Weddings

Top 10 Wedding Moments of 2015

2015 was filled with some pretty amazing weddings! These wedding were amazing not only because of the beautiful locations, venues, and flowers, but also because of the once in a lifetime moments, interactions, and experiences that took place between new brides and grooms, moms, dads, sisters, bridesmaids, and friends. Weddings are incredibly important and emotional and I consider it such an honor to be able to capture some of that emotion and preserve it for my clients to remember for years and years to come! Here's a few of my favorite wedding moments in 2015:

1. Josh and Caroline's Wedding on 5/1/15. I love this picture from Caroline and Josh's wedding! It seems to fit them so well! They are such a sweet and laid back couple and I think this picture really shows that. I also adored that they got married on Lake Hartwell, you couldn't ask for for a more beautiful spot!

2. Rachel and Tim's First Look on 5/23/15. Rachel and Tim's first look was one of my FAVORITE first looks ever! They were so happy and excited and Tim's reaction was SO sweet! He smiled, cried, and laughed. It was beautiful and it actually made me tear up a little behind my camera.

3. Jesse seeing his bride walk down the aisle on 5/31/15. Oh man, Jesse's reaction to seeing Christina walk down the aisle was SO sweet. It was written all over his face how happy and excited he was to marry her!

4. Lauren and Sudeep's Wedding on 6/26/15. Lauren and Sudeep's wedding was one of my favorites for sure! It took place in Charleston which is one of my favorite cities in the world and Lauren and Sudeep are an amazingly kind, sweet, and godly couple. They also had the MOST fun bridal parties!

5. Morgan's time with her mom and bridesmaids 8/29/15. Morgan and Matt's wedding was filled with so many sweet an emotional moments. It was really hard to narrow it down to just 2! These 2 are some of my favorites because I think the first one captures Morgan's amazing and close relationship with her mom and I think the second one capture Morgan's love for the Lord and the prayers prayed over her just before she walked down the aisle.

6. Rachel and Hardee's Wedding 9/12/15. Fire breathing dragon. Need I say more? But seriously, Rachel and Hardee's wedding was UNBELIEVABLY beautiful and fun! If I had to pick one wedding from this year that captures my style and my brand, this one would be it. I LOVED Rachel's dress, flowers, decorations...everything! It was soft, romantic, classic, and beautiful!

7. Kristen and Colin's Wedding on 10/3/15. Kristen and Colin's wedding was filled with so many amazing and special moments. One of my favorite moments was the time Kristen got with her niece right before the ceremony...SO sweet!

8. McKenzie and Lou's Wedding on 11/7/15. McKenzie and Lou were so sweet and they had such a gorgeous wedding! I absolutely loved McKenzie's style and her dress, flowers, and details were impeccable! I also loved how laid back and kind McKenzie and Lou were.

9. Alexa and Dan's Wedding on 11/21/15. Dan and Alexa's wedding was one of my favorites for sure! First of all it took place in DC! Secondly, they had an amazing bridal party and Dan and Alexa are such a kind, loving, and Christ-like couple. I love the picture above seconds after their ceremony is over when they're getting ready to hug their friends and family. The joy and excitement on their faces is so evident and overflowing!

10. Christy and Marcus' Wedding on 12/6/15. My wedding season ended with a bang for sure! Christy and Marcus' wedding was the final one for 2015 and it was gorgeous! Christy and Marcus were so sweet and it was clear that they love to joke and laugh together! They also had THE MOST epic cake display of all time! Their winter, Christmas wedding was magical!

Thank you for following along with some of my favorite moments of 2015. There was SO many and it was hard to narrow it down to just a few! I can't wait to see what 2016 holds!

2015 Behind the Scenes

2015 has been an amazing year for my little business! I was able to shoot 14 weddings and second shoot 6 weddings. I had 5 different wonderful second shooters work for me: Sammi, Lauryn, Heather, Sharmila, and Kristen (thanks girls!!!). I've really enjoyed going back through pictures from this year and digging out some of the behind the the scenes pictures! It's amazing to reflect on all the people the Lord has allowed me to meet this year and all of the places I've been. Having a photography business can be difficult sometimes because it means that you miss a lot of nights and weekends and time with family and friends, but it also allows you to experience so many amazing things! This year photography has brought me to the Library of Congress and the Capitol, inside an exclusive and private garden with a fire breathing dragon, to the charming streets of Charleston, and to many other wonderful places! Here's a few behind the scenes pictures from 2015:

Shooting weddings with Sammi is always a blast! Just about every wedding we're together I have her stand in various spots to test the light before I take pictures of the bride and groom or wedding party there.

Shooting weddings with Sammi is always a blast! Just about every wedding we're together I have her stand in various spots to test the light before I take pictures of the bride and groom or wedding party there.

I have a lot of pictures of Sammi fluffing veils for me! She's the best!

I have a lot of pictures of Sammi fluffing veils for me! She's the best!

Shooting Lauren and Sudeep's wedding in Charleston was definitely one of the highlights of my year! For one thing, Lauren is a dear friend and her and Sudeep are a really great couple. Their wedding also took place in CHARLESTON, need I say more?! And Alex got to come with me and learn some photography skills as my third shooter! We had a blast!

