North Carolina Bed and Breakfast Wedding

My heart is so full of love right now. It is all due to this super sweet wedding set at an adorable Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina. I am not going to lie, but I kind of want to push myself through the computer and jump right into this cute wedding. When a love that is so obvious is shining from each and every image, it is hard not to want to be part of such a lovely moment.  Make sure you have cleared your schedule for the morning, as you will want to view the images  more than once. This wedding is extra special as the photographer who was on hand, is a close friend of the couple. Brandy Angel Photography did a fantastic job in capturing the day. Enjoy the photos!

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew503_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew33_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew20_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew41_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew37_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew99_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew88_low

 

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew145_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew151_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew139_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew127_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew130_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew17_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew208_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew172_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew357_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew294_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew472_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew492_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew465_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_image1_low

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_IMG9571782_low

 

Nunn_Smith_Brandy_Angel_Photography_JosephAndrew446_low

 

From  Brandy Angel Photography

“True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart.” ~Honore de BalzacIt’s not every day you get to capture images that represents something so beautiful and so important. I could not be happier or prouder of these two men that I am lucky enough to call my friends. Their love is truer than most and their fight to spend heir lives together is brave and inspiring. I wish them a lifetime of love, laughter and light.Here is their love story in their own words.??It all begin in July 2012, a simple hello from Joseph to Andrew on a dating website. After a few weeks of back and forth emails and eventually text messages, we decided to meet in person for a casual dinner. That dinner was supposed to happen on the first Saturday night in August, however, Andrew cancelled. Joseph thought for sure he was just getting blown off, a case of cold feet for Andrew. You see we both were just coming out of bad relationships, Andrew a little over three months and Joseph around six months. Yet to Joseph’s most pleasant surprise, Andrew text him an apology and explanation, and Joseph eagerly gave him a second chance. Our first time meeting happened the upcoming Tuesday night at Clocked in Downtown Athens, GA. It truly was love at first site. We were inseparable.Almost immediately we became monogamous, totally committed to one another, rarely spending a night apart. We share many of the same interests and ideals. We were and still are totally comfortable with one another. Our birthdays are one day apart, Andrew May 14 and Joseph May 15, however, Joseph is twelve years Andrew’s senior. The age difference does not matter to either one of us. All that we know is that we love each other and at the time wanted our families to meet the most amazing person we had ever met. From meeting the parents for the first time, to so many other firsts; the first time crying in front of one another, our first UGA football game together, the first Christmas, the first birthday celebration, and Andrew’s college graduation from UGA; our love grew stronger and deeper. We both knew that we were each other’s one.Joseph knew he had to pop the question, and on May 19, 2014 he did just that. He suggested to Andrew that we make a day of shopping and fun in Atlanta, GA, which included a ride on the SkyView Ferris Wheel. However, to keep Andrew from becoming suspicious, Joseph suggested a little shopping at Ikea then over to SkyView. We both had already talked several times about taking a ride on SkyView. That was it, that was the perfect place to propose to Andrew, at the very top of SkyView while overlooking the Atlanta skyline. After the shopping trip to Ikea, we headed on over to SkyView. Anxious and nervous did not even compare to how Joseph felt. He was keeping the ring in the coin pocket of his jeans, constantly checking to make sure it was still there. Upon arrival at SkyView, the two were asked to empty their pockets and they were scanned with a metal detector for safety precautions. Joseph was freaking out, sweating bullets, how in the world was he going to remove the engagement ring from his pocket without Andrew seeing it. To this day, he cannot figure out how he did it, but he removed the ring and put it back in his pocket without Andrew noticing. We boarded the ferris wheel and slowly rode to the top. As we approached the top, Joseph pulled Andrew closer to him. There was no getting down on one knee, that pod was swaying and uneasy feeling. With the little old couple in the pod facing us looking on, Joseph asked Andrew to be his forever. With a yes and a kiss to seal the proposal, there was no looking back.

