Jessica and Matt’s wedding was my first wedding of the season.
This wedding was on a Friday, and as a photographer this is music to my ears! Friday weddings are the best! It is a fun way to kick off the weekend, and for brides and grooms this gives them an opportunity to jump start their honeymoon plans. Sometimes even spending more time with the guest that have come in for their wedding.
Matt and Jessica are high school sweethearts. Their love is nothing but young, and pure, and extremely contagious. I met both of them at a historic home in downtown Wilmington. The home used to be a bed and breakfast called Four Porches. This home was a beautiful accent to their whimsical day.
The days colors consisted of beautiful pastels, brick, navy, and I can’t forget to mention all the gorgeous white hues you can imagine with beautiful crystal embellishments.
The boys were on the bottom half of the home and Jessica and her girls were on the top floor. As Jessica got ready I went ahead, and captured a few candids of Matt with his groomsmen, and family. Everyone was very accommodating and helpful with making sure these two didn’t sneak a peek at one another as they got ready. Matt was handsome in his navy blue suit that had a nice touch of color complimented by his caramel brown shoes.
I loved the dynamic between these brothers.. They definitely entertained me during the day!
We did however deliver a special note written to Jessica. Matt had written a message to Jessica on the bottom of her shoes. It was incredibly sweet and such a smart idea of sending a something blue message to his future bride.
They opted for a first look without looking at one another and it was one of my most fun first looks I’ve ever done. They shared some words and opted for a final kiss before seeing one another. Kissing without opening your eyes is probably harder than you can imagine 🙂 but these two did great!
Before heading to the ceremony site, our parties continued to get dress. Jess toasted one final time as a single lady, and had her final touches of hair and makeup were done. When all was complete, all that was left was getting into one special dress.
She was exquisitely gorgeous in her dress. Jessica beamed as her mom and her girls helped her into her dress. She was nothing but perfect. Jessica is one of my favorite people to photograph and something that I love about her is how genuinely sweet she is. She is radiant outside but she truly is a beautiful person inside. She is easy going, and her calm demeanor shows effortless in print.
Jessica was on the top floor and as you can imagine another story was unfolding down stairs. We played a little with this idea and again made sure to get the bride and groom in a single frame but without seeing one another. Down below from the porch, Matt was almost done getting ready and his mom was sweet enough to finalize his outfit with his boutonniere.
Finally ready to start a wedding! We all walked to the Saint Thomas Preservation Hall. If you haven’t been there before, it’s a rustic reformed old church that sits in the heart of downtown Wilmington, NC.
The bridal party and guest filled the hall, and the cutest little entrance was made for the bride.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Matt watched in awe as his bride was approaching him. She was gorgeous in her crystal embedded dress.
Jess and Matt exchanged personal vows, and performed a unity sand tradition to signify their two lives merging into one. They ended their ceremony with the coveted kiss making them officially husband and wife. And like their entrance sign said, their true adventure was all that awaited.
Because I can’t forget one of my favorites parts of the day. Here are few bridal party and couple portraits that I really loved. This was such a sweet group of family and friends, cheers to many more memories that you guys create and can’t wait to see how your love unfolds and grows!
-Best wishes and hugs!
Ceremony Site: Saint Thomas Preservation Hall
Prep site: 4 Porches Bed and Breakfast
Hair and Makeup: Monica Kelly