 

I got to photograph my first styled shoot in August and it was SUCH a wonderful experience and it really pushed me to be creative! Randi with Carry Your Heart Events (pictured above) did an amazing job of coordinating the shoot. I'm getting really eager to do another shoot soon!

We had a hilarious time trying to get pictures of Joe and Melissa. The horses kept trying to eat her bouquet!

This was one of my favorite engagement sessions! Alex and I took pictures of Dan and Alexa in Georgetown (one of my favorite parts of DC) and we had a blast!

Can you spot the photographer?? :)

You can't really tell here but there's a giant stone fire-breathing dragon behind these girls! :)

I've crouched down on many busy streets this year (the picture above is right downtown Raleigh) to get the perfect ring shot. I'm sure people think I'm crazy! But hey, whatever it takes!!

The above pictures were taken in the midst of the hurricane earlier this fall in South Carolina. If only we could have gotten a shot of Sammi holding an umbrella over me while I stood on a stool with the wind and rain almost knocking me over (ok that may be a slight exaggeration) to get bridal party pictures! 

Shooting in the middle of Union station was amazing and HECTIC! What you don't see are the TONS of people walking by us that we're trying to work around. Oh wait, this guy in the picture below might give you a better idea of what it was like...ugh... :)

 

I'll end with three of my favorite places I got to shoot this year: DC (IN the library of congress!), on top of table rock, and Charleston!

It truly has been an amazing year and I'm so thankful for everyone who has believed in my business and supported me! THANK YOU! I can't wait to see what 2016 holds!!

 

The Cotton Room | Marcus & Christy's Wedding | A Durham, NC Wedding Photographer

Marcus and Christy's winter wedding at the Cotton Room in Durham, NC was absolutely beautiful! It was my last wedding of the season and it was definitely a great way to end! Marcus and Christy are such a sweet couple and their love for one another and friendship is so evident! Their families were also wonderful and so warm and kind! Their vendors were also amazing and everything came together so gorgeously...I loved everything! The pastel blue/silver Christmas theme, the venue, the florals, and all the decorations! 

Coordinator: RedBird Events
Venue/Catering: The Cotton Room
Photography: DiPrima Photography
Cake: Cakes by Chloe
DJ: Anything Music DJ's
Florist: Teacup Floral
Officiant: Triangle Custom Ceremonies
Hair & Makeup: Melissa Franks & Michelle Clark
Transportation: Ecostyle

University Club | Dan & Alexa's Wedding | A Washington DC Wedding Photographer

Alexa and Dan's wedding day was truly a beautiful, Christ-centered and joyful celebration! Alexa attended my church before I met and married my husband and so unfortunately we were never at the same church together. I met Alexa and Dan through Alex this past summer when they were visiting for a weekend. I immediately felt like I had known them for a long time because Alexa and Dan are so kind and warm! Since then I have enjoyed getting to know them SO much through their engagement pictures and their wedding! It is so evident that Alexa and Dan love Christ and that their marriage is one that glorifies God. 

DC is one of my all time favorite cities and it was SO fun to be able to capture Dan and Alexa's pictures around the city. Our day started at a quaint and historic row house in Capitol Hill, then we headed to Capitol Hill Baptist church, then the Library of Congress, Capitol, and Union Station, and finally we ended at the University Club! We had amazing weather and we got really lucky at each location with great light and few people. I was SO thankful that Dan and Alexa gave me 2+ hours to capture their bridal party pictures and their romantic portraits. Prioritizing photography in your schedule on your wedding day really makes ALL the difference! One highlight of the day was at the Library of Congress. A security guard came out and asked if we wanted to bypass security and come in the building to take a few pictures. You better believe we said YES!! I also enjoyed getting to know Dan and Alexa's bridal party so much and their friends and guests. Everyone was so kind, laid back, and fun to be around!

Dan and Alexa, thank you giving me the privilege and JOY of capturing your wedding! Have an amazing time in Jamaica and enjoy reliving your special day!

Vendors:
Photography: DiPrima Photography
Second Shooter: Sharmila S.P. Photography
Ceremony Venue: Capitol Hill Baptist Church
Reception Venue: University Club
Catering: The University Club of Washington DC
Florist: Katy Gale
Cake: Allison Roark
Transportation: Chariots for Hire

McKenzie & Lou's Wedding | A New Hill, NC Wedding Photographer

McKenzie and Lou had a beautiful wedding on McKenzie's parent's farm! It rained the entire day before their wedding and the morning of their wedding but amazingly, it stopped right when I got there and stayed clear for the rest of the day! I was so thankful! McKenzie and her mom did an amazing job decorating for the wedding and every detail was so beautiful (not to mention their farm has stunning scenery)! McKenzie and Lou were so fun and laid back to work with and I really enjoyed capturing their day. McKenzie and Lou, thank you for giving me the privilege of photographing your big day!!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Family Farm in New Hill, NC
Catering: Prime Barbeque
Florist: Basket Tree Florist
Tent Rental: Grand Rental Station
Tables and Linens: CE Rentals
DJ: Cool Receptions
Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes
Wedding Dress: Alexia's Bridal Boutique