 

On May 30, 2015, Andrew and Joseph made it official. It was a gorgeous sunny day, perfect for a garden wedding with a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast as our backdrop. With our family and closest friends, we married in Asheville, NC, at A Bed of Roses Bed and Breakfast. Small and simple, yet intimate, it was exactly what we wanted. Andrew and Joseph dressed in the same outfit of light gray suit pants and matching vests with a white dress shirt and light dusty pink tie. A boutonniere added just the right touch for both. A soft pink rose set against a delicate thistle. Our officiant, Jerry Conner, delivered beautiful vows of love and helped us “tie the knot” with the exchange of rings and hand fasting.Memories have been made and many more will be created. But we both hold fast to our love for one another, Me + You, You + Me, Always.

 

 

Vendors:

Photography:  Brandy Angel Photography

Venue: A Bed of Roses

Catering: Zambra

Piedmont Park Engagement Session: Atlanta, Georgia

Engagement season is in full swing, and we love this time of year! When we opened our inbox today, we could not stop smiling. Its the type of engagement session that has us all giddy. We can not help it, we love when couples are so darn cute and their love is so obvious. This gorgeous e-session is no exception because each and every image is popping out hearts of love. This adorable couple enjoys their day at the beautiful Piedmont Park located in Atlanta, Georgia. Who knew that a park was steps away from the city life? The backdrop of this engagement session is stunning! We love how the city pops out from behind the lovely trees, making this session even prettier.   What we love even more about this session is the talent behind the lens. Chil Studios captured the love between these two, and the incredible scenery surrounding them. Spend Monday morning browsing through this love story. You may fall in love just as we have.

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL10_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL11_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL12_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL21_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL7_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL4_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL27_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL26_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL47_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL24_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL23_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL17_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL16_low

Cullen_Lester_Chil_Studios_Nov14KristinHoustonTBL15_low

 

From Chil Studios

We love meeting people from different places from around the world and we are lucky to be able to do that through photography. Meet Kristin & Houston, they currently reside in Lincoln, Nebraska but will be getting married in Atlanta later in the Spring. They flew down a couple of weeks ago and we had a chance to hang out with them at Piedmont Park.

Aside from the vibrant fall colors at the park, the chemistry these two shared was incredible. They made it really easy to be able to capture beautiful images with amazing smiles throughout. A couple of hours just flew by as we walked around the park on this gorgeous Fall day. 

 

Photographer: Chil Studios

Location: Piedmont Park

Top Five Tips for Announcing your Engagement Online

You said yes! Congratulations, you beautiful bride! Before you hit ‘upload’ and type out ‘He liked it so he put a ring…’, read our top five tips for e-nnouncing your engagement. Trust us- you don’t want to be that girl. We’ll help you keep the energy alive and the buzz going until you walk down the aisle.

Take Some ‘We’ Time

Before you start calling your girlfriends, parents, ex-boyfriends (kidding!), and anyone else, just stop and enjoy the moment. Treat it like a long romantic date- leave your phones at home and just take time to enjoy being with the person that wants to marry you. Don’t worry about not spreading the word the moment it happens- all those ‘likes’ will be there tomorrow!

Slowly Spread Word

When you’re ready to let other people know about the big news, pick who you tell first. Some people may be sensitive if they don’t hear from you first. As a general rule, you’ll want to tell your immediate family and anyone in your bridal party first. You wouldn’t want any of your future bridesmaids to find out that you got engaged by scrolling through their newsfeed. If you live close enough to your loved ones, it’s acceptable to show up and tell them the good news. You can also arrange for an impromptu brunch or drinks nearby to show off the ring. If your inner circle is a little farther away, a phone call will do- but try to at least skype! An engagement needs some imagery to it- which brings us to our next point.

Pics or it Didn’t Happen

Ready for the general public? Make sure you debut your new status in the best way possible! This is one of the chances you have to take as many selfies (or couplies!) as you can until they’re absolutely perfect. Make sure that the first picture of the new engaged you speaks to you and your fiance as a couple- if you’re silly, be silly! If you’re romantic and sweet, show it off in your selfie. There’s just one big rule- you HAVE to show off the ring.

Think Long Term

Before you throw in #RandomHashtags into your post, think about what you’re going to want to look back on. Saying something simple about the engagement is usually a safe bet- talk about how long you’ve been together or just how much you love each other. Skip “this ring is bae” and go for something that will give you butterflies in five years.

Mass Blast

Want to get the news out there to everyone? Link all the posts! Just use instagram and link your twitter and facebook- it’ll get your message out all at once so all your friends will have the opportunity to see it at the same time. This takes care of you going through to make sure no stone was left unturned and maximizes the visibility of your announcement.

