I first met Josalyn three and a half years ago at a wedding that we shot for her sister, Jessica.  Of course, I was THRILLED when I heard the great news of her engagement and was even MORE excited when she booked us to shoot her and her fiance Patrick's wedding.  We are excited for this wedding for many reasons:

- It is sure to be chock full of beauty having been planned by Weddings and the City.

- The wedding is taking place at Charlotte newest uptown venue - The Foundation for the Carolinas (the old Mint Museum of Craft and Design).  I can barely stand to wait to see the renovation.

- Josalyn and Patrick are very cute and funny together....couple that with the fact that they are really relaxed, easy-going and just plain GOOD people...it's going to be a great one.  

Until then, please enjoy a few of my favorite shots from their engagement session.  :)

I knew I really liked Lisa and Eric from the first time I met them at our initial consult - we all hit it off from the get-go, so I was thrilled when they booked with us.  They are really down to earth and easy to get along with, which made taking their photograph for their engagement session very easy.  And, they are quite the creative pair - Eric is a filmmaker and Lisa a photographer.  

Can't wait for your August wedding, you two!   :)

In case you missed it, check out Part One of Izzy and Lane's wedding HERE.

Let me just say....when I walked into the reception space at the Mint Museum Uptown, I about died.  With the combination of florals from The Bloom Room and the vision and style of planner Maddie of Becoming Madeline....it was straight knocked out of the PARK.  This place was DRIPPING in pretty!

How cool is this?  Both Izzy and Lane's mother's wedding dresses were displayed - I've never seen that been done before and I loved it. :)

Love this moment.  :)

And this, my friends, was amazing.  Izzy's family choreographed and performed a dance for Lane...and it was hilarious. Everybody loved it.  At the end, they held up a sign that said "you're stuck with us!".  :)

p.s. can you guess what song they are dancing to here?

Congratulations, Izzy and Lane.  Geoff and I think the world of you and hope that you will keep in touch.  You can move back to Charlotte ANY old time you want...we won't mind.  :))))

This wedding - Izzy and Lane's wedding - was. a. dream. Truly, everything about it was beyond beautiful.  The color palette, Izzy's dress, the succulents...and on and on and on.  You'll see what I mean the further you scroll. :)

Just a few of my favorite moments from their day:

- Izzy slipped into her dress on in another room from her - count them - FIFTEEN bridesmaids....it was just her sisters and mom with her, which was a special time as it was.  But then, as the doors opened back into the main room where the girls where waiting and they caught sight of Izzy, their mouths dropped open and gasped.  I loved it.  :)

- The moment Lane saw Izzy driving up in her step-dad and brother's restored car for their first look.  I can only imagine the anticipation of seeing his beautiful bride round the corner....BEAMING at him.  Once he saw her, his hands flew up in the air a little....like he was startled.  It was precious.  I loved the look in his eyes and the sweet smile on his face as she walked up to him.  

- As they exchanged wedding gifts on the trunk of the car, their heads neared in toward one another and they just rested quietly reading the words that the other had written.  The tenderness they have to each other is so touching - seeing them together made my heart swell.  

After I initially picked out 67 favorites, I knew I would be splitting this into a two part blog post.  So, for now, enjoy part one and be sure to check back tomorrow for their rustic, but modern (say what?!  yes....and it was awesome) reception at the Mint Museum Uptown.  

Ceremony - St. John's Baptist Church

Reception - Mint Museum Uptown

Wedding Planner/Stylist/Invitations - Becoming Madeline Event Planning & Design

Hair - Amanda of The Blo Out Bar

Makeup - Julie Stepp

Hairpiece - FeatheredDesigns on Etsy

Bride's gown - Pronovias purchased from New York Bride and Groom

Bridesmaids dresses - J.Crew

Bowties - The Cordial Churchman

Florals - Lynette of The Bloom Room

Videographer - Caravan Cinema Co.

Cake - Edible Art

Band - Groovetown

Catering - La-Tea-Da's

Their first look.  :)

I typically don't blog the rehearsal dinners that we shoot, but I couldn't let an opportunity go by to show off the gorgeous floral work of Lynette of The Bloom Room!  Seriously....SERIOUSLY...her work is incredible.  

