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Abby and Michael (or Gupper, as he is affectionately nicknamed) are such a sweet couple! I traveled down to North Carolina for their beautiful Southern wedding. The day was filled with gorgeous details, family from all over the country, and lots of love. Abby got ready for the day in her hotel room with her three sisters, her mom and bridesmaids.

Abby shares, “My favorite moment was when I walked down the aisle. I was so nervous, but the moment I saw Gupper it was just us in the room. It was the most amazing feeling in the world to see Gupper looking at me with tears in his eyes, mouthing to me ‘you are so beautiful.’  It was a perfect moment that I will never forget.” Gupper’s favorite moment happened only a little bit later, as the ceremony ended. He shares, ” Walking down the aisle after we finished the ceremony, I felt overwhelmed with joy knowing that I just married the girl of my dreams. It was the best moment of my life that I will always remember and cherish.”

Abby was very surprised when Gupper popped the question. She shares, “Gupper proposed to me in our first apartment together in Chapel Hill. We had been planning a huge birthday party for him…or so I thought.  I had come home to pick him up to go to the pool and was literally only wearing my bikini. As I walked into our bedroom I found Gupper down on one knee holding out the ring of my dreams. It was the perfect setting. Simple, romantic, and in our first home together. I then found out that Gupper had really been planning a huge engagement party for all of our friends and family!”

The style of the wedding felt very warm and personal. Abby continues, “Gupper and I had decided early on that we wanted everyone to just have fun celebrating at our wedding. We wanted a simple, romantic, vintage look and achieved that using such a beautiful venue as Cobblestone. We did DIY projects for the wedding as well to save money, but to also make our wedding unique. It was really important to us to have unique aspects at our wedding such as handwritten table numbers, a handmade guestbook, and handmade cakes. We had the time of our lives!”

Congratulations Abby and Gupper! For more photos check out the slideshow:

Special Thanks to the Vendors:
Church: Fairmont Church Venue: Cobblestone Hall, Events Manager: Brea Fisher Officiant: Ed Huggins, Father of the Bride DJ: Kyle Kiss, kkiss39@gmail.com Wedding Coordinator: Carly Abernathy, La Fete Weddings Catering: Rocky Top Catering, Director: Kevin DeHimer Makeup: Emily Huggins Makeup Hair: Caila, Gillespie hair Bouquet: Suzanne Terry, jaGG Classic Wholesale Centerpieces: flowers by jaGG Classic Wholesale; arranged by Chris Stevens, step mother of bride Cake designer: Joe Micchia, Grandfather of the groom Invitations and programs: Etsy shop Paint the Day Designs Guest book cupcake artwork: Etsy shop Bleudetoi  Bridal Gown: Hayden Olivia, by Jim Hjelm Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid, Jenny Yoo Grooms ties: The Tie Bar Rings: Diamonds Direct Raleigh Photography: Jessica Schmitt and Eric Swartz

Jennifer and Peter were married on a gorgeous spring day at the Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The day began at Jennifer’s apartment while she got ready for the wedding.

While Jennifer got ready with her bridesmaids and sweet little dog, Gordon, the groom had a fun morning with his groomsmen at an Irish bar.

A bagpiper greeted guests as they arrived at the church.

Jennifer’s nieces sang and played the piano during the ceremony. They were wonderful!

After the ceremony, we went to Times Square for some photos. As the newlyweds walked down Seventh Avenue everyone around us cheered!

The reception was held right across the river at the Chart House.

Time to PAR-TAY!

Congratulations Jennifer and Peter!

For more photos check out the slideshow:

Thank you to all the vendors:
Church: Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Chart House
Photography: Jessica Schmitt and Eric Swartz

The wedding photo booth experience is SO much FUN!

Set up at your reception, this open space photo booth is a great crowd-pleaser and gives you tons of fun photos of all your guests.

With unlimited photos, a cool backdrop, fun props, and a slideshow, the Photo Booth Experience is a great deal for only $500!

