I love fall weddings and am excited to share a recent one I photographed at The Angus Barn Pavilions. This is a fairly new wedding reception venue so I had not photographed there yet, but it’s the perfect location for a rustic, autumn inspired wedding. Once I arrived, I could tell why the couple chose it. During Krystal and Dave’s engagement session I got a hint of how wonderful and stylish that they were going to make their wedding when Krystal donned a pair of cowgirl boots halfway through our shoot. You can view the photographs and their whole engagement story HERE if you like.
October is one of my busiest months and 2009 has been no exception. A lot of people love autumn as much as I do, and because North Carolina weather is perfect this time of year, I’ve found myself photographing 5 weddings and a bunch of sessions. It’s been all I can do to keep up right now. In case you’re wondering, each wedding takes me a few weeks to process and edit and the blog/facebook posts take almost a whole day from start to finish.
It’s all worth it though for me to be able to write and share the stories behind the photographs as well as my experiences with the couple and their friends and family. It’s also a great way to share the exceptional venues and wedding vendors that I get to work with weekly. In this case, I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Steve T. while on site and really connected with his enthusiastic personailty and positive energy. I’m really looking forward to working with him at future events.
I have a lot of photographs to share and since Dave and Krystal have now moved to San Diego California, I hope these images will always hold a special place in their hearts and remind them of a time where there was an actual possibility of snow… and they once shared a perfect North Carolina day that would kick off the rest of their lives together. Congratulations to both of you! May your laughs and happiness together only multiply from here on…
The water tower at The Angus Barn Pavilions
These wedding shoes were some of the most unique that I’ve seen! Aren’t they sweet?
Such a beautiful wedding bouquet created by Fleurtations Weddings.
The bridesmaids found these 1920′s style flapper hats and had a blast playing dress up for a few minutes.
Krystal gave gifts to the ringbearer and the flowergirl as a thank you.
Dressed to kill and ready to go!
Meanwhile I followed the guys as they played a little bocce ball on a court behind the pavilion.
Each wedding guest signed a large wooden guestbook that was an actual slice of a tree trunk. Krystal’s father crafted this as a special wedding gift. I’m not sure if it was intended in this way but I think that there is some great symbolism between the rings of the trunk and the couple new stage in their lives.
Krsytal shared with me that the entire guestbook was a family efffort. I love the feather topped pen details that her mom made too. Very creative!
Kids will be kids…
…and I love these next two shots. I happened to see this little girl out of the corner of my eye right before the processional and knew that the fun wouldn’t last for long…
BUSTED!
I call this photo the “Jedi Mind Trick Flowergirl”
A proud father walks his daughter down the aisle.
Then the other three parents join the couple side by side. I really like how this worked out.
Every so often a plane would fly by in the distance. There was only one that was noticably audible during the ceremony but at least it didn’t follow the “if anyone objects…” portion!
I love the reaction on both of their faces. The quick thinking officiant made a plane reference which made everyone chuckle.
I liked how this ring exchange photograph turned out.
The look on their faces during the wedding vows were just perfect.
The first kiss as husband and wife…
I love the way Krystal’s hair caught the breeze during the recessional.
Even though I photograph a fair number of formals I usually don’t post a lot because they are usually pretty straightforward… However I really like how these came out.
OK… NOW for something a little more fun…
The bridal party and I had a lot of fun with this one! We said that the guys were hauling a “bucket of bridesmaids! ” Dave… you’re such a stallion!
I have a few versions of this one to give the couple but left the airplane in since it was an obvious part of the day.
There’s nothing wrong with “flying it oldschool” as I’m sure these geese will attest to!
One of my favorites… by the pond at sunset. The Angus Barn is perfect for sunset weddings.
Time to start the party… I love this wedding reception announcement photo.
The bride and groom share their first dance.
Krsytal arranged for her bridesmaids and flower girls to pull ribbons from underneath the cake.
On the end of each ribbon were words such as peace, beauty, wisdom and strength. I soon realized that they were friendship bracelets. I’m sure that these will hold deep meaning for each woman for years to come.
After they cut the cake I set up this fun “eskimo kiss” shot which I thought tied in well to our northern friend the “penguin cake toppers.”
This is probably my favorite photo of the day… Just taking a breather.
They had an anniversary dance where the couple that had been married the longest had the honor of staying out on the dance floor until the end of the sing. Mom and day say “See ya later!” as each couple left the floor before them. It looked like they might win.
But they finally got edged out by these two couples. I had them hold up their fingers to show off 42 years and 41 years married. Congratulation to all of you!
David’s brother shared a heartfelt wedding toast.
David’s dad saw me setting up the previous shot and I couldn’t resist this picture when he posed for me!
I then tried something completely different with their rings. I dripped hot wax onto one of the logs in the fireplace and fused the rings into place as it cooled. You can even see a solidified strand hanging off the end of one of the logs.
I’ll be honest that I think I managed to burn myself a few times in the process so I hope these photos are good enough to warrant the pain. Don’t try this at home kids. :)
I couldn’t decide between these two father daughter first dance photographs.
Dave had to guess which leg the garter was on.
“For every inch above the knee… it brings the couple one year of good luck!”
They also played a game called the “Wedding Shoe Game.” to see how well the couple knows each other. They sit back to back and take one of each others shoes so that they each have a mixed pair. The couple is then asked a series of questions like “Who’s the better driver?” etc. They raise the shoe of the person that the answer applies to.
As I was looking up I couldn’t help but notice the “Big Ass Fan” that’s installed in the ceiling of the Angus Barn… I mean it’s literally labeled the “Big Ass Fan” and can be seen at www.bigassfans.com. You can see the donkey on the label if you look close enough.
The swans were also a recurring theme for the pavilion.
I was taking so many photos that by the time I had a break the catering staff had already put the dinner away… So I had a high sugar dinner. “It’s all good though”… Really it was!
The dancing got more rowdy as the night went on.
At first I thought that someone had grabbed Krystal’s hat that said “BRIDE” on it… but found out that this bedazzled trucker hat was purchased specifically for this occasion!
You know you make me wanna shout!
Dancing to T Pain – Apple Bottom Jeans. Everyone loves this song at weddings!
Dude watch out! You’re about to get run over by the “Krystal Train.”
The wedding sparkler exit from the reception at the end of the evening!
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