ANNA + BEN - Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Wedding

First things first: the weather was NOT kind to me in May -- I guess my pups didn't do the no-rain dance enough for me like they promised me they would. ; ) Now, more importantly, check out this gorgeous couple!

Anna + Ben got married in mid-May in North Carolina. The ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, and the reception was held at the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (where I got married!). I'm lucky to have visited and shot at DSBG twice already this year -- it's such an inspiring place to me. Like I mentioned with the weather, we kept having to dodge the rain and wet ground... but thankfully, we were still able to do most portraits outside!

I loved all of the classic details at this wedding. Anna's Vera Wang dress was stunning on her. And the couple's chemistry was just awesome. I especially loved capturing their first dance together; it was so touching the way they looked at each other.

Bride’s dress: Vera Wang Bride’s shoes: Vincent Camuto Bridesmaids’ dresses: Alfred Sung Makeup and hair: Who's the Fairest Florals: in bloom, ltd. Coordinator: Sweet Carolina Weddings Cake: Susan's Cake Creations Band: Coming Up Brass Caterer: Best Impressions Classic car: Royal Rides

Anna and Ben are the sweetest. And they threw such a slammin' good time party! Thanks to everyone who made this wedding a wonderful one to shoot! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Enjoy the pretty. : )

***UPDATE: Totally slipped my mind to thank the wonderful Beth Ely for hanging with the guys before the ceremony and helping me shoot this wedding!***

Funny side note: Anna couldn't decide between wearing her Badgley Mischka or Vincent Camuto heels... so I photographed both because, well, just look at how awesome both pairs are! (FYI she ended up going with Vincent for comfort.)

Such a pretty group of women!

Anna has THE BEST laughing face. Ever.

Love love love.

Favorite!

NANCY + JOHNSON - Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Wedding

Nancy + Johnson's wedding holds a special little place in my heart. You see, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is where my husband and I got married. : )

Their ceremony was held at First Presbyterian Church and the reception was at DSBG. I got all KINDS of teary-eyed (more than usual!) when shooting Nancy + Johnson's portraits around the gardens. They were such a joy to photograph (read: LOVE cuddly couples!).

I know Nancy from high school, and I'm so, SO happy she wanted me to shoot she and Johnson's wedding. Nancy looked so gorgeous (pretty much was obsessed with photographing her dress...you'll see), and Johnson was so warm and welcoming (the wedding day was my first time meeting him!). Everything went pretty flawlessly. I loved the stained glass windows of the church, and the florals were just breathtaking. Congrats to the newlyweds! And, Go Deacs and Vols! ; )

Bride's dress: Paloma Blanca Bride's shoes: TOMS Bridesmaids' dresses: B2 by Jasmine Groom and groomsmen attire: Vera Wang for Men's Wearhouse Bride's hair and makeup: William Henry Salon and Spa Florals and day-of coordination: Carey Roberts Design Co. Ceremony music: Suzanne Fairbairn, organ; Mary McFarland, carillon Cake: Brenda's Cake Gallery DJ: Nolan Walker of East Coast Entertainment Caterer: Best Impressions Programs: Minges Printing

Love this frame -- in their own little world. : )

Aren't these orchids stunning?!

I think this dude was picked up by at least half of the guests at some point during the evening. Love a fun dance floor!

THE VAHER FAMILY

In 2011, I donated a photography session to a fundraising auction for Girls on the Run of Gaston County, which is an after-school program for 3rd through 8th grade girls. The program focuses on instilling self-esteem and strong values through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships and physical training. I love the idea for this program and all the good it does in the home county where I grew up in North Carolina. (It is also run -- no pun intended -- by one of my "bonus" moms, who I think does great things for the community.) Fast forward to 2013: I finally got to meet and photograph the family that bid on my session! The Vaher family was so much fun to photograph, and I think we got some great images. Enjoy their smiles! : )

THE IRVINE FAMILY

This family? My favorite. I've known the Irvines for 15+ years, and I've always appreciated their company, their love and their sincerity throughout my life. Mr. & Mrs. I have always been so welcoming and gracious -- inviting me into their home time after time. I can't say enough good things about all three Irvine sisters -- I call them all good friends. Rachel, the oldest, is a talented designer/creative genius, who also happened to coordinate my wedding (no small feat) and re-brand my business. Mary, the next oldest, was the maid of honor at my wedding and she's like the sister I never had. She's selfless and giving, illustrating that through her work as an advocate for children's rights through the law and constantly fundraising for a worthy cause. Christine, the youngest, has just about every skill on the planet. Not only does she rock at photography (and other creative things!), she is also a certified yoga instructor and endlessly fights for climate change and equality for all.

Pretty incredible family, right? And their significant others are just as awesome. Irvines, you caught some good ones! : ) Enjoy my time with this sweet family.

Love Mary & Nick's pup, JOEY!

ADORE this one...

THE STEVENS FAMILY

Today, I have the Stevens family for you: Mel & Mike and their A.DOR.A.BLE kiddos Luke & Conner. You may have seen them on the blog before, because I have the privilege of photographing this family every year. I did a few snaps of them as newborns, when they were one year old and two years old and now they are almost THREE! Goodness... time sure does get away. I think our shoots just keep getting better and better! They are SUCH a joy to be around, and I'm so happy to call them friends. Enjoy this sweet family! Also, a VERY special shout out goes to my friend and awesome portrait photographer Natalie of N Harris Photography for helping me find this location (since I'm not up in Belmont often). Thank you, Nat! : )

Conner likes to ham it up for the camera sometimes. : )

And Luke likes to do his own thing! haha.

LOVE this frame of Luke. So happy!

"Gigi" and "Papaw" (Glo and Big D to me!) showed up for a few shots. : )

We had some fun with plastic eggs!

LOVE this one of Conner. Such a cutie!!!

These kids melt my heart!

This one of Luke "flipping the bird" had me laughing out loud for about five minutes. Haha!

Then we had some fun with confetti (see an animation!) -- a big hit!