Mary Helen + Jeff = WEDDING DAY!

All Saints Chapel & 214 Martin Street Wedding  |  Mary Helen + Jeff  |  December 2nd, 2017

We’ve been looking forward to Jeff and Mary Helen’s Wedding day for a YEAR! Ever since our first meeting on a cold December day outside Starbucks chatting about their vision for their wedding, we KNEW it would be an awesome wedding. Once we photographed their Engagement Session, and Mary Helen’s Bridal Session, spending time with them and meeting their friends and family, we got even MORE excited for their big day!!

December 2nd finally arrived, and it was an overcast, rainy day. You NEVER would’ve guessed it, because Mary Helen and Jeff were both SO HAPPY and JOYFUL all morning during getting ready, calm, and just so excited to get married.

I photographed the girls at their hotel, and they were a BLAST to be around. They had such wonderful personalities that kept things fun and entertaining. Phillip went downtown to photograph the guys at a condo, and got to hang out with them as they got ready and relaxed.

Mary Helen put a lot of thought into her “details” to include family members. Her white garter was made out of her mother’s own wedding dress, and Mary Helen’s ring pillow was made (by a friend) out of her grandmother’s handkerchief! Her other grandmother’s brooch was pinned to the top of the handkerchief. So special!!!!

With the help of their AMAZING team of wedding planners (Jessica Tilton with Chad Biggs Event Planning) we had a weather backup plan in place, but we decided to CHANCE the rain, and go with our original outdoor portrait plan. I’m soooooooo glad we did, because they are some of my favorite photographs! The simple white backgrounds, with the deep wine colored dresses, furs, and bouquets (designed by Kelly Odom) made for beautiful photos.

Mary Helen and Jeff’s First Look was the BEST PART OF THE DAY in our opinion. The emotion they both openly shared was incredibly special, and the reaction Jeff had to seeing Mary Helen was really beautiful. Portrait time with them was stunning, they pose so effortlessly and look so handsome together.

The Raleigh Trolley took the bridal party to All Saints Chapel for a sweet ceremony in which Jeff teared up and they took communion together. Then everyone headed to 214 Martin Street for the reception!!!

Jeff and Mary Helen treated all their guests (and us!) to a yummy plated dinner, cake, open bar, and tons of dancing (thanks to Randy with Bunn DJ Co) The reception was full of lights, warm winter colors, and SO MUCH LAUGHTER as their family and friends hit the dance floor all night long.

At the end of the night, Mary Helen and Jeff went through a magical tunnel of sparklers to their getaway car, as friends shouted reminders of “take your malaria pills!” to them from the street! Haha!

We hope the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith are having a wonderful time in AFRICA, and we hope you’ll all enjoy some of our FAVORITE photos from their beautiful wedding day!!!!

Thanks to all the vendors:
– Florist: Kelly Odom,
– Makeup Artist: Adrienne Duterte
– Hairstylist: Alli Carter Hair
– Director: Jessica Tilton, Chad Biggs Event Planning
– DJ: Randy Bennet, Bunn DJ Company
– Videographer: Cinema Film,
– Wedding Venue: All Saints Chapel
– Reception Venue: 214 Martin Street
– Caterer: 214 Martin Street
– Cake Designer: Ashley Cakes
– Invitations / RSVP / Program Designer: Paperbuzz
– Shoe Designer: Badgley Mischka
– Ring Designer: Diamonds Direct
– Dress Designer: Rosa Clara
– Bridesmaid Dresses Designer: Bill Levkoff
– Groom & Groomsmen attire: Belk
– Transportation: Raleigh Trolley