Modern Orange + Yellow Wedding in Greensboro, NC

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Kate

This wedding is bursting with unique, personal details! Captured by Jen Yuson Photography, Kristen and Mario were married this past June in a gorgeous, wooded outdoor ceremony in Greensboro, North Carolina. As a surprise, the couple’s friends created hand drawn “Skeeter B Gone” labels on bug spray for guests to use while in the wooded park. One unique aspect: the couple was joined by their two cats on leases during the ceremony! Later, Mario carved the couple’s initials into a tree at the ceremony site; so sweet. Following the ceremony, everyone headed to a nearby art gallery, where Mario used to work, for the reception. Mario, an artist, and Kristen were able to add their own personal touches, with the help of family and friends, to the wonderful existing artwork in the reception space. One thousand hand folded origami cranes, a hand drawn cake topper and photobooth signs were a few of the artistic additions. The reception had a travel theme to commemorate the couple’s recent road trip across the US. They also participated in a traditional Polish Oczepiny, during which Mario wore a hat made of fruit and vegetables and Kristen wore a traditional cap while all their guests sung around them. I love the vivid, bright orange color palette used throughout the reception decor! Kristen and Mario now reside in Portland, Oregon.

A few words from the bride and groom:

Though both of us were born and bred North Carolinians, we have a great love for so many other areas of our country. Shortly before getting engaged, we decided to quit our jobs, sublet our house, and take a three-month road-trip around the United States. We learned so much about each other during those one-hundred days and had such an amazing time, that when we got engaged, we knew we needed to incorporate a travel theme into our wedding day.

As our wedding day approached we began to realize how many friends and family we have that love and care for us, and how many people were willing to help! We were also so lucky that the places and people around us all meant so much to us: A ceremony in the park that we had taken so many walks while we were dating, the reception in the very gallery where we first met, a dance party where Kristen had previously managed other events and Mario’s family all had artwork on display, and a wonderful photographer that was a trusted friend.

At the end of that day as we unwound in our hotel room, we were amazed how fast everything flew by. Though our feet were sore and our legs tired, that moment felt less like the end of a trip, and more like a new journey that we had just begun together.

Photographer: Jen Yuson Photography
Second Shooter: Shawn Bauguess
Pre Ceremony Location: Proximity Hotel
Ceremony Venue: Fisher Park
Reception Venue: Green Hill Center for NC Art and Studio B
Catering: Josephine’s Bistro
Bridal Gown Designer: Allure Bridals
Bridal Gown Store: Bridal Mart
Bridal Shoes: Miz Mooz
Bridal Jewelry: Givenchy
Bridesmaid Jewelry Designer: Patillo’s Patella
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Alfred Sung
Bridesmaid Dress Store: The Wedding Galleria
Groom’s Suit: Indochino
Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan
Cake Designer: Delicious Bakery
Dessert Buffet: Provided by family and friends
Floral Designer: The Farmer’s Wife and Dawn Leonard
Makeup Artist: Clinique at Belk
Hair Stylist: Lisa Enloe
Invitation Designer: Groom, Mario Gallucci
Wedding Planner: Bride, Kristen Gallucci
Day of Wedding Coordinator: Rich Gilliland
DJ: Kenneth Eller of K2 Productions
Photobooth Rental: Groom, Mario Gallucci

All images by Jen Yuson Photography
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Sweet Cupcake Shop Engagement Session in Boston

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Kate

Nothing is sweeter than an engagement session in a cupcake shop! Captured by Briana Moore, Elana and Brendon spent a beautiful July day in Boston tasting cupcakes at a window-side table for two. After sharing sweets, the couple headed to the Public Garden and Beacon Hill for some gorgeous scenery. Balancing their drive and compassion, both Elana and Brendon work in events at major Boston hotels. To end the night, the couple and their photographer sat down to enjoy past and wine in the North End.

Photographer: Briana Moore
Locations: Georgetown Cupcakes, Boston Public Gardens
Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider
Jewelry: United International Diamond Importers
Groom’s Outfit: J. Crew, Brooks Brothers
Bride’s Outfit: H&M

All images by Briana Moore
Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Real Engagement: Rachel + Matthew in Seattle

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Kate

Rachel and Matt looks so incredibly happy in these images! Captured by La Luz Photography, the couple headed to a Seattle, Washington park for their June engagement session. I love the diverse landscapes of this shoot; flowering fields, dense forest, and a rock wall! I also adore the dreamy lighting and Rachel and Matt’s obvious chemistry. Be sure to read the great story of how Rachel and Matt met from their photographer:

Eight years ago, Rachel and Matt met on a plane as it made its way to Israel. There must have been something in the air on that fateful Birthright trip, because a 10-day whirlwind jaunt in the Middle East soon seemed destined to become something more everlasting. Upon their return to their respective homes, it was unclear whether they would ever see each other again. However, mere days later Matt appeared at Rachel’s front door, introduced himself to Rachel’s parents, and brought all the fixins’ for falafels. He claimed he was in the neighborhood “to print his pictures at Costco.” It soon became clear, however, that they both wanted to be in the same picture together, so to speak. And so, on their first romantic date, they opened a joint Costco membership and printed lots of pictures on-the-cheap. Over the course of the next year, they found themselves flung far and wide, with Matt studying abroad in Prague for 4 months and Rachel spending the summer in Spain and Portugal with a friend. Some trips they managed to make together, too — traveling to Chicago only 2 months after they first met, where Rachel met Matt’s wonderful parents and his terrifying dog, Kramer. Alas, wanderlust seemed a theme for this young relationship, as Rachel decided to hang her hat in Colorado for college, while Matt held down the fort in Seattle. As a fairly rational couple, they never intended to do the whole “long-distance thing” but that rational thought didn’t last long for various reasons. Rachel soon found that most of the new friends on her freshman dorm all were also in long-distance relationships. What a happy surprise! Big shocker, though, most of those relationships ended mere months (weeks, or days) later. However, four years (and an embarrassingly large carbon footprint) later, Matt and Rachel were happily reunited in Seattle.”

Photographer: La Luz Photography
Hair Stylist: Swink
Location: Discovery Park
Dress Store: BCBG Max Azria

All images by La Luz Photography
Submitted via Two Bright Lights