We often say that the weddings that we get to be a part of are unforgettable, and there is honestly no better word to describe Allie and Michael’s wedding day. Allie and Michael are two of the kindest, most trusting clients I have ever had the opportunity to work with. They exude so much love and joy for the people around them and for each other, and after you read the story of their wedding day, you’ll know exactly when I am talking about.
Allie and Michael were married on October 8th. It was my last wedding of 2016 and one that I had been looking forward to for a year and a half. We had an incredible vendor team and just like any wedding, there were a lot of gorgeous, meaningful details that were inspired by Jane Austen and moments that I was looking forward to capturing. October 8th was also the day that Hurricane Matthew hit Raleigh, NC. I’ll never forget sitting at lunch with my team before arriving at Fearrington, thinking “How are we going to do this?” The sky was as dark as night, even though it was 1:00 in the afternoon, the rain was pouring out of the sky like you wouldn’t believe and it was so windy that trees looked as if they were bending in half. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I was nervous, but I was confident that we were not going to let this weather defeat us or this day.
After arriving, I was quickly reminded that weddings are not about the details or about things going perfectly planned. Instead they are about two becoming one. That’s what’s most important. Not the pretty things or the weather or even the photography. Allie and Michael reminded me that when you love someone, you will joyfully marry them in any circumstance, even in a hurricane. The weather kept us from taking beautiful outdoor portraits, which I knew was important to Allie, so I came up with a crazy plan: shoot everything possible on the wedding day and shoot everything that we can “recreate” on Sunday, and that’s exactly what we did. Allie got her hair and makeup done again while I took detail pictures, and then we spent time exploring all of their favorite places at Fearrington, taking gorgeous outdoor portraits of the two of them in film. It felt surreal to be back with them the day after their wedding and unnatural to be able to walk around with ample amount of time to take tons of portraits and do whatever we wanted without a strict time frame. It was amazing and on the way home from their Sunday session I cried my eyes out. I was so full of joy for making this happen for Allie and Michael, and so encouraged how their wedding day had given me such a new perspective. Below, I have shared images from both their wedding day and the day after session because both tell the true story of their wedding weekend.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Michael Palombo! Thank you for allowing me to capture your wedding day as it was, and as you had hoped it would be. Your love for each other is inspiring and contagious.
Huge thanks to Style Me Pretty for featuring this unforgettable wedding on their front page! Click here to see the full feature.
Venue: The Fearrington
Cake Artist: The Fearrington
Caterer: The Fearrington
Florist: The Fearrington
Event Designer and Coordinator: Erin McLean Events
Wedding DJ: Joe Bunn DJ Company
Videography: Heartstone Films
Hair and Makeup: Pam Hung
Bridal Gown: Rivini
Bridesmaid Dresses: Allure
Men’s Attire: Men’s Warehouse
Paper Goods: Maria Scheel Invitations
Calligraphy: Well Addressed Calligraphy
Ceremony Music: Arioso Strings
Rentals: CE Rental
Guestbook: Wood You Sign It
Film Processing: Indie Film Lab
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