We explored the entire garden, not missing out on any of the beautiful backgrounds: wooden bridges, graceful water elements, delicate flowers, and stately hedge pathways.
Sandra looked amazing in her whimsical wedding dress, light and airy. She paired her wedding dress with a charming flower crown that totally completed her look. It was as if she stepped out of an enchanted forest: gorgeous!
We love her bridal portraits and can’t want to share Sandra + Sam’s wedding photos from their Monroe, NC wedding day with you!
Hi AWESOME Brides & Grooms!
Thank you so much for checking out our blog!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, NC or anywhere in North Carolina or South Carolina, we’d love to hear from you!
Click the “check our availability today” button below now to see if we're available on your wedding day, find out more about our wedding photography packages, plus get your questions answered. We can’t wait to hear from you! Happy Wedding Planning!
As wedding photographers, we are always looking for beautiful, emotional candid moments. Jessica and Michael's wedding had so many treasured ones. From the prayer between Jessica and her bridesmaids right before walking down the aisle to the sweet kiss from the ring bearer to the bride. Some of our favorite candid moments came during the first dances. Those pictures still stir up so much joy and emotion as if it had just happened yesterday!
It was an absolute joy being Jessica & Michael's wedding photographers! Congrats Jessica and Michael on your marriage!!
Jessica's Love Note
You can check out Jessica's bridal portraits here and her review here.
Hi AWESOME Brides & Grooms!
Thank you so much for checking out our blog!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, Charlotte, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill, or anywhere in NC or SC, we’d love to hear from you!
Email us directly at [email protected] or click below to start a conversation.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
And then it was off to Christ United Methodist Church! Barbi put on her finishing touches including a very dear and sentimental diamond necklace; it was an emotional moment as Barbi's mom and Barbi's aunt put on the necklace right before she walked down the aisle.
Right before the ceremony, Barbi and her bridesmaids posed for a fun picture. Meanwhile, Travis and his groomsmen were putting on their final touches and taking photos in the church's courtyard.
Barbi and Travis met in the church's chapel right before their ceremony. No peeking! They held hands around the wall and shared a few blissfully quiet moments together before the ceremony.
We love this photo of Barbi and her dad walking down the aisle; it is both beautiful and epic.
Barbi and Travis arrive at the reception location and we LOVE those blue heels! Time for the reception and more outdoor bride and groom photos at the gorgeous Starmount Forest Country Club!
Starmount's reception hall looks amazing with the cool up-lighting. We adore how "Barbi & Travis" is lit up on the wall! We love their designer wedding cake with it's intricate designs and accent red roses making this cake sweet, classy, and just plain cool!
During the reception, Travis played the grand piano for his wife and their guests; truly, a beautiful candid moment that will be forever treasured!
Everyone had a blast dancing the night away. The very last photo is from the last dance and is one of our favorites! We absolutely loved Barbi and Travis' wedding and are honored be their wedding photographers! Congrats Barbi and Travis on your marriage!!
Barbi's Love Note
Hi AWESOME brides & grooms!
Thank you so much for checking out our blog!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, Charlotte, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill, or anywhere in NC or SC, we’d love to hear from you!
Email us directly at [email protected] or click below to start a conversation.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
This years theme was Ignite...Be the Spark. It was all about inspiring the campers "to spread their "flame" and impact others in a positive way".
Day One:
The evening started with flagpole, opening ceremony, and a whole lot of rain. The opening ceremony was full of camp history, stories, and skits followed by a grooving dance party. This year, campers danced to luau inspired songs and did the Limbo.
Day Two:
The next morning, we got everyone together and took a big group photo, then one with just the heart kids and their siblings, and finally, one with the awesome staff and volunteers who make this wonderful camp possible!
Then it was time for breakout sessions with separate workshops for heart kid siblings and the parents plus fun time for the heart kids! The heart kids dabbled in arts and crafts followed by playing out on the basketball court.
Pow Wow time! Everyone got back together for the thought of the day and lots of fun, awesome camp songs.
Then a special treat courtesy of last night's rain: mud wrestling! It was hilarious and the kids and parents loved it!
Throughout the day, families enjoyed land and water activities such as archery, rock climbing, swimming, boating, athletics, and art.
