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October 12, 2021

Arrowhead Inn – Durham Wedding Venue

Arrowhead Inn wedding - first look under the trees

Intimate Wedding at the Arrowhead Inn

Saturday was a bit soggy at the Arrowhead Inn in Durham, but the smiles for Sarah & Anirudh’s wedding (part 1) were still full glow. A little bit of drizzle could not keep the joy out of this party.

A bit about the saga this couple has gone through:

First, they’re a COVID couple. Sarah booked me way back at the beginning of 2019 for 10/10/2020, but they made the decision to postpone in the first couple months of the pandemic. They initially postponed the whole thing until 10/9 this year in the hopes that vaccines would be fully out and about and travel restrictions would be lifted. But when it started looking like this year might be more of the same troubles we dealt with in 2020, they decided to postpone again to 2022. BUT they still decided to have wedding ceremony part 1 on 10/9 this year – just a scaled down, intimate affair at the Arrowhead Inn bed & breakfast in Durham. And I’m so glad they did because it was such a fun day.

In addition to all the COVID crap (TM) they’ve dealt with, Sarah & Anirudh have been long distance for a few years as they both pursue their education/careers, Anirudh in Cleveland and Sarah in Princeton. And even though they met in the Bull City, that also means neither one of them lives in Durham anymore, so all of this planning and replanning and everything has been done from afar. CHAMPIONS.

Without further ado, let’s check out how awesome their wedding part 1 was:

fun cake topper idea - mishmash of your names

Sarah rocked Timberlands (I don’t think I’m cool enough to just say Timbs) under her wedding dress to avoid ruining her nice shoes in the mud. And speaking of her wedding dress, it was her grandmother’s and her mother’s!!! Truly timeless and gorgeous.

this bride wore timberlands under her wedding dress. Oh and that wedding dress was also worn by her grandmother and mother before her

Once she was laced up, Sarah met Anirudh for a first look in front of the bed and breakfast, where a giant, gorgeous tree created a perfect little cave/cover from the faint sprinkle.

Arrowhead Inn wedding - first look under the trees Arrowhead Inn wedding - first look under the trees

The happiest, most expressive couple!! I love their love!!

Arrowhead Inn wedding - first look under the trees this bride wore her grandmother's wedding gown and it had stunning lace and pearl detail!

The pearl pins holding up Sarah’s updo were the perfect accessory for the lace & beaded dress. And do you see Anirudh’s floral bowtie? Sarah’s grandmother made that (along with all the other bowties)! Sarah herself made the pocket squares. She was even doing final stitching on the morning of the wedding – now that is a creative DIY wedding project.

this bride wore her grandmother's wedding gown and it had stunning lace and pearl detail! Arrowhead Inn wedding - first look under the trees

Here we’ve got Anirudh getting a few extra siblings. Sarah is one of five and they are all hilarious and charming.

fun wedding photo: have all your siblings welcome their new in-law!

The fancy shoes we didn’t want to get muddy still got to make an appearance for a few formals in the Arrowhead Inn sitting room.

wedding shoe inspiration: beaded pointed toe flats
Okay, we’re starting the ceremony. And y’all. This ceremony is seriously in the conversation for my favorite one I’ve ever witnessed (aside from my own of course). It was so personal and heartfelt. This is Sarah’s brother playing processional music.

Anirudh walked his mother in before going to stand next to his brother.

And, in what needs to become a tradition at EVERY wedding, in lieu of a flower girl, Sarah’s younger brother processed down the aisle passing out beers (or hard seltzers) to each and every guest.

instead of a flower girl, this couple had the bride's younger brother pass out beers to everyone!!

Sarah was already laughing from the moment she and her dad starting walking out to the ceremony tent…

Arrowhead Inn wedding in Durham, NC

… and she barely stopped.

Arrowhead Inn wedding in Durham, NC Arrowhead Inn wedding in Durham, NC

And yes, that’s Sarah’s sister officiating and joining in on the joyful laughter.

I don't think anyone has had as much fun at their wedding ceremony as these two we love an emotional wedding ceremony I don't think anyone has had as much fun at their wedding ceremony as these two

It wasn’t ONLY laughs though. Vows coaxed a couple happy tears from Anirudh’s eyes.

we love an emotional wedding ceremony

make your ring exchange fun! try to put each others rings on at the exact same time.

When it was time for the rings, the hysterical laughter returned as they tried to put each other’s rings on at the same time rather than taking turns. At certain points it looked like a game of mercy, but after a few moments both left hand ring fingers were successfully encircled.

I don't think anyone has had as much fun at their wedding ceremony as these two make your ring exchange fun! try to put each others rings on at the exact same time.

