laughter. The attention to detail was amazing. Every item was thoughtfully planned and held special meaning. Preston’s family’s farm has been in the family for several generations, so it was saturated with memories. In fact, Preston’s gift to Madi was a horseshoe that he found while preparing the property for the ceremony. Family members believed that it probably belonged to his great-grandfathers’ mare. They plan to hang it in their home for continued good luck. Madi’s gift to Preston was equally thoughtful and cool: she gave him a hand-crafted watch, made from wood with a special inscription on the back. The beautiful details were everywhere. What was not at the wedding were their rings. They’d been left behind in someone’s car. So they improvised and used Preston’s father Tom’s ring for him and Preston’s sister Meghann’s ring for Madi. It was too funny – and sweet!Favorite memories of this day for the bride and groom include when they were reading their vows, first seeing each other when Madi and crew made their gorgeous river side entrance and when Preston sang the song he wrote for Madi. Karaoke, drinking and dancing were obviously on the list as well. The reception was an absolute celebration.Madi told us that they wouldn’t change a thing about their wedding day. In fact, she said her only advice to future brides and grooms would be to make the party last longer and do not hesitate to take it all in. “It flies by!” We’re so happy for you guys! Thanks for letting us a be a part of what was a truly great day and part of your family. We love you two!
Interested in their vendors? Here’s a list:
Wedding Gown: New York Bride and Groom, Charlotte, NC
Hair: Jamie Ball, Shear Shakti, Boone, NC
Makeup: Lorna Vega, The Cutters Edge, West Jefferson, NC
Reception Venue: Jefferson Landing Country Club, Jefferson, NC
Flowers: Four Gals and A Florist, West Jefferson, NC
Flowers: Nic Ball, High Country Greenhouses, Jefferson NC
Cakes/Desserts: Ugga Mugga Bakery, Blowing Rock, NC
DJ or Band: John Hawkins, Boone, NC
Caterer: Jefferson Landing Country Club, Jefferson, NC
Videographer: Honey Dew Films, Greensboro, NC
Author and environmentalist Rick Bass has a great quote about the seasons of life:
“My life, I realize suddenly, is July. Childhood is June, and old age is August,
but here it is, July, and my life, this year, is July inside of July.”
For each of these couples, in their year, in July, they were in the beginning of their new lives. Childhood was June. But they were entering the July inside of July.
From Jessica and Jason, who were married in 2016, to Precious and Damon who’ve been married for 9 years, we hope that for the best and longest Julys in their lives. August can wait. Keep celebrating. Keep enjoying each other. Keep planting and harvesting, knowing how loved you are. Happy Anniversary, all of you!
Just a few weeks ago, we shot another June wedding. Katie Vance married Patrick Carlson at Leatherwood Mountain Resort. We photographed Katie’s bridal portraits on November 4, 2016 at this very same spot. Katie wanted photos at Leatherwood both in the fall as well as in the summer to show off the various scenic views. Leatherwood – a place we love and have shot many times for brides and grooms – is a favorite for its bucolic setting and rustic atmosphere. Katie chose it to showcase the opposite. She is more princess than country bride and loves to sparkle. Even the Vans she wore with her gown had purple glitter on them. Katie grew up in Boone and loved being in the glorious mountain views that surrounded her all year. She loved how the mountains could be so massive and still be charming in the details. Her challenge to us was not to photograph the farm’s rustic style but instead to capture the more elegant natural surroundings. We were happy to oblige. Wedding photos are coming soon! If you’re interested in Leatherwood, here’s more about this venue from us.
Ever heard of a June wedding? Me, either, but apparently they are really popular.
Pixels very first wedding was a June wedding – that of Sandy & Mark Sherill on June 18th 2005. That’s where it all began.
So now to Sandy and Mark – our very first wedding shoot. Sandy and I were middle school youth group leaders together as well as friends. She watched for a few years when Ryan and I would take candid photos whenever we were with the youth group. When it came time for her own wedding she asked us a few times if we’d photograph her wedding. We kept saying “no way.” She finally put her foot down after asking four or so times. “You two are going to shoot my wedding.” She was sweet and we caved and it was on. The only complication is that her wedding was at the end of a week that we were chaperones for our youth group’s annual mission trip to the Pittsburgh Project. We left PA early to head to the wedding in Norfolk, VA with a car full of middle school girls who were also attendants in their wedding. YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! With equipment that was far from professional, packed in suitcases with our mission clothing, we made it and photographed our very first wedding together. 12 years later Sandy and Mark (just below) still love their photos and we’re still friends. Sandy even hired us to photograph her oldest daughter’s wedding years later.
Looking through these June weddings makes me smile. Each one represents a day that changed the trajectory of that couple’s lives forever and there we were, pulling those indelible moments out of the air and making sure they made it on film. So many stories!
By my count, that is 22 and we added new ones to the list this year. Happy Anniversary to each one of you. Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives and keep celebrating! We love you!