I’m so excited to finally share this wedding with you. As much as I love photographing large bridal parties and huge receptions with lots of laughter and dancing and zany guests, sometimes it’s equally as nice to photograph small, intimate weddings. At times I even prefer it because they’re just a little different.

That was the case with Heather and Trent’s fall wedding at Fearrington Village. It was the perfect southern fall evening — the sun was low in the sky, a soft breeze swept through a beautiful garden and a gentle hush fell over those gathered there. A beautiful bride, looking more like a princess, slowly walked toward her smiling groom. She reached him, and he took her hands in his. And there, in that idyllic setting, surrounded by family and their closest friends, they promised to love, honor and cherish one another for all of their lives. And then they sealed it with a kiss.

It was like a scene scripted right out of a fairytale. The kind where bluebirds fly down from the heavens while the animals sing. One of those “all is right in the world” kind of moments. And though it was real life – and onlyfairytale-like – I bet somewhere at Fearrington animals were singing and bluebirds were flying. Because really, on that day, at that moment, all WAS right in Heather and Trent’s world.

Heather and Trent….you two are the best. No really. Like THE best. Ever. Thank you for your friendship and for making me feel like part of the family. I’m so grateful that I was able to share in the happiness of your wedding day. I wish you two a lifetime of love and happiness and hope that each new day brings more love than your hearts can even hold!  OXOX … Renee

 

I am totally smitten with the images from this wedding. It’s going to be a long one — so grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine…. And if you make it all the way the end, thank you for sticking around! 🙂

Heather’s wedding gown was S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!!! WOWZA! And just wait until you see it on her!

Heather went totally retro-glam with this birdcage veil and feathery fascinator. SWOON!

Hair and makeup by the incomparable MARGO WILLIAMS! I. HEART. HER!!

The thing I love most about Heather is that she truly has no idea just how beautiful she is. Which makes her even more beautiful!

Trent received his undergraduate degree from NC State and is a diehard fan, so his bride-to-be not only used red as her main color, she also incorporated a few Wolfpack details throughout the day. I’m betting she scored MAJOR brownie points, too! Guys always dress in The Red Room at Fearrington, which I’d say is pretty fitting for this groom!

Heather surprised Trent and his dad with NC State socks to wear for the wedding…Trust me when I saw this was a BIG hit with the guys!

Gorgeous red flowers!

TTrent and Heather opted for a “First look”  — always such a special time for couples before the ceremony. [And see what I mean about that gown???? LOVE!!]

I love when couples opt to see each other before the wedding. Not only does it give them an opportunity to talk and have some private time, it also allows for more relaxed photos too!

Proudly showing off all that red! Gotta love it!

Only one word…GORG!!!  I am so in love with these flowers! This is one of my favorite images. My associate WADE grabbed this one while I was taking the next one. LoveloveLOVE it! So artsy! A traditional portrait in The White Garden [that sounds so fancy and all presidential-like!] 

These next few images are so totally “Fearrington.” This one in particular is one of my favorite images. Ever. There something about it that just makes me swoon! Maybe because it’s just so iconic….who knows. Just love it!


I couldn’t get enough of those flowers. LOVE them!

Breathtaking! Honestly – you rival any starlet in Hollywood!

Love the expressions in this next image…total picture of happiness amid tears of joy…
The moms were totally focused on their children…
Is this an idyllic setting for a wedding or what? Beautiful!
About to be announced and husband and wife….love the gorgeousness that is Fearrington in the fall! Sealing it with a kiss….
Another one of my favorite images. It’s not often that I am able to get all of the guests together in one photograph. I totally wish I had one of these from my own wedding.

On to The Garden Terrace for the first dance, some toasts and then a lovely dinner.

All the details at this wedding and reception were amazingly beautiful. Heather and the Fearrington staff did a great job with everything! Heather and Trent had a “wishing tree” as their “guest book” — guests left well wishes and marital advice on the branches of this manzanita tree. Love when couples do things that are a little unique.

One of my favorite ring shots so far. LOVE how the ring just pops against the richness of the flowers in the background [the rock itself ain’t half bad, either!]

The first dance….looking like Fred and Ginger! I just love when couples have fun and are completely into each other during the first dance…

Yes, this was every bit as yummy as it looks! The chef at Fearrington can rock a dessert! Toast time! Trent’s sister, Kelly, gave such a moving toast. It was clear how much she adores her big brother and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room. Well…except maybe this little guy. This is one of Heather’s nephews and he was all about some toasting. He is A-DORABLE! with his apple-juice-filled champagne glass!

Y’all know I love some cake! Especially one that rocks a salute to my alma mater! I bet that scored a few more brownie points with Trent!
Trent had some words of appreciation for the guests and a kiss for his new wife… and then it was send-off time! I love when couples plan ways for the guests to be involved in every part of their day! They had such a good time going through the sparklers that they went through again, this time dancing with their own sparklers! FUN! FUN! A fairytale kiss to end a fairytale kind of day….

 

A big, BIG thank you to my associate WADE for photographing this day with me and to my new friend Libby for assisting me with bags, set up and a little shooting too. You both just totally ROCK my WORLD! HUGS to you both!!!

Stay tuned for Heather’s gorgeous bridal portraits….they’ll be coming to the blog in a few days!