• Welcome!

    Luster Studios is my personal portfolio where I share weddings, special events, engagement sessions and portraits. My origins stem from a fine arts degree in photography and computer graphics. My "style" is a perfect blend of creative ideas driven by a relaxed attitude and a fun yet thoughtful personality.

    Through a combination of posing and photojournalism I strive to capture planned and spontaneous moments that will later help you relive how you were feeling at that exact moment. I'm based in North Carolina and often travel to destination locations. I look forward to getting to know what inspires you both creatively and personally.

    - Craig Carpenter

Umstead Hotel and Spa Wedding Reception (Amber + Magnus)

What is it we have here? Well… It’s Magnus and Amber’s wedding photographs! Their ceremony took place at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Raleigh and their wedding reception was at the famous Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC. I’ve never met a “Magnus” in my life and when I heard his name I KNEW that I had to photograph their wedding… I mean seriously… What a cool name! Both Amber and Magnus are super nice people, and as usual they’ve surrounded themselves with some fun family and friends too.

There were so many great moments with lots of details to share from this one, so I’m going to do something a little different this time around. I’m going to get right into the photos and just share the backstory or my oh so poignant observations as captions. A special thank you goes out to the on-site social catering manager, Ami Wheeler and the amazing staff who treated me so nicely. I always enjoy photographing weddings at The Umstead! Beautiful artwork and a classy hip atmosphere make a perfect backdrop for any wedding. So let’s check out some photographs…

Reception: The Umstead Hotel and Spa – Ami Wheeler
Hair & Makeup: Recreations – Kathryn J. Watkins
Wedding DJ: Joe Bunn DJ Company – Randy Bennett
Wedding Cake: Sweet Memories Bakery – Donna Ford
Bouquet & Flowers: Tres Bella Florist – Rebecca
Unique Nintendo Mii Cake Toppers: Paul Pape Designs – Paul Eric Pape

wedding hair hairspray
bride getting ready
makeup eyeliner sharpener
wedding dress hanging window

Amber’s wedding dress and gown hangs in the window at the hotel.

monogrammed wedding gift bags

Each of her bridesmaids received a monogrammed gift bag the night before as a wedding favor.

bridesmaids photo camera
bride hair mirror

Amber sees her final makeup and hair for the first time.

the white queen book

While she was waiting for the limo to arrive she snuck in a few pages of a novel titled “The White Queen” by Philippa Gregory. I thought it was a very fitting choice for her wedding day.

mother of the bride

Amber’s mom sees her for the first time.

wedding bride beautiful
bridal bouquet
wedding dress bow custom

This detailed flower was hand made by one of her relatives as an important adornment to her wedding gown.

groom best man aisle

Magnus enters the church with his best man Dan.

wedding memory frame mother
catholic wedding church
chocolate brown suit wedding
father walking bride aisle

Amber’s father walks her down the aisle

holding hands wedding
child church pew

I could almost hear this little guy saying ” Why… OH WHY must I be here ?!? Please help me escape Mr. Cameradude…”

catholic wedding bride groom
catholic wedding ceremony
first kiss wedding

iphone facebook status wedding

Magnus admits to being addicted to facebook… He changed his relationship “status” just minutes after he was married and joked that he could have done it from the alter. Should we stage an intervention? :)

bride groom iphone
best man wedding girls
father son groom wedding

Father and son pose for a very unique wedding formal portait.

wedding limo white black
the umstead hotel spa

The wedding limo arrives at the Umstead Hotel and Spa for the wedding reception.

bride groom fountain lake
bridal party umstead hotel spa
doing the splits dance move
father bride crying wedding
father daughter dance reflection

I photographed this one while pointing into the bezel of a mirror… No photoshop here kids. :)

father daughter wedding dance
grandmother bride wedding
wedding party umstead hotel
bride groom portrait

One of my favorite portraits of the bride and groom.

bride groom kiss
wedding party fun
jump in pool wedding
umstead wedding north carolina
brown suit man groom
groom suit wedding
bride groom first dance
joe bunn dj north carolina

Randy Bennett from Joe Bunn DJ Company packed the floor. At one point the ENTIRE wedding was dancing!

wedding bands rings
wedding ring macro
wedding favor candy cane
first dance bride groom

This is my favorite photograph from their first dance

umstead hotel spa wedding
umstead hotel portrait
unique wedding cake
nintendo mii wedding topper

A Nintendo Mii wedding cake topper!!! Is there anything else to say?

wedding cake smash face
smash wedding cake kiss

umstead hotel dinner food
the worm dance kid

THE best photograph from the whole night in my opinion. One of the children at the wedding was breakdancing and did the worm!

toast best man
wedding toast maid of honor
kid dancing wedding reception
mother bride portrait
wedding reception dancing
wedding reception umstead
grandma grandpa wedding music
unique wedding guest book

This was a really fun idea for a guestbook where guest were asked to draw a pictures of themselves and add some well wishes… After holding a camera for 8 hours your handwriting isn’t that amazing I guess. Sorry about that…

4 comments

Laura - August 27, 2010 - 9:38 pm

I’ve been trying to find where to buy this guestbook! I saw it online & didn’t save it, but I so want to do something like this! I’ve also seen one that when all the pages are put together, it makes several books…

lclaffeytn@gmail.com

Elizabeth Shipman - September 22, 2009 - 3:43 pm

Craig, I just viewed these pictures of my daughter’s wedding. And I cried… They are so….. beautiful!! You have truly captured the feeling of the wedding and reception. I have been to a lot of weddings but never was a photographer more kind, considerate, and truly talented. My daughter looked simply beautiful and Magnus so handsome. You have captured some very special moments that Amber and Magnus will treasure forever. And I will too!! Thank you for a magnificent job! You are the cameraman!! Sincerely, Elizabeth

[...] A Groom updates his facebook status to tell the world he’s now a married man! source Luster Studios [...]

Take a Look, It’s In a Book | Weddingbee - December 31, 2009 - 4:44 pm

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