I had the rare pleasure of joining Treyci and Brandon for an Afterglow Session while they were honeymooning in Asheville, NC. Their wedding took place the week before in Greenville, SC and when Treyci called to ask me to come join them for the day, I was absolutely thrilled.  Seriously, I adore this couple-take a look at their wedding blog post to see why.

Brandon proposed to Treyci at the Biltmore Estate so it was the perfect place to spend the day. Marissa and I arrived with the hopes of brilliant skies but what we got were brooding clouds and thunderstorms.  When the skies opened up, we hid out in the Biltmore Conservatory-a place of incredible beauty that should not be missed if you are near the NC Blue Ridge Parkway. And if you’re lucky enough to be there on a rainy day, the music of the rain on the glass roof is unforgettable.

Brandon and Treyci did not have a first dance at their reception-they saved it for a rainstorm in a greenhouse and Treyci sang the most beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” I have ever heard.  At one point, I realized neither Marissa nor I were shooting, we were so mesmerized by her voice. I still get chills…

Shot on the bottom right by Marissa

Shot on the top left by Marissa.

Shot on the right by Marissa

Brandon proposed under the Pergola in the Italian Gardens.

Shot on top left and right by Marissa

The rain may have been fear-inducing when we arrived but it ended up being photographic perfection.

There is just something about being around a couple when they are still in that honeymoon haze. The frenzy of the wedding preparations are over and it is just relaxed happiness. The whole day was magical and I hope to do more Afterglow Sessions. (FYI: I’m available for any wildly exotic and lush locale!)

Oftentimes when we are driving back from a wedding, {Marissa} and I will discuss how the wedding made us feel and not just how we did (although we do tend to obsess over that particular point). What was the highlight? What made us cry? What made us laugh? What was the hardest part? Coming back from Treyci and Brandon’s wedding, we said, almost at the same time, “I want to be adopted by these people!” There was not one ounce of family drama. Just a sincere joy for the couple, acceptance of one another’s families, and a lot of laughter. Treyci and I are already dear friends. Brandon, you’ve got to share her…just accept it.

Ring on Blue shot by Marissa.

Treyci’s dad gave Brandon this beautiful pocket watch that has been handed down for generations.

Each guest received an acorn pin, a reminder that love has humble beginnings and must be tended.

Shot on top right by Marissa

My favorite moment in a wedding is when the couple sees one another for the first time. Every bride wants to be looked at the way Brandon looked at Treyci – with longing, joy, and complete serenity.

Shot by Marissa

Both shot by Marissa

Whenever possible, allow a photographer to hide up front during the ceremony. There are private moments-a touch, wink, or a gaze-that are invisible from the back of the church. I’m so glad Marissa captured these.

There were many acts of love throughout this ceremony but the one that was most important was serving Communion. Just after they were announced husband and wife, even before the kiss, Treyci and Brandon committed their marriage to be an act of service.

Shots on left by Marissa

Brandon’s twin brother crying during his speech to the happy couple.  I must admit, I cried a little myself.

Chest hair ² + Limelight = Awesome!

Shot on left by MarissaCongrats to the happy couple!!!

Before they headed to {Asheville’s} {Biltmore Estate} on their honeymoon, friends and family gave a benediction. I’ve never seen this at a wedding before. Considering the couple’s commitment to faith and service, it was a perfect ending to a heartfelt day.

Many thanks to {Marissa} for acting as my second and getting such beautiful shots!  And {Twigs Tempietto} in {Greensville, SC} did a stellar job handling everything from the venue to the food.  You were marvelous to work with!

From the blog post - “When you envision your wedding ceremony, what do you see?  Candle light glowing softly or sunlight streaming in through the windows?  Outdoor formal portraits and a romance session with that sweet yellow light or more traditional formals in front of the church sanctuary?  This is no small question in the planning of your big day – especially where your photography is concerned.  Most brides spend an average of 10 – 12 % of their budget on their wedding photography but really have very little knowledge of how to plan for the best wedding light – and light, my dear friends, is everything.”

