destination wedding // jess & danny // destination wedding photographer

last year, when i was writing my end of year recap, i made some goals. a bucket list, if you will.

among the usual ("shoot an elopement", "shoot in California", "be published") i wrote "shoot a destination wedding".

thankfully, i have an incredibly talented bestie named paige who books amazing destination weddings and when her sweet husband couldn't come along, she asked me! i'm forever thankful she gave me this experience and to have found another photographer who i admire and work so well alongside. 

i always hear about people being "relaxed" on vacation. i usually vacation with family (love you guys!), so i never fully understood the meaning of crazy word that until arriving in mexico, unpacking our suitcases and enjoying the beach-front pool with amazing service.

and that WATER. damn.

the only negative part to our trip was when paige got crippling food poisoning... the water myth is true, guys. but she's a huge trooper and pulled through and ROCKED this wedding! go take some time and check out not only her amazing images, but peruse the rest of her blog. she's so amazing. CLICK HERE! 

all that being said, i have to tell you.

jess and danny are literally two of the most awesome people i've had the pleasure of working with. they exude this calm, warm, inviting presence and you can tell they're totally in it for the long run. the way danny looks at jess, and the way she smiles at him.. you can tell they have a rhythm together that's been perfected over the years and is totally in sync. they also have some seriously badass australian accents. 

i learned a couple of things from shooting a wedding with a ton of australians: they're all absolutely gorgeous, they like to drink, they like to party, they like to take their shirts off, but more importantly, they have the kindest hearts and will accept you like family, right off the bat.

huge huge huge thank you to paige, but also jess & danny for letting us be a part of your day. (and i hope danny gets you that dog you've wanted!) 

& thanks rando guest for snapping this! 

engaged // mandy & jacob // huntersville, nc

"the first time i saw you, my heart fell. 
the second time i saw you, my heart fell.
the third time fourth time fifth time and every time since, my heart has fallen."
-james frey, a million little pieces.

the moment i met mandy and jacob, i knew they were the real deal.

they're adorable, warm, and totally in love with each other in a quiet, understanding way. they're not loud about it, but it's in the little things. the way he smiles at her, the way she leans into him to protect her without even realizing it. they're beautiful people, inside and out.

they invited me up to their house on lake norman to do some shots where they feel most at home: on the lake! we hopped in their boat and drove to a little island where they take their two chocolate labs all the time. it was absolutely gorgeous, so peaceful, and i couldn't have imagined a more relaxed or perfect spot to do their engagement session. we had the best light and i forgot how awesome the feeling of cold water and cold sand can feel on a summer day. 

i cannot wait for their wedding day in less than a month! knowing what i know of them and the details for the day, it'll be stunning and overflowing with love! 

wed // shannon & john // boone, north carolina

i want to shoot weddings like this all the time.

a flurry of friends running around, neighbors who donate flowers, the maid of honor making a flower crown 15 minutes before the wedding, parents making breakfast in the morning.  two of your friends setting up your reception while you have an intimate ceremony with your immediate family and best friends. the ceremony spot covered with fog that's rolled in, over the mountains where you met for the first time.

t's no secret i love the mountains, but this small and intimate wedding took the cake. 

everything was perfect.

shannon wore a BHLDN gown and all of her bridesmaids had mismatched white and cream dresses - which was a first for me, and i loved it. who doesn't love a bride who wants to share the attention on their wedding day? she said over and over to me how simple and easy she wanted the day to be, and that's what it was. they had two of their friends sing "home" by edward sharpe as she walked down the mountain with her dad who doubled as the officiant. a simple, sweet and short ceremony ensued, then they headed to valle cruces community park for a reception. 

like i said, if i could shoot weddings like this all the time, i'd be a happy woman. 

plus, COME ON. how killer is this fog!? love these babes. 

wed // erica & jordan // north carolina wedding photographer (ii)

(if you haven't read part i, click here!)

erica and jordan's wedding day will go down in history as one of (the hottest) - my favorite days this year. and their bride and groom shots are the ones i'm proud of the most. these two just fit together. expertly. 

"and then my soul saw you and it kind of went, "oh there you are. i've been looking for you."