Here are a few shots from Izzy and Lane's Duke Mansion rehearsal dinner.  I'm dying to show off their wedding....come back to see.  :)

Here they are - Izzy and Lane - cutest couple ever?  :)

Jessica and Kevin initially thought they didn't want to do an engagement session, but later decided it would be a good idea to help them get comfortable in front of the camera before the wedding day.  I couldn't agree more.  

When Jessica mentioned the idea to do a photobooth themed session, as Kevin and his buddies apparently have a thing for photobooths, I was all about it.  Picked up a couple of things for props and we were all set.  Kicking things off this way for the session was a lot of fun...at one point we were all hysterically laughing.  

Here's the part where we were laughing.  We all tried on the glasses (including Jessica and Kevin's wedding planner - Heather of Carolina Wedding Design) and were just about rolling on the ground in hysterics.  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

That Kevin....such a sport to let his fiance dump a bucket of popcorn over his head.  :)

We also managed to grab some "normal" shots for the second half of our time together.  :)

Their July wedding will be here before we know it!

How adorable are the cupcakes that Melissa and Justin brought along with them for their shoot?  And, lucky us, they even gave us a box of our own to take home.  These two....I tell ya.  :)

Remember Melissa and Justin's wedding that I posted just a few weeks ago?  We had originally scheduled their engagement session for March, but with the wedding having moved up to January from June, we didn't have time to shoot it before their big day.  So, we went ahead and kept the original date for March.  

Love this.  :)

32 worship experiences across our 6 locations in Charlotte for Seven Mile Miracle.  Easter 2012 at our church was incredible.  Such an honor to be a part.

This bus full of people came all the way from Toronto....as in, Toronto, CANADA....for Easter at Elevation.  Incredible.  

It was Monday night - just a couple of days ago, Monday - that I was catching up on some blogs that I follow when I came across THIS POST from photographer Drew B, which chronicled how she spent her 31st birthday.  And being that I was about to turn 31 in just a couple of days, my interest was piqued.  

Basically, she spend her birthday doing 31 random acts of kindness for others.  After reading through her list, I found my way over to the originator of "The Birthday Project".  From there, I was totally inspired, totally excited.  I spent the rest of the evening scheming of things that I wanted to do.  

Coming across this project was such a blessing - at a time that Geoff is insanely swamped with work (from Easter being in just a couple of days) and knowing that I would be on my own for my birthday, this was a great way for me to NOT feel sorry for myself and to experience real joy by serving others.  And really, this birthday ranks up as one of the "best-ever" birthdays - I had an amazing day! 

1.  Frank Walk.  After waking up, I took Frank on a walk so Geoff wouldn't be late for work.  Unfortunately, he was still late, as when I came back from the walk, I found Geoff in Boone's room dealing with a poop situation.  Apparently, when Geoff went into his room, he found Boone standing in his crib - in only his pajama top - pointing to his poopy diaper he had taken off and thrown on the floor.  Nice.  Suffice it to say, he will no longer be wearing 2 piece pajamas.  

2.  Smile more.  I made it a point to make eye contact and smile with those that were out walking around this morning....it's a small thing, but it still felt nice to do.

3.  The Lady at Target.  After breakfast and a shower, Boone and I were off to Target to pick up some supplies for the day.  As I drove there, I prayed that God would open my eyes to opportunities to help/encourage people that day.  

My kind moment at Target was when I engaged in a conversation with the checkout lady.  Again, a small thing, but it's something I normally don't do.  

4.  Trail Mix.  At Target we bought two packages of some hearty trail mix to keep in my car for when I see someone down on their luck and asking for food.  

5.  Chocolate for Doctors.  I had a doctor's appointment this morning, so right before I went to leave, I handed a box of chocolates and an encouraging note to the receptionist for the practice.  She was excited.  I was embarrassed.  I don't know why.

6.  Go Ahead.  Before we checked out I let a very pregnant woman (with 2 kids in tow) ahead of me in line.  Poor thing was struggling!

7.  Starbucks - Take Me!  I was planning to hand this $5 Starbucks gift card to the parking booth attendant on the way out of the garage at the doctor's, but he/she wasn't there.  So, I grabbed a pen, wrote a note and left it on the booth window for the next car that would come through and see it.

