I don’t often get to do a lot of commercial photography but when I do it is always fun. Especially in this case. Of course I ended up wanting to buy EVERYTHING! (And did get two necklaces in fact.) Fabulous jewelry by a fabulous artist. Check her out!! Treeology

This was the location for Melinda’s rehearsal dinner so it was very fitting to have the bridal portrait taken here. The Oaks of Salem house was BEAUTIFUL and had the most amazing porches. Melinda was of course beautiful… More to come from her wedding but here is a peek at her beautiful dress. As usual it was SO hard waiting to post these to the blog. Enjoy!

Here is just a quick sneak peek from the wedding photography at Melinda & Ryan’s wedding on Saturday! More to come. Enjoy!

Zyvox

These shoots always make me so happy. These photographs will be featured in Woman’s World magazine in August. This is the story of a remarkable woman who not only beat breast cancer but went on to earn her degree during the fight. She has two amazing boys she is raising herself all the while. There are so many amazing people I meet doing photography. I am truly blessed.

Wedding Photography in Charlotte NC by Diane McKinney Photography. Enjoy Kasey and Jeff! More to come!!!

Being a Raleigh photographer I met Kasey over a year ago while photographing one of my other bride’s weddings last June here.  She lived in Charlotte but I was more than happy to travel for such a sweet bride!   I have so adored getting to know Kasey, Jeff and their families over the last year.   Kasey is quite a paradox.  She is super fun and laid back but the same time very detail and task oriented.  Personality traits that don’t usually go together but what a GREAT combination.  Let’s just say it makes for an awesome wedding because everything is perfect and she is enjoying every minute of it.  And Jeff is just fun. What can I say… He had me laughing all night.   He is definitely the life of the party.

I don’t do a ton of rehearsal dinners but I have to say I do LOVE THEM. I feel like I get to know so much more about the couple from them.  It’s funny what people will reveal about you in a toast when it is an intimate group that you KNOW everyone in the room loves you.    I get tickled every time I shoot one!

Everything from the bridal portrait, to the rehearsal dinner and down to the wedding was GORGEOUS.  I love the colors she chose but I am always partial to pink.  I am not sure what it is but it makes me happy.  Then you add in a trolley, awesome golf course and of course a gorgeous bride and groom, a Rolls to end the night and Wa La!  Amazing wedding.   I think I had every emotion while photographing this wedding.  Lots of  smiles and a few sweet tears and  down right CRACKING up laughing at the rehearsal dinner and the wedding.   Everyone was so fun.

I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed photographing them!

Diane

There were so many amazing things about Allison and Gavin’s wedding. So many in fact I doubt I will remember them all. One of the things I love about photographing weddings is learning about the couple. It means so much when there are little personal details that speak about who the bride and groom are as couples as well as individuals. Just a few of these were Allison’s pearls which were built over time by her Mother purchasing a new pearl to add to her string each year or event in her life. The flower girls bouquet was actually one of the grandmother’s flower girls basket which had been handed down to Allison for the big day. And I believe the pearl earrings were the borrowed.

These two were very busy leading their professional lives in DC so most of the wedding planning and foot work was done by the Mom’s. And I must say regardless who did what, it turned out spectacular! Allison was a very classic bride. The bride with the elegant look and timeless air about her wedding. Gavin I think was just thrilled to be marrying the love of his life. Everything was so beautiful. The Museum of Art couldn’t be a prettier place to have a reception and the flowers were impeccable! The whole night flowed perfectly and if there was a hitch anywhere I sure didn’t see it.

Most hilarious were some of the toasts. I love the things you learn about people from their friends and family as they usually tell the most spirited stories. One of my many favorites events during the wedding day. But most of all was watching not only Gavin and Allison SO happy to be married and sharing this with their family but the families too being so excited to come together as a family as well.

Well, guys it was perfect! And I hope the wedding pictures help you to relive that special day over and over!

Thanks!! Diane

I just love photographing outdoor weddings so photographing Meredith and Andrews wedding at the Matthews House was great! Meredith looked so beautiful in her dress and I just adore the getting ready room at the Matthews House. It was the perfect day for a wedding. The weather couldn’t have cooperated more had we designed it ourselves. The bridal party was an absolute blast. They had us cracking up the whole night. The whole wedding went perfectly down to the last crumb of cake. The friends danced all night and I know Meredith and Andrew had a great time. Congratulations to you both! And thank you so much for trusting me to photograph your wedding!

Thanks! Diane

One of the joys of wedding photography is getting to know your clients and their love stories.  Katie and Paul’s I find particularly endearing.  Katie and Paul were both bridesmaid & best man in respective friend’s wedding.  They met during all the wedding festivities and quickly felt an attraction for one another.  Paul living in Australia and Katie living in the US provided for some logistical challenges.  But through Skype and frequent visits to the US their love for each other grew.  I remember our engagement portrait photography session.  Out in the beautiful Duke Gardens I loved their interactions with each other.  Paul with his witty and playful sense of humor and Katie’s beautiful laugh it was clear why they would travel such distances to be with each other.

Their wedding was no less beautiful than the love they showed for each other.  Set in the beautiful and lush pinewoods of Pinehurst, NC at the Forest Creek Golf Club the stage was set.  With Margaret as florist and event coordinator all the details were impeccable. The flowers were stunning and only out shown by the bride’s beauty herself.  The ceremony was beautiful and the Dad’s toast made us all cry.  The event was skyped for family who could not make it over seas to attend the event in person.  What I didn’t expect was my new found love for New Zealanders.  Now I have traveled A LOT.  I have been to Africa, Brazil, Spain, France, The Netherlands, Costa Rica and the list goes on but never to New Zealand.  Well, I can tell you after this night it is on my list!   They have got to be the funniest, warmest and most genuinely nice people I have ever met.  Katie is in good hands with that crew for sure.   All in all it was an amazing night where all danced into the night rocking it hard with DJ Mark who with his Irish accent seemed to fit in right along with the crowd.  He kept the dance floor hot and the party going!  What a day…

Thank you Katie and Paul! It was amazing.