If you are an avid reader of my blog, you probably recognize this couple. Her wedding at Duke Gardens marks the third time I’ve photographed her (2nd time actually at Duke Gardens) and probably the 5th or 6th time we’ve met up. In other words, I really feel like longtime friends at this point (notice I didn’t say old friends to avoid the commentary I always seem to get when I do that). Joanna was also gracious enough to work with me on a bridal shoot I did for a video I was shooting. All in all, I had some mixed emotions about her wedding day due to the fact I have enjoyed working with her and Andrew so much, that I hate to think that part was over. Being excited and sad at the same time certainly brought out the creativity on my part so we, of course, got some amazing wedding photos from Duke Gardens.
Joanna & Andrew got ready for their wedding at the Washington Duke Inn. This is just a very short trip to their wedding at Duke Gardens but was made much more interesting with a big football game at Duke University. As it turns out, the planning done by Raleigh Wedding Planners, a Southern Soiree, was perfect as both the trip over to Duke Gardens and the trip back to their wedding reception at the Washington Duke Inn was virtually traffic free. A big hand to Cara & Megan for all of their work to make sure we all got there safe.
Even though it was the end of September, the lovely heat wave decided to stick around another day for the ceremony. While that makes for a lovely outdoor wedding, wearing a black tux and standing in the full sun can be a bit, well, steamy. Andrew & Joanna were absolute troopers and their wedding in front of the Pergola turned out fantastic. The sun beamed down as they exchanged vows and you couldn’t draw up a more beautiful day, location and light for the photos. After the wedding, we moved into the shade for all of their formal photos then the photos of just the happily married couple. One of the things that make a wedding at Duke Gardens so nice is hte abundance of flora that is in every direction. I worked with them for as long as I could without putting them behind schedule and ended up with beautiful wedding photography.
At the Washington Duke Inn wedding reception, Lyn Graves from Fresh Affairs really outdid himself with the flowers and centerpieces for the room. The happy couple enjoyed cocktails on the terrace of the Washington Duke Inn before heading into their wedding reception. A 3 piece Jazz band played in the background as the couple celebrated with their close friends and family. The night was capped off by them exiting through a shower of rose petals before everyone reconvened in the hotel lobby to continue the celebrations.
I want to give my sincerest and most heartfelt thank you to both Joanna & Andrew for choosing me to document the first day of the rest of their lives together as well as creating art from their wedding day. Here are a few of my favorite photos from their big day!
