A Marriage of Customs and Culture

I had the privilege of capturing a day of customs with some contemporary touches at the Vietnamese wedding ceremony for Mindy and Louis. The couple lives in the D.C. area but Louis's parents live in the Plaza-Midwood section of Charlotte. Louis has six brothers and a sister who all attended the traditional ceremony at their parents home.
Mindy looked stunning throughout the day as she wore two traditional dresses and later changed to a more modern look at the reception.
The day was split between a traditional morning ceremony and then later moved to the very modern Westin Hotel in uptown Charlotte.
Mindy and Louis are an incredibly gracious couple and it was a total pleasure working with them. Their extended families were also super nice and fun to be around.
What a great day!

Louis and Mindy

Finishing touches

Waiting at The Westin

Beautiful dress

The groom's brothers deliver gifts to the bride

Louis's dad has some fun

Processional to the ceremony

Bouquets by The Flower Diva

Mindy and her bridesmaids

After the ceremony

Great windows at The Westin

Cake by Cloud 9 Confections

Party time

First dance

The happy couple

Fun photo shoot

I had a great time on a photo shoot today with Sara and Pooran, the talented and beautiful stylists at Poza Salon on Park Road. The photos will be used to update their website and other marketing materials.
Here are a few early favorites. Thanks ladies!

Sara and Pooran

They were a lot of fun!

The salon is colorful and stylish

It's all done with mirrors

Ellen and Jason

Wedding season is in full swing! Laura and I shot a beautiful wedding in Charlotte yesterday at First Presbyterian Church and the Quail Hollow Club.
I thought it might be storming most of the day, but the rain held off until late in the evening. And the cloud cover made for some sweet light! What a beautiful bride! Ellen was stunning - as you can see!
Ellen and Jason, or "Lud," were a great couple and lots of fun to work with. They live in the Chicago area but Ellen's family lives in Charlotte. They also had a huge contingent that traveled down from Ohio, including numerous friends from their alma mater - Miami University (Ohio). They brought the Paul Otten Band in from Cincinnati. Named one of the top 150 wedding bands in the country, the duo rocked the house for hours.
Thanks for a great day and look for all of the photos soon on Pictage.

Ellen looked amazing!

The happy couple

Ellen and her mom get ready

Great flowers from The Blue Thistle

Cool bride room at First Presbyterian

Ellen and her dad

Waiting to walk down the aisle

The ceremony

Ellen's sisters

The Paul Otten Band