On their 10th anniversary together, Lance and Jess tied the knot! They met at a bar and Jessica knew immediately he was the one. They flew to Miami with their two best friends and made their wedding week a honeymoon vacation with friends! I love that they made it such a celebration! They chose to have a simple and stress free elopement in the gorgeous Japanese Redland Koi Gardens surrounded by Buddah statues, foo dogs, paper lanterns, and gorgeous trees, flowers, and ponds. No decoration needed! I loved her flower crown and ombre wedding bouquet by Rose Coloured Florals and gorgeous cake set up! I love elopements because each one is so different and so personal to the couple. You can do whatever you want! They were able to soak in all the goodness and we had so much time for photos, which makes my heart so happy! Thank you for letting me be a part of your beautiful day! 

Rita + Ezequiel are the best! I first met Rita for drinks at my favorite food hall on South Beach, Time Out. We had such a great time talking about how they met, what they like to do, and planned for a super fun and personal engagement. Engagement day comes rolling around and we take pictures in their home playing board game with coffee and cookies while cuddling with their dog, and then walk to beach! (Blog post of their engagement here!) I loved being able to do something unique and special to them. Then, they modeled for me yet again as a mentored a photographer. I wanted them to be in front of the camera because their love is so natural, tangible, and of course they both super photogenic :D Wedding day arrives and even though it's raining, R+E are radiating because they get to marry each other! The barn served as a cozy back up for ceremony and reception. The rain held up just in time for some out door photos too! We loved seeing old friends from other weddings, we love that their dog was involved and running around all day, and we loved seeing two deserving souls get their happily ever after!! 

Beautiful, vibrant, easy going. This wedding was just perfect! From the chillest portrait session ever to getting family photos done before the ceremony to an awesome dance fiesta to close the night. Drew and I met Taylor and Steven at our favorite park in Miami, Mattheson Hammock. We set up Steven with his back turned and Taylor walk up behind him for the sweetest first look! We love first looks because it's really the only time of the day you two get to be alone together. You can take each other in, take in the day, and be present. Drew and I had to keep watching out clocks because we could have kept photographing these two beautiful souls all day! I love that they didn't have a wedding party. It kept things simple and streamlined. The focus was on them! We rolled right into family photos then we captured their ceremony surrounded by waterfalls and lush greenery. Their vows were joyful, personal, and full of forevers. I love that they got to enjoy their own cocktail hour too! I talked with a few of their friends who came from all over the country and they talked about how these two were glue people. They're loyal friends, they're anchors when things get tough, their unconditionally loving. And now, they're even better together! We love you T&S!

How crazy that we've know Erin for over 10 years! Erin, Drew and I all went to high school together and Erin and Drew went to college together! They played on several indoor soccer teams throughout their successful intramural careers and Erin was always the most bad ass player on the field. So we were beyond stoked when she asked us to document her wedding! We flew up from Miami to spend Christmas and my birthday in Raleigh with family and friends so we were thrilled to start off our winter holiday break with this stunning celebration. Ryan is just the coolest. Down to earth, goofy, former Marine, and knows how to make Erin throw her head back in laughter! 

We adore intimate weddings. With no formal wedding party, just a few guests, + a first look, the day was SO stress free and easy for everyone. The chilly winter air didn't stop us from exploring Dorthea Dix Park starting with a beautiful first look by the gazebo and sun setting in the background. Erin was classically elegant in her grandmothers fur shaw and Ryan looked like a rock star. We laughed and loved the whole day. From portraits together in downtown Raleigh to their candle lit ceremony with meaningful vows to one of the best dinners we've had. Thank you both for letting us document your day!! Excited for board games and soccer days in the near future! 

Miami Beach Botanical Garden is one of our favorite wedding venues because the gardens are so beautiful and peaceful! Bianca & Luis were the chillest couple ever on their wedding day! They had so much fun getting ready, enjoying that time with family and friends, and soaking up the day! Their first look was really special. They got time to just be together and be present in the moment. Lu & Bi are both runners, so they laced up the trainers and we took a jog and a jump in front of the newly finished Miami Beach Convention Center! We captured so many perfect candids, classics, and goofy moments! Their wedding ceremony was stunning with the most gorgeous flower circle arbor in the whole world. Lu really wanted a wooden circle for the ceremony, so the florist built one for them! It was the first time that I had seen colorful eco-friendly felt pompoms thrown at a ceremony too! I love that those are made of natural fibers and are easy to pick up! They had their first dance under the bistro lights outside followed by a super fun night of dancing, conga lines, maracas, limbo, amazing food, a custom "L&B" neon light, and of course the now famous and trademarked Cat Walk dance celebration. 

