summer - Part 3

June 3, 2014 Hawaii, Weddings

Adam and Sachi’s Honolulu Hawaii Wedding

Where do I begin?

I love these two people and the funny thing is that I fell in love with them within ten minutes of finally meeting them in person. They live in Japan and we had been meeting them via Skype for 6 months leading up to their Honolulu Wedding. Now of course we really liked them before meeting them but I can’t explain how wonderful they truly are with my word limitations. Are there words to describe how it feels when someone, on their wedding day, takes you out for dinner? Are there words to describe when a bride hugs you and tells you that she is so excited to see you and that she has been looking forward to it for a long time? Are there words to describe a family who is having a incredibly small and intimate ceremony who welcome you with open arms its as if you are a guest yourself? I mean almost every conversation that took place in Japanese was promptly translated for me by Sachi, even just regular conversation. They were so polite and inclusive. It meant so much to me, even that small detail. So that is a tiny peek into the two of them from just a few hours spent with them.

Adam and Sachi met while she was studying at Adam’s College in Oregon. They fell in love and Adam moved across the Pacific to Japan, where they were legally married. They have actually been married for over three years before they were able to have their dream wedding in Hawaii! There were 9 guests, all with camera’s in hand. I loved how important photographs were to everyone involved. I asked Adam if he wanted a break from photos for a little while to enjoy the post-ceremony time before the reception and he said, “Nah… taking photos is pretty much what a Japanese wedding prioritizes, after the actual importance of the ceremony of course.” Now THAT is something I can get behind. Yay photos!!

After their ridiculously romantic ceremony at The Bayer Estate, complete with Ukulele music and the calm sounds of the Pacific Ocean, we all shared some cake. Next they moved to the The Hau Tree Lanai at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel for a post wedding meal with their guests. It was…. perfect.

O and by the way… this isn’t the last you’ll see of these two on our blog. They opted for a Day-After Session too! We have some more couple shots of the two of them to come very soon.

Coordinating and Event Planning: Sayaka of Ka-Nalu Wedding

Bridal Attendant and Floral Designer: Mie of Ka-Nalu Wedding

Hair and Makeup: Satomi Morimoto | Ceremony Venue: The Bayer Estate

Cake and Reception Venue: The Hau Tree Lanai at The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel

October 18, 2012 North Carolina, Weddings

Chatham and Charlie’s Winston-Salem, NC Wedding

When Chatham told us she was getting married in her mother’s backyard, we had NO concept of the awesomeness that was in store. Don’t get me wrong, we knew it was going to be sweet and lovely and fun, but we did not know the scale of this “backyard wedding.” To give you an idea, we arrived on scene and saw a deer jump across the wooded driveway as we approached the house. That little bit of magic was just a prelude to the days events and the tone was set. Hugs and hellos greeted us as we came in the house, which was oozing style and southern grace. From the moment we got there to the moment we left, the day was seamless. We started with Chatham and Charlie’s first look followed by a few portraits of the two of them. It was really important to them that they had this special time together just before the craziness of the wedding day happened and we couldn’t have agreed more. They were able to be alone and really soak up their day together. The ceremony was held in the back yard and was followed by a poolside cocktail hour. They raised aÂ monogrammedÂ flag and the party officially started. Guests made their way to the tent and enjoyed mouth-watering cuisine and dancing into the night. They finished up the reception with warm Krispy Kreme donuts. What more could you ask for?

Coordinator and Catering: Joe Curran with Assistant Lisa Stocklin of 1703 RestaurantÂ Â | Â Tent: Premier Special Event Services

Dress: NY Bride and Groom Â | Â Florist: Randy McManus Designs Inc.

Ceremony Music: NC School of the Arts Students Â | Â Reception Music:Â The Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters

October 1, 2012 Interior Maine, Weddings

Abbie and Javi’s Maine Summer Camp Wedding

Abbie and Javi were married at Camp Wohelo, making her the fourth generation in her family to wed there. Javi and his family are Cuban and brought the party to Maine! I remember skyping with them the first time and when we closed the call, I looked at Dan and said “O MY GOD I love them!!! We have to do their wedding!!!” It was love at first skype for us! They are our very own Lucy and Ricky…

The wedding was at a local Catholic church and was followed by the reception at the camp, with a dinner of Lobsters caught and cooked by Abbie’s Dad. All the details were made with love by Abbie herself and the cake was made by her mother and decorated by her sister. The guests, although they were from great distances and did not know one another very well in the beginning, it really started to feel like two families coming together, rather than just Abbie and Javi. The weather was undeniably perfect, with a sunset that was a stunning capstone to the day. I was wondering why no one was really dancing after dinner and then Dan let me know that nature was stealing the show with its closing sunset. Once the stars came out, the dancing began and it was all smiles all night!

As a special treat, Aaron Steel of A Good Look Productions shared this film he shot ofÂ theirÂ wedding day! Enjoy!

Just a Little Bit from Aaron Steele on Vimeo.

Ceremony: St. Joseph Parish | Reception: Camp Wohelo | Flowers: Raymond Village Florist

Videographer: A Good Look Productions

September 5, 2012 North Carolina, Weddings

Becky and Aaron’s Chapel Hill NC Wedding

Photographing our family is such a special thing for the two of us. We feel like we can share with them a gift that God has gifted us. It feels like what we should be doing you know?

Becky is Dan’s first cousin. She is a twin, has a brother who was Dan’s right-hand-man growing up, and an older sister who has a baby in the oven, due SOON! Aaron is from Korea, and his family flew over for the ceremony and lit everything up with their smiles and good nature. The wedding was as DIY as they come and we loved every.single.little.detail. I mean if these people weren’t family, we would STILL be crazy about this wedding. It was all things beautiful. In Korea, it is good luck for a couple to fold 1,000 paper cranes together before their wedding. These two did just that and decorated the whole place with them. The ceremony was surrounded by them and it created such a sweet atmosphere. I loved thinking about the two of them, hanging out together for hours and hours making them, planning their lives together. It’s almost too much cute.

Their love story is second to none. My favorite detail was this: ” I realized I truly loved Becky and wanted to marry her when she was visiting me in Australia. We were on a road trip to Albany and driving down a gravel road, I lost control of the car and was freaking out in my head. When the car finally came to a stop, Becky seemed so calm and kept asking if I was ok. When she was talking, a dust cloud (from all the dirt flying everywhere outside of the car) had come in through the vents and the sun was shining off of it, making her look like an angel. That was the moment I knew I never wanted to lose her.”

There… now you love them too.

Venue: The Barn at Valhalla | Planning: C and D Events | Dress: David’s Bridal | Most Everything Else: The Cox Family

August 17, 2012 New Hampshire, Same-Sex Wedding, Weddings

Lisa and Suzy’s Portsmouth NH Wedding

Lisa and Suzy were married July 28, 2012… almost twenty years after they began their relationship. They are officially the couple who has been together the longest that we have had the honor of photographing a wedding for. It was one of the most heartfelt yet relaxed weddings that we have been to. They got ready together, and then walked hand in hand to their ceremony at the Moffatt-Ladd House & Gardens. During the vow exchange, Suzy cracked a joke that had everyone in the place laughing and then as the ceremony progressed, they had everyone crying tears of joy. It was a momentous ceremony, since they were only able to marry legally very recently. After a receiving line filled with hugs and tears, Lisa and Suzy headed up to their cocktail hour and reception at The 100 Club. It was classy, fun, and seemed to be a room filled with people who all love one another. I hope we were able to fulfill their only photography request, “We would like the candid photos to reflect the best party we ever threw!” Well done Lisa and Suzy!