8, 9.  Big Tips and Bacon.  From there, we headed to Amelie's for some lunch - I gave a big tip and then I shared my bacon that was on my sandwich with Boone.  If you know me, you know how I LOVE my bacon...so this was a big deal to part ways with some of it.  :)

10.  Salted Carmel Amazingness.  After lunch we picked up a TON of salted carmel brownies, one of which I had boxed up individually and gave to a man who had just finished his lunch.  He was excited....obviously....those puppies are good! (And, I'm sorry, but how pretty are those macaroons?!).

11.  Brownie Break.  It was then off to Geoff's office to deliver the brownies for the creative team at our church (Geoff got a special one...because he's extra special :) ).  They have all been working SUPER overtime to prepare for Easter this weekend.  Elevation Church will have 33 worship experiences across our city Friday-Sunday - if you are interested in coming, go here to get a {free} ticket!

Boone had a little playtime with daddy before we got on the road again. 

 

12.  Birthday Girl.  Drove out to my friend Ashley's house to deliver a brownie to her....for her birthday, which is also today!

13.  Redbox is Better with Licorice and Popcorn.  From there, we hit up Harris Teeter.  First, I left a bag of popcorn and some licorice on top of the Redbox machines with a note.

14.  For You.  I then bought a $25 grocery giftcard and once I had paid, I handed it back to the lady who checked me out and told her I wanted her to keep it....just because.  

15, 16.  Spray Roses and....and Other Flowers I Don't Know.  I played my hand at being a florist today.  Not too shabby for a photographer if I do say so.  :)  I brought a little arrangement and a note to two of my friends who had helped me through a rough time the past couple of months. 

17.  CPA's Need Chocolate Too.  After filing for an extension last month, I FINALLY got all of my tax information in to my CPA.  I left my stuff with a box of chocolates and a thank you note to be given to my accountant.  

18.  Let Them In.  Through all of this driving all day, I let numerous cars in when they needed to be let in.

19.  Cupcakes Cure Crying.  After a stop at home to walk and feed the dogs, we dropped off some cupcakes from Polka Dot and a note to our new neighbors who just had a baby.

20.  Need Water / Have Water.  On the way to drop off some more cupcakes I spotted this guy broken down on the side of 74 during rush hour.  Usually I don't stop when I'm by myself and have Boone with me, but on this day, how could I not?  I had prayed that God reveal people that needed help.  So, I stopped.  He was on the phone with a towing company and was frustrated.  The truck needed water.  Turns out, I had a gallon of water in the trunk of my car.  This might be my favorite one from the day.  

21.  Landlording.  We then drove over to our former landlords house (our former house) and dropped off some cupcakes and a thank you note for landlording us for the past year.  It was at this time, Boone fell asleep.  Poor thing was WASTED tired.

22.  The Blanket.  This morning when I was walking Frank by a church near our condo I looked down a stairwell and noticed a homeless man, sleeping under cardboard boxes.  When I walked back by the stairwell on the way home, he stuck his head out and apologized if he scared me....he was just trying to get some sleep.  At the end of the day I decided to buy a blanket for him and leave it in the stairwell in case he came back again tonight.  So, unfortunately, Boone had to be woken from his slumber to go buy the blanket (which I scored from Dollar General for THREE dollars! It was a nice blanket too!).  Boone wasn't too happy, so I bought him a big red ball as well.  Frank will likely destroy it tomorrow, but that's okay.

23.  FACT: Gum Makes People Happy.  Before leaving the dollar store I left packages of gum with notes on a couple of random car's window wipers.

24.  Moving is Easier with Takeout.  Lastly, I stopped at Cantina to get a giftcard to give to some friends who are moving this weekend.  I didn't have time to deliver it, but will tomorrow.

{25} Leave 5 positive/encouraging comments on blogs that I follow.

{26} Write a note to my friend/mentor.

{27} Put together a care package for my far-away and newly engaged friend.  

{28} Handout bubbles to kids in the park.  

{29} I was going to call an animal shelter and ask what kind of supplies they needed - I think I'll just donate financially to local shelter Project Halo instead.

{30} Load quarters in the gum/candy machines at the grocery store.  Was going to do this, but couldn't get my ATM card to give me cash back!

