But beyond the kissing, my favorite part of  Melissa and Justin was seeing them laughing with each other. When Melissa laughs with Justin it’s almost as if her eyes light up. I’ve always believed laughter was good medicine and so it’s my wish for these guys that they laugh together (and kiss) for the next 75 years!!!!

And although I know you guys just wanna see my favs, I just have to say one more thing, I love how this couple chose the perfect spot for their ceremony. They chose a spot that was significant to them, a place that was familiar and by the water!!  They had their amazingly obedient dog in their ceremony, and they incorporated themes such as their dog and the beach throughout their entire decor. So for people that ask me if I get tired of doing weddings all the time, my response is always “No!!”  Because clients like this make sure their wedding is unique and perfect to them!

Now on to what you’ve been waiting for… my favs!!!!

Melissa, you were a beautiful bride!! Thanks for making my job so easy!!!

I get to see a lot of weddings and I get to see a lot of brides do a lot of their decorations themselves but Ryan may have taken the cake. Ryan literally made almost, if not all, of her decorations for the wedding and the reception. But she didn’t stop there. She then rented a u haul and brought all of them from Texas to eastern North Carolina where she got married. That is a LONG HAUL people!!  When I saw how much detail and planning went into her day I was amazed!!!  All the way down to the wine that her and Jeff made at a vineyard in Texas to use at their reception (and I will bare witness that it was GOOD wine!!) They gave me a bottle and I have to admit it is the only wine I’ve ever drank and enjoyed!!

So take a minute to check out just a few of my favorite images and details from their flawless day! And then take a minute to check on Ryan’s new site, Ryan Marie Photography.  Although Ryan has had a successful career as a nurse, she has decided to chase a dream and step into photography!! I’ve seen such a dramatic growth in just a few short months and I know the sky is the limit with her!!

I can’t wait to see where your new journey takes you Ryan!!! xoxo

When Mari originally hired me, her wedding was set for the early spring of 2010. But not long after our contract was signed I got the news Mitchell was being deployed and Mari would have to wait over a year to share in her special day with her best friend. It seemed like an eternity I’m sure, but before long the year had passed, Mitchell returned home to Mari’s waiting arms and wedding bells were chiming!!!

The venue Mari & Mitchell chose seemed as if it where stolen directly from a novel written a century ago. When arriving at Rose Hill Plantion you are greeted with a long winding path with gigantic trees. The charming plantation makes you think at any moment a southern belle just might appear with a glass of sweet tea. And the small but evident hills makes for the most beautiful backdrop that anyone can imagine!!! So if you can bundle an amazing venue and a love so pure, you can only imagine their day was perfect in every way!!! From the guests that showered them with their love, to the weather that promised to behave, it truly was a photographers dream!!!

I’ll never probably be able to express how lucky I am to share in such special days but also in my clients lives!! Mari, Mitchell, Marianna, & Carl you guys have been above and beyond. You guys have trusted me with one of the most important events of your lives and I really can never say how much each of you have meant to me! From your kind words, to the love you have shown to my own personal family you have found a place in my heart that will forever remain! A million times over and over….thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I personally don’t have time to keep up with the changes implemented by the IRS and North Carolina Department of Revenue each year. But having time doesn’t eliminate my responsibilities, that’s why I let Alex focus on that stuff.  For me my time should be focused on my family and business, not on forms that make no sense.

So if your like me and you just don’t have the time or the know how to deal with payroll or the tax needs of your business, give him a call!! Oh and if you know someone that is looking into setting up a nonprofit organization, look no farther!! Alex specializes in the setup and development of nonprofit organizations, to put it plain and simple…. he’s the best in town!

And because I believe in easy, here is his info:

(252) 758-7300 or contact him via email at alex@graycpa.biz to schedule an appointment

This coming May, my hubby and I with another friend are doing this amazing event called Warrior Dash in Charlotte NC.   We will conquer obstacles, leap fire, and crawl through the mud all in the attempt to help raise money for this amazing organization called St Jude!!  That’s right people I said CRAWL THROUGH MUD!!!! And here is where it get’s interesting!!!

If you are a past bride or groom that hired me to shoot your wedding or you are currently under contract with me to do your wedding…. listen up!!! If you want to join me in this Warrior Dash AND you sign up AND you participate you will be entered in a sweet give away from yours truly!! For every bride and groom that signs up and participates with us I will give you one entry.  That means if a bride and groom both enter you get 2 entries…that means double the chance to win!! I know, I know,  you want to know what you get right, well here it is…. You get a credit of $400!!!!  You can use this $400 toward prints from your wedding, upgrades to your album, you can do a new session with me and have print money, or you can gift the $400 credit to someone you just wanna bless!! How you use the $400 is all up to you!!! The main rule is you have 1 year to use your $400.

So here are the details….. we are running the Warrior Dash in Charlotte NC on Saturday May 19th at 2:30 so make sure when you are signing up you sign up for that race!!  After you have signed up,  send me a message telling me you did and I will make a note.  After the race is done and you have actually participated I will randomly pick the winner… it’s really that simple!! AND since everyone that participates gets a free beer and I hate beer I’ll even give you my beer….WINNING!! haha  To sign up for the Warrior Dash CLICK HERE!!!!

Now onto those that want to still help but aren’t a past or current bride or groom!!  Chris and I have set a goal to raise an additional $500 toward St Jude so I need your help!! I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to blow that goal out of the water but I need your help!!  For every $25 donation you contribute toward our goal of $500 you will be entered into a free mini session with me AND to make it even better I will include a disc of all finals from your session with the printing rights. That’s right people…JUMP ON IT!!! Believe me this cause is worth giving to, so don’t wait please help us blow our goal out of the water!!!  So click on the donate button below… for every $25 donation you are given one entry!!! If you don’t have a paypal don’t worry,  you can check out with your normal credit card too!  Or if you have just stumbled on this post and you wanna help and don’t care about the pictures feel free to donate here as well!!

Great location + amazing detail + a young couple in love = PERFECTION!!!

ps Keep watching for their magical wedding day coming soon!!!

So right before the wedding, Ryan & Jeff made the trip from Texas and spent an afternoon with me drinking wine and playing in the rain….take a look!!