It was the perfect fall day as guests began to arrive from all around the world to witness the union of Stephanie & Felix at Winmock of Kinderton this past Saturday. They said their vows in front of their family and friends surrounded by the colors of the season and the perfect fall breeze. The small intimate wedding was perfect beyond words as they celebrated and danced their way into marriage wit their favorite people!

Stephanie & Felix’s wedding was so special to me for so many reasons and it was such an honor to photograph their day! David second shot and assisted me at this wedding because they are close friends of ours, and his Spanish-speaking would come in handy at this bilingual wedding! So we arrived at Stephanie’s house where the girls were getting ready, and within minutes of my arrival, Stephanie is reading me her vows and we’re already crying! Something you have to understand about me and Stephanie is that we were childhood best friends. Like attached-the-hip best friends. We had a falling out in high school and last year we reconnected, I talked more about this in their engagement session blog here (also their mountaintop engagement session is still one of my faves!) But when we were kids we would always talk about our weddings, and for the longest time I was afraid I would miss this day: the day we’d dreamed about for years. So to be read her vows immediately after arriving was surreal and I was overcome with joy for her as she was about to marry her prince charming!

After all the girls got dressed in the house and Stephanie ate a pop tart to quiet her nerves, we were off to the venue! Her mom put the finishing touches on her dress while her maid of honor attached her veil. The emotions were high as she stood before her girls, no longer a girl, but a bride. Tears filled everyone’s eyes as the reality hit them that she was about to marry Felix! Before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony! Her mom walked her down the aisle and the moment that Felix saw the top of her veil coming up the steps in the corner, he was a bucket of tears. As she made her way to him, he was sobbing and she was glowing! There was not a dry eye as she approached him, and yes I was sobbing while shooting (not easy!!) The ceremony was a beautiful mix of Spanish and English, representative of their bilingual and multi-cultural love. Felix’s family flew in from Puertro Rico and when Stephanie began to say her vows in Spanish, they were all beaming and crying. What I loved most about their ceremony, however, was the intense love with which they looked at one another. It was the most tender and pure thing to witness, and no one doubted their love and devotion for each other during that moment.

Following the ceremony and photos outside, the newlyweds made their way into the reception where they danced their first dance as husband and wife. And to continue with the merging of cultures, they proceeded to dance to a traditional Puerto Rican song where people would come and pin money on the new couple and dance with them! It was such a fun tradition and gave folks a time to dance and chat with the bride and groom! After dinner, toasts, and the cake came the dancing! And y’all, Puerto Ricans know how to party!! They danced the night away to everything from Top 40 pop songs to classic Salsa music, even David and I danced (poorly) to a few Merengue songs. But this rock-loving girl had to have her Freebird song and all the guests picked up votive candles and raised them while they danced, and it was so much fun!!

Their wedding was so perfectly them and the greatest start to their greatest adventure together. Now they’re off exploring the Carolina coast as husband & wife!

 

Thank you both so much for giving us the immense joy of photographing your special day! It’s one that we will never forget and we wish you two all the happiness in the world!

Love, Maggie

Vendors
Venue: Winmock at Kinderton
Planning & Coordination: A Beautiful Day by Christina
Dress Boutique: Southern Bride
Hair: Textures Salon- Jourdan Gallman
DJ: Will Shumate 
Flowers: Bo-Ty Florist
Invitations: Laurel Calligraphy
Caterer: Providence Restaurant and Catering