wilmington

MAILE + TOM - Figure Eight Island Yacht Club Wedding

Maile and Tom's wedding was major. I have so many fond memories of their day and this quiet moment between them during their "married portrait session" is definitely in my top five! Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0001

Maile & Tom got married in early September in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina at St. Therese Catholic Church. The weather was pristine! After the ceremony, their AMAZING party was held at Figure Eight Island Yacht Club, which is such a beautiful place. I loved how the whole day felt so natural and low-key, yet the details and setting were just beyond gorgeous.

Wedding dress: Legends by Romona Keveza, purchased from Traditions by Anna Bride's dress: Something Bleu from BHLDN Bridesmaids' dresses: LulaKate Groom's attire: Hugo Boss Groomsmen attire: JoS. A Bank Hair and makeup: Adrianne Lugo Florals: Bella Florals by Theresa Coordinator: Jennifer Mitchell Ceremony music: Angela Daughtry Cake and cupcakes: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge Cocktail music: Bonnie Brooksbank Band: The Rubber Band Videographer: Cassie Brooksbank Caterer: Figure Eight Island Yacht Club Invitations: Bethany Poteat (design) & Mindy & Angie's (printer) Programs: Erin Lesica

Back to my favorite parts of the day... #1 would have to be... the whole ceremony. : ) Maile's uncle married them -- he also married Maile's parents and baptized Maile -- so it was just super personal and touching to hear all the stories he told. Another favorite moment was the "digging up of the bourbon," which is later explained in the post.  : ) And one more that comes to mind is just getting to spend time with their genuinely nice friends and families (see goofy family pictures below). Congrats to this amazing couple -- I wish y'all all the best!

Thanks to Jeff Janowski Photography for helping me shoot their wedding! Enjoy, y'all. (And coming up soon: a major announcement, which is why I've been so MIA recently here on the blog!)

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Maile's mom got emotional while she was getting into her dress. So sweet.Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0010Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0011Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0012Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0013Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0014Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0015Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0016Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0017Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0018Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0019Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0020Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0021Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0022Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0023Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0024Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0025

The first time the couple saw each other during the ceremony = priceless.Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0026Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0027Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0028Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0029Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0030Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0031

A little explanation needed here. Maile's uncle gave Erin, Maile's sister-in-law, a Clark candy bar on her wedding day (because Clark was her maiden name) and said to Maile's brother that she was just as sweet as one. So, Maile's uncle searched high and low for a Holman  (Tom's last name) candy bar and found one just in time! ; ) Everyone in the ceremony got a good laugh. I was cracking up!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0032Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0033Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0034Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0035Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0036Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0037Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0038Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0039

"Panda " and "penguin" are nicknames that Maile and Tom have for each other. How adorable!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0040Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0041Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0042Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0043Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0044Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0045Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0046Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0047

Following the ceremony, we took a trolley ride to the beach for some portraits. As I was setting up the first wedding party shot, I noticed Maile and Tom sharing a kiss. SO SWEET.Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0048Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0049Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0050

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Gorgeous flowers!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0057Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0058Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0059Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0060

Tom and his brothers. Jeff got some really great shots on the beach!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0061Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0062Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0063Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0064

I thought this was so neat -- as a way to honor grandparents who passed away, Tom wore one cufflink from each grandfather.Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0065

This wedding party was SO fun and SO full of energy! Loved working with them!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0066Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0067Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0068Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0069Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0070Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0071Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0072Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0073Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0074Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0075Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0076Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0077Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0078We got back to the yacht club for some family portraits and these are some goofy ones during that time. Hysterical!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0079Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0080Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0081Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0082Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0083Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0084Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0085Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0086Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0087Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0088Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0089

Their cocktail hour was amazing! So many fun lawn games!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0090Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0091Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0092Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0093Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0094Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0095Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0096

Here is the digging up of the bourbon. Figure Eight Island Yacht Club has this tradition where one month prior to the wedding, the family buries a bottle of bourbon upside-down in the ground. The tradition was started several years ago as a way to ward off bad weather. On the day of the wedding, the bride and groom unbury the bottle and drink from it. The families and guests are encouraged to drink from it as well. After the unburying, Dr. Lesica (Maile's dad) explained to the guests that he chose to bury the "Rare Breed" brand because Tom is a rare breed. : )Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0097Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0098Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0099Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0100

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A few more portraits at sunset. : )Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0103Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0104Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0105Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0106Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0107Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0108Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0109Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0110Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0111Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0112Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0113

This little dude got into the photo booth accessories a little early into the night. HILARIOUS.Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0114Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0115Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0116Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0117Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0118Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0119Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0120Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0121Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0122Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0123Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0124Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0125Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0126Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0127

The Rubber Band had EVERYONE singing!Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0128Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0129Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0130Holman-wedding-WashingtonDC-photographer_0131

EMILY + TRAVIS - 128 South Wedding

I'm not gonna lie... I was pretty nervous about shooting this wedding. Why? Because Emily is a wedding photographer (check out her beautiful site HERE), and this girl has got some style for DAYS. On top of having butterflies about shooting, Sandy showed up to this wedding, even though she wasn't invited. Hurricane Sandy, that is... This wedding took place in one of my favorite cities -- Wilmington, NC -- and Sandy was FIERCE that day! Emily and Travis had planned for an outdoor beachfront ceremony, and Sandy made that impossible. They were forced to move everything inside at the last minute into their reception venue -- 128 South. But the best thing? Emily and Travis were the epitome of calm; they knew they couldn't control the weather and they simply focused on each other.

Bride's dress: Alena Fede Bridesmaids' dresses: Dessy Groom and groomsmen attire: JoS. A. Bank Makeup: Bangz Salon and Spa Florals: Island Florals by Roxanne Cake: Apple Annie's Bake Shop DJ: Active Entertainment Caterer: 128 South Events Invitations: Key Printing Programs: Etsy DIY details: all handmade by the bride and friends : )

There were so many beautiful details at this wedding, and the music playlist was hands down the BEST I've ever heard! I found myself singing to most of the songs and not wanting the night to end. : ) I loved being there to help Emily & Travis celebrate. The hurricane truly couldn't hold them down (or their guests)!

Emily, you are gorgeous. Forgive me folks, I posted a lot of bridal shots because I couldn't choose my favorites!!!

LOVED the custom sleeves Emily had made for her dress.

Best first look face EVER.

It was so sweet how emotional Emily's dad was during the ceremony.

If you're an Instagram fanatic like me, you'll think this idea is GENIUS. Everyone should hash tag their weddings! : )

This homegirl had some killer Thriller moves!