Want some tips on where to go from here? Check out this previous post for tips on using social media throughout your engagement, wedding, and beyond into married life! Leave a comment below with your tips for sharing your special moment online.

 

Top Five Ways to Pull Off Your ‘Something Old’

You’ve heard the old saying- “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. It’s a little superstition that a bride should wear one of each (old, new, borrowed, blue) to ensure a successful and happy marriage. The tradition is cute, and if you’re one of the many brides following it we’ve got some ideas for your ‘something old’.

Family Jewels

If you want to pay homage to your family as you embark on starting a new one, this is a great way to do it! Ask your mother, grandmother, sister, or whoever you’re close to if they have any jewelry you could wear for the big day. The older the better! Ask for anything that has been passed down generation to generation. It may not be a trendy or modern piece, but the meaning will make it incredibly meaningful.

Vintage Veils

Check out old antique stores for vintage silk and lace for your veil. Veils in and of themselves are also a superstition, so it’s nice to pair the two up. Using vintage lace or silk makes the whole piece that much more romantic and detailed. The more delicate, the more graceful and poised you will look. You can try asking around to borrow one from someone else for real authenticity.

Love Letters

Remember when Mr. Big wrote Carrie all those love letters to win her back? Yeah, we love that kind of stuff. If you’re writing in your vows, you can opt to saying your ‘something old’ rather than carry it around. Look up old love letters from great writers for guidance in your vows! Or, if you or your partner happen to be romantics, you can use lines from your own old love letters. It adds an extra creative layer to your vows, plus it’ll become that much more intimate.

Classic Spray

Look for the most vintage, beautiful bottle of perfume you can and have at it! Think about scents that you remember from your first date or the first time you kissed. Maybe you have a favorite scent that’s been around forever- that works too! The sense of smell triggers the most memories, might as well make them good ones!

Family Cookbook

Before you lock in everything with the caterers, consider dusting off a few family recipes from both of your families. By paying homage to your family’s recipes, you’re letting everyone take part in traditions and sharing them with your friends and family. If you pass off some favorite recipes to your caterer, they may even be able to do it for you!

 

Elopement Inspired Styled Shoot from Hope Stanley and Nancy Orozco

Holiday season is not the only season in full swing. This time of year is all about the romance and new loves. I am talking about engagement season. Yep, there is something about the holiday season which sparks love into the hearts of couples. I love this time of year so much. I love the mix of celebration of the holidays and newly engaged couples. What a wonderful time of year indeed. In celebration of engagement season, I am excited to share this super romantic and lovely elopement inspired styled photo shoot. It is not an engagement session, however it so beautiful, I could not wait to share this one.  All gorgeously styled by our friend, Hope Stanley, and behind the lens, Nancy Orozco to capture it all. Oh my goodness, the images are to die for.  I have always been a fan of simple, intimate, and classical weddings. And this styled shoot has all those details and more. Can I talk about the bouquet for a second?  It is a completely over the top, and oversized bouquet with the loveliest mix of colors and florals. I LOVE this bouquet. Floral Riot is seriously a floral genius. I can not get over how gorgeous the bouquet is. It is a perfect compliment to the bride and her gown. SWOON!

You will want to sit down for this styled shoot. Go ahead, grab your morning cup of joe, and enjoy!

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0222

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0221

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0224

IMG_8670

IMG_8702

IMG_8714

IMG_8738

IMG_8755

Stylist, Hope Stanley tells us…
 We wanted it to have the intimacy of a couple who ran away to be married in a small town. The bride is from Spain so we wanted to have a classic European feel of a small village in the country. Scripps college served as the perfect background. 

IMG_8661

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0218

IMG_9183-Edit

IMG_9024-Edit

IMG_9008

IMG_9153-Edit

IMG_9100-Edit

IMG_8645

IMG_8565

IMG_8624

IMG_8561

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0252

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0251

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0249

Los Angeles Elopement Wedding Photographer_0247

Location: Claremont college

Bridal Stylist/Concept Stylist: Hope Stanley

Photographer: Nancy Orozco

Florist: Floral Riot

Wedding Gown: Mary Me Bridal

Stationary: Humdesign

Cake:  Matchbox Kitchen

Hair and Make up: Melissa Samayoa

Groom’s Attire:  Friar Tux Shop

Models: Jon and Lucia

Everything You Need To Know About Throwing The Perfect Wedding

We’re always looking for ways to simplify the complicated things in our lives. This definitely holds true for something as large and as complex as a wedding. Just the thought alone is enough to overwhelm you. Here are some great wedding tips that you can use to make the process a little bit easier.

