A bride and groom walk hand in hand down the steps of a cathedral at sunset. The bride wears a flowing white gown and veil, while the groom is in a white military uniform. The sun sets behind the tall stone tower of the cathedral.

Durham Weddings

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July 8, 2013

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duke chapel weddings ~ claire and zach

Wedding Ceremony: Duke Chapel, Durham, NC

Wedding Reception: Doris Duke Center at The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Durham, NC

Dress: Pronovias from Lana Addison Bridal, Cary, NC

Florist: Tre Bella Florist, Durham, NC

Cake: Sweet Memories Bakery, Apex, NC

Catering: Durham Catering Co., Durham, NC

DJ: Frankie Hagan, Island Sound, Raleigh, NC

Assistant Photographer: Aletha Buck, Charlotte, NC

Following on from last week’s post of Claire’s bridal session, I am really pleased to be able to share the images from Zach and Claire’s wedding at Duke Chapel and the Doris Duke Center in Durham. This was a really fun one to shoot, but this time I’m going to shut up and let the bride tell you about it herself:

“The photography was probably one of the parts of our wedding that my fiancé and I worried about the most, since neither of us likes having our picture taken. But as soon as I started talking to Joe and saw some of his work, I started feeling a lot better about the whole thing. It was a pleasure working with him for almost an entire year during the planning process, and I enjoyed getting to know him along the way, too! Joe was so patient during my bridal portrait session and did a great job getting me to relax. I thought that he did a wonderful job on the day of our wedding, too. I don’t know how he managed to capture so many memorable moments, especially because he was so unobtrusive. I know my bridesmaids particularly enjoyed working with him, and all of us will happily recommend him to any friends who get married in the Triangle area. Joe’s creativity and wonderful eye for photography definitely show in our wedding pictures! We absolutely love them and know our family and friends will, too. Joe went above and beyond, and we could not have asked for a better photographer or a better experience!”

Thanks for that Claire! And thanks to everyone that worked to make it a special day for all involved. Special shout-out to Sara Blaine at Duke Chapel and Frankie Hagan for looking after Aletha and me so well and keeping us on track!

Here are a few of my fave images of the day, including what I think is my first ever dip. I’m not really a fan of staged photos, but I had the rough idea for that image in my mind for a while and it just had to be done with an Officer and Gentleman on deck!