{31} Pet my dogs for more than 30 seconds.  Haven't done this in ages.  Ellen will get extra love, as tomorrow is her birthday!  

____________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to everyone for all of the birthday wishes - I am so loved!  

xoxo.

Cheyenne

  

A dream venue.  A joyful first look.  Ceremony by candlelight.  Roasting marshmallows over the fire pit.  A love like you wouldn't believe.  Megan and Chris's wedding day was definitely a favorite of ours.  THEY are a favorite of ours.

Can I just say....I was so relieved when Megan told me just a couple of days before their wedding that they had decided to do a first look?  Mostly because I knew that it would be pitch black dark by the time the ceremony was over and that we wouldn't be able to take advantage of the rustic, wooded grounds of the Angus Barn.  So yeah - my heart leapt when she told me the news.  :)

My heart felt fuller as I watched Megan and Chris together on their wedding day.  Megan giddy as she put on her dress and BEAMING as she anticipated seeing Chris for the first time.  Chris holding her tightly and adoringly as they slow danced together at their reception.  Just a couple of kids getting married - their whole life ahead of them.  Nostalgia swept over me like you wouldn't believe.  Completely overcome with emotion.

These moments in life are so precious.  Goodness, life is so special.

Ceremony/Reception Location - Angus Barn

Hair and Makeup - Stacie Snipes

Dress - Priscilla of Boston

Hairpiece - JujaCrafts on Etsy

Bridesmaid dresses - David's Bridal

Guy's suits - Calvin Klein

Cufflinks - Chris Leader on Etsy (the Groom!)

Flowers - Cindy Finger and Aldena Frye (Megan's MOM!)

Cake - Sweet Memories Bakery

Cake Topper - Nadia of ReadyGo on Etsy

DJ - Randy Pulley

Photobooth - Shutterbooth

Invitations - Bella Figura

String quartet - Musica

Their first look.  :)

A favorite moment of mine - Megan and Chris in their own world together in the middle of the dance floor.  

My shot.

Geoff's shot.  

Megan and Chris....love you guys.  Do keep in touch.  :)

I've been really excited to post this engagement session.  Geoff and I SO enjoyed our time with Susannah and Corey shooting up at the beyond gorgeous rock quarry at Carrigan Farms and can hardly wait for their wedding this September.  Until then, please enjoy a few of our favorites.  :)

Confession.  I'm a baby blog stalker.  Who's with me?  

You know the blogs I'm talking about - the one's that meticulously document their kid's and personal lives....pictures and stories galore about day-to-day life of marriage and babies.  Not going to lie - I'm a little jealous.  And lately, I've felt a little (lot) of mama guilt...specifically related to my lack of picture taking of my kid.  

It's not like I haven't taken ANY pictures of him for the past few months...but I've slacked on getting out my "real" camera and have relied on my phone and the handy-dandy instagram app as my camera crutch. 

Yesterday was a "mama day" (as is today - Boone is currently napping), which meant Boone stayed home with me instead of going to "school" (read: his friend Landin's house, which he goes twice a week so I can have dedicated work days).  I made it a point to get out the camera and shoot some stuff of him just doing his thing.  Thought I'd share some of his "night night" time.  Bath, books and bed.  

Nothing better than a freshly clean baby in bear pj's.

This is his favorite book - his choo-choo train book that his daddy bought him as a welcome home present when we returned from our trip to California.  Sometimes he makes me read it four times in a row.

7pm.  Paci time.  The kid is obsessed with pacifiers.  He has his stuffed lion and monster (Leonard and Anderson) in bed, but much prefers his 6-7 pacis that he sleeps with as his security items.  What he doesn't know is that we are about to say a permanent goodbye to the pacis...the time is coming.  

And yes, he sleeps in a pack-n-play...in his closet.  We moved this past weekend into a month-to-month condo until we can find a more permanent home to live.  We put most of our things in a pod to be stored....including his crib....including his curtains, which block out the light in his room.  So, we improvise.  :)

Dare I ask for MORE blogs to follow - what baby/life blogs are your favorites?