More details: My photo booth is a bit different from what you might traditionally think. It’s not really a “booth” at all. It is a larger space (at least 8×9 feet) that allows for groups of people to be in the photo together with more room for fun poses and use of props with no structure. Plus, it is significantly less expensive than the cost of renting a “real” booth.

Here is how it works: The second photographer sets up a tripod and lights in a corner of your reception area (indoors or out). I recommend choosing a highly visible location, for example near the bar, so that guests make sure to check it out. The photographer takes the photos with a digital camera. This type of photo booth is like a “live” photo booth because the people can interact with the person who is taking the photos. You must book a two photographer package to be able to include the photo booth experience at your wedding.

Photos are not printed at the wedding. This keeps your guests dancing and having fun, rather than waiting for a print. Instead, guests are handed a small card with link information to view all the photos online. After the event, your guests can download the photos for free and purchase prints directly from the website (Only $1 for a 4×6!). They can then use them on Facebook and other social media.

The Photo Booth Experience includes:

1. Set up at reception location including the gold and white chevron backdrop (or choose your own backdrop–let’s talk about ideas!).
2. Some fun paper props and a wooden picture frame prop (add as many props as you like).
3. The second photographer who will man the booth during the reception, but close it for other important moments (toasts, first dance, cake, etc.).
4. Unlimited photos during the time the booth is open.
5. Cards with link info for guests to find the photos online.
6. A super fun slideshow video set to any song of your choice (like example below).
7. All photos in an online gallery where they can be easily printed or linked to Facebook/Instagram.
8. A custom 8×10 photo booth album (add $100).

Want to try something special? Check out some ideas on my Pinterest board, Etsy and Party City.

Take a look at some Photo Booth Experience slideshows from recent weddings:

Contact me for more info. If you have already booked me to photograph your wedding, you can still add on the Photos Booth Experience! Let me know if you are interested.

Niamh and Kyle had a lovely vintage-style wedding at the Tabard Inn in Washington, D.C.

Niamh and Kyle shared a first look before the ceremony. Niamh says, “It was definitely the most nerve-wracking point of the day for both of us! I had butterflies and I know Kyle was really nervous too. The first look was a nice private moment between the two of us and from that point forward we were much more relaxed and at ease!”

Lauren and Samantha were married on the Hornblower yacht in New York City on a beautiful spring day. The day began with preparations in a nearby hotel.

Before getting on the yacht for the ceremony, we took some photos around Chelsea Piers.

Lauren and Sam both have such beautiful smiles and their joy was infectious! I was honored to also photograph their engagement photos on the High Line earlier this year.

Lauren shares, “As far as our wedding style goes, we wanted to make the night memorable for everyone by making it unique and fun! We never really decided on just one theme. At first it was nautical; later it was subtly rainbow. In the end, we just decided that if it was fun, we liked it.

It’s hard to pick a favorite moment, but there are a few that stand out. I enjoyed watching our tiny ring bearer deliver our rings in exchange for the Swedish Fish he was promised. One of Sam’s favorite moments was when my mom pulled her right out of a conversation and into the photo booth for a picture with silly faces.

Sam’s favorite parts also included having her little sister and future little sister do her hair and having me tie her shoes after she had gotten into her dress and realized she couldn’t quite do it. (Not my favorite part. That was a struggle.) She also liked the light rain during the first part of the wedding since it meant we got to play with an umbrella in some of the photos.”

The ceremony took place on the yacht just before we pulled away from the dock.

Lauren was unfamiliar with the tradition of a couple kissing whenever guests clink their glasses during a wedding reception. She learned it quickly, though, as it happened frequently throughout the night! She continues, “Sam’s Uncle Roy picked up his knife and clinked his glass, and I thought that maybe I had misunderstood what it meant because Sam was not even in sight, so I gave him a confused look. He looked back at me with a small grin, shrugged his shoulders, and said, “Better go find her.”

Lauren and Sam included a photo booth at their reception. With nautical props, funny faces and dancing in the booth, it was so much FUN! Check out the photo booth slideshow here.

Congratulations Sam and Lauren!

Check out more wedding photos in the wedding day slideshow: