Claire & Larry | Downtown Raleigh Wedding

Claire and Larry’s wedding day started off with a trip to downtown Raleigh. I (Christobal) was being a good photographer by personally taking Claire’s bridal portrait to the wedding reception location, the Capital City Club. I then headed over to the ceremony site to meet the bride at St. Mary’s Chapel.

“I am ready,” she said with a smile, while walking from the limo to the bridal suite. Claire was dressed in all white with a tank-top which read “Sexy Little Bride.” A quick photo was made when her bridesmaids gathered around her just outside the historic chapel. She was most excited when she noticed her bouquet. “Isn’t it amazing?” said Claire to her bridesmaids. “Wrapped around the stems is a piece of the lace from my mother’s cathedral veil and my father’s wedding band attached to it,” she explained.

Larry was calm and shaking hands like a politician, as he headed over to receive his boutonniere. His father and brother, who were his groomsmen, were waiting inside with his mother. Mom gave Larry a quick touch on the checks like he was 5-years-old again. “He will always be my little boy,” she said to me as he walked towards his brother.

The sun was setting and everyone was taking their seats in the warm chapel that was built in 1955. Larry entered through the side door, as Claire had the grand entrance through the front. The congregation stood as the doors swung open to the happy bride. Claire’s brother walked her down the aisle as all eyes were focused on the bride.

The thirty-five minute ceremony ended with a kiss and clapping as the couple walked out of the chapel to a cool evening breeze. Portraits followed and then we moved over to the Capital City Club for some fun. Cocktail hour was in full swing when we arrived as drinks and conversation surrounded the beautiful arrangements from Fresh Affairs. The cake by Cinda of Cinda’s Creative Cakes was getting rave reviews on its beauty from the guests.

After mingling and eating, the bride and groom took to the dance floor for their first dance to “At Last.” The Craig Woolard Band cranked up the party and never stopped. They played a variety of beach, R&B and some modern music for the group.  Toward the end of the night, I caught Claire and her bridesmaids doing “The Monkey.”

It was a wonderful day for a wedding, and everything went perfectly due largely to event coordinator Katie Dunn of La Fete. She was everywhere and answered all questions and kept the night amazing. Congrats Claire & Larry!St. Marys bride arrives at chapel for a downtown Raleigh wedding.Best time of year for a Wedding is NovemberBride at St. Mary's before the wedding ceremony in Raleigh.Perfect wedding dresss fitting alterationsGroom before the wedding in Raleigh NCFresh Affairs Raleigh wedding floristThe historic St. Mary's chapel in Raleigh NCGroom waits for bride at St. Mary's Chapel near downtown Raleigh

Raleigh wedding photographer NC

Entrance to Capital City ClubRaleigh wedding reception band photographyRaleigh wedding in downtown Raleigh NCDancing at the ReceptionCraig Woolard sings at a wedding reception in downtown RaleighCinda's creative wedding cakes Raleigh NC

Fresh Affairs florist arrangement in downtown Raleigh wedding reception.Raleigh wedding reception Capital City Club NCThe perfect pair of comfortable wedding dancing shoesRaleigh wedding cakes NCCapital City Club NC Raleigh wedding reception

CONTACT AZUL ABOUT YOUR WEDDING PLANS:
info@azulphotography.com | 919.270.4310

Heather & William | Grand Marquise Wedding

Heather and William’s wedding was held at The Grand Marquise, located just outside of Raleigh. Heather was searching for a photographer who could give them a little bit of everything. “I’m a fan of a combination of photography styles … candid, traditional, and artistic/creative.”  Now, we are far from traditional, but I believe that is something we can handle.

The day was bright and sunny with leaves of red on every tree surrounding the venue. The ladies were inside putting on their make-up, while the guys and I (Christobal) headed outside for a quick portrait. We were going for something with a little bit of an edge that showed our location and how great the weather was.

Guests arrived and quickly filled the room to capacity for the ceremony.  Over 250 guests found their seats and waited for the bride to walk down the aisle with her brother. Friends and family waited under six of the most amazing crystal chandeliers and cupid cherubs.

Heather was escorted down the aisle by her brother, as William waited for his stunning bride . William and his father, the minister, fought their emotions as she walked slowly down the center of the ballroom. The ceremony was perfect and one they will never forget. A prayer concluded the ceremony along with a kiss and a clapping congregation.

The reception followed shortly after, with an amazing first dance, toasts, garter and bouquet toss, great food, cake cutting and dancing. Each dance was emotional and brought tears and joy to the crowd. The most pivotal was the father-daughter dance. Tears streamed down the face of the bride’s brother as they cried together remembering their father.

It was a wonderful wedding day and we are thrilled to have been the photographers. Congrats Heather & William and thank you for choosing Azul!

 

CONTACT AZUL ABOUT YOUR WEDDING PLANS:
info@azulphotography.com | 919.270.4310

Slough Family | Raleigh Portrait Photographer

We are known as wedding photographers, but these days more and more families are calling us for portrait photography. Anne was looking for a photographer that could create unique images of her family in downtown Raleigh. She was looking for something with an edge, something different and her search led her to us. We are very glad it did!

She had a vision of “not your ordinary family portrait” and I informed the family of all our wonderful downtown options. We had a perfect day for a photographic adventure. Puffy white clouds, blue skies and a breeze to keep us moving to all our locations. I followed my “freestyle” approach and we had a great time!

There were so many spots for us and the kids were awesome to work with. Thank you Anne for giving us a call and I (Christobal) absolutely love these images. You all look strong, united and happy together which makes us love them and you even more. Enjoy the images!

Raleigh Family Portrait PhotographerFamily Children Portrait Photographer Raleigh NCRaleigh NC Unique Family PhotographerFamily Photographer Raleigh NCPortrait Family Photographer Downtown RaleighDifferent NC Family portrature RaleighClassic Family portraits Raleigh NCUrban Raleigh family photographerRaleigh downtown urban family photographer NCCONTACT AZUL ABOUT YOUR FAMILY PORTRAITS:
info@azulphotography.com | 919.270.4310

Amanda & Kevin | Raleigh Wedding

I met Kevin and Amanda at a wedding in Raleigh, where he was a groomsman and I (Christobal) was the photographer.  This is where they had a chance to see how we work firsthand. We were later introduced and next thing I knew their wedding was around the corner.

On the big day, the bride and her bridesmaids prepared for the wedding at the State Club. Music was playing and lots of laughing and singing kept the girls in great spirits. The guys arrived ready to go to the ceremony site to help usher the guests to their seats.

The wedding was at the Page Walker House located in downtown Cary. Beautiful blue skies and clouds and rows of white chairs gave the green garden a peaceful feel. A nervous bride and groom waited behind the walls of the house for the ceremony to begin.

Their longtime friend, Kim Williams, was the officiant who led Kevin and his groomsmen into the garden. Amanda was escorted down the aisle by her father to a smiling groom. The ceremony was perfect and included a song sung by Amanda’s brother as the couple held hands. A celebratory raising of the bouquet ended the ceremony.

We headed over to a huge bucket sculpture for portraits of the bridal party and other areas to photograph the bride and groom. Wedding guests were already at the State Club enjoying cocktails and soft jazz tunes from the band. While wonderful flowers from Fleuressence filled the space beautifully.

The bride and groom arrived to a warm sun-filled room to take the dance floor for the first time as husband and wife. Dinner was served and the couple later cut the cake, which was created by Sugarland.  After toasts, the band, Groovetown,  kicked up the beat and got the party going.

At the end of the evening, the happy couple escaped through handfuls of confetti and literally peeled out to the honeymoon. Congrats Amanda & Kevin!

North Carolina State University bride Raleigh NCThe Page Walker House Garden Wedding Ceremony Cary NCGroom waits inside the Page Walker House befoer his cedding ceremony Cary NCFlouressence wedding florist Raleigh NCWedding Ceremony at the Page Walker House Garden in Cary NC

Wedding Ceremony in the garden of  the Page Walker House Garden, NC

 

Garden wedding ceremony at the Page Walker House Wedding day photograpy portraits in Raleigh NCBest Raleigh Wedding Photographer NCGroup wedding portait photography in Raleigh NCWedding day portrait photography in Cary, NCPhotography of the State Club main ballroom wedding reception, Raleigh NCWedding day photography portrait at The State Club, Raleigh NCThe State Club wedding reception during toasts, Raleigh NCRaleigh wedding reception band photographyRaleigh wedding reception dancing at The State Club, Raleigh NCGroovetown, Raleigh NC wedding band, gets down with the bridal partyWedding reception inside The State Club, Raleigh NC

The State Club wedding reception exitRaleigh NC honeymooners speed away

CONTACT AZUL ABOUT YOUR WEDDING PLANS:
info@azulphotography.com | 919.270.4310

1,000 Words | Lauren & Ben

1,000 Words is what Raleigh, NC based Azul Photography clients have to say about their favorite photograph from their wedding. Here is what Lauren had to say about Azul and her photographer:

A good friend of mine had hired Azul Photography to document her wedding day a few years ago, so before I was even engaged, I knew I wanted Azul to be a part of my big day when it came around!  What drew me to Azul is the way that each documentarian is able to capture movement and emotion during an engagement shoot, wedding day, family portrait session or other milestone event.

Ben and I had the pleasure of having Ethan photograph our wedding day.  It’s a lot like going back in time every time we look at the pictures Ethan took.  Each one exudes the excitement, joy, and love that we and our guests felt – whether it was a sweet moment at the altar, my grandma giving her son bunny ears for the camera, or our friends breaking it down to Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Time Warp!  The whole day was perfect and we have Ethan from Azul to thank for never letting us forget it.

Every image he produced came out to be beyond our expectations, so it was very difficult to choose just one favorite.  Like all of our wedding pictures, this image is a true indication of our wedding day. People dancing, laughing, hugging, and enjoying the company of their closest friends and family!  That is all we could have asked for on that day and we love how we can look back at this picture and remember all of the great times that were had by all!

- Lauren

Laurens raleigh downtown wedding reception

Please view more images from Lauren & Ben’s wedding here. Their reception was held at Marbles Museum.

CONTACT AZUL ABOUT YOUR WEDDING PLANS:
info@azulphotography.com | 919.270.4310
S O C I A L