S. Carter Studios

So, remember that weekend when we got 20+ inches of snow? Well, right at about an inch and a half, Josh and I took off for our great winter migration to the South. We drove through snow and ice for 6 hours and stopped just short of the turn off the highway for Ryan and Kristina’s wedding. The craziest part of the whole thing was that when we got to their ceremony site, 20 minutes form our hotel, you couldn’t even tell there had been a storm! Don’t get me wrong it was FREEEEZING but their awesome bridal party hardly whimpered as we took them outside for photos. I think Ryan and Kristina would tell you that it was all worth it! Enjoy photos from the last wedding of 2009!

PS. I must take a moment and brag on my seriously handsome and talented husband: Josh Deal. A lot of these photos came from him as my second shooter. I really did hit the jackpot with this one! Just to prove it to you I’m going to post a J.D. after each image in this post that belongs to him.

Yes, I’ve mentioned it before but I’m in love with Kristina’s big, beautiful eyes and lashes. I mean really, look at them!

their flower girls were JUST adorable.

Here’s part of the J.D. love fest

J.D.

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J.D. {It is good to note that I had gotten the “talkin to” by the church lady and was dutifully hiding behind a large column no further forward than the first row of guests and not encroaching on the stage AT ALL. So Josh got the job of getting these fun shots}

J.D.

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A brief pause in this tribute to show an image of mine!

and back to the action

J.D.

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The chapel had beautiful natural lighting flowing through the windows.

Just trying something new.

Absolutely classic as we took picture outside, Josh turned around and got THIS.

J.D.

Gotta say this is a favorite from and old S. Carter Studios standard.

and back inside to warm up again.

I’m convinced their kids will have great eyelashes too, lol.

aaaand back out.

They had their reception in the lobby of the pharmacy school Ryan graduated from at Campbell University. They even brought in a gorgeous Christmas tree for guests to put gifts under. It was covered in ornaments which served as favors!

Reasons to get a 2nd shooter. I get this while Josh gets the one below

I love the way he sees things!

They had stations around their reception with their favorite desserts and the stories behind them. Everything was soo tasty.

Beautiful Christmas themed decorations made it a cozy holiday celebration.

As quicky as it started, their celebration was over and they headed off. But not without some mischief first.

J.D.

J.D.

I had no idea but was thankful for this shot!

A note: Many of these photos from Ryan and Kristina’s wedding were available on Facebook shortly after the event. I wait to blog them until after I’ve completed editing so the blog readers can get a full selection but if you’re itching to see the work as soon as it’s available then by all means, join 843 of my closest friends and become a Fan on facebook. New content and updates as soon as it’s loaded as well as special Facebook contests and prizes to be announced! Just for the heck of it you should follow me on twitter too!

My husband and I, who incidentally celebrate six months of marriage today, dated for 5 1/2 years before we were wed. We had the title hands down on longest dating relationship before marriage out of our friends but this weekend I photographed a couple who blew us away! Michael and Brittany began dating 7 years ago! They met in high school at Northside Christian Academy which is part of Northside Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. What began before they could drive with stood many life changes. It was so special to see them tie the knot inside the same building in which their relationship began. I must brag on the amazing video they couple created and showed before the ceremony which incorporated both photos and video from their childhood to today. I hope that I can find online soon and share it with you! Their wedding was beautiful and memorable. Brittany’s grace and composure was inspiring as the day unfolded. Michael and his band of mighty men had me laughing early in the day and the smiles didn’t stop until the couple made their get-a-way several hours later. Enjoy some photos from this great September wedding!

This picture was great as the girls recalled over a decade of memories in front of this tree including class photos from second grade and after school pick up in fourth! I was also LOOOOVING the beautiful dresses the bridesmaids wore.

I mean, look at her, what an absolutely gorgeous bride. 

The pastor shared memories of a gangly middle school point guard in Michael and Brittany who made scores of hand-braided bracelets for an entire youth group on a mission trip. It’s not every day that you get to be a part of such a highly anticipated wedding!

After the ceremony we tromped around the beautiful grounds to take the formals. I love their facial expressions!

I’m not sure how many times they stole kisses around this building over the course of their relationships but they won’t have to sneak them anymore!

Loving this ring shot.

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t post a picture of Michael and his mother dancing. The Joyner family takes their dancing VERY seriously (see below)!

I’m excited to share what are probably the best bouquet and garter shots in my portfolio!

and in what seemed like a wink, they were off to Mexico. Congratulations you guys!

It was my first wedding of the season..I was nervous to get back in the saddle again. I wasn’t nervous about chemistry with the couple, their engagement session had taken care of that, just nervous like you get when you hop on the your bike for the first time after a few months of riding the stationary bike at the gym. That kind of nervous. I was warmly received by their family, who became friends to me over the three days I was with them. The house we stayed at was inspiring to say the least! Everything was perfect, just perfect! The cool, gentle breeze that blew her AMAZING dress in the wind as she walked down the sand, the flowers the wonderful matron of honor Jacqui spent hours doing popped vibrantly against the simple green dresses. The guys suits couldn’t have been more perfect for the beach wedding she’d always dreamed of. I was in photographers heaven! I’ll add a few more comments in between the photos but I’ll let you guys enjoy them without further distraction.

Okay, so one distraction. But when your bride looks like this…does life really get much better? I’m sure Jake would agree. As a photographer I’m sure anyone with a camera would agree too!

There ceremony was small and intimate, perfect for the occasion.

I love this picture because they had the exact vases that Josh and I had at our wedding! Being married and a wedding photographer is three times as rich and meaningful as I could have imagined. It made me miss him terribly but it was like having that passion and excitement renewed for me as I experienced it with them.

They had one of the very best bridal parties I could have asked for. I’d love to see them all again at a wedding in the future!

The front of the house…I think it slept like 30 people. It was great!

I couldn’t resist taking this photo, their dresses were too perfect for spinning.

This was taken in the hedge that separated the house from the boardwalk to get to the beach. I was told they hated this hedge all week, but I’m going to have to say it worked out pretty well for this shot.

There is a great story behind this photo. Apparently Jake and Patsy’s first kiss was meant to take place in a lifeguard chair. As her mom tells it, Jake went in 90 but patsy didn’t go in 10. I don’t think they’ll have that problem any more! The lifeguard chair was a nice touch and it was great for showing off her beautiful gown!

The reception was filled with happy little details.

Seriously, could it get any cuter?

Patsy and her dad have a  special relationship. Their dance together was very sweet.

One of the funniest things at the reception was the people in the house next door dancing on their balcony. Look for them in this picture!

And just like that, the wedding was over and Jake and Patsy were headed, without fear, to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico for their honeymoon. Cheers to you guys! It was an amazing, beautiful, perfect wedding. May God bless you both!

On the second wedding weekend of the summer, I traveled through the haze and into Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to the wedding of Dayton and Rebekah. I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful location and family to share the experience with. Dayton and Rebekah were a pleasure to work with and I sincerely enjoyed the time spent with the Holland and Marshall families!