In the evening, it was time for the evening activity... RAMBO! It was a game of kids vs. parents where they had to find and retrieve the other team's flag. And it rained so hard!! The game continued until the storm got too bad to stay outside. The kids had a blast running around in the rain and the parents, well, they were ready to dry off. In the final tally, the kids won the game, but some parents would challenge that!
The rain subsided and everyone headed down to the lake for campfire and s'mores. And just as it got dark, a boat carrying a large, lite-up heart circled around the lake. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Day Three:
It's 7 am, the water is literally freezing, and it is time for the Polar Bear Club. Yep, you guessed it! The brave campers and volunteers jumped into the very chilly waters of Lake York while executing some very impressive diving skills.
Back at central camp, it was time for the last flagpole. We had a blast at Camp Luck Family Camp this year and we can't wait until next year!
We're wedding photographers from Monroe, NC who volunteer and capture amazing moments during Camp Luck Family Camp every year, and we love it! To learn more about Camp LUCK, you can check out their website.
]]>
We met up with Sandra and Sam for their gorgeous e-session in Lake Lure, NC. The setting was amazing with it's picture perfect backgrounds of the calm waters of Lake Lure and the surrounding breath-taking mountain views.
Chimney Rock was right next door, so of course we had to go check it out! AND...it just so happens to be the exact spot almost to the very day where Sam proposed to Sandra. And that's exactly where we took a whole bunch of their engagement photos. Amazing mountain views plus THE SPOT where Sam proposed equals the perfect recipe for meaningful engagement photos!
We are super excited to be Sandra and Sam's wedding photographers for their summer Monroe, NC wedding!
Let's Chat!
We’re wedding photographers from small town Monroe, NC. As a team of husband-wife wedding photographers, we travel all over the Carolinas photographing lovely brides and grooms as they say their “I dos”.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Monroe, Charlotte, Concord, Matthews, Fort Mill, or anywhere in NC or SC then Aureola Spectrum Photography is a fabulous choice! =)
We would love to chat with you and your fiancé about your wedding plans and all of the awesome details!!
Email us directly at [email protected] to start a conversation or click below.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
Afterwards, we headed over to where our horse lives to wrap-up Jessica's bridal session just as the sun was setting. Our horse gave us a hand... actually, a hoof with Jessica's gorgeous sunset pictures. ;) Love it!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
There are three important "P" words to remember when looking for your wedding photographer. If you are looking for in-depth tips and must ask questions for wedding photographers before you hire, see our blog post here.
Portfolio - The first order of business is to check out the photographer's portfolio. Do you like the style of the images? How do they compare to your idea of what your wedding photos should look like? See if the portfolio represents all aspects of a wedding from ceremony preparation to the bride & groom exit and all of the important moments in-between: ceremony, portraits, reception, candid moments. While checking out the photographer's portfolio, take note if they are solely wedding photographers or if they dabble in all sorts of photography; you will want to steer your search to a professional who is dedicated to capturing weddings.
Packages - Find out what's included in the wedding packages. Do you see one that fits your needs. Think about the coverage hours you will need, whether or not the photographer gives you a full print release, what photo products are included, are there any extra sessions - engagement, bridal, or both? Packages can vary widely, but a typical package includes 8 hours of coverage. We highly recommend choosing a package with a full print release. You want to have the rights to your photos so you can make prints whenever you like.
Personality - You need to feel comfortable and at ease with your photographer; after all, this person will be with you constantly on your wedding day. Do they welcome your questions and ideas? Are they genuinely excited about your wedding day and making an effort to get to know you? If you are having a great time talking with your potential photographer then it's a sign of a good match.
So remember, look for a portfolio that reflects you, a package that fits your needs, and a photographer with a great personality that you get along with great. Follow the three "P's" and you are on your way to finding the photographer perfect for your wedding day.
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
]]>Although the rainy weather was present that day, it didn’t keep us from capturing their gorgeous bride & groom portraits amongst the mist covered mountains and calm waters of Lake Lure. We even incorporated a cute umbrella for the couple's portraits. And how we love the beautiful detail photos of their wedding rings! :) Congratulations Brittany and Thomas on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
Today, more couples are incorporating a "first look" into their wedding day. So what is a first look and why do it?
What is a First Look?
A first look is an intimate moment between the bride & groom before their wedding ceremony where they see each other dressed in their wedding attire for the first time. The first look can be a few minutes or a few hours before the ceremony begins.
Why do it?
Couples opt for a first look to calm nerves before they say their "I Dos". After the activity of getting ready to walk down the aisle, the bride can share a few blissfully quiet moments with her husband-to-be before their ceremony begins.
Capture the big reveal with photographs of your beautiful candid moments.
After the first look is an excellent time to take formal portraits. By taking a majority of your Bride & Groom, Bridal Party, and Family Portraits before your ceremony, you will have more time after your ceremony for any remaining photos and can get to your reception sooner.
Alternative
Another option is to hold hands around a door or wall and talk to each other before the ceremony without loosing the tradition of the groom seeing his bride for the first time as she walks down the aisle.
Planning for a First Look
To successfully orchestrate a first look, put a family or bridal party member in charge of situating the groom in the selected location so that he can't see his bride until the big reveal moment.
Be sure to allow enough time for the first look. If you are having a first look immediately before your ceremony, 5-10 minutes should be plenty of time. However, if you are planning to take any formal portraits after the first look and before your ceremony, allow at least an hour or more depending on factors such as bridal party size.
So what do you think? Is a first look right for you?
Happy Wedding Planning!
Abby & Ryan
]]>Camp LUCK is a medically supervised camp for children with heart disease. This annual silent auction contributes to the funding of the camp which is free of charge for all heart kids attending.
Be sure to check out some awesome moments we captured from this year's .
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
A memorable moment for us came at the end of their reception when one of their guests happened upon a child’s riding toy tractor and took it for a spin around the dance floor; it was absolutely hilarious!
Congratulations Stefanie and Adam on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
So here are tips & questions that will point you in the right direction for hiring your wedding photographer for your fabulous wedding day!
The Tips
- Do Your Research... Surf the web. Pinterest is an amazing source for a plethora of wedding photo ideas! What do you like? Dislike? Remember this when you start viewing local photographer’s portfolios. View dedicated wedding websites. What are other brides saying? What advice are the seasoned pros giving? Take advantage of the valuable knowledge spread over the web. Talk to your recently married family and friends. Ask them about their experiences with their wedding photographer. How much do they charge? What services are available? How did they decide on their photographer?
- Check Out Their Reviews... So you love a photographer’s work and want to know more? Take a second to look at their reviews. What are their recent clients saying about them? This is a first hand look into the provider’s past work experience.
- Meet with Them… An in person meeting is the best possible way to find out if the wedding photographer is right for you. You get to see first hand if they are professional. Are they punctual? Are they dressed professionally? If they take the time to dress nicely and arrive on time, then you know they take you and your wedding seriously. What is their personality? This is a great time to see if the pro is a right fit for you. After all, this person will be with you constantly on your wedding day; you want to hire someone that you are completely comfortable being around. If meeting isn’t possible, set up a phone, Skype, or FaceTime chat.
- Ask Questions... Ask questions until you completely understand; there are no right or wrong questions! These questions will help you identify if the pro matches your needs. Professionals should not hesitate answering your questions. In fact, they should welcome them! Your questions are valuable in creating the best possible experience for you!
- Listen & Watch... Are you comfortable around this person? Are they confident in their answers? Do they listen to what you are saying? You should feel at ease and comfortable asking your questions. In addition, you should have a take away feeling that they truly care about your wedding day. Take it all in because in the end your gut feeling will indicate to you if this pro is right for you.
Here are the 10 Must Ask Questions for Your Potential Wedding Photography Professionals Before Booking:
- How many years have you photographed weddings? Is your focus on wedding photography? Experience specifically in weddings is super important! Do you really want to hire someone who photographs birthday parties, corporate events, newborn sessions, landscape, pets, family portraits, everything under the sun, and oh yes weddings? Choose someone whose focus is wedding photography and if they do photograph other types of events and subjects, be sure it’s on the side and that wedding photography is their main interest. An experienced wedding photographer will not only produce lovely wedding day photographs, but will also be able to lend advice for your wedding day.
- Do you require a deposit? And if so how much? Most photographers require a nonrefundable retainer to hold your date.
- Do you have a contract? The answer to this question should ALWAYS be yes. Do not hire someone based on a verbal agreement. A contract will outline both parties’ duties and protects both you and the wedding pro. Check out this blog about why it’s so important to have a written agreement .
