Maria & Russell | Charlotte, NC destination wedding | Levine Museum of the New South

Maria and Russell have been all over my blog.  Since getting engaged last fall, I've photographed them at Roosevelt Island, where Russell proposed, and they were super-awesome in my promotional video.  But that was all in preparation for their ridiculously cool, family-filled, bangin' destination wedding at Charlotte's Levine Museum of the New South.  As always, Russell was super-hip and Maria was stunning. wedding photographer Amber Wilkie Their wedding favors pretty much say it all. fortune cookie wedding favors They both got ready in separate rooms at the Charlotte Marriott City Center. getting ready at charlotte city center marriott bride gets ready at charlotte, nc hotel charlotte destination wedding getting ready bride and friends help with getting ready in charlotte, nc Then we all headed a couple blocks over to the Levine Museum of the New South. Though Maria and Russell both live in Northern Virginia, they met in Charlotte, and so chose to do a Charlotte destination wedding.  The Levine museum was so cool, as you will see in a second. bride puts on garter at levine museum putting on the wedding dress at levine museum of the new south Meanwhile, the boys "invented" a new game that involved throwing bottle caps and, naturally, drinking beers. groom plays beer pong at levine museum of the new south bridal portrait at levine museum of the new south bride and bridesmaids at levine museum of the new south groom and groomsmen in charlotte, nc destination wedding groom portrait at charlotte destination wedding Toldja it was a cool museum.  There were a whole bunch of these little sets throughout the museum - a tiny church, even a "watching TV" mini set. I found out the flower girl was crying because she wanted to walk down the aisle with Maria, not by herself. flower girl crying during wedding reception bride processional at levine museum of the new south Ah, technology. everybody with cellphones at levine museum of the new south beautiful destination wedding in charlotte, nc Huge props to Megan Noonan, who came all the way down from Woodbridge for this wedding.  This photo below is hers and I love how her flash on the skylight caused all these crazy reflections. levine museum of the new south destination wedding Doin' it big. dip first kiss at levine museum of the new south destination wedding destination wedding photojournalism Then I got to grab the two of them for some more portraits inside the museum.  They had an entire "back" of the bus mini-set. bride and groom portrait at levine museum of the new south bride and groom in charlotte, nc destination wedding pretty portraits at levine museum of the new south wedding toasts at levine museum of the new south everybody toasting at levine museum of the new south speeches during charlotte destination wedding The gentlest cake smash ever. smashing cupcakes during levine museum of the new south destination wedding Maria's grandfather has played harmonica at many family celebrations over the years, and he serenaded Maria and Russell for their wedding. grandfather plays harmonica at levine museum of the new south first dance at levine museum of the new south Yes, that is Maria's mom. mother of the bride goes for the bouquet throwing the bouquet at levine museum of the new south getting the garter at levine museum of the new south wedding garter toss at levine museum of the new south wedding signing paperwork at the levine museum of the new south destination wedding dancing with the flowergirl at destination wedding dance party at charlotte destination wedding dancing at levine museum of the new south wedding dance circle at levine museum of the new south wedding dancing at wedding reception in levine museum of the new south bride and her mom dancing at wedding reception relatives get down at levine museum of the new south wedding bride and groom at the end of the levine museum of the new south destination wedding Congratulations you guys! Maria and Russell's vendor team: Ceremony and reception: Levine Museum of the New South "Getting ready" venue: Charlotte Marriott City Center Caterer & Cupcakes: Delectables by Holly Florist: The Blossom Shop Maria's fabulous dress: J. Majors Bridal Boutique DJ: Split Second Sound Rentals: Best Impressions Party Linen Rentals, Inc.

The Promo Video Images

I do hope you've watched my promo video already.  I'm so pleased with how it turned out and major props to Caleb from East West Productions for knocking it out of the (Fort Ward) park. I'm shooting Maria and Russell's real wedding this weekend, complete with a totally different dress/hair/veil.  These two were gracious enough to be my models for the video.  I would never disturb a real wedding to make a promo video and I was lucky enough to have these two volunteer almost immediately after I put out my call. wedding photos at fort ward park We got Maria a dress from St. Anthony's Bridal (an amazing bridal charity in Bethesda - every dress on the racks is $150!) and I ordered her hairpiece from Etsy (Pegasusmaiden).  I have to admit, it was really fun styling a wedding shoot.  I can understand why this is so attractive to photographers - normally we just photograph whatever the couple's vision for their day is. With styled shoots, you basically get to design a whole wedding from scratch, at an enormous discount and without any drunken uncles.  In a field.  With no time restraints. alexandria, va wedding photographer We filmed the "interview" portion of the video in my home.  The couch I'm sitting on is referred to in my world as "the elephant couch" because of the pattern.  I'm so glad it's now captured in all its glory as it is several years into everyday usage and it's starting to seriously fall apart.  I fear the elephant couch's days are numbered. In other news, getting interviewed is sort of hard and I should have thought a whole lot more about what I wanted to say before the video aired.  Good thing I have had so many client meetings during which to vocalize how I feel about weddings and photography!  The filming went something like this: Caleb: "Tell me about X thing." Me: "Oh yes, X thing is like... blah blah blah.  OH and this is important - I'm easy to work with.  And OH!   This is important - I want you to be able to hang your photos next to your mother's." But for all my should-have-beens, I'm just so happy with it.  I really hope someone actually watches it every now and then! promotional video stills for wedding photographer After the interview, Maria and Russell came over, she got into the dress we bought, and then we hussled over to a local park to do the "wedding shoot" portion.  We were at it for about an hour, the normal time I might request clients give me for their portraits.  It was also lovely to be able to choose the exact timing for a portrait shoot - golden hour, of course. washington, dc wedding photography wedding photographer in washington, dc Look at my badass bride. funky wedding photography in arlington, va candid wedding portraits in arlington, va wedding photographer amber wilkie This next photo makes me so excited for their real wedding. amber wilkie, wedding photojournalist So thank you thank you thank you to Caleb, Maria and Russell.  It was so fun working with all of you.  I'm so happy with this video and hopefully it will give people a good idea of what I'm like in person (good god, that's what I'm like in person) and what it's like to be on a photo shoot with me.  You'll see more of these cats soon!