Lauren and Daniel’s wedding was the last stop of my wedding season. The wedding started off in Oak Island and was to commence in Southport, NC at the Southport Community Center.

We met Lauren and Daniel at a beach home they had rented out for family and themselves to get ready into. It was a gorgeous setting to the start of a gorgeous day. Lauren and Daniel are incredibly sweet people and we were really lucky to get to close out the season with them.

Lauren was already getting her hair and makeup set for the day, and Daniel was getting a fresh haircut on his end. Lauren’s dress was accompanied by the cutest KEDs. They were a sparkly pink color that definitely fit the femininity of the dress and also of Lauren. She’s that cute, giggly, really sweet down to earth kinda girl. When I very first met her at our engagement shoot, she embraced me with a huge hug. And I am a hugger! So, Lauren totally won me over 🙂 So, seeing her getting dress for the day, was awesome because she’s a really special girl.

(One special detail was the ring case that they had.  If it wasn’t for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Lauren and Daniel’s love story might have not happened,  I loved the meaning behind their ring case and how it all kinda pulled everything together). 

 

Everyone that was involved in the wedding was from out of town.  So it was really awesome to see how much these two people mattered for their friends and families to travel from all over the country to spend the day with them.  Lauren’s bridesmaids were awesome! They were sweet and so cute in their blue navy robes that Lauren had gifted them.

I got a few shots of Lauren alone on the deck and it was kinda like the last moments leading to her being a married women.

What I loved about this was on the other side of the house, Daniel had arrived and he started getting ready with his groomsmen.  He wore a navy suit, with a blush shirt, and a striped navy pink tie.  He looked really sharp, and stylish in suit. I don’t know a lot of men that could pull of that color, but he did it justice. Perhaps its because he’s from the Virgin Islands, and they can pull off those pretty coastal colors? Nonetheless, Robbie and I really loved our time getting to know these two. Daniel even on the day of was still tending to wedding things, such as seat changes, and truly had everything in order for his bride.

His groomsmen were also super awesome! They helped each other get ready and did an honorary toast for their buddy getting married. Daniel had gifted them really cool shot glasses that had their last name initial on it.  I really enjoyed their brotherhood and how they are just not friends, but how they are all like brothers. 

 

As the boys toasted, Lauren’s mom helped her into her gown.  And she was incredibly gorgeous! She looked like a princess.  The lace on the train was so pretty  and definitely fit Lauren like a glove.

She finished off her final pieces by slipping into her sparkly shoes and the girls helped with her veil. They had one more group pic and shared some happy tears with one another. Lauren was just about ready to have her first look with Daniel.

(And of course we had to take a photo with Lauren’s best friend Morgan’s baby, she was the cutest flower girl). Lauren and Daniel exchanged their vows during their first look. What I loved the most about this moment was the fact that we did it in a space where they were alone, and were able to just really live in the moment. They told each other how much they loved one another, and when they held hands they both exhaled at the same time. I LOVED this, because it was a genuine moment between two people who are truly are two peas in a pod.

 

(Lauren patiently waiting for Daniel to arrive by Robbie having him close his eyes going down the stairs.. We decided to have Lauren face the other way so Daniel had less of a chance of falling down the stairs, this was definitely a fun moment to create). (even when their back to back, Daniel still made Lauren laugh).

They made each other laugh and giggle for one more time as a single pair, and Daniel left Lauren and headed back to get his final details finished by his mom.  Along with the celebration of the actual day finally being here, there was another reason to celebrate. It was the fact that Daniel’s mom who lives in the Virgin Islands was able to get to North Carolina for the big day. Unfortunately with all the storms that passed through the Island, her traveling to NC was a really long journey. But after being awake for more than 24 hours and going through several cities airports, she made it to be with him on the big day. It was definitely a miracle and such a wonderful moment between a mom and her son:)

 

We all were finally ready to head off to start the festivities of the day. Lauren was going to be walked by her dad, and we knew it was going to be an emotional day for him. So, we opted for them to see each other before the actual walk, and it was a good idea. Her dad was incredibly sweet as he saw her. It was a really sweet moment between a dad and his little girl. 

The day was finally ready to begin!

The ceremony started off with two very furry guest to sit up at the front row. Zola and Luke are pretty much Lauren and Daniels kids! It was a really cute moment watching them walk down the aisle with their friends, and wait for their mommy to walk down the aisle too. Daniel’s face when he saw Lauren was nothing but impressive. I love the way two people have a way of just finding one another in a crowded room and the spotlight just in on them. Their love for one another is definitely contagious and I think all their guest could see how beautiful their relationship is.  The two opted to have Daniel’s best man Robbie be their officiant and he was fantastic. He made everyone laugh and also did a really awesome job telling the story of Daniel and Lauren and marrying them off.

( Lauren is from Massachusetts and Daniel from the Virgin islands and the sand they both emptied to unite into the glass was from both their home areas, how cool, right?!)

There ceremony ended, and we did a few images of the wedding party and couple. Here are a few of my faves from that, and also the from the reception. Their was harvest styled pies! Emotional parent dances, fun toast, lots of dancing, and of course you cake forget cake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you both for having me share on your big day! And thank you to your families and friends. Robbie and I could have not asked for a better group to photograph and be around with for the day. Your friends are truly one of a kind and amazing, and made us feel friend envy 🙂 Truly a special group of people and your parents were nothing but the same. You two are truly blessed and so glad we can go from clients to friends. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness like the one you experience on your wedding day! 🙂