- What specifically is included in the cost? Find out exactly what is included in your package. Use this information to compare all your potential photographers’ packages. Higher quotes may include services or photo products that are an extra cost with lower priced packages. Does the lower priced package equal the higher priced package in price once the extras are added on? Does it cost more or less? Here is a sample of what can be included in a wedding photography package:
Number of Wedding Day Coverage Hours
Online Gallery
Editing or Retouching
Images on Digital Media
Prints/Canvases
Wedding Albums
Extra Sessions (Engagement and/or Bridal Portraits)
Full Print Release
- Are there any additional fees? Additional fees can include travel fees, taxes, and service charges. All fees should be outlined in the contract so you know the total cost from the get-go.
- What happens is I cancel? What happens if you cancel? As we all know, unexpected and uncontrollable circumstances do happen in life. To help offset this reality, your photographer should have a backup plan outlined in the contract. A clause in your contract explaining the procedures of cancellation from both parties is a must.
- How many photos do I receive? Do I get a print release? Find out how many photos you will receive from your wedding day as well as your engagement or bridal portrait sessions. You may be required to purchase photos as a separate cost or you may get every single photo taken. A full print release is a must! Be sure your wedding professional is providing you with a print release so that you can get unlimited prints of your wedding moments.
- Do you have back up equipment? Electronics can fail. Another sad, but true fact of life. If you have ever had a computer crash on you, then you know first hand! This is a day in your lives that you want to cherish forever, so let’s not let a faulty camera take that away from you! Be sure that your photographer has backup cameras, lens, batteries, etc.
- Are you photographing other events on the same day as mine? Do not hire someone who plans to photograph other events on the same day as your wedding! If the photographer truly cares about your wedding day, then they will completely focus on your event for that day. Double booking is a big no-no.
- Have you ever worked at my wedding site before? If not, will you check it out in advance? If your potential photographer has never worked at your wedding site before, this isn’t a deal breaker. A photographer experienced in photographing weddings in different venue types and lighting conditions, especially similar to your venue, is adequate. A pro that can adjust to their surroundings is invaluable. However, if requested, they should be willing to check out your wedding venue in advance.
]]>
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
This year’s theme was Be One Little Thing or simply, B.O.L.T. It taught the kids that taking one, small action can make a huge difference in others lives. B.O.L.T. was woven into the program throughout the weekend's activities. On Friday evening, the kids and their families let loose at the 80s glow party, dancing to hit tunes and just having fun. Saturday was packed full of camp activities including archery, horseback riding, rock climbing, zip line tours, canoeing, water activities, and much more! Sunday morning, we got up bright and early for the Polar Bear Club; kids, parents, volunteers, and camp directors took a running leap off the docks into the refreshing, cool lake.
Camp LUCK 2015 has come and gone, but we are looking forward to capturing special moments of these amazing kids at Camp LUCK 2016!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
To learn more about Camp LUCK and volunteering opportunities, please check out Camp LUCK.
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Wedding Location: Coker Ranch; Lancaster, SC
Rehearsal Dinner Portraits:
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Bridal Portraits: Concord, NC
Ceremony: North Kannapolis United Methodist Church; Kannapolis, NC
Reception: Cabarrus Arena; Concord, NC
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Ceremony Location: Lake Wheeler; Raleigh, NC
]]>
We are looking forward to photographing their wedding in July!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Wedding Location: South Park DoubleTree Suites by Hilton; Charlotte, NC
]]>
Weeks earlier, we met Brittany in Charleston, SC to capture her bridal portraits. We photographed her portraits along the famous Rainbow Row houses and the picturesque Battery Park winding up and down Charleston’s charming historical downtown.
Congratulations Brittany and Sean on your marriage!
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
Bridal Portraits: Charleston, South Carolina
Wedding Venue – Highgrove on Laurel Lake; Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
]]>
Camp LUCK, Lucky Unlimited Cardiac Kids, began when the passions of four people;- Jay “Bird” Thompson, René Herlong , Kim Jackson and her son, Jacob got together with the vision of creating a worry free environment for these kids and their parents.
They have a family camp and kids camp held at Camp Cherokee located at the Kings Mountain State Park hosting a variety of activities from archery to rock climbing to arts & crafts to just swimming in the lake.
For more information about Camp LUCK,the kids, volunteering and everything else please check out Camp LUCK.
Enjoy the images below that Ryan captured at this year's Camp LUCK!
Abby & Ryan
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
Enjoy!