Head over to Leigh’s blog to read the rest of the post and here’s to you looking fab on your wedding day!

XOXOXO

Traci

 About Leigh:

Leigh is one of my absolute favorite wedding planners to work with.  Her work is honest, whimsical, and very thoughful…  I wish I had known her when I was getting married!  If you are in need of a wedding planner or a wedding designer, contact this sweet, sweet woman.  She will make every step a joy.  Go and check out her work and read all the great information on her blog.

Via Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/pin/241575967481909324/

Here is my story.  I was a Southern girl far from home and studying photography in Arizona when Adam stepped into my life.  One of his first gifts to me was a nosegay of cotton picked from an Arizona field and being somewhat homesick, it was absolutely perfect.  The moment he picked that cotton for me was, I think, the first step toward falling in love with him.   There have been many, many more acts of love in our life but this was the first and it left a deep impression.  When Adam and I were married, I was so focused on the larger details that I forgot to consider our story and I didn’t consider that nosegay.  This beautiful bouquet of cotton should have been what I walked down the aisle with.  It would have been the sweetest reference to how I fell in love with him.

The most successful weddings are the ones that truly express the couple’s love story with every little detail reinforcing that story.  As you are planning your wedding, look at your relationship, your history, and the things you’ve done together and for one another.  When you choose your details based on these things, I promise you, the photographs will be spectacular and your wedding will truly be one-of-a-kind.

I have a deep love of the {Appalachian Mountains} – the romanticism of the peaks repeating and repeating until they fade in the distance, the way the mist clings to them like an embrace.  As a child, my parents used to throw us in the car and take off for long drives down the {Blue Ridge Parkway} stopping at overlook after overlook and hiking through the laurel.  This place touches a chord deep within me that sing “home” and I have been trying to {capture it} for years.

Brad and Melissa are lucky enough to live in this beautiful landscape and we couldn’t have picked a more stunning locale for their E-Session.  Brad and his kids have always hiked the {Jump Off Rock} area and it has become a special place for he and Melissa.  True, it was blustery and freezing but we fought through it and got some truly beautiful shots.  The happy couple will be marrying in {Asheville, NC} in June at {Grace Episcopal Church} with their reception following at {The Crest Center}.  Congrats to the happy couple!

This wedding was all about family. Mona’s dress was made by her mother. John’s children begged that the celebration not stop at the originally planned departure time. There were so many little touches that embraced this feeling of family. One of the more original (and my personal favorites) was the music for the event. There was such a wide variety playing that I questioned Mona about their very broad taste. She told me a little tidbit I’m going to encourage every bride to do from now on. They asked family and friend to submit their 5 favorite songs – all of those personal favs became the playlist for a perfect evening of dining, dancing, and just a little bit of cavorting.

A special word of thanks to all the amazing vendors – they are a perfect storm of awesomeness…

• Dress: {Mona’s Sweet Mom}
• Ceremony and Reception: {Claxton Farm}
• Event Coordination: {Weddings with Tara}
• Photography: {Abigail Seymour), seconded by {me}!
• Flowers: {The Bloom Room}
• Vintage Props and Details: {The Darling Bee}
• Make-Up: {Wendy Balance}

So far, here are a few lovely little details of life with That Baby:

• He wakes up at 7:15 sharp every morning.
• He has been officially declared “stubborn” by his doctor.
• When he has bed head, he looks like a little dandelion puff.
• His favorite thing in the world is his big brother.
• He LOVES yogurt, okra, peaches, and beets and bananas but could care less about potatoes.
• He still hasn’t said a word yet but has the imperial wave and regal point down pat.
• He adores the grocery store and hates the car.
• He fake coughs for attention.
• He like it best when I sing Sam Cooke to him.

We had a small birthday party for Thatch at my Momma and Daddy’s house with just close family.  Momma and my sis, Jennifer, made the cake.  Thatch (and Jobe) had a great time destroying it.  While it was messy work, it was perfect photographic fodder followed by a long bath (several changes of water were required…)

Please enjoy!