One of the most vital things that you will have to do is to stick to your budget when you are getting married. You will have a lot of temptation to spend a great deal of money, but will have to understand your financial restrictions to avoid getting into a hole.

Before you get married, make sure you discuss the subject of children with your prospective mate. Having this discussion beforehand will avoid any disagreements after you’re married.

One of the most vital aspects of your wedding is going to be the music that you play. Make sure that the music is modern, but is very personal too, as it should represent the two parties tying the knot. This will add to the ambience of the overall experience of your wedding.

When thinking of what to give your guests as a wedding favor gift, consider who you’re inviting. If half your family are recovering alcoholics, then a bottle of wine is probably not a good idea. If they’re diabetics, then candy won’t work, either. Choose something they’re likely to keep as a memento and not throw out when they get home.

It might initially seem as if planning a wedding is something that couldn’t possibly be simplified, but all you need is some practical advice to help guide you along the way. What you just read are some tips dealing with weddings, in general. Hopefully, this information will help you out when that big day comes.

The Perfect Groom’s Gift

It’s not always easy to find the perfect gift for a man, and that’s mostly because they are not likely to go around dropping hints as to what they want.  So when it’s time to shop for a wedding gift for your future husband, it is up to you to search your memories and use your powers of deduction to come up with something spectacular. Here are a five great ideas to help you choose the perfect gift.

A Little Something Special. It’s natural for us women to appreciate the small details in life.  Show your groom that you want your wedding celebration to be a fun, light-hearted experience by surprising him and his groomsmen with a bottle of his favorite alcohol before the wedding.  Make it a bottle he doesn’t have often and can enjoy a pre-wedding toast with his friends.  Only give him one bottle to share, enough for one drink each…just to be safe.

Something for the wedding. The night before the wedding present the groom with something to rock on the wedding day. Give him a watch that you’ve had engraved with a message from your heart. Not only will it be personalized from you but it will symbolize the start of a new time in your lives.

Another great option for the wedding day is a pair of awesome cuff links.  You can have them personalized with his initials or you can go outside of the box and get him something that will really represent his personality.  Check out these handmade sterling silver cuff links by King Baby Studio.   He’ll appreciate adding this little bit of personalzation to his tux.

0-5     0-4   0-3

Something for the Honeymoon. The honeymoon is the perfect opportunity to show your new husband just how much you really know him by arranging a special excursion for the two of you. If your husband likes hiking, snorkeling, touring, dining, etc. take the time to plan a special event just for him.  This is perfect if he enjoys the outdoors and will be a memorable bonding experience for the two of you.

Something for the House. After the wedding and honeymoon festivities have subsided, you and your husband will begin building your life as newlyweds. To help kick start the process, give him something for the house. Tools are great for the inevitable home improvements or if your man is into landscaping, surprise him with the necessary tools, and maybe even a starter plant/tree that will grow along with your relationship.

Something for life. Here is your chance to give him something really special, something he will treasure for years to come. Think back on your time as a couple and create a memory book for him with pictures of events that lead up to your wedding day. Give it to him the night before your wedding so he has something that will make him even more excited to take the next step with you.

