Alyssa and Peter were married at the Grande Ritz Palm in Duck, North Carolina among all of their closest family and friends. I always love traveling to the Outer Banks, and there is no better reason than to photograph a beautiful wedding day. We spent the afternoon photographing the moments of them getting ready, holding out hope that we would get to their ceremony before the rain did. We did just that! Alyssa had her ceremony with Peter on the sand and it was nothing short of magical for them. Peter’s eyes built up with tears as he caught his first glance of Alyssa walking down the aisle from the Grande Ritz Palm. His Dad was his best man and I had never seen a man look at his son with such pride and happiness for him than I did in that moment. Alyssa’s Dad was emotional too, when he saw her for the first time in her wedding dress, he immediately walked past us and went straight for the deck just outside to compose himself. I photograph for these moments, and even though Alyssa’s Dad quickly escaped from my camera’s reach, I got him coming back in, once he was ready, to hug his beautiful daughter.

I believe every one of their guests had happy tears for them at one point or another on their wedding day. Their ease for plans changing and having to move everything inside was a perfect representation of knowing that the marriage, the vows, the commitment, is what truly matters that day. After all, when they said that they both knew by their second date that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, nothing as small as a rainy day could get them down!

They were flexible and fully trusted me when I suggested for portraits outside just ten minutes during their dinner, because the rain had stopped. If we had not done this, they wouldn’t have had any portraits together because after family formals the rain started. I am extremely glad that they trusted me as their wedding photographer and we got all of their gorgeous portraits taken in time. Alyssa and Peter’s wedding day was full of love, happiness and celebration. If you ask me, I think that is all you can ever ask and hope for as a bride and groom! Congratulations Alyssa and Peter!

Wedding Venue: Grande Ritz Palm

Wedding Dress: Bijou Bridal

DJ: Sound Wavz Entertainment

Flowers: Family Friend

Cake: Great Cakes OBX

Caterer: Red Sky Cafe

Hair and Makeup Artist: Salty Hair Salon

Ceremony Archway: Renee Landry Events

Jewelry: Either Ore Jewelers

 These moments below with their Dad’s I love so much!   The rain started coming down pretty hard so we had to stop portraits! During their dinner they came back outside with me for about ten more minutes! 

Thank you to Elizabeth Friske Photography for second shooting for me and spending the weekend in the Outerbanks together!