From Chicago with Love | Wedding Story

On August 6, 2011 Kathryn Colahan and Erik Schmidt tied the knot at their alma mater, Duke University, surrounded by their wonderful group of friends and family. They met at Duke but now live in the the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. This couple has so much in common. They describe themselves as relatively low key people who love to laugh. At the core of their relationship is a wonderful, close friendship that will serve them well in their marriage. We were so glad to be asked to photograph their wedding. Congratulations to Kathryn and Erik!

You can see their WEDDING STORY by clicking on the photo below.
Or, you can see the WHOLE STORY by visiting their wedding gallery. It is also from this gallery that you may purchase prints.

Here are some of my absolute favorite images from Kathryn and Erik’s wedding:

WEDDING VENDORS
Officiate: Reverend Meghan Feldmeyer
Floral Design: Mary Stevens of Fearrington
Ceremony Musicians: Brian Coggins
Reception Musicians: Hipshack
Cake Design: Jill Leckey of Fearrington
Reception Venue: Fearrington
Gown Provider: Priscilla of Boston
Formal Wear Provider: Men’s Wearhouse

The Devil is in the Details

Lauren Murphy and Eric Dixon had each been at Duke for more than 3 years before they were introduced. Perhaps Eric had stood behind her in line at Chick-fil-A, maybe Lauren had sat across from him on the East-West bus, but who can know if such coincidental encounters ever occurred? It seems the fates were taking their time to draw the two together.

But on a chilly Halloween night in 2003 Eric and Lauren found each other. Lauren, dressed as a stunning Genie, and Eric, in a less-than-fearsome child-sized Gladiator costume, were both invited to the same Halloween gathering. In their remaining semester at Duke, Lauren and Eric were inseparable. They enjoyed every minute of each other’s company, and they did all they could to make up for both the years it had taken them to meet and the short time they had remaining. Shortly after they graduated, they reluctantly parted ways.

Lauren returned to Washington DC to begin her career at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and later made the move to New York City to work with the Whitney Museum of American Art. Eric returned to California to ski and toy with the idea of writing, and later spent time in Europe working with the Center for International Environmental Law. While geographical distance kept them apart, they never stayed out of touch for long, and each always remained in the other’s thoughts.

After Eric was admitted to UCLA School of Law, the two decided that 3000 miles wasn’t enough to keep them apart. Through the constant connection of cell phones, and flexible sharing of travel duties, Lauren and Eric nurtured the bi-costal romance that still thrives today.

On October 10, 2009 they made their union official. They were married at 6 p.m. at The Duke Chapel followed by a beautiful reception at The Carolina Inn. I think their story is told best in the SLIDESHOW below. We have also posted a larger selection of their wedding photos in their GALLERY. It is from this gallery that you can purchase prints and other products.

Here is what Lauren had to say about her photos, “Everyone LOVES the slideshow and just thinks the images are stunning. There are SO many to choose from but I think my favorite is the kiss on Chapel Drive. It turned out perfectly!!”

We then completed the KPO Signature Album Lauren and Eric chose to be a part of their package. This is what she had to say when it arrived in their California home, “The album arrived! It looks so beautiful and we are thrilled with the final result. It perfectly tells the story of the day and it will be treasured! Now we just have to find the perfect place to display it. Thank you so much for capturing these wonderful moments for us and creating such a gorgeous album filled with wonderful memories.”

Wedding Vendors:
Floral Design: Fresh Affairs
Reception Venue: The Carolina Inn
Reception Musicians: Deanna Jones Orchestra
Cake Design: Sweet Memories
Videographer: Reel Life

Two Bagpipers and a Chapel

The wedding of Elissa Flynn to Sean McClure had sooo many extraordinary things about it. Their wedding day, September 19, 2009, was a beautiful, sunny day. They had scheduled a bagpiper to usher in the guests to The Duke Chapel. But, through some sort of miscommunication, two showed up and both happily played. Elissa swooped in at the last moment prior to the ceremony, entourage in tow. Usually when a bride is late she is flustered and apologetic. But with this lovely lady, she brought a sense of happiness and relaxation as if she arrived just at the perfect time, which of course she did! The full mass went off without a hitch and then the couple enjoyed the afternoon with a stroll through Duke Gardens and some down time at The Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club.

Then came the evening reception. Wow! Kate Foster, Beth Pendergrass and their teams did an incredible job! They took the Washington Duke President’s Ballroom and completely transformed it to exactly what Elissa had envisioned. The whole room was sheathed in white with an elaborate lighting scheme. The cake was beyond description. I think all the guests really enjoyed the atmosphere as they ate well, drank well and danced until midnight. The SLIDESHOW below tells their wedding story best. Enjoy! You can also see ALL their wedding images and even purchase prints in their GALLERY.

List of Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Coordinator: Kate Foster Productions
Reception Venue: The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club
Floral Design: Floral Dimensions
DJ: Joe Bunn
Cake Design: The Art of Cake

Love at Duke Chapel

Christi King and Michael Mason were wed on September 12, 2009 at Duke Chapel. On the morning of the wedding, as family and friends entered the regal church, there was a crescent moon still showing above the tower. This must be a good omen! But superstitions aside, this couple is a wonderful match. They are both educated, good-looking professionals who love to spend time together.

