Some Cool Relief for a Smokin' Hot August Wedding (Clary and Robert Part 2)

It's August in the Carolinas and you know it's going to get hot.
So I guess this was the perfect time for one of the coolest weddings I've ever had a chance to photograph.
I recently got to work with Clary when we did her bridal portrait and I photographed Clary and Robert's rehearsal dinner Friday night.
I knew this was going to be an elegant event and both families are incredibly personable and easy to work with.
We started the day at Clary's parents' home as the bridesmaids got prepared. Clary's mom, Liz, who is also a model, thought of every detail. She brought in her friend Melissa B. Melvin, who typically works on fashion shoots, to help get the dresses just right.
The day was indeed hot, but everyone stayed cool through the beautiful service at Myers Park Baptist Church.
Our company photographer, Laura Mueller, was a huge help as she photographed the guys and preparations at the church.
Myers Park Country Club looked incredible, adorned with amazing floral arrangements from The Blossom Shop.
The ladies from Confetti Distinctive Events, Janie Sellers, Betsy Blue and intern Nicole Moody, did a great job handling all of the details with help from Myers Park Country Club social director Bobbie Eller.
One of the cooler elements at the reception was the bar, which was made of ice. Ice Sensations created the bar and other interesting ice features.
Another unique feature was the bourbon and cigar bar, complete with a gentleman hand rolling cigars for the guests. Joe and Alex from PVT Label Cigartainment were on hand throughout the reception.
The Maxx, a lively band from Atlanta, provided a steady soundtrack that had guests dancing all night. Kathy Allen of Cakes of Distinction created an elegant cake and the couple toasted with beautiful crystal flutes her parents brought back from a trip to Santorini Greece.
Clary and Robert are off to honeymoon in Anguilla.

Clary and Robert

Clary's mom, Liz, was striking

The girls head to the church

Clary's dad tries to stay out of the fray before the service

Clary looked amazing in her Vera Wang Couture gown

Two lovely ladies, Clary and her mom Liz

Maid of Honor Elizabeth

Liz is greeted by a friend

Clary and Robert's dads walk him to the church with Dr. Shoemaker

Myers Park Baptist Church

Heading to the reception

Flowers by The Blossom Shop

The cool ice bar from Ice Sensations was a hit

The gorgeous cake by Kathy Allen of Cakes of Distinction

Alex of PVT Cigartainment rolls a cigar

A big send off after a great night

An Amazing Weekend (Clary and Robert's wedding)

I had the great pleasure of photographing a full weekend of activities that were all part of Clary and Robert's amazing wedding.
I wanted to make sure to do the event justice so I'm displaying the images in two separate posts.
We'll start today with photos from the rehearsal dinner, hosted by Robert's parents, at the Duke Mansion and the after party at Belle Acres Golf & Country Club.
Aundrea Hopkins did a great job organizing everything at the Duke Mansion. Haines Barksdale of For Goodness Cakes made a wonderful groom's cake that paid homage to Robert's alma mater - the University of Virginia.
I can't say enough about how gracious Clary, Robert and both of their families were. It was truly a pleasure working with them.
Make sure to check back for the wedding photos in my next post.
(Remember to click on the photos for better viewing and hit the back button to return to the blog).

Clary and Robert during a toast

A nice outdoor setting at the Duke Mansion

The happy couple

The Duke Mansion

Cocktails

Clary chats with Robert's grandfather

Cake by Haines Barksdale of For Goodness Cakes

Robert's dad tells a funny story about his son

Cheers

Clary's mom talks about her close relationship with her daughter

Clary's dad enjoying the evening

Some of the bridesmaids told a few stories too

Clary looking radiant

Belle Acres Golf & Country Club

Clary greets a friend at the after party

New York State of Mind

We've just returned from a wonderful family trip to Saratoga Springs, NY, and New York City among a few other places along the way.
After stopping in Marysville, PA to say hi to Betsy's brother Glenn (just missed nieces Carrie and Hayley, who were at work), we journeyed north to celebrate my mother's birthday with my sister and two brothers and their families, as well as other family and old friends.
It was great catching up with everyone. Sean and I also hit the links with my brothers and nephew as Betsy and Ali took in some of the sights in Saratoga.
We decided to make a stop in NYC on the way home. We did some sightseeing and shopping and then had dinner in Little Italy.
We're preparing for a very busy August as we continue to complete our office move to Charlotte as well as photographing three unique weddings.
Check back next week for some images from an amazing wedding we are doing in Charlotte this weekend.

Sean caught a nice moment of his sister taking some family photos

Grandma Carol with her grandchildren

My siblings, from left, Ben, me, Jenny and Jeff with our mom in front

Ali enjoys a glass of wine as she and Betsy explored Saratoga

A rare picture of Betsy and me as we ride a shuttle in NYC

Some of the action in Times Square

We saw this guy hanging out in front of Madame Tussauds

Betsy, Sean and Ali on 42nd Street

Ali was excited to find one of her favorite London eateries in NYC

Wow, two shots of us in one day - the Empire State Building in the background

Hanging with Sean after dinner in Little Italy

Ali got a little creative with her point-and-shoot on a late-night cab ride

Our New Location

We are excited to announce that we have a new studio in Charlotte!
We loved our Davidson space but we decided it was time to get closer to more of our client base in Charlotte.
Davidson is a great community and we loved our time there. Thanks to all of the great folks we got to meet and work with there. And thank you for everyone who helped and participated in our "Faces of Davidson" project.
The opportunity to get a space in historic Dilworth so close to uptown was a little too good to pass up.
We're now close enough to meet our Charlotte clients on a lunch break.
We'll have more pictures and information as we get a bit more settled in.

Father of the Bride

A recent photo editing session included a few pictures that made me think of the movie "Father of the Bride."
As the father of a daughter, I can relate to many of the issues and emotions that Steve Martin encountered in the humorous take on a father's journey through the wedding process.
I also get a first-hand view of many dads in my job documenting the wedding experience.
Most people are aware that the driving force behind the planning and execution of weddings is the mother-of-the bride and/or the bride.
Much like in the movie, the joke is that the father's role is basically relegated to writing checks and trying to rein in the spending.
It's often a bittersweet moment for fathers. Their little girl is all grown up but they know that their daughter has found love with great hope for the future.
Capturing all of the emotions is part of what makes photographing weddings so rewarding.
It's such an important moment for families. And it's my great pleasure helping them remember this special time.

Jessica dances with her father

Courtney's dad embraces his new son-in-law

Caroline and her father share a laugh and then a quiet moment before walking down the aisle

On another note, we are preparing for some exciting changes in the coming weeks but I'm not quite ready to announce them just yet. So stay tuned!
We are also going to be doing some traveling and then preparing for some incredible weddings in August.