Two women stand by a window, admiring a white lace wedding dress hanging from a curtain rod. The room is dimly lit, with striped curtains framing the dress. Both women are barefoot and wearing casual dresses.
A softly blurred image featuring a wedding dress hanging in the background. Red flowers or foliage create an artistic overlay. The light filtering through adds a dreamy ambiance to the scene.
A close-up black and white image of a necklace featuring a pearl pendant surrounded by small gemstones. The chain is elegantly looped against a dark background, highlighting the pendants intricate details.
Black and white photo of an intricately designed wedding dress hanging on a curtain rod. The dress features delicate lace patterns with a flowing skirt. The angle is from below, emphasizing the elegant details of the fabric.
A bride in a white strapless gown stands smiling at a woman in a pink dress who is seated. They are in front of a window with sheer curtains, softly lit with natural light.
A tall, Gothic-style cathedral towers against a blue sky with bright sun rays and fluffy clouds. The foreground features a series of steps leading up to a green lawn, bordered by trees and stone buildings.
A bride in a strapless wedding dress is standing with her hands on her hips, smiling. A bridesmaid stands behind her. They are indoors under a large chandelier, with decorative windows in the background. Black and white image.
A bride in a white gown stands smiling in a vintage-style room. Two women in red dresses assist her with her shoes. Stained glass windows and a mirror reflecting their image add to the setting’s charm.
Black and white photo of a woman in a strapless dress with an updo hairstyle. She is looking off to the side in a softly lit room with blurred windows in the background.
A bride sits gracefully, holding the hand of an elderly woman in a room. Bridesmaids surround them, adjusting their dresses and smiling. The setting is cozy and warmly lit, with vintage furniture and stained-glass windows in the background.
A bride stands in a room surrounded by bridesmaids in pink dresses. They are adjusting her long veil. The room has a vintage chandelier, stained glass windows, and a couch. A photographers watermark is in the lower right corner.
A tall, ornate Gothic-style church tower stands against a clear blue sky. The stone structure features large arched windows with intricate designs. A group of people in colorful outfits is walking near the buildings base.
A bride in a white gown stands under a stone archway, surrounded by ten bridesmaids in matching pink dresses. Each bridesmaid holds a bouquet of flowers. Lush green trees are visible in the background.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle of a grand church with towering ceilings and an ornate pipe organ in the background. The scene is captured in black and white, highlighting the architectural details and the couples elegant attire.
Black and white photo of a grand cathedral interior with a vaulted ceiling and intricate arches. A couple is walking down the aisle, flanked by rows of pews. Large stained glass windows are visible at the far end, with hanging chandeliers.
A wedding ceremony inside a grand cathedral with a high arched ceiling and large stained glass window. The bride and groom stand at the altar, surrounded by the wedding party. Hanging chandeliers illuminate the scene.
A black and white image of a cathedral interior with tall, arched columns. Elegant chandeliers hang from the ceiling. A person stands at a pulpit to the right, partially illuminated by light.
A couple is getting married in a grand church with a wooden altar backdrop. The bride wears a white gown and the groom a white suit. Bridesmaids in red and groomsmen in black stand nearby, and guests are seated in pews observing the ceremony.
A bride and groom kiss at the altar during their wedding ceremony. The bride is in a white gown and veil, while the groom wears a white naval uniform. Wedding guests are seated on either side, facing the couple. The setting is a church with ornate decor.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle of a grand cathedral with high vaulted ceilings and ornate stained-glass windows. The black and white photo captures the elegant, sacred ambiance, with guests seated on either side.
A bride, in a long white gown, is standing with bridesmaids under a Gothic archway. The black and white photo shows intricate stone architecture and a garden visible in the background.
A bride and groom are walking hand in hand through an ornate doorway towards the light outside. The bride wears a flowing gown with a long veil, and the groom is in a suit. The scene is silhouetted against the bright outdoors.
A couple in wedding attire stands at the entrance of a tall, ornate stone building with a grand archway. The structure features intricate architectural details and reaches high into the sky. The image is in black and white.
A bride and groom share a joyful moment outdoors. The bride is in a wedding dress and veil, and the groom is in a white suit. They are surrounded by lush greenery, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.
A bride and groom stand together outdoors, embraced and smiling at each other. The groom wears a white naval uniform, and the bride holds a bouquet of flowers. Sunlight filters through the trees in the background.
A bride and groom walk hand in hand down the steps of a cathedral at sunset. The bride wears a flowing white gown and veil, while the groom is in a white military uniform. The sun sets behind the tall stone tower of the cathedral.
A bride and groom share a kiss in the middle of an empty road. The groom is in a naval uniform, and the bride wears a wedding dress. In the background, a tall, gothic-style church tower is visible between trees. The scene is in black and white.
A spacious outdoor venue with a wooden building surrounded by trees. Groups of people are mingling on a stone patio and grass lawn, dressed in formal attire, likely attending a wedding or event. The sky is clear and blue.
Three women in pink dresses pose playfully outdoors at sunset, with one holding a finger gun, another with a finger to her lips, and the third pointing forward. They stand in front of a grassy area with trees in the background.
An elderly man in a tuxedo stands indoors, holding a microphone, presumably giving a speech. The room has large windows, wooden beams, and a decorative circular light fixture on the ceiling.
A black and white photo shows four people conversing outside a building. Two are seated on a bench, and two are standing. The setting is decorated with string lights, creating a warm, relaxed atmosphere.
Close-up of three rings on a reflective surface. The central ring is a men’s band with black inlay, flanked by a diamond engagement ring and a women’s band with small diamonds. Out-of-focus red and white flowers in the background add a romantic touch.
A bride and groom share a tender moment, embracing each other closely. The bride smiles warmly, her arms wrapped around the grooms neck. They are surrounded by blurred figures, suggesting they