North Carolina wedding photographers Archives - Holland Photo Arts

Lisa & Elaine’s Wedding at North Carolina’s Umstead Resort

Weddings

Holland Photo Arts is built on relationships and always has been. We were glad to recently hear from former client Lisa, whose wedding to Dee Dee we photographed in 2003 (Dee Dee unfortunately passed away some years later). Lisa had since found love again with Elaine, were now marrying, and oh, would we be available to fly to North Carolina to document her wedding? In five weeks? We were so grateful to be available, get to see Lisa again, meet Elaine and of course, their children –two girls and a boy between them! Their wedding party (many who had amazing memories of the last time we all gathered together those many years ago), made up of dear, longtime friends were especially ready to party and celebrate these two dear souls.

We get to return East for a good number of weddings, and loved how at this wedding, it was all about families (despite a rather large 300-count) guest list, with 71 kids. Wow. And the celebration reflected their influence. So. Much. Fun.

Please enjoy some of our favorite moments from the day below, then visit their gallery to see their complete wedding. The password is Lisa’s last name and is case sensitive.

The wedding team:

Venue, Catering & Cake: Umstead Hotel & Spa
Flowers: Watered Garden
Ceremony Music: Arioso Strings
Reception Music: Sleeping Booty

Bill’s faves of Anne’s:

Anne’s faves of Bill’s:

Some lovely details:

getting ready

ceremony

ceremony2

bouquets

cake

party

umstead

Dear l&e,

Some of our favorite moments from your wedding celebration include:

Sharing a quiet moment, just the two of you, a few moments before walking down the aisle. But…but before getting Cooper “in the mood” to lead the way. All the shenanigans with your wedding party before and after your ceremony. They were like kids, as if you didn’t quite have enough there. Mason, trying in vain, to get Cooper to calm down and “behave like an adult” during family portraits. Lily donning her flower basket atop her head and balancing across the stone walkway. Privately enjoying a sip of whiskey for the first time, Elaine, with your new wife. That hug…when Dee Dee’s dad tightly embraced you both, it sent shivers down our spines. The looks of anticipation on all those kids’ faces as you cut the cake, almost as if they were expressing, “Hurry up, already!” The gentleness with which you each treated each other all night (except that raucous moment on stage with you both, heehee), showing everyone around just how much you loved one another.

Congratulations, you two!

xoxo…
…a&b

Kimberly & Mike’s Wedding at Wilmington’s St. Philips Church

Weddings

Are we the only people for whom this week has just flown by? Hopefully you felt that way too, especially if the weekend is time off for you. If it’s not flying by and you’re counting the minutes until 5pm, we have a little something we hope speeds things right along. Today we’re thrilled to share Kimberly & Mike’s intimate wedding in Wilmington, North Carolina, and who were married on what had to have been the most sultry, steamy day of the year in the South. Definitely did not feel like September, but they and their guests didn’t seem to mind a bit. And why should they have? Just look at where they married–those church ruins are so incredibly cool and beautiful–and the happy couple’s smiles (and those of their guests) made just about everyone in attendance forget the humidity. Except the mosquitos. They were not swayed by the beauty and love surrounding them and made their unwelcome presence known to many of us. Not that it mattered though. Having had a very intimate wedding in the South ourselves, we might have a soft spot for them, but there is something so meaningful about celebrating your union with only your very nearest and dearest in attendance.

Have fun looking through everything and of course, if you’d like to see more, just click through to their complete gallery. The password is Kimberly’s maiden name. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Church: St. Philips Church
Reception venue: Circa 1922
Officiant: Holli Saperstein
Florist: Fiore Fine Flowers
Dress: Bespoke for Kimberly by Laura DiMarcantonio of iClothing Co.
Stationery: Anista Designs

Bill’s faves of Anne’s:

Anne’s faves of Bill’s:

Some lovely details:

Dear k&m,

You both epitomize sweetness, love, and caring, starting your wedding weekend by driving a half-hour out of your way to show us your ceremony location the day before your wedding so we’d be sufficiently oriented. We loved how, in your invitations, you put simply St. Philips church, without further explaining it was a former church, now a beautiful ruin without a roof, letting your families and close friends discover it on their own as they drove up. It was a great way to begin the afternoon’s festivities with an irreverent grin or two.

Kimberly, the broad smile you had on your face never faded all day. As soon as we saw you at the B&B where you got ready and eventually saw each other for the first time, it was clear no sticky weather could put the slightest damper on the day. It was so sweet to watch the two of you being so playful with each other, tickling each other during portraits and then during your ceremony when you poured colored sand from each of your carafes into your joint cylinder. Mike, we didn’t think you would ever finish pouring yours, so intent you were on having the last word. 😉

Back at the restaurant for dinner, it was fun watching all of the other dining room guests on the perimeter hoot and holler during your dad’s emotional toast, Kimberly, a fitting ending to a day filled with childlike abandon and love. It’s clear that you both greet each and every day with a sense of humor and as a team. We love that you didn’t feel bound by tradition and chose to have the wedding you both wanted to have –one that reflected you both and your personalities. Big weddings certainly have their place, but being small-group people ourselves, yours felt like the perfect day to us. Your joy for life was truly inspiring and reminded us again how lucky we are that we get to spend such a special day in a couple’s life, with them.