Melissa and Justin were originally supposed to be married this coming June.  However, due to some health issues her family is facing, they decided to move everything up to January - I was so thankful we weren't booked and were still able to photograph this very special day.  I'm not sure that we had ever shot a wedding with THAT much emotion, THAT much appreciation for each other, THAT much thankfulness to have everyone that they love together in the same room.  Melissa, Justin and their friends and family were so incredibly joyful on this day - it was intoxicating and in some ways, life changing in that it really forced us to take a look at our own lives and decide to not take anything for granted.  

I REALLY like Melissa and Justin - if you met them, you would too.  Really, they are a crack up - separately and together.  At one point during the reception I was talking to one of Justin's friends who described him "the guy who is over dancing by himself without a care in the world" - you can tell, he's just a genuinely happy guy.  And Melissa?  When she saw me walk into her suite at the hotel where she was getting ready, she greeted me in a way that made me feel like I was her lifelong best friend that she hadn't seen in 5 years....seriously.  These two are legit.  Love them.

This wedding blessed me.  Big time.  

Ceremony - St. Matthew Catholic Church

Reception - The Ritz-Carlton

Hair/makeup - Who's the Fairest

Bride's gown - Angelina Bridal Couture purchased from Poffie Girls

Bride's shoes - Kate Spade

Bridesmaids dresses - Suzi Chin

Suits + ties - Jos A Bank

Guy's socks - Banana Republic

Flowers - Lily Greenthumb's Floral Artistry

Trolley - Trolley's, Inc.

Band - Hot Sauce

Love this moment before the ceremony of Melissa's mom and Justin's grandma.  

We had a TON of time for portraits - a photographer's dream to feel no rush. :)

Best cake shot ever.

Best band ever - Hot Sauce!  If you are looking for a band for your wedding, my highest recommendation.  They.  Are.  Amazing. (and hysterical).

This is Justin's grandma, who sadly, passed away only a couple of weeks ago.  I was actually blown away by her age (90+) and how lively she was at the wedding.  You could tell she was a sweet, sweet lady.  

I just love Megan.  She has such a gentle, kind and soft spirit - it's just so easy to be around her.  Of course, we really enjoyed shooting her bridal portrait up at the Rock Quarry at Carrigan Farms and OF COURSE, I can't wait to show her wedding day at the Angus Barn.  Think rustic.  Think whimsical.  Think CANDLELIGHT everywhere...it was magical.  You'll see.  :)

So sorry to have dropped off the face of the social media earth.  

I've always tried to be as authentic as I can be on this blog - whether it be life related or business related.  So, although it would have been much easier to pretend that all is well or to blame the fact that I haven't been blogging on being busy, I won't.  The truth is, we've actually been walking through some really hard times lately; some of the most difficult of my life even.  And yet, I am okay.  We are okay.  God is near.  In fact, God has been working on my heart in pretty big ways.  I feel God and hear from God and know God more than I ever have before.  It is truly an amazing thing to be put in a place where you feel you have been stripped of everything and to realize that all you have is Him....all you have is God.  

For those of you who were wondering, I removed myself from facebook and twitter as I needed some time to regain my focus on what is important in life with as little distraction as possible.  I realized that I had become addicted to social media (that sounds terribly pathetic...to be addicted to facebook).  I have wasted a lot of time being so obsessed with needing to know what is going on in everyone else's lives...whereas I should have been using that time to get my own life in check.  I've also realized that I had become addicted to this business.  I've made this business an idol.  Not only have I put it before God, but I've put it before my family.  Of course, I still love photography, I still love this business and I'm still committed to being great at both of those things....but, I don't want it like I wanted it 3+ weeks ago.  I want God.  I want Geoff.  I want Boone.

In the middle of everything, a few weeks ago we found out that we have to move out of the home we have been renting for the past year, as the owners need to move back in.  Moving day is in 8 days.  And as I write this, we don't know where we are going and have packed somewhere in the neighborhood of 10ish boxes.  Logistically, you can imagine how this is stressful.  Even so, we are trusting with all of our might that God is right beside us.  He knows exactly what He is doing and we believe He will lead our paths straight.  We remember His past faithfulness and how He has always provided what we have needed.  This is nothing more than an inconvenience, because really, we have all that we need and more.  

Anyway, I do have some fun things to blog - Megan's bridal portrait is one of them....might try to blog that tomorrow if you want to come back to see.

For now, I'll leave you with a few pics of our little weirdo.