Drew and I love working together because we for real have so much celebrating with couples and Lu + Bi's wedding was such a fun fiesta! They are so kind, so welcoming, and have a beautiful future together! Best wishes you two on your big move soon and we hope you love these memories as much as we do :D 

Drew and I were so excited to fly back from Miami to Raleigh to celebrate with Lindsay and Kevin! The sun was out and bright for their downtown Durham wedding at Angus Barn's Bay 7 venue in the gorgeous industrial chic American Tobacco Campus. Brick on brick with the coolest architecture! I had the best time hanging out with Lindsay and her bridescrew hearing funny stories and toasting the happy couple. Their friends were so loving and supportive and L+K are so beautiful inside and out that our jobs were made easy. 

These college sweet heats were friends throughout school but senior year just happened to be perfect timing and some how K just kept coming over to L's house to "watch Breaking Bad". Eventually, they went on their first date and the rest is history!! They made it through over 2 years of long distance, raising a puppy while apart, moving multiple times, new jobs and so much more. Drew and I loved seeing them clearly ecstatic to have all their friends and family in one place and throw everyone a fantastic part including capturing several big group shots! What a fun day in honor of two wonderful souls! 

Lidija & Arend met for coffee on their first date and talked and chatted until the cafe closed. That spark of connecting on a common interest level as well as something deeper fanned into a flame that fueled trips around the world together. On a blizzarding day in Iceland overlooking gorges and waterfalls, Arend set up his camera for a photo and dropped down on his knee.

Fast forward, we met one sunrise in downtown Raleigh for engagement photos and had the greatest time taking photos on their Vespa on the cobble stone streets for the perfect Italian vibe. As Drew and I took off on our own adventure around the world we kept up over Instagram and email and I knew I couldn't wait to celebrate their wedding day back in Raleigh.

The details were perfect, romantic, and so personal to them! I loved their world seating chart, the airy blooms, the too beautiful to eat cake, and of course their forever adorable and infectious love. I can always tell how the day will go when we arrive, and both bride and groom were chill and laughing with their wedding party and family. I treasured Lidija's first look with her bridesmaids and her father. I love how much the guys clearly love Arend from their jokes and constant cheersing. Drew and I photographed more than ever on this day because we didn't want to miss a moment!! The way she looks up at him and how he looks at her makes my heart stop! Dancing was a blast; it was so neat following them around and never have a moment because a guest was always excited to hug them and talk with them. That's a true sign of having just the best hearts! The night ended with joyful sparklers and the party continued downtown. It was an amazing day seeing family and friends from all over the world come together and celebrate these two pure souls! A million congratulations to the Kloosters! 

Thank you to these awesome vendors who helped make the day amazing! 
Venue- Merrimon-Wynne House
Wedding Planner & Designer- Viva L’Event
Catering- Beau Catering
Flowers- Plume Events
Photography- Laura Memory Photography
Videography- Yours Truly Media
Hair/Makeup- Alexis & Morgan (friends of bride)
Ceremony Music- Family Friend
Reception Music- Night Years Band
Wedding Cake- Ashley Cakes
Officiate- Kevin Holland
Rentals- Party Reflections
Specialty Rentals- Greenhouse Picker Sisters
Guest Transportation- Raleigh Trolley
Dress: Tara Lauren from Gilded Bridal

I can tell from the first few minutes of walking into a venue how the day will go. I knew from the moment we stepped inside the stunning garden villa and saw Zoie beaming, that today was going to be a perfect day. Zoie is a school psychologist and gives and gives every day. So I was just thrilled that she was able to be pampered and loved on and celebrated!

The wedding location is the stunning Mediterranean style Villa Woodbine in Coral Gables, steps from the ocean but tucked away in a lush garden. Zoie was getting ready the the gorgeous upstairs room and looked like a classic Hollywood movie star with her vintage waves and lace dress. I so love her and her father's first look up on the balcony because her brother and mom were peaking around the corner to witness the emotion too! The sun started to set and the lawn's bistro lights started to light up for their ceremony! Nick and his guys walked in and we all waited for the big moment. Nick's jaw dropped and when Zoie turned the corner with her dad and covered in a the most ethereal veil. My favorite was the lazo ceremony because it was used in Zoie's parent's wedding and both moms came up to put it around them while they exchanged rings. After some stunning sunset photos, the amazing team light all the candles and transformed the gardens into a fairy tale. I for real got chills see the flickering flames with the twinkle lights over head. The rest of the night was a blast too! Toasts, limoncello, amazing food, and lots of dancing. I love smaller/medium sized weddings because couples can see everyone and just enjoy their wedding without having to play host. I so loved seeing them laugh and smile and twirl around all night. That's how its supposed to be! Everyone was sooo excited for Nick and Zoie not only because are they clearly so meant for each other, but they impact and inspire everyone they're around. I think their genuine love and joy is so evident in the pictures, and it was truly a blessing to be back in Miami and document this amazing couple! 

Follow these awesome vendors on Instagram!
Photography: @lauramemoryphotography
Venue: @villa_woodbine
Catering: @billhansenluxurycatering
Planner: @jessicasevents
Florist: @anthologyco
Hair and Makeup: @beautyby_renata
Cake: @earthandsugar