Crystal & Stephen = The Firehouse Wedding Day!!

The Firehouse Wedding Day  |  Crystal & Stephen  |  May 21, 2022

Y’all, this is a wedding we’ve been looking forward to for a LONG time for so many reasons! Phillip grew up going to church with Stephen and has known the Tomlin family for 15 years – and they were one of the FIRST families to hire us when our photography business was brand new to photograph their Family Photos & even and Newborn Session. Stephen used to 3rd wheel with us for gym dates at Planet Fitness, and when he and Crystal started dating, we knew he was smitten & it was serious! In late 2020, Stephen asked us if he could stop by the house for a second. He came over, and all of a sudden pulled out an ENGAGEMENT RING, and said that he was about to ask Crystal’s dad for her hand in marriage! The ring was absolutely stunning (thanks Tacori and Vaughan’s Jewelers!) and we were so honored to be in on the secret! Then Stephen and Phillip started brainstorming Stephen’s proposal idea of disguising it as a Christmas photoshoot – since Crystal already wanted Christmas card photos. We had a day of “Mini Sessions” so it was legitimate, and Stephen booked the last spot of the day so they’d have perfect light and not rush. It was the sweetest proposal, and Phillip even captured it on video for them!!!  🙂

Once they started wedding planning, Crystal reached out to us about being their wedding photographers! We were so honored, and they booked us way back in December 2020!!! We photographed the most EPIC Engagement Session (click HERE if you missed it) in the gardens with the most perfect sunlight & the coolest outfits. Then, we photographed Crystal’s boho-inspired Bridal Session and felt like I was photographing a styled shoot instead of a real bridal session. (If you missed seeing her incredible session, click HERE!) We had them over for dinner last month to catch up and hear all about wedding planning – and after hearing their vision and the amount of work they did planning we were SO EXCITED to see what their wedding day would be like. 🙂

The day finally arrived, and we arrived to The Firehouse to see the hair/makeup team already ahead of schedule! Crystal looked absolutely beautiful in a white set of PJs that included custom made shorts using her mom’s wedding dress. Not surprisingly, Crystal had set aside all the details to be photographed in separate baskets, with everything perfectly labeled and organized. Even Stephen had his OWN set of details to be photographed!!! I had the absolute BEST TIME styling their unique details and photographing everything to fit their bold, modern boho style.

Phillip arrived at the coolest Airbnb to hang out with Stephen & the guys. They were relaxing & eating pizza – and then after Stephen got ready, he got to open a letter from Crystal. As if that wasn’t emotional enough, he had chosen to have a First Look with his precious dad – and then a First Look with his mom. I LOVED that Stephen chose to have these special moments with his parents!!! 🙂

The ceremony was outside, and each guest had a woven fan on their chair to use. Thankfully, even though it was originally a 97º North Carolina sweltering day, that afternoon it started getting cloudy & a little windy – and the temperatures weren’t bad anymore! The ceremony started off with a surprise audio message from Crystal to Stephen right before she walked down the aisle. The way Stephen reacted to seeing her walk down the aisle to him was THE MOST PRECIOUS. So so so sweet!!!

After the ceremony, we photographed all the post-ceremony photos, and then it was time for their Bride/Groom portraits. I’d been especially looking forward to these because BOTH Crystal and Stephen pose so effortlessly, and look like real models. Because it was cloudy, we were able to use the front doors of the Firehouse for a super bold/modern vibe and it fit perfectly with their black/white color scheme! I LOVEEEE how these portraits turned out!!! We knocked out all their portraits, since there would be no sunset – and had the best time capturing those photos. 🙂

We’d been praying that morning for the forecasted rain to hold off – since it was too late to setup their original Plan B. Even though it was dark and gray storm clouds all around us – it never rained. We found out at cocktail hour that it had been raining hard in Wilson for TWO HOURS, and even just 5 minutes away from the venue it had been raining too! God truly put a bubble around The Firehouse so that we could enjoy the entire day outside without a single raindrop. What a huge blessing!!!

The reception design was INSANE. Florals were EVERYWHERE – Crystal said she wanted it to be a “jungle”, haha! There was s stunning floral installation hanging above the dance floor, and the most delicate different floral centerpieces on the long farm tables. There were so many dried and textured elements that created such a cool vibe. Phillip’s favorite part was the lighted neon sign above the headtable “The Tomlin” – and now he wants one at home, haha! I was just blown away by this reception, and took wayyyy too many photos of it.

The reception kicked off with delicious food from Funky Fresh (can I just have their mashed potatoes and mac and cheese every day?) and Phillip was THRILLED to see his favorite salad on the menu. Funky Fresh are such nice people – that when Phillip was raving over this salad and saying he could never re-create it at home, they actually sent him home with the leftover salad dressing!!! How nice is that?! Crystal and Stephen had picked out a whole TABLE of desserts for their guests – from cheesecakes, cookies, cupcakes, and then a whole wedding cake. (YAY for funfetti!!!)

They treated their guests to a fun night of dancing, and the perfect indoor/outdoor reception to include cornhole games and a bar with tables for socializing. It was such a happy night seeing Crystal and Stephen enjoy the results of all their months of hard work and planning. 🙂

The end of the night included a magical sparkler exit & then they walked downtown to their airbnb! It was such a fun way to end the PERFECT wedding day they had!

I’ve been smiling as I’ve been editing all week, so I can’t wait to share all my favorite photos with ya’ll below! I hope you’ll LOVE them as much as I do!!! ENJOY!!!!

One last big thanks to all the amazing vendors:
– Florist: Thistle and Moon
– Makeup Artist: Lindsey Judd, Lovely Looks by Linds
Hairstylist: Nichole Chesnutt
– Director: Chelsea Collins; The Firehouse
– DJ: Johnnie Carr
– Videographer: Blake Holder with Provision Films
– Wedding Venue & Bartending: The Firehouse in Goldsboro NC
-Caterer: Funky Fresh
– Cake Designer/ Dessert Bar: Around the Table Bakery
– Invitations / RSVP / Program Designer: DSTV Designs
– Pastor: Michael Catlett;
– Shoe Designer: Badgley Mischka
– Ring Designer: Vaughn’s Jewelers from Wilson NC
– Live Painter Artist: Kaitlin Funkerhouser Art
– Dress Designer and Boutique: Maggie Sottero Designs, Simply Blush Bridal Boutique.
– Bridesmaid Dresses Designer: Revelry and Baltic Born
–   Groom & Groomsmen attire designer and store purchased from: Men’s Wearhouse
–   Rentals: CE Rentals in Raleigh for glass chargers, gold silverware, napkins
–   Wedding Signage: Stone and Co Designs
–   Champagne Wall Seating Chart: Built by Crystal’s Dad, Clay Woodard