Posts Tagged: wedding photos
beautiful wedding, beautiful day, beautiful beginning ….
“The best moment of the day was when we were pronounced husband and wife as Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Williams.
This put all of the hours of preparation and prayer into perspective that we are finally one.”
Let’s back up, though. We photographed Kendall Williams – nee Shepherd – for her bridal portraits in the luscious outdoors off the Blue Ridge Parkway. As much as Nathan and Kendall love being outside, the wedding was brought to town and took place at a church in Wilkesboro, NC.
Quick aside: we love the shots above….. her leaning on him and his back so straight and then the pair of them sharing a quiet moment after the intensity of the ceremony.
We asked them for some thoughts about the day: “The butterflies and anticipation leading up to the meeting in the altar. The joy, happiness and excitement that was expressed for us. To always remember that we are loved.”
These two wrote each other letters that they exchanged before the ceremony and then read. They are ridiculously thoughtful and what you hope a bride and groom are like on their wedding day – and all the days after.
As anyone can see from her bridal portraits, Kendall is a pure and classic beauty, but brides need to prep and we loved capturing the details of her with her maids, flower girl and of the handsome groom.
Nathan and Kendall’s reception took place on the Doc and Merle Watson stage used for MerleFest. It’s an epic spot in Wilkesboro and perfect for eating, chatting, dancing and being with your biggest fans and loved ones.
Kendall’s father gave a toast that brought the house down and the day into perspective. Nervous as he was (he paced, taking the mic in and out of range… very endearing), he spoke tenderly about how they needed to have God in their marriage and the importance of love in all of its forms. It’s no wonder this couple is so special; they come from good stock.
“Our favorite moment from the reception was our first dance together … as we swayed to ‘You Had Me From Hello.’ It was as if we were the only ones there in that perfect moment of carefree peace, pure happiness and true love.”
How do you top that? It’s the quintessential wedding ideal. Everyone blurs into the background and you’re with the one you get to leave with and live with and grow with going forward.
We love events of all shapes and sizes….. weddings, engagements, Fall portraits, family pics, baby sessions and any chance to capture you doing what you love to do with those you love. Contact us at Pixels on Paper and let’s discuss your ideas and set a date.
a mountain top wedding – filled with color, light and perfect outdoor views
Meghann and Josh know how to do it up right. Their August 2015 wedding goes down in our book of faves. Meghann told us several times that she didn’t realize everything that was going on at once or recall all of the details until she saw all of the photos we shot. That, to us, says mission accomplished. Brides and grooms plan for everything, but can’t be a part of Every Single Thing.
That’s why they hire photographers.
We loved the color palette of this wedding, we loved their families and friends and we loved the property – On The Windfall in Lansing, NC. This wedding, sports fans, was literally at the top of a mountain and guests were delivered to the site via designated 4 wheel drive vehicles. There were no other buildings around. The views in every direction were spectacular.
And we loved the million little thoughtful details. (Their wedding coordinator was Sammie Roberts of Something Perfect Wedding & Events and the attention to detail was unerring. Nice job!) When we meet with engaged couples, we advise them to put as many personal and significant details in their wedding ceremony as they can and these two went above and beyond. One example…. Meghann had small portraits of her late grandparents sewn into her bouquet.
Josh’s job centers around being outdoors and he and Meghann spend their free time outside and in the woods as much as possible. So, one of Josh’s personal touches/contributions was that he built the arbor/altar where they said their vows. The mountain-top setting took everyone’s breath away and then, topping it off, was this hand-made gift Josh made for his bride. I mean, C’MON!!!
Meghann countered his personal touch by choosing to walk/dance/strut down the aisle to Bruno Mars’ “Marry You.” Josh LOVED it, and so did everyone else. The mood was already electric and this just goosed it that much more.
Part of their ceremony included a beautiful representation of them joining their lives and they did it in form of something that will live on and grow. The couple planted a tree together using soil that they brought from each family homestead. Like the Unity Candle or the Sand Ceremony, the blending of families in this way was beautiful and touching and incredibly apt in that setting. These two are just so cool!
The reception……. oooooooooh my. The sun started to fade as the toasts were made and food was served and then the karaoke got started. It was a PAR-TAY!! So much joy, so much dancing and storytelling and singing and silliness. Meghann told us that she’d cried several times while planning the ceremony and reception (the Good Cry; the “I love him and can’t wait to be his wife” cry) and was certain she would “be a mess.” But she said afterwards, “I can honestly say that no tears were shed that day…which is surprising. When we look at our pictures, we are laughing in so many of them – and not just with each other – it’s during every phase of the day. Mostly, I remember laughing when we read our vows. Some of it could have been nerves, but for the most part, it was hearing that we had chosen some of the very same things to say to each other without even knowing.”
