I was referred Meredith & Geoff from another local photographer who could not take their wedding day (Thanks Heather S)!!! When we sat down and started talking, I immediately knew we were going to have a blast as they told me about their wedding day! They picked out two of the loveliest Raleigh Wedding venues to have their wedding ceremony in – Edenton St. Methodist and the City Club – Both in downtown Raleigh, NC
We had talked quite a bit in the months leading up to their wedding day. We discussed all sorts of ideas for unique and fun photography between their wedding and reception. They had allotted about 90 minutes for photographs between the ceremony and reception time so we had so many options open to us that, really, the sky was the limit. After we left Edenton St. Methodist Church we moved to the NCSU belltower and Pullen Park in Raleigh, NC.
First we stopped at the NCSU belltower, an iconic Raleigh landmark ever since I have lived here (and that has been a while). After working with the bride, groom and wedding party here, we moved on to Pullen Park. I had one thing on my mind – carousel. There were so many options to photographing this and, honestly, I wanted something different. Most wedding photographers would kill for this setting so I ended up both riding on the carousel with the entire bridal party the first time, then on the ground as the bride & groom took a 2nd turn by themselves. The photographs ended up being better then I could of imagined (*see below). We then took a walk around the park a bit to photograph some fun formals and more stuff of just the happily married couple enjoying a few minutes alone. Back into the limo we went and headed off to the Cardinal Club.
Let me preface this by saying I had been in a rut of rainy Saturdays lately. I love a rainy wedding day as it offers so many different opportunities then you would normally have for unique and dramatic photos. However, I had been aching for a beautiful blue sky and Geoff & Meredith arranged for the best one I had seen in a while (thanks guys). The cardinal club is on the 28th floor in downtown Raleigh and is an absolute wonderful venue to have a wedding or reception in. The view is breathtaking and the floor to ceiling windows really lets you take in the beautiful downtown cityscapes.
The reception got jumping thanks to Garrett with Lenny Fritts – touch of class DJ’s and the party got rolling. A side note here.. I had an assistant photographer for the wedding reception. I cannot remember his name but he was about 4′ tall and was running around with his digital camera taking some really decent photographs. I remember near the end of the reception he was without his camera and looking a bit downtrodden. I found out either his camera batteries died or he had no space left on his memory card. Well, far be it from me to deprive someone of something they are really good at, so I gave him my spare camera to photograph with. Let me say this.. I have NEVER, EVER seen a kid so happy before. Some of his photos are included in the disc to the bride & groom (yes, he is good) and I want to tell you KEEP AT IT!!!
Literally, before I knew it, the wedding reception was over and with it still being somewhat early (10pm), the bride & groom left the Cardinal Club decided to head out in downtown Raleigh – in their wedding dress and tux. They were gracious enough to invite me out, sans camera, to enjoy the rest of the evening with them. I cannot tell you how touched I am when I get invited out to help celebrate a beautiful wedding so, to Meredith & Geoff, THANK YOU for all of your hospitality, graciousness and just plain awesomeness! I had an absolute blast working with you both and I know you are just going to love your wedding photos!!!
DJ: Garrett – Lenny Fritts – Touch of Class DJ’s – Raleigh, NC
Wedding Cake: Sweet Memories – Apex, NC
Flowers: Dogwood Tree Floral Designs – Raleigh, NC
Caterer: The Cardinal Club – Raleigh, NC
Now on to a few of them:
