Wow! This was an awesome wedding and I have more photographs to show than ever before. The reason for this is because it was so unique with photo opportunities around every corner. The entire area reflected Leah and Mike’s personal style perfectly and was adorned with their artwork which can appreciate a lot! But first a little back story… Leah was born in Baton Rouge, LA and Mike grew up in Kinston, NC. They both went to ECU and were working on their art degree. They both majored in sculpture and met at an annual Halloween Iron Pour. They told me that if you youtube “Iron Pour” you can see what it’s all about.
Their first ‘date’ involved Mike helping Leah install a sculpture on the lawn of the Hickory Arts and Science Museum – They hit it off great and have been together ever since. Now Leah teaches art at Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill, and she and Mike also run a sculpture studio business. They specialize in metal sculpture (bronze, steel, aluminum, iron) and have worked on several public art projects together. You can veiw their work and learn more about them at www.wallerfoushee.com. I was so excited to be working with artists.
Together they bought a 19th century farmhouse in Hillsborough and were later engaged on December 13 of 2006 (which also happens to be Leah’s birthday) Mike proposed during a beautiful sunset and a timely sip of bourbon. I know that personally, I was a wreck when I proposed to my wife, and can attest that a glass of wine (or a shot of bourbon in this case) can ease the nerves!
At the time they were working on their home and were living next to it in a singlewide trailer. They decided to wait until the house was done and the trailer gone before getting married because they knew that they wanted to be married in their backyard since they had been working on the home for so long.
They shared with me that their favorite pastime is going to concerts and that they’ve been to countless bands from Wilco to Aerosmith, to the Buena Vista Social Club, to Gillian Welch, Willie Nelson etc.. On top of their creative talent in sculpture they also both play instruments. Leah plays guitar, piano, and sings, and Mike plays mandolin and the drums. It’s a full house with two dogs – Ruby and Boston, and one cat- Little Miss. You”ll meet them below in the photographs.
Thank you to everyone for letting me be a part of this wedding. I had a blast.
When I asked Leah if she wanted to see the groom before the wedding I don’t know if this is what she had in mind!
There that’s better.
Each of the important women in Leah’s life wear these amulets as rings. Leah wore hers as a necklace and will eventually create a ring out of it later too.
Before the wedding started I experienced a rare sight out of the corner of my eye. This wedding tuxedo t-shirt says “I’m going to be formal but I’m hear to party…” I was bummed that I didn’t get to see him at the reception later though.
The proud parents…
This is quite possible my favorite photograph of the day.
A ceremonial shot of Maker’s Mark bourbon to celebrate there transition from “engaged” to “married.” I wonder if it went down that smooth during Mike’s proposal.
Here’s the area were they install their personal sculptures.
This wasn’t my idea but I was more than happy to photograph it!
Their wedding favors were custom engraved glasses. They gave me one at the end of the night.
A beautiful cake that tasted great! There wasn’t any left at the end of the night.
One of their guests had shoes with cats on them so I had to get a shot of those too!
They had a huge bonfire…
…and fireworks!
DJ KC had brough a huge truck filled with party hats. Everyone had a blast posing for the camera in their new attire.
This was by far one of my favorites!
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