Patricia & Nate: Shady Wagon Farm (Part 1)

Each time I'm privileged to photograph a wedding, I'm reminded of the bigger picture. Being a detailed person, always concerned about the next thing that I can check off, a fault is that I'm not often taking a step back to take it all in. All that's happening around me. But wedding days are different. What a precious chance to realize that this day is special and so important, but also to think that this couple has committed their lives to each other, to love each other forever no matter what. Talk about a bigger picture.

Patricia and Nate's day was perfect. Who doesn't want to get married on a gorgeous farm with amazing Spring weather? We thanked God for the sun that day, and the rain the day before that washed so much of the pollen away. If you're in NC, you know the weather has been a bit crazy this Spring (if you can even call it that), so we weren't taking it for granted that we even felt hot at times!

This couple began dating back in their high school days at Sanderson, stayed together as Nate attended NC State and Patricia at UNC-Greensboro, graduated, and decided it was time to get married! :) Well, there's probably a bit more to that, but I'm providing the short story.

April 13, 2013 will be a day to remember forever for these sweet friends.
































Come back soon to see Patricia walk down the aisle to meet her husband Nate, as well as many images from the incredible reception inside the barn!

Congratulations, Patricia & Nate!!!

Suzanne & Daniel: Maternity

Before Davis' arrival into the Price family, we met over at Yates Mill Park for a maternity session together. I'm so excited for Suzanne and Daniel as they have already begun life with this little one! He'll be making his official debut on the blog very soon when I get a chance to share some images from his newborn session just a couple of weeks ago.

Patricia: Bridals

I'm so happy to be able to share with you some of Patricia's bridal portraits! She and Nate tied the knot this past weekend on a gorgeous Saturday out at Shady Wagon Farm. You'll hear more about them, and get to see pictures from their special day soon here on the blog! But until then...enjoy these portraits of a beautiful bride, inside and out!

Getaway Girls 2013

After having a great group of friends during my years at NC State, we quickly figured out that spending time together takes a bit more intentionality post-college. It's do-able, but it's harder. So there lies the idea behind the Getaway Girls. We've decided to try to block off one weekend a year to commit to all being together!

Our first year (2012) was spent in West Jefferson, NC. We stayed in a mountain house in that area, enjoyed time with each other, went snow tubing (in 70 degree weather), had a bonfire, ate out a lot, ate in a lot, and planned through what these weekends could really end up being in the future! :) 

This year, we gathered at a lake house off of Lake Tillery near Albemarle, NC. I wanted to highlight some of the main events from the weekend, so that we'll never forget. Who knows...maybe 40 years from now we're all grandmas gathering for Getaway Girls 2053...and I bet we'll have forgotten all of the ridiculous things we did in our younger days. :) So here's to remembering. 

-Elizabeth, Bonnie, and I arrived late Thursday night to the house. After freaking out that we couldn't find the remote to turn off the house alarm, we somehow ended up okay without the cops showing up. 

-On Friday, the 3 of us slept in, relaxed, read, etc. until Jill & Amy arrived early afternoon, and we all watched NC State lose in the NCAA tournament. (No surprise)

-Friday evening, everyone else joined us. Catherine, Brittany, Quinn, Jess, and Jules rode up together, and Leah and Melissa weren't far behind! 

-We began the weekend with some Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Corn and Beans from Granny's garden, and roasted red potatoes. Yum. 

-We carefully got everyone connected to the wireless. The code was about 62 characters long. Jill's Juke just wasn't feeling it. I think Quinn was the first to connect. Props. 

-Then Elizabeth & Jill made a homemade apple pie. We anxiously waited. On the kitchen floor?

-And then we ate it on the kitchen floor. I protested, but then I gave in. I still feel weird about it. And some people forgot that it had just come out of the oven. Sorry you couldn't taste anything for the reminder of the weekend, Britt...

-The next morning, Elizabeth & Jules cooked an amazing breakfast. Breakfast casserole, cheese grits, HOMEMADE DOUGHNUTS!? Yep. It happened. 

-After breakfast, we took an adventure. A little walk by the river looking for a fallen tree that would help us cross over to the other side. We found one, but it was completely submerged in the water. No worries - Jess & Elizabeth went back for the canoe and took us over 2 by 2. Except for the last group...we went for the challenge for more people in the canoe. No pictures by the official camera, but you can find many through Instagram!

-For lunch we went into town to a local Mexican Restaurant. And our friend Katherine, who just 'wasn't going to be able to make it' this year (she's currently traveling the US working for ChickFilA), SHOWED UP at the restaurant and surprised us! 

-When we got back to the house, we had our annual picture taking festivities. With our shirts. Thanks to Catherine for organizing and ordering, and to Kelsey for designing! We love them! 

-For the afternoon, we all just hung out. A few games of Bananagrams, lots of sitting and catching up, some cooking by Amy and Bon, and some "echo songs" (??????) performed by Jcat & B. 

-For dinner, Amy and Bon made baked chicken and this to-die-for homemade mac & cheese. Unbelievable. 

Unfortunately, that's where the pictures end. Obviously no one remembered to pick it up and snap some shots for the remainder of the weekend, but some key events were: 

-Bonfire by the lake + singing + spontaneous game of 'Big Booty' 

-Another lovely breakfast, this time prepped by Melissa & Leah, including monkey bread & bacon. 

-A perfect lunch buffet provided by Q & Jcat to help close out the weekend! Including deli meat from the deli (way better than deli meat in the package), Jcat's famous pasta salad, chips, etc. 

-After some cleaning up, many hugs, and goodbyes, we were all back on the road headed home! 

Major shout outs to the following for setting the bar high for future attendance! :) 

-->B.White for coming back from Africa/India in time for the weekend. 

-->Jill for flying in from Oklahoma!

-->K.Hup for flying in from Texas to surprise us!

Loved every minute of being with you girls. Can't wait til next year.