I was overjoyed with happiness to open up an inquiry email from Amanda back in July! When her and Steve were first engaged, they were planning for a June 2016 wedding date, booked me with confidence that they had a whole year to plan.  However, with Steve being a Captain in the US Army, the Army had other plans for these two.   Steve (who is also known as “Captain America”  for his heroic response for “being in the right place, at the right time”… which you can see all about THAT HERE! Gee, I get some pretty awesome clients, don’t I?!)  was to report to Korea in January, where he would be stationed for the next two years.  They both decided to move the wedding forward and get married in December and make the adventure to Korea together as husband and wife.

Amanda+Steve’s wedding day was perfect for these two lovebirds! Being strong in their faiths, they were married in a church ceremony & celebrated afterwards with a fun-filled and splendid reception in downtown Raleigh at The Market Hall.

As always, here are just a few of my favorite moments from their sweet, sweet wedding day:

+Saying hello to a bride on her wedding day is always so special to me.  With much anticipation while driving to Raleigh the morning of the wedding, I was anxious to get out and start the day when I pulled up to the salon where Amanda and her bridesmaids were getting ready.  Amanda greeted me with SO MUCH love and excitement and gave me like the hug of all hugs.  It was awesome and started my day out perfectly. Her dose of enthusiasm was just inspiring and kept my spirits lifted all day.

+The groomsmen were a delight! (Steve, you really know how to pick ’em! Hehe!) Not only were they singing at the top of their lungs in the hotel room, but they were down for literally ANYTHING when it came time for groom/groomsmen portraits.  When I asked them to jump..they jumped….very high. When I asked them to walk around and most likely feel like idiots…they did…with pride. I was overjoyed when they said..and I quote… “this girl has got hot ideas, y’all!” Yeah. I was on cloud nine for a while after that. (Oh, and be sure not to miss the guys singing along to Amanda+Steve’s First Dance to John Legend’s ‘All of Me’) 

+Amanda’s First Look with her Dad was so great.  Having grown up with Amanda as my long-time neighbor and friend, having her Dad wait on Amanda to tap him on the shoulder and see her for the first time gave me chills…it was like I was seeing someone who is like my own Dad wait for his daughter.  Of course, I was just a mess behind camera.

+DANCING! Oh my word! This wedding was DANCING the NIGHT AWAY! We had SO much fun while in the midsts of the dance floor….and I STILL have that “Dolla, Dolla, Dolla, Dolla” song stuck in my head. Thanks y’all.

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A huge special thanks goes out to ALL of these amazing vendors who made Amanda+Steve’s day just perfect! XO!

Event Coordinator- Jessica at Happily Ever After Weddings *HIGHLY recommend! She was just amazing!* 

Church- St. Michael The Archangel Roman Catholic Church

Reception Venue- The Market Hall | Downtown Raleigh, NC

Hair+Makeup- Junction Salon & Bar 

Bride’s Dress & Veil Purchased from- New York Bride & Groom *Very highly recommended by Bride*

Groom’s & Groomsmen Attire- Men’s Warehouse

Florals- Marsha Snyder with MEWS Designs

Cake- Simply Cakes 

Invitations & Paper Goods- DIY 

Rentals- CE Rentals

Bridal Party Transportation- Raleigh Dream Limos

Guest Transportation- Southern Express

DJ- All Events DJs

Videographer- Hayzen’s Productions

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Click here to see Amanda+Steve’s Mini-Session

Click here to see Amanda+Steve’s Engagement Session

Click here to see Amanda’s Bridals 

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Amanda+Steve-It was just perfect! Thank you SO very much for giving me such a great honor and allowing me to capture your love story! I wish you two the best of luck, a great adventure together, and the happiest of years ahead! Have SO much fun in Korea and we’ll have to get together and double date again when you come home! XO!