Abby & Ryan
]]>
- An engagement session with us gives you the opportunity to see how we work and to get to know each other better. We believe building relationships with our clients is ultra important! On your wedding day, we want you to feel relaxed and comfortable taking your wedding photographs with us.
- You get a sneak peek! When you take your engagement photos with us, you get to see a preview of what to expect for your wedding day.
-
You get the opportunity to use your engagement pictures for awesome wedding products such as Save the Date cards, RSVP cards, or engagement guest books.
We take this time to reflect on the wedding of Hillary and David.
The story of Hillary and David is a touching one considering that Hillary almost lost her legs due to a bacterial infection. It all began on a casual trip to a popular NC beach. After spending sometime in the ocean, Hillary discovered that her feet hurt pretty bad. When the pain got worse and after a trip to the ER she discovered that she had a flesh eating bacterial infection.
Her father, Rob, refused the doctors recommendation to amputate her feet. Instead, he stepped in and replied "NO! My baby will dance again!". After months of painful physiotherapy, relearning to walk, and full recovery, Hillary shared this first dance with her father.
Love gives us strength. Let the story of Hillary remind us our love for one another and the willpower within us will help us overcome our struggles.
God Bless!
]]>We happened to come across this location when we photographed an October 2013 wedding and we were pleasantly surprised. Belle Clair is a hidden gem located on Lake Norman. This piece of heaven is available for your wedding day. Its spacious, green lawn, peaceful fountain, and lake view just melts the stress of planning a wedding. Belle Claire is not only elegant, but has a spectacular views of the lake. And friendly faces are always ready to greet you, making you feel welcome. The wedding venue is run by the husband and wife team, Ed and Sara Collins. Ed and Sara are very easy going and pleasant people to work with!
If you are interested in planning a wedding at Belle Claire, Ed and Sara can be reached at [email protected].
As a bride, how do you protect yourself from situations like this?
- Make sure that the photographer is licensed. More than likely a licensed photographer will not con you.
- Make sure everything that you want is included in a written contract. The contract can be on paper or via email. If its an email make sure that the address of the photographer or business address is included. Google the address to make sure it is a valid address.
- No matter how well you know the photographer ask them for a contract.
- If you find vendors through a website review the website to make sure that they can't change customer feedback.
- Use the BBB and yelp to find out more about the photographer.
- If you are in a room full of people, ask all but a couple of people to leave. A lot of people in the dressing room can cause unnecessary stress on an already stressful day.
- Have a stress ball or any kind of stress reliever like a pillow around! If you are feeling really anxious squeeze the pillow or the stress reliever.
- Breathe! It is very important to breathe! Long deep breaths are a great way to calm down.
- Talk about other things. Try to make light of the moment or talk about something that will keep your mind off whatever is stressing you out.
Panic attacks are not a joke and should not be treated lightly!
]]>
1. Establish a common ground with boundaries. Let them know ahead of time about what you are ok with and what you are not!
2. Any new relationship requires a leap of faith. Make sure that leap of faith is a small jump and not a dive of a cliff!
3. Be prepared for some sort of disappointment. This way if things do work out, you will be more happy with the results!
4. Trust does not end here. Continue to build on that relationship till it blossoms into a pretty flower!
5. Trust takes time and patience! So give it time and be patient!
6. Remember we are all human beings and are prone to make mistakes. Learn to forgive but never forget!
]]>
On the client's wedding day, we saw another Harley and asked the owner if we could use it in the shoot! He obliged too! We got more great photos of the Bride, the Groom and the Harley! And to top it all we all had fun!
Well, the moral of the story is it never hurts to ask!
]]>
- It gives you another chance to try on your wedding dress!
- Its a practice run for your wedding!
- If you find that your dress doesn't fit well you have a chance to get it altered in time.
- You are relaxed and focused on taking the pictures.
If something is not in place before your big day, do not stress out about it (or at least try not too)!
Here are some tips on how you can get a good nights rest before your wedding day:
- Try to sleep less the day or two before your big day
- Drink some warm milk or anything with amino acids in it (it helps reduce stress too!)
- Listen to a really boring radio show or turn on some white noise
- Drop all the weight that you are carrying and just let it be
There are other ways to get sleep by taking Nyquil, Benadryl, or other sleep aids. However, sleep aids have side effects and can make you groggy!
All in all, a well rested bride is always a beautifully photographed bride!
]]>