In another “this should always be a thing” moment, Sarah & Anirudh’s ceremony ended with a toast, so these two processed out with their favorite Ponysaurus beers. Ponysaurus was where they had their first date and Anirudh met Sarah’s dog Bifur (yes, like the dwarf) for the first time. Bifur liked him, so Sarah figured Anirudh was okay, even though he’s a Duke guy and she’s a good Carolina Tar Heel like me. We can forgive him the wrong shade of blue since he won over her dog and saves lives (and is just a genuinely awesome person).

this couple ended their wedding ceremony with a toast and recessed back down the aisle with their favorite beers. this couple ended their wedding ceremony with a toast and recessed back down the aisle with their favorite beers.

And now let’s talk some more about this wedding’s fashion. Because it was on point. We all know I love a colorful bouquet, and these two brought me bright florals in the real flowers AND in the accessories. LOVE.

wedding style inspiration - colorful florals and patterns

wedding party style inspiration: florals, dark blue, and bold redwedding style inspiration - colorful florals and patterns

wedding style inspiration - colorful florals and patterns

This moment had to go in the previews because it’s perfection. Sarah’s “baby” brother scooping her up while dad unintentionally photo bombs us.

this couple had the most fun people in their wedding party!

this couple had the most fun people in their wedding party!

Sarah & Anirudh had a sweet first dance, with siblings performing the song

The bride's siblings performed the couple's first dance song first dance at a tented wedding reception

And then as another little sprinkle started, I snagged them for a few more portraits before they changed in their casual attire.

October wedding inspiration in the rain

Casual attire, you ask? Yep! They changed into amazing t-shirts with a design from Sarah of an anatomically correct cartoon heart and lungs enjoying beers together. Anirudh is a cardiologist and Sarah is working on her PhD studying lungs (I’m know it’s more complicated than that and you should ask her because I’m pretty sure she’s the most fun genius ever!), so this little design was a perfect logo for their wedding.

This couple made custom wedding tshirts for all their guests and a lot of people changed into them for the reception This couple made custom wedding tshirts for all their guests and a lot of people changed into them for the reception This couple made custom wedding tshirts for all their guests and a lot of people changed into them for the reception Wedding favor idea: plastic cups for everyone to get refills

Sarah’s dad introduced the main course for the evening: an oyster roast!

father of the bride toast at a casual outdoor wedding father of the bride toast at a casual outdoor wedding

And the rest of the Paramore family started prepping for the oyster shucking. Sarah’s family is from South Carolina and two fun facts here: (1) Before her parents moved up north they would have an oyster roast party every year. (2) Sarah’s three brothers each went to a different South Carolina college.

casual wedding with an oyster roast casual wedding with an oyster roast

But Sarah’s siblings weren’t the only ones involved in making for a fun affair. Anirudh’s brother started off speeches before the oysters were ready and had everyone laughing at the mild expense of the groom.

Then the bride herself kicked off the oyster eating, and took the time to teach newbies how to shuck.

casual wedding with an oyster roast casual wedding with an oyster roast casual wedding with an oyster roast

After the sun went down, a few more friends gave wonderful, hysterical toasts.

This bride jokingly claims she "forced" her friends to make speeches for her, but it's clear they were really happy to do so and they were all hilarious This bride jokingly claims she "forced" her friends to make speeches for her, but it's clear they were really happy to do so and they were all hilarious This bride jokingly claims she "forced" her friends to make speeches for her, but it's clear they were really happy to do so and they were all hilarious This bride jokingly claims she "forced" her friends to make speeches for her, but it's clear they were really happy to do so and they were all hilarious This bride jokingly claims she "forced" her friends to make speeches for her, but it's clear they were really happy to do so and they were all hilarious

And I said my goodbyes as Sarah & Ani headed back for a few more oysters.

casual wedding with an oyster roast

This crowd was so, so, so much fun and now I’m even more excited for next year’s big party and Hindu ceremony at the Cookery!!


We believe that love is fun and colorful, and your wedding photographs should be too.

Kivus & Camera are Raleigh Wedding photographers who create bold, colorful, magical memories of your wedding day with beautiful, artistic portraits AND enthusiastic, genuine moments. Your unique love story deserves to be told through unforgettable, breath-taking photographs that stand out from the crowd. Kivus & Camera love creating that magic. After all, as past bride Courtney says, we are photography sorcerers.

And though we call ourselves Raleigh wedding photographers, we definitely photograph Durham weddings, Chapel Hill weddings, Cary weddings, etc. We’re all over the Triangle area, and we’re happy to head to the beach or mountains and even to places outside of North Carolina! Just let us know where your love story is headed.

Want to know more? Check out more of our images or learn more about our nerdy selves or just send us a note! Can’t wait to hear from you.

  1. […] wedding ceremony at the Cookery in Durham. You might remember these two gorgeous souls from their intimate wedding last year. This year, they finally got to celebrate with the rest of their guest list and have the Hindu […]