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September 4, 2018

The Bridge Club Wedding

Pullen Park Wedding PortraitsCourtney & Chris’ Bridge Club wedding in downtown Raleigh

This was our first Bridge Club wedding and I’m certainly hoping we’ll get more. I love venues in the heart of downtown (especially Raleigh & Durham, because they’re like home for me) and I love delicious food. Bridge Club, situated above Death & Taxes, is part of AC Restaurants, and that means we had Poole’s diner food for dinner. MAC n CHEESE Y’ALL. Okay, but the important part of the day was obviously Courtney & Chris and their love. They did not disappoint. After getting ready with their closest friends, they had their first look at the Bridge Club and then we headed to Pullen Park for portraits. After that, was the main event: their ceremony was beautiful, with personal vows and plenty of emotion. Only then came that Poole’s family style dinner, and after that everyone partied. Hard. My kinda day.

Thank you to
Bride’s makeup: Layne Lasseter, Spa Collective Athens
Bride’s hair (and other makeup): The Bardot
Bride’s dress: Stella York, from Suite Bridal
Florals: DIY
Venue: The Bridge Club
Portrait location: Pullen Park
Officiant: friend of the couple, Caroline Devereaux
Catering: The Bridge Club/AC Restaurants
DJ: Robert White
Photography: Me & John 😀

The story:
Any day that starts with mimosas is a good day, and that’s just one reason I love weddings. 

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The light in this Oakwood house (an AirBNB) where Courtney and her friends got ready was gorgeous!The Bardot Wedding Photos The Bardot Wedding Photos

All the jokes and laughter in the morning. Courtney got her attendants (her sister and her best friend) hot guy coloring books. I want one!Downtown Raleigh Wedding Bridge Club Wedding

A love letter from her almost husband before she puts on her dress…Downtown Raleigh Wedding Bridge Club Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Bridge Club Wedding

Meanwhile, Chris was an equally cool looking house getting ready with his friends and his dad. Love that color blue!

Courtney’s note for Chris was in a cootie catcher. (Sidenote: John thought I just made “cootie catcher” up, but he asked Alexa and she knew what it was, so boom I win)Downtown Raleigh Wedding Bridge Club Wedding

I love the image on the right here – the guys watched a video about how to pin boutonnieres. NO ONE KNOWS. NO ONE. 

Then over to Death & Taxes, where Bridge Club lives upstairs. Courtney & I both love the hiring sign that D&T has in the window. Non-badasses need not apply, obviously. Downtown Raleigh Wedding Bridge Club Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Bridge Club Wedding

Time to see eachother!Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

And to see the beautiful setup for dinner later that evening. Courtney & Chris did the setup themselves!Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

And then Man of Honor Aaron picked us up to head to Pullen Park for some portraits. I loved that he had ‘Chapel of Love’ playing when we got in the car. Note that Aaron’s phone is named “dat Azz.” It’s so he can “back dat Azz up.” I snorted. 

Despite the hot and humid weather, Pullen Park was crowded! It was the middle of a three day weekend, and everyone wanted to check out the train and paddle boats. We found our little corner though for some portraits of Courtney & Chris and their favorite people. 
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And then it was time for the ceremony – #getmayed!

How cute are those kiddos?! Courtney looked pretty cute too!Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

Pop the top on that Shotgun Betty and let cocktail hour start! The ring bearers and flower girls were the official quality control on the hors d’oeuvres – they snatched something off each tray the caterers put out <laughing/crying emoji>

We snuck out onto the Bridge Club’s tiny balcony for some blue sky after an afternoon thunderstorm, and then it was back inside for dinner.Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Bridge Club Raleigh Wedding Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

The bar was waiting happily downstairs for everyone to return and dance. The kids were the perfect light testers for John & I. 
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A dip to end the first dance, and then the party really got cranking (and never stopped). Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

I love these shots. YAY colorful dancing 😀Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

Okay, I’m pulling a few photos out of chronological order, because I want to tell the story of the night through two eyes. First up, this sweet angel, who danced for the first hour, and then managed to fall sleep on this couch despite the fact that it was quite literally ON the dance floor, next to the DJ booth.  

Subject #2 also danced through the first hour, but he clearly had no need of a nap. 

Okay, rewind back to midway through the party (note that Chris’ tie is still on)Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers Downtown Raleigh Wedding Photographers

Some impromptu karaoke to Friends in Low Places

And saving the last dance for each other

Thank you for sharing your awesome day with us!! And thank you for putting Mac n’ Cheese and chocolate cake on the menu 😀

 

  1. […] Day weekend was another double header: Haley & Clark at the Durham Armory and Courtney & Chris at The Bridge Club in Raleigh. Then I had two engagement sessions: James & Iona’s (which included the […]