Angela and Michael, Chapel Hill NC Wedding

If you remember Angela and Michael’s Chicago engagement session,  you already know how excited I was for Angela and Michael’s wedding in my home state of North Carolina, in Chapel Hill (Go Heels!), at the gorgeous Carolina Inn. I know Angela and Michael were even more anxious for the day to arrive (especially since it was followed by an amazing honeymoon trip to Greece!), and it couldn’t have turned out more beautifully. I was so grateful to have my friend Rebecca Mill of The Indie Image along to assist, and we were both in awe of all of the lovely details. I am especially in love with Angela’s gold Valentino heels, that ever so slightly blush Reem Acra gown, the jade bridesmaid dresses (and the fact that Angela’s dad made their gold sashes!), the event surrounding Angela popping open the champagne, and the bridesmaid bouquets!

Honestly I loved all of it, and most especially how wonderfully welcoming Angela and Michael (and their sweet families and friends!) were through the whole process. It is bittersweet to finish a wedding of a couple that have become dear friends, but I am so happy for all the love that these two have ahead of them and so thankful to have been a part of that beginning! Their love was so apparent throughout the way in the gentle way they interact with each other, in the sweet little glances they give, Michael’s face as he watched Angela come down the aisle… It makes my heart happy to photograph such a love filled wedding day.

Vendors:

-Ceremony & Reception Venue, Catering: The Carolina Inn, (Bryan Courtyard and Old Well Wing)
-Hair and Makeup: Makeup by Ashley Mooney
-Coordinator: LaShayla Simpson with Bliss by Sam
-Ceremony Music: Laura Byrne, Harpist
-Reception Music: Bunn DJ Company
-Cake/Mini Pies: Ashley Cakes
-Cake topper: Better Off Wed
-Florist: Amrose Flowers
-Gown designer: Eternity by Reem Acra
-Bridesmaids’ attire: Victoria’s Secret with handmade sashes by father of the bride
-Bride’s Shoes: Valentino
-Groom’s attire: J.Crew & Ferragamo
-Groomsmen’s attire: Vera Wang
-Stationery/invitations: Wedding Paper Divas
-Calligrapher: Calligraphy by Carrie
-Videographer: Heart Stone Films
-Favors: First Book donation

 Here’s  a little Q&A with the lovely bride, Angela!

How did the two of you meet and when did you know this was it?!

Without common roots (I was born and raised in North Carolina and Michael hails from Alaska), we met serendipitously on Thanksgiving Day 2007. Michael was a junior at Notre Dame studying abroad in Shanghai and I was a sophomore at UNC studying abroad on Xiamen Island. During these travels, we somehow ended up in the same place at the same time celebrating Thanksgiving with friends. Although we caught one another’s attention early in the evening, it wasn’t until I miserably missed my shot during a game of beer pong that Michael seized the opportunity to retrieve the ball and strike up a conversation.

In the seven years since that first encounter, we have gone through ups and downs, including years of long distance and many trips exploring new places together. From 2010 to 2011, we found ourselves thousands of miles apart due to travel and work. Despite having no contact for nearly a year, we each secretly wished we could share our experiences with the other. We knew this was it after reconnecting in May of 2011, realizing that we both still wanted to be in one another’s lives.

Tell me about the day: The feel of it, the colors/theme, special details. What was most important to you when you were wedding planning?

We wanted our day to be romantic and timeless. Our colors were ivory, black, blush, pale jade, & gold. We had a long engagement and the planning process was slow and steady with changes along the way, especially with the color palette! However, one important priority that we committed to from the beginning was to have an intimate wedding.

We wrote our own vows and planned our ceremony with a dear friend who officiated. Our favorite details include the cake topper, mini pies in lieu of cake, wedding party and family gifts, time capsule, and many family mementos: grandmother’s jade pendant on the bouquet, grandfather’s handkerchief, family wedding photos, etc.

We spent the most time and energy on our guest list and reception seating chart. We invited our closest friends and family from different stages of our lives, who traveled from all over the world to attend the wedding. Not everyone was well-acquainted and we wanted to maximize the fun for everyone with the best seating arrangement possible. In the end it was worth it, we truly felt like we had a special connection with nearly every person who celebrated with us and we even helped spark some new friendships, which made our day that much more fun and special.

What do you remember most about the day/what are your favorite memories from the day?

Our favorite memories from the day were getting ready with our best friends and dancing with family and friends. There were many dance-offs, especially between dads and uncles, grandparents, and little kids! It was the best feeling to be surrounded by positive energy from our favorite people throughout the day.

Two other special memories were exchanging our vows and the father daughter dance, I was surprised by how emotional I got during both.

What advice would you give other brides now that you’re official?

I love the quote “I want a marriage more beautiful than my wedding.” Don’t lose sight of why you’re planning a wedding in the first place, value your partner’s input, and include them in the planning process. Lucky for me, Michael is the organized one so this was a no-brainer. The day will go by quickly, trust your vendors (they’re the experts and want to make you happy), not everything will go according to plan but some things will turn out even better than you ever imagined!

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