(Note:I recently migrated my blog to the new web address; this is a copy of an older blog)

An easy five hour drive away from here is the cozy small town of Sparta, North Carolina. When my bride Sarah called me with details of her wedding, I couldn’t wait to get on Google and research the location. It’s not everyday after all, that a bride says her venue is named Camp Cheerio. The site is exactly what it sounds like: a camp for young adults that includes hiking, canoeing, and other fun summer adventures. When I asked Sara how she found the venue, she told me about growing up in Sparta and how other family members have been married in the same location. You see, it’s not the YMCA camp that it important, it’s the breathtaking Blessing Chapel that sits on one of the highest points of the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking all of God’s creation. This gorgeous all wood, open aired venue complete with traditional church pew seating is perfectly placed on the edge of the Northwest North Carolina mountains. This place makes me want to go back and rent one of their cabins for a weekend. Seriously, you should check it out.

I met with Sara and her bridesmaids at the hair salon; as they got their hair and makeup ready, we chatted, laughed, and served the bride pizza. That’s right girls, it is ok to eat pizza on your wedding day (just not in your dress)! Once everyone was all glammed up, we headed to the cabin to get the ladies in their dresses. Sarah’s beautiful mom, Regina joined her there to help zip up her dress and clasp the pearls around her daughter’s neck. These are moments thats parents never forget; these are moments I love to capture and deliver to my Five Fourteen family of clients. Once the girls were ready, we stepped outside to catch a few shots of them before the ceremony.

I couldn’t leave the guys out of the fun! These are pre-ceremony images as well. Look at those sharp dressed men… and how about those chucks!

The ceremony was everything you expect it to be. Happy. Sweet. Beautiful. There was no lack in emotion or tears.

After the ceremony I stole Sarah and her new Husband, Jacob, for their portrait session. Is it too cliche to say “OH-EM-GEE”?! These guys rocked their portrait session! Look at these stunning images…

My excitement for these this couple and their photos just continued throughout the rest of the day. After portraits we drove just a few miles down the road to the town of Alleghany, North Carolina, where the reception was just as beautiful in all its shabby-chic charm. The tables were dressed in burlap and lace, I mean who doesn’t love this look?! It’s so stylish, just like my bride and groom. I could talk forever about this wedding, but I’ll let the images finish the story.

Thank you Sarah & Jacob, for trusting me to photograph your wedding; welcome to the Five Fourteen family!