Tips for a Perfect Wedding Day

Planning a wedding can be intricate and overwhelming, whether it be for a loved one, or for you. The selected tips in this article can help you shed new light on options you may have not thought of, and help you to organize the perfect wedding.
Understand that religious faith will influence both what your wedding looks like and your relationship going forward. It may help to discuss this with your families so that they understand how you plan on handling dual faiths in your marriage.
When wedding planning, think about what alcohol you want to serve, how you want to serve it, and try to be cost efficient. Just letting people drink all they want can really add up, especially if the reception lasts a long time. The venue representative will be able to advise you of the various alcohol service options available.
When you decide who you want to give the speeches during the reception, ask them to read them to you so you know they are appropriate. If there are going to be different generations there, you don’t want to offend anyone.
The photos taken during your wedding are important as you’ll look at these a lot of times during your lifetime. It pays to spend the extra cash to hire a wedding photographer in order to reduce the chance of some amateur screwing up your wedding photos.
The most important part of marriage is the person you plan on marrying. Do not make a hasty decision. See your partner as she really is–the good and the bad. Think not only about the reasons you love her, but all her bad habits and quirks that might irritate you after months or years together.
Your vows are very important for a very momentous occasion so make sure you take time to write them to perfection. It’s important to understand that a marriage is a strong commitment that takes both of you making sacrifices. Of course, the most important thing for vows to convey is your love for your partner.
For any stylish and fashion forward bride, there is always the option to add some flare to a bouquet with a splash of diamonds, rhinestones or Swarovski crystals. This is easy to do at home; you can just use some heat-fixed crystals or adhesives, some costume jewelry or even attach a heirloom piece. To ensure that it coordinates with the rest of your ensemble, be consistent in terms of sparkling colors, cut, and size of the stones.
Midday is your best bet for planning a wedding reception. People drink less during this time and you will not spend as much on alcohol. By having a lunch reception, the costs for food will also normally be less expensive. This could allow you to put the money saved towards other services required for your wedding.
Now that you know the fundamentals of wedding planning, you can apply the ideas presented here to manifest a personalized experience. Applying these tips can make your wedding planning hassle free, and give your guests, and yourself, an experience you will treasure forever.

How to Get a Marriage License

You got the groom, the dress, the venue, and all the other fabulous wedding details to have the most perfect day. All those details are wonderful and fun, and you can not wait to see it all come together. But do you have a marriage license? With all the fun of planning a wedding, sometimes couples may forget the one item that is needed to legally be married. Without a marriage license, you can not be announced Mr. and Mrs. So, just before you check off all the wedding items off your list, make sure to add, “get a marriage license”. So how do you get one?

We asked, Alan Katz, Presiding Officiant of Great Officiantsto tell us how to get a marriage license.  Alan Katz is a well known officiant who serves Southern California. He has a local wedding chapel and provides a marriage license service.

Here is what Alan shared with us:

In order to be legally married you must first obtain a marriage License. This is your permission to get married. There are 2 types of marriage licenses Public and Confidential. Both are equally valid forms of your marriage record.

Public:

  • You can get from any county clerk’s office in California and get married anywhere in California;
  • You need one or two witness to sign the license
  • The Marriage Record is recorded and made available to the public. Anyone can access these records.

Confidential:

  • You must state you are living together as a couple;
  • You have to get married in the county where the license is issued
  • No witnesses are required
  • The Marriage record is recorded but is confidential and is only available to the two married parties.

There are two ways to get obtain a Marriage License.

1.     Go to the County Clerk’s office and stand in line for up to an hour and a half and obtain your license. Most are open Monday thru Friday from 830am to 3pm. You must apply online for LA and OC before you go down.

2.     If you are getting married in LA County… You can utilize an LA County approved specialized notary service that issues licenses on their behalf. They can either issue it to you at their offices or deliver it to you personally.

You will need to bring a valid ID such as a Driver’s License, State ID card or Passport.They must be current and not expired. If in the last two years you were previously married or in a domestic partnership, a copy of your divorce decree, annulment decree or death certificate or SDRP termination will be required. No blood tests are required.

Once you obtain the Marriage license you have 90 days from the issue date to get married.

Each county has their own prices and hours. Check their websites.

Here are the links to the Local County Clerk’s Office to apply on line:

Los Angeles County https://lavote.net/SECURED/MARRIAGE/mrglicense.asp

Orange County https://cr.ocgov.com/marriageappointment/

Here is a local service that issues the LA County Confidential Marriage license outside of the clerk’s office http://greatofficiants.com/marriagelicense

Try to get your license about a month before your ceremony. Remember it is illegal to get married without a marriage license.

Alan Katz from GreatOfficiants.com runs a local wedding chapel and marriage license service and provides Wedding Officiants for ceremonies across So Cal.

For more information and questions please contact:

Alan Katz
Presiding Officiant
Great Officiants
www.GreatOfficiants.com
info@GreatOfficiants.com
(855) Wed-Vows  / (855) 933-8697