part 2 continued…after karen & dave’s first look, we all went inside for a little cool-down intermission. the thing i loved and love about karen & dave is their ability to make someone feel completely at home. you see, their wedding day was our first actual meeting. they are both from raleigh, and although we had several phone consultations our first face to face was the morning of their wedding. they have such a calming sense about them.

i believe one of the sweetest things i have seen at a wedding was at this wedding. graham, karen’s 4 year old son, a toe-headed beauty, walked karen down the aisle. he was PRECIOUS!!! and his giggle…contagious.

because karen & dave did a first look, they were able to go straight into their cocktail hour with all their closest friends and family. it was flawless and effortless. the mood was light, happy, and without stress. just what a wedding should be like! having their cocktail hour on the banks of the river was just incredible. so serene and peaceful!!!

after the cocktail hour, we perused up into river house for the most AMAZING, repeat AMAZING dinner. it was my first time trying duck, and it really was quite good. thanks for the experience guys!!!

all in all, this wedding was one for my books. perfect beyond compare and so full of joy. a huge thank you to karen & dave for having me document your wedding. it was incredible and such an honor! love to you both.

here are a list of the vendors from this fete:

venue: the river house inn at grassy creek

gown & groom’s suit: jcrew

bridal shoes:  steve madden

floral – bouts: diana renfro

brides paper bouquet & all handmade wooden signs:  morgan hill designs

jewelry:  vintage earrings & handmade cufflinks from etsy

caterer & cake: the river house inn

violinist:  eva mowry

look at that face! in love…

a super sweet hug from karen’s dad…i love the look on his sweet face.

cocktail hour without a finger in the nose is no cocktail hour at all…in my humble opinion.

graham needed a little alone mommy time…

love this first dance shot…

loving. organic. natural. these are the words the come to mind when i reflect on karen & dave’s grassy creek destination wedding. it was a small intimate affair, 15 people, on the banks of the new river. grassy creek boasts the beautiful river house inn, a very special place where ceremonies & receptions alike leave their guests feeling like they just stepped out of a little fairy tale. karen & dave were married under a huge sycamore tree. as graham, karen’s 4 year old son walked her down the aisle, the smile on dave’s face could have lit up the whole of NC. these two are perfect together. they just make sense. a wonderful love that i had the perfect opportunity to capture. there were just too many photos to only have one post from this super sweet wedding. so without further ado, here is part 1… (a huge thanks to my second shooter beka…<3)

karen found her vintage pearl earrings on etsy…gosh i love that place.

karen you are simply divine…

dave, you looked incredible!!!

karen & dave decided on a first look…it was priceless.

the buildings on the river house property are a photographers dream…oh the light.

hi guys! so glad you all could make it back to view part 2 of morgan & ross’ GORGEOUS charlotte ballantyne wedding! the ceremony for their wedding had one of the most heartfelt exchange of vows i have ever had the privilege of witnessing. there were MANY MANY tears that flowed that day…tears from past trials, and from God’s sweet graces that have touched these two. not a dry eye in the house…and yes…i did cry…while camera was still being used.

the reception. wowzers. i have never seen so much dancing in all my life…and i mean…gooooooood dancing. the bride & groom’s friends and family definitely know how to shake a leg and a half! it was so much fun to photograph…kori (my second shooter) and i didn’t want to leave for the night!

morgan & ross…i wish many many blessing for the two of you. you totally complete each other and i can’t wait to see where your lives take you!!!

to my second shooter kori, you always rock my world with your awesome eye and unparalleled sense to know just where i need for you to be and what i need from you. thank you!

here are a list of the many vendors that made this wedding possible:

venue: ballantyne hotel

event planner: carolina wedding design

gown: kleinfeld

floral: the place for flowers

caterer & cake: ballantyne hotel

entertainment: split second sound

videography: crown alley films

hi friends!  i want you to meet two very special people, morgan & ross thompson.  (check out morgan’s bridal session here-it’s stunning!)  these two lovebirds hale from the big apple, but chose to say their vows down south, here in charlotte, where their families reside.  their ballantyne hotel wedding was EXCEPTIONAL in every way.  from their super heart-felt wedding vows (yes, i totally did cry), to their over-the-top fun wedding reception, it was a wedding that i truly will never forget.

morgan & ross’ wedding was…well…sinful, but in a good way.    morgan hired the uber talented girls of carolina wedding design.   heather bryson headed up the team who created this ever-so-lavish and over-the-top GORGEOUS wedding.  she incorporated hues of purple, lots of bling-bling, and rich combinations of linens to create a truly decadent feast for the eyes.  i also think it was incredible the way that the CWD girls transformed one of the ballantyne ballrooms into the ceremony site with pipe and drape, lighting, hanging roses, crystals, and then completely FLIPPED that space into their reception area.  it was unreal and done with such precision.  i’m telling all you brides to be…if you even THINK you need a planner, you should totally hook up with these ladies…they are one of the BEST!!!

so without further ado…here is part one of morgan & ross’ wedding story…

happy happy new year friends! to say that i am blessed beyond belief is truly an understatement. from an awesome family, wonderful friends, and totally fantastic clients, God has blessed me with immeasurable gifts. so to ring in the new year, i wanted to share some of my favorite photos from this past year. peruse, enjoy, and contemplate what 2012 has in store for all of us. i feel like it’s going to be a great new year…xoxo…t