The backdrop for Jenny and Jeff’s beautiful fall wedding was a photographer’s dream! Think fall leaves, orange hues, pumpkin centerpieces and extravagant, historic locations. The ceremony took place at {Old Salem}, a beautiful Moravian living history village in {Winston-Salem, NC}. Communal buildings, shops, churches and houses showcase what the Moravian settlement was like during the 18th and 19th centuries. I’ve been to Old Salem on several occasions for school trips, afternoon wanderings, and for dinner at the {Old Salem Tavern} (go eat there now – its amazing!) but I have never had the honor of shooting a wedding there. We had fall leaves, cobbled streets, perfect light, and a crazy-in-love couple to work with. The results are simply magical. There was so much about this wedding to love. Jeff and Jen, along with wedding coordinator, Ashley, we able to create an event that was as much about family and friends as it was about the couple. It was a thoughtful, heartfelt, passionate celebration that turned into a raucous nightclub style party by the end. We got some fantastic shots of the guys that really exemplified the playfulness of this group.
The girls got ready at The Millennium Center in downtown Winston-Salem. It is a stunning venue complete with a beauty shop for the girls! And just wait until you see how its decorated for the reception! Jenny stitched “ILYD” on her dad, Mike’s tie. I love my daddy too – wish I had thought of such a charming and thoughtful touch… Putting your pet in the ceremony? Yes, please! I love the way it looks, how it tells me that the couple is playful and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. Plus, look, Jolly’s wearing a bow tie! And instead of doing a unity candle, Jeff and Jen opted for a unity plant. This type of individual and unique touch really exemplifies this couple. We decided to forgo the majority of the formals until the reception and spend some time doing the romance session while we still had the light. I am so glad we did! We got loads of sweet images…
When we walked into the Millennium Center, my heart skipped a beat. This is lighting done right and I knew it was going to photograph beautifully and it did. Then as we began photographing the special details, we realized that the heart and personality from the ceremony was going to be just as much a force here. Everything about this event screams, “Welcome! Enjoy! Party hard! We love you all!” And can we just talk about this cake for a minute? As a wedding photographer, I see A LOT of cakes. I have a fascination with them actually because the cake, more than almost anything else, tells so much about the couple. But THIS cake took that to a new level. From top to bottom, this cake has the story of Jeff and Jenny literally written all over it. It was elegant, beautiful, funny, and charming all rolled up in fondant and icing. Dear {Ketchie Creek Bakery}, you guys did an phenomenal job! Jeff and Jen brought in Chapel Hill’s a cappella group, {The Clef Hangers}, for the cocktail hour and entertainment during dinner. Marissa and I wanted to tie these guys to the roof of our car and have them sing us home. They opened with {Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”}. They. Were. AMAZING. And now I must go and buy their CD…
Jeff and Jen had a surprise for their wedding party – an icing. Now this was a new experience for me. You present someone (or in this case everyone you know and love) a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, they have to take a knee and down the whole thing. The loved ones took it pretty well! Late in the planning, Jeff and Jenny decided to add on the Limelight and I am so pleased they did. Their friends knew exactly how to play it up for the camera and the results are hilarious!
Leave a Comment