From the photographer: It is only fitting that a couple who values family and community as much as Anne and Kyle do tied the knot at an exquisitely restored historic home! I was so touched and grateful when Anne (a bridesmaid in a wedding I previously photographed) asked me to capture the day she and Kyle became husband and wife at the gorgeous Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. After their engagement session, I secretly began to refer to Anne and Kyle as my “Ken and Barbie” couple--they are simply radiant together, and their chemistry is undeniable.

Anne and Kyle’s vision for a joyful, elegant, family-focused celebration, complete with sweetly Southern touches, unfolded effortlessly throughout the day. As well as planning charming details, like colorful balloons for the bridesmaids and an elegant display of escort cards hung in a window frame, Anne and Kyle intentionally planned opportunities for meaningful memories to occur. For example, Anne’s mom and sister helped her into her classic wedding gown just before her first look with her dad--her sweet daddy wasn’t the only one who shed tears over that precious moment!

After the intimate outdoor ceremony, guests gathered on the Merrimon-Wynne House’s gorgeous lawn for cocktail hour as the sun set before heading into the carriage house for the reception. As grateful as they were to be surrounded by so many loved ones, one of the most special memories of the day was the time Anne and Kyle spent alone right after the ceremony for a few portraits. The joy they found in their new marriage was palpable, and I know that being in the presence of their love inspired their guests as much as it did me.