got married last Saturday and it was grand.  A garden party to delight all the senses.  I will bring you those photos soon but these will have to tide you over. 

Mark and Annie got married. I cried.
I teared up at the ceremony.  I cried at their first dance. I cried when they took their families hands and danced in a big circle with each other.  Four generations holding hands and dancing around just enjoying the day and feeling the love. I felt the love too, and it made me cry.  
I teared up so much during the best man's and maid of honor's speeches that I hard a hard time hiding it and kept having to pull my camera away and wipe my face, all while praying no one noticed this crazy photographer sitting there crying. 

As I type this I am crying.  

You just can't fake wedding day love.  It's there and it permeates everyone and everything. I fall in love with families and I imagine myself taking hands and dancing in a circle with four generations and just getting to be a part of that great big huge love. It is HUGE love and everyday I pinch myself that people invite me into their big days and let me be a part of such infinite joy. 

Mark and Annie live in winston salem nc.  I met Mark several years ago because he plays music and he and my husband and some other young fellas would get together to play old time music. (according to my husband he's also built a bangin' banjo.)  When Annie contacted me a while back about doing her wedding I sent so much energy into the universe hoping that I would get it.  We made such a connection and I so wanted to be a part of this day.  Annie is a metalsmith and jewelry maker. It's the art school kid in me that  feels so at ease with creative people.  Annie's artistic touch was all over this wedding and it made it so gorgeous and special.  I nerded out with the detail shots of this day because all kinds of little projects had been lovingly made by Annie, her friends and family.  

ok, ramble ramble... I got to let you guys get to the good stuff. 

A friend of Annie's made her super gorgeous and super unique engagement and wedding rings.

One side of the tent was a whole wall of folded paper cranes. So beautiful and so amazing of her friend(s) to take the time to do that for the reception. This is what I mean when I say so many things lovingly handmade by friends and family.  Oh, and how can I forget the handmade ceramic birds as thank you gifts for guests. (dang, I totally meant to see if I could take one home with me!) 

Jackson, the Grime's pup.  Something tells me this guy is well loved. (and maybe a little spoiled, much like my own pup) Sweet boy!

The beautiful girl on the right is Emily.  Keep your eyes open for her art deco themed wedding on these here pages in October.  Sure to be stunning!

Mark's Mom and Annie have a moment while getting ready.  Might be one of my favorites ever. So sweet. 

Annie puts on the diamond earrings Mark got her in time for her bridal portrait.  I know right? Say it with me- awwwwwwww!
Seriously sweet of him! 

Mark's nephew. 

you know I had to post those shoes. LOVE!

The Grime's home makes the most perfect backdrop for the ceremony. 

These would be the speeches that made me cry.  You guys have the best siblings ever! 

oh yes, they had a fire dancer. pure awesomeness. 

Thanks again to the Williams and Grimes families.  You made me feel so at home- I may just show up for a Sunday dinner sometime!
Annie- next time I am up in Winston I am so making you go out for that glass of wine we talked about.
congratulations to an amazing couple and your amazing day and thank you so much for letting Patty and I be a part of it.

Super big thanks to my awesome partner in crime, the fantastic Patricia of Patricia Alder Photography! 

that I am working on.  I should have some more to show you early next week.  What a lovely day!

A few weekends ago I was out near Winston Salem photographing some bridal portraits for the lovely Annie Grimes. (now Williams) 
Whenever I am out that way I always try to swing by my friends Bryan and Ellen's and visit for a bit.  Since I had my camera I snapped a few photos of this little guy in honor of his third birthday.  

Love this little dude. He's so sweet, and friendly and FUNNY and just a joy to be around.  Much like most 3 year olds he just go's and go's and go's until, of course, he falls asleep in his high chair in mid chew of his dinner.  
Kind of nice to be around someone with that kind of enthusiasm for life.   Thanks Bryan and Ellen for a lovely dinner and for reminding me why it is I love Winston Salem so much!

I've been sitting on these bridal portraits for several weeks now waiting for the wedding day.  Well, that day was yesterday and I am pretty excited to share them. 

Wedding was so wonderful and laid back and so full of love that I felt really blessed to be a part of it all.  I've never seen a family so gracious and welcoming amidst throwing a wedding in their own front yard. (pretty sure my family would shut down)

Mr and Mrs Grimes are truly lovely people and their kindness is translated into the two beautiful, funny and sweet girls they have raised.  I so enjoyed my time with the Grimes and Williams family.
What an awesome day.  

Congratulations Mark and Annie Williams!  Have fun on the outer banks for your honeymoon and I can't wait to start going through all these photos and reliving the joy.  

I'm going to make a bold statement. It's cool, I do it all the time.  

I'm going to say that I have the coolest friends. ever. period. end of story. 

Last week I had the honor of being invited to see my very good friends Peter Lamb and the Wolves do a live recording of their very first album.  It rocked my face off. Not only was I pretty excited to be considered a "special friend" and score an invite to a closed concert, I was honored to be asked to take their photos in the hopes (fingers crossed) that one of them would be a good fit for said album.  

I had such a lovely time and am beyond humbled to know the talented people I do.  I mean, it's pretty awesome to kick around with such good looking and talented group of guys (not as talented or good looking as my husband, of course) but still a group of lady killers all the same. 

You can catch Peter Lamb and the Wolves every first and third Wednesday of the month at Humble Pie at 9:30.  It's a great time and I never miss a show.

So thanks again Peter, George, Al, Mark and Steve.  May your album do as well as I think it will. I can't wait to buy it. 

See you all wednesday at Humble Pie.  

poor little guy found his way into a dirty dog water bowl. 

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of capturing some photos of this sweet lil' thang! I mean, what a cutie pie! 

Ansley is a few weeks away from turning one and just so full of expression.  Just makes my job too easy.  

such expression this little beauty has.

this cute little chair belongs to Ansley's grandmother Gail and was in her own play house as a little girl.

awwwwwwwww........... 

poor pup, she couldn't stand all the fun happening and not being a part of it. 

Ansley is really good at waving bye bye.

Thanks again grandma Gail for having me over.  I had a ton of fun and I'm loving your beautiful granddaughter!