After an incredible fall wedding season, I finally am able to start posting some of my gorgeous weddings I’ve been so fortunate to capture on camera. Shannon & Barrett’s Umstead hotel wedding is one that I had really been looking forward to since the day we first met for their wedding consultation. Partly because I really love shooting weddings here, but really because Shannon & Barrett were just plain fun and their wedding day really was going to be a grand celebration with their family and friends.
On their wedding day, both Shannon and Barrett had the familiar nervous excitement and as both the wedding and reception were being held at the Umstead Hotel and Spa, were surrounded by all their family and friends. I really enjoy it when everything is at the same location because it means, generally, everyone is around and it makes for great getting ready photos! Barrett and the guys were already dressed when we arrived and were waiting in the lounge area eating so delightful barbeque sandwiches while the ladies were getting their hair & makeup done downstairs. After everyone was ready, we had a wonderful opportunity to photograph the bridal party and each individual member before the ceremony.
As Barrett is a meteorologist, Shannon had requested perfect wedding weather – which indeed we received. Partly cloudy, slightly cool weather made for a gorgeous outdoor wedding ceremony on the Umstead Lawn. After the wedding, we shot outdoor formals as the sun was setting the headed up to the reception in the Umstead Ballroom. The entire wedding and reception was sprinkled with personality – from the drink menu to the chalk blackboards with their initials to the personalized cookies at each seat – the wedding was really planned out to perfection.
I think their best man is in the running for the funniest toast of the year and the wedding reception itself definitely had the most people dancing at once (I think I saw maybe 10 people sitting down, everyone else was bootyshaking). We ended off the wedding with some of my favorite evening portraits of the year using the Terrace and outdoor fireplace at the Umstead hotel as a backdrop. We actually also did a day after session which, honestly, is tied for my favorite session of the year as well, but that is for another blog post.
I’d like to thank Shannon, Barrett and their families for their overwhelming graciousness and hospitality. It’s the reason I love photographing weddings so much! As always, here are a few selections from Shannon and Barrett’s Umstead Hotel and Spa wedding!
