2011 began with a wedding in California. An April wedding was moved up a day thanks to our sometimes not so lovely Outer Banks weather. Some braved the cold wind, others braved the humid hot hot heat. One wedding was moved onto the pier thanks to no beach! A few were rained on this fall. One almost didn’t happen thanks to Hurricane Irene. BUT..in the end, every bride married the man she loves with all of her heart, and every groom scored the girl of his dreams. This is what weddings are about…not having the perfect day with perfect details and perfect weather and perfect everything else. Weddings are about love. Really real, really true, really it hurts so good LOVE. I hope in all of this, we were able to capture that. If we did, then I consider our work a success. Here are my favorites…

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Lisa is an EMT here on the Outer Banks, and Ron is a fireman. Set up by coworkers and friends, Ron jumped at the chance to date the “hott EMT chick.” Little did he know, he’d be dating her forever. Ron proposed on the first night in their new home, and just a couple weeks ago they made it official.

Lisa & Ron, let me just start off saying…we love you guys! We had a blast & thank you so much for braving the cold and wind. With a November wedding, you really never know what kind of Outer Banks weather you are going to get. Well, these two got a chilly wind on a sunny day. Their ceremony was inside the beautiful Jennette’s Pier, and I just loved the long tables and vintage decor. Can you believe this was all coordinated by Lisa? Beautiful AND talented!

This was our new associate photographer, Whitney’s first wedding with us and let me tell you, she knocked it out of the park! This lady has an awesome eye for details and is already a natural MAP team member. Brides, you better snatch her up while you still can!

We met up with Lisa at her house to get the final touches before heading to Jennette’s. After the ceremony, we all enjoyed? a brief stroll on the beach before heading in for some fun at the reception. Congrats & enjoy!

I’ve been sitting here trying to decide how to start this one for a while now, and I still don’t know where to begin. I don’t remember exactly when or how my friendship with Ashley began (sometime during our freshman year of high school), but I know that no matter how far we drift apart or how long between visits, it is one that always picks right back up where it left off. Ashley and I were friends before there was a Genevieve & Chad, during the Genevieve & maybe Chad?, and the Ashley, I’m going to marry Chad. Ashley and I were friends before there was an Ashley & Stephen. I remember the day she told me that she kinda liked this boy. I asked who, and she shyly stated, “Stephen Outten.” This was many many years ago. Isn’t it funny how the person you end up marrying might be right there all along and you never even notice? Stephen went to high school with us, but he and Ashley didn’t start dating until well into college. Now they have a family complete with two spunky pups and each other. Soon, they will officially be Mr. and Mrs. Outten…or is it Mr. and Mrs. McClelland? Have you decided?

For their wedding, I won’t be wearing black and I won’t have anything in my hands, except maybe some flowers…and I’m excited about it! Lauren Cowart will be capturing their day amazingly I’m sure, and I’m looking forward to celebrating Ashley & Stephen. I could, however, shoot their engagement portraits and am excited to share my favorites! We opted for some non-beach spots and had fun just hanging out. Stephen, A+ on the blue steel modeling, but even more importantly…thank you for making Ashley smile the way she does when she’s with you. Ashley, you’re beautiful and I can’t wait to see you on your wedding day. It won’t be long now. Here’s to March!

We are beyond ecstatic to be shooting Lindsay & Jason’s wedding this coming spring in Pittsburgh, PA at the Carnegie Music Hall. We can’t wait to watch them seal the deal, and we are looking forward to capturing their wedding in an absolutely beautiful setting.

Chad and I met up with Lindsay & Jason in Kitty Hawk the day before the Outer Banks Marathon for their engagement session. We had a great time walking the beach and the pier with you both, and we know you rocked out that marathon! Lindsay, you’re beautiful, and Jason, keep on taking care of your pretty lady. We’ll see you guys in May!

Claudia & Todd chose a simple yet elegant sunset ceremony on the beach in front of The Sanderling Resort followed by a lovely reception and dinner at The Lifesaving Station. Rev. Jay Bowman made it official for these two on this beautiful fall evening, and close family and friends watched as the couple celebrated their love. It was simply perfect. Congrats & enjoy!

Andrea & Mike were just one of the many couples who chose to get married this fall on the Outer Banks. They booked a house in Avon and planned their dream wedding. Like so many others, they did not invite nor expect Irene to show up. Well, she did. Everyone knows that hurricanes are possible here, but you really can’t live your life in fear of them. As a born and raised OBXer, I’ve seen my share of hurricanes, tropical storms, and Nor’easters. Hurricane Irene will definitely go down in my memory bank as one of the worst we’ve experienced.

By now, I’m sure everyone knows that the Outer Banks experienced some severe flooding as well as a few breaches on Hatteras Island. Emergency ferries were set-up for only essential personnel. With no way to get to Avon, Chad and I began to get nervous about Andrea’s wedding. There were talks about others being allowed on ferries for work circumstances, etc. but no one seemed to give us the same answer or even close to a definitive one. We kept in contact with Andrea’s officiant, Rev. Tanya Young, her violinist, Leslie Erickson of Club Violin, and The Embellishers to hopefully join forces and make this wedding happen. By this time, the temporary bridge was being constructed but was not scheduled to be completed before the wedding. Out of desperation, I called our friend Kate Pullen from Daniel Pullen Photography because they live on Hatteras Island. I was hoping to find a way on the island or at least some advice from someone who has directly been dealing with the ferries. A huge thank you goes out to Kate because she could not have been more helpful and sincere! She tried her best to find us a way, but it just seemed like there wasn’t much to be done. Chad and I finally came up with the idea of having Daniel shoot Andrea’s wedding for us as a worst case scenario. Another big thanks to Kate and Daniel for being so willing to help us out. A few days before the wedding, mentions of the bridge finishing ahead of schedule began to rumble, and eventually this became a reality. TWO DAYS before Andrea’s wedding, the bridge was open and there were no restrictions!

Chad and I were in shock and very delighted! Driving over that bridge was surreal after all of the hurdles we had unsuccessfully attempted to cross. We showed up at Andrea’s door, and I just couldn’t help giving her a big hug in celebration that it had all worked out.

Everyone at her wedding was just full of joy and true appreciation because it came so close to not happening. There was nothing to sweat because nothing could compare to what everyone had already endured. It was a beautiful day, despite a threat of rain. I assured Andrea that we did not go through all of this to let a little rain keep her from getting married on the beach. It did sprinkle, but not for long. What happened next was just unreal. Call it God, good karma, a miracle…call it whatever you wish, but the most beautiful rainbow appeared just moments before Andrea walked over the dunes to marry Mike. And as they say, the rest is history.

Andrea & Mike-congratulations from the bottom of our hearts and we are thrilled to have been a part of it. What a wedding day story to tell!