Michael is a partner of a law firm in Atlanta which just celebrated its first anniversary. Three of his groomsmen were also partners in the firm. Christi is currently pursuing an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Three of her bridesmaids were her siblings. So this was a close-knit group. There were even two sets of twins in the bridal party! Put all together this was a happy, intelligent group who were all thrilled to be a part of this union.

I think their story is best told in the SLIDESHOW below. You can also view a GALLERY of their images from which you can purchase prints, should you so choose.

LIST OF WEDDING VENDORS:
Floral Design: Tre Bella
Cake Design: Sweet Memories
Venue: The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Cameron Crazies

After a late summer break, we got back to weddings with a really memorable one. Katie LaFiura and Stephen Misuraca were married on August 29th, 2009 at The Duke Chapel. This wedding celebrated the union of Katie and Stephen, but also their love of Duke and the many things it has to offer. Namely, a chance at a great education, lifelong friends, the incredible chapel, their flagship hotel the Washington Duke, and most of all, Cameron Indoor Stadium. This was definitely the first time I had the good favor to photograph a couple and their wedding party in an athletic stadium. What fun! I think the story is best told in the slideshow below.

You can also view their images and purchase prints and products in their GALLERY.

List of Wedding Vendors:
Floral Design: Floral Dimensions
Reception Music: Party on the Moon
Cake Design: Sweet Memories
Caterer/ Reception Venue: The Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club
Gown Provider: Victorian Rose Bridal
Formal Wear Provider: Bernard’s

I heard back from Katie about her photos. She had this to say, “We all love it (I showed it to my mom also). I can’t stop looking at it!!!!! “

A Wedding Album

After the wedding is said and done, the only wedding vendor that newlyweds still work with is their photographer. The florist, the caterer and the wedding planner all move onto the next event. But the end of the wedding is just the beginning of the photographer’s work. Of all the post production work, the album tends to be the most important piece. This book will live in your house for many years and might even get passed on to your children. So this book needs to be special.

We recently worked with Martha and Steven Palmer. Soon after the wedding Martha, her mother and her new mother-in-law all made their album selections. For Martha’s album we made a layout and posted it on-line. Here is her ALBUM LAYOUT.

This is what she had to say, “I love it, too! It’s perfect. Thank you so much! There’s nothing I would change about it. Go for it!”

Her album is mostly the traditional style but with several coffee table style, full-bleed pages thrown in. I think it is the perfect mix of classic and timeless with beautiful innovation.

It Had to be You

In her wedding photography planning form Martha Rundles said of her fiancee, Steve Palmer, “Steve and I have been searching for each other for a long time.” That in a nut shell was the theme of this June 13, 2009 wedding at Duke Chapel with a reception at the Hope Valley Country Club.

I had heard during the reception toasts and just from listening to friends and family throughout the day that both sides of this couple are wonderful individuals with rich lives that include close families and friends. But that neither of them was willing to settle on just anyone. They knew what they wanted and when they met in New York in October of 2007 they quickly become a solid couple.

You can see a SLIDESHOW of their wedding story set to their first dance song, It Had to be You.
You may also view a GALLERY of their images from which you can purchase prints and other products.

The ladies got ready at Martha’s mother’s house. Margo Rundles has three cats who were in many photos. This cat in particular had been stalking the dress for days, hoping to get a chance to check it out. But Margo had wisely kept the bedroom door closed, thus thwarting his intentions. Well, during the chaos of getting ready he snuck in and we found him just as Martha was about to put her dress on.

Steve and Martha decided to do all of their formal portraits before the ceremony. This was the moment they saw each other the first time on their wedding day. I have been noticing that more and more couples are choosing to get all of their formal portraits out of the way prior to the ceremony so that they can have even more time at their reception. Perhaps this is a new trend?

This image is one of my panoramas. Basically I take 10 to 20 photos in quick succession and then sew them together in photoshop. It is a great way to capture the grandeur of Duke Chapel!

After sending out the slideshow to Martha, Steve and Margo I heard this back:

WOW!!! They are incredible!! I am so impressed! I couldn’t be more thrilled. We got back yesterday from Greece and have been a little sad today thinking that our wedding is behind us, so looking at these is such a boost! I have already looked at the whole show twice and plan to do it many more times tonight and over the next few days. Thank you so very much. You were a delight to work with and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results of your hard work! We will be forever indebted to you for this incredible gift. Thank you.

From Martha’s mom, Margo:

Wow from Margo. I think they are fantastic and they capture so much of the wedding feeling. I love them. I was away all day today so I’ve only had one crack at them, but I will play them over and over again. Kristin, I’ve now had a chance to look at these 100 times and they are such fabulous photographs. They captured the emotions we were feeling through that afternoon and evening. I love them all. Margo

List of Vendors:
Wedding Coordinator: Chad Pisaneschi at Hope Valley
Officiate: Gray Southern
Floral Design: Watered Garden Florist (Katrina Allen-Evens, Steve Taris)
Cake Design: Sweet Memories
Gown: Monique Lhuillier, Mark Ingram, NYC
Calligraphy: Yellow House Calligraphy