We want to end this blog with quotes directly from the bride and groom about their day and their feelings about life ahead. We asked them the 3 things they want to remember about their wedding day and here’s what they said:
1 – The biggest thing I want to remember is a lesson: Above all else, we have each other and everything is okay.
2 – Life is easier and you can relax when you put things “in your garden”. Minor details never matter! Smile, breathe, and LAUGH!
3 – Everybody around us worked SO hard to pull this off … doing things behind the scenes that I didn’t even know about. Always remember to love and appreciate everything that everyone has done for you. It may not look like a lot, but for every little bit you see, there is a lot of deep rooted effort.
Summer Rooftop Wedding in Center City Charlotte
Summer is done, at least by the calendar, but we never tire of celebrating a summer event and Sherea Jones and David Johnson’s wedding was absolutely awash in summer light. They were married on the rooftop of the Holiday Inn at Center City, Charlotte on a beautiful day in June. This teacher & head football coach and his gorgeous girl gathered along with their dearest family and friends – most from out of town – to celebrate a union, tell stories and dance.
We shot their engagement photos in March of 2014, so seeing them again and watching them seal the deal surrounded by so much love was immensely satisfying.
We’re always interested in high points from the day, naturally, and the best memories from their point of view. They told us that included in their favorites were seeing each other for the first time, dancing with friends and family (and THEY ALL DID; it was party people!!), how gorgeous the food looked and how yummy it tasted, the weather and the overall sense of happiness everyone shared. Sherea and David also shared that one of their biggest laughs came when they were discussing all the things that COULD have gone wrong, but didn’t.
Their day was amazing and we loved being a part of it! We have more summer wedding stories and events to share, but this continuum from engagement to the day itself was a blast!
engagement photos for a couple heading into their second (destined) marriage
What once was lost, now is found.
Andy wasn’t lost, but finding Amber was akin to finding his other half. We know – it’s a cliché, but it’s true. People who belong together become family almost immediately and family is like that. We drag each other to the center, we raise each other’s game and we find ourselves wanting to be our best selves when we’re with the loves of our lives.
Their story is very near and dear to us, as Andy is actually a member of our family (first cousin). We photographed them in a casual mountain setting just down the road from where we cousins played growing up. Talk about a labor of pure love.
This is a second marriage for these two. After their first marriages ended, they were introduced and found that they were perfect for each other, ready for a new chapter and wanted to head into it arm and arm….. and arm! Andy has a daughter, Ashlyn, who loves her step-mom-to-be and Amber treats her soon-to-be stepdaughter like her own child. It’s beautiful to see and important to celebrate, we think. Sometimes first marriages don’t end the way that we want, but second marriages are a rebirth and a sign that hope not only exists, it triumphs. These two are proof of that. We loved that Ashlyn wanted to be a part of the photo session and is such an important piece, and focus, of their newly joined lives. She’s already benefitting from their union.
We photographed Andy and Amber’s wedding on August 1st and it was beautiful. You’ll see the results soon! Meanwhile, are you getting REmarried or know someone who is? Contact us! Love prevails, people, in all of its forms!
50 years of marriage and finally a wedding reception
1965, like any year in the US, was filled with tragedies that made you shake your head and moments that made you cheer and filled you with hope.
The Beatles were touring and fans were spilling out of every continent.
Muhammed Ali dropped Sonny Liston like a sack of dirt in the boxing ring.
Tear gas filled the air in Selma, Alabama as demonstrators stood up for equal voting rights on “Bloody Sunday.”
Lew Alcindor, New York City’s basketball wonder hit the scene. We knew him later as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The U.S. was active in Vietnam and struggling to determine our role, our commitment and our potential losses.
Ed White became the first American to conduct a spacewalk for Gemini 4.
And the earth turned on its axis. People met and fell in love and got married.
And this is exactly what Lucille and Frank Vannoy did.
On March 20, 1965, along with two of Lucille’s friends as their witnesses, they “ran away” to South Carolina to get married by a justice of the peace.
No big ceremony, no pictures, no party.
So for their 50th, Lucille wanted a wedding reception and that’s what their children gave them.
Like all great wedding receptions, the Vannoy’s included a beautiful cake, a fabulous spread of food and drink, family, friends, stories and laughter.
Frank was upfront with us that he wasn’t a “take my picture” kinda guy, so we took the list of photos one wants at a wedding reception and before we knew it, Frank was coming to find either Ryan or myself to photograph him with friends and neighbors!
Any couple who can make it work for 50 years deserves a party this great!
So that they could remember the day and enjoy the memories, Pixels created a custom formal wedding album for Lucille and Frank. Cheers to them and to the next 50 years!