Thank you so much for your trust and having us out to document your day. We couldn’t be happier for you both and wish you many joy-filled years together. Congratulations!

With Love,
…a&b

Ashlee & Aaron’s Wedding at LaGrange Christian Chruch & Kinston Country Club, NC

Weddings

Whoo-boy, the merry little elves are busy little, uh, bees, this week wrapping up holiday orders, but we just had to share Ashlee and Aaron’s early winter wedding before this weekend. You may remember this adorable couple from their early Spring engagement session at the beautiful Homestead. (Ironically, we will be back at the beautiful resort in western Virginia’s mountain’s very, very soon to shoot a sweet elopement for a couple and their two children!) Big “A” and Little “a” were married amidst all of their family in friends in the small, neighboring North Carolina towns in which they grew up. It may have been a little chilly. Ok, it was A LOT chilly – just ask the flower girls–but A&a’s smiles throughout the day helped keep everyone happy and warm. Oh, and the band, might have had something to do with that, too, given how hot the dance floor was! A&a, you’ve been so patient, so without further ado…

The talented team:

Church: LaGrange Christian Church
Reception venue & catering: Kinston Country Club
Gown: Monique Lhullier
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Band: Jupiter Jones
Baker: Your Perfect Cake
Stationary: The Green Kangaroo
Videography: Duncan Armsby
Flowers: Cheryl’s Floral Designs

Ready for more? You can view their complete gallery here and the SnapHappy photobooth images here. The password is Ashlee’s maiden name and is case-sensitive.

Now those, boys and girls, are heels! I would likely break my neck if I even attempted such heights, but man, a girl can dream can’t she? At least I get to take purty pictures of these beauties. (Oh, and yes, this is Anne. Although I do believe Bill would most definitely break his neck, too.) 😉

Love Aaron’s duck tie from Vineyard Vines!

Gotta love those little ones. Hee..hee…

Ash, your smile could light up even the darkest, coldest night. SO beautiful!

Excuse me, I really need to take this call…

Yea, being in weddings can be hard, hard work. Loved this little drama princess.

Quiet moment as Ashlee watches her bridesmaids line up for the ceremony. All fourteen of them!

Time for blast off!

Houston, we have a problem. 😉

Just Married!

Who’s afraid of a few portraits after the sun goes down? Not us! Ashlee was a serious trooper in that 40-degree night air, too. Guess it was a good thing we were only out there for five minutes after all.

First dance!

Adore this sweet moment between Ash and her Dad that Bill captured just after their father/daughter dance.

Cool shot Anne snagged during dancing!

Love, love, love this one.

Dear a&a…

It was so nice arriving for your Friday evening rehearsal after a chilly, rainy, and super windy five-hour drive to see your smiling faces and welcoming hearts. It was as if we had just left off from your engagement session last Spring. Even though it was over much too soon, there were a great many things for which we were grateful at your wedding celebration:

– Your smiles. Yes, we might have mentioned them before (and we just might mention them again!) but, they’d truly heal any rift and lift any heart. They set the day’s (and night’s) tone for all of your 300+ guests.
– Speaking of which, we’d not ever seen such a large grouping of family all together in one spot to support a couple. It means so much that you chose your home towns to say your I Do’s so that everyone who loves you could be there to celebrate with you and support you. What a wonderful and meaningful way to start your married life together.
– If you looked up southern charm in the dictionary (or wikipedia for you youngsters), we’re pretty sure we’d see your smiling faces. You two are as sweet as tea. Sweet tea, of course!
– Everyone’s southern hospitality. (Oh, we love us some southern weddings!) It didn’t matter whose job it might have been to do something–there was always a member of your wedding party or immediate family to step in and take care of it for you.
– We hadn’t seen a get-away vehicle “decorated” in quite some time, and it was fun watching your groomsmen take care of that little task, Aaron on your huge truck.
– That you brought your love for hunting and sense of humor into the day with Aaron’s Vineyard Vines duck tie; Ashlee, your hot pink & camo garters (one to toss and one to keep!); and your beer coozie favors that boldly stated “The Hunt is Over.” Love it!

Well, the day flew by much too fast, but we are so happy to have been a part of it all with you and your families. We love our job and can’t thank you enough for bringing us down to document your wedding day for you and your future generations. Congratulations, you two!

xoxo…
…a&b

PS – Don’t miss the crazy SnapHappy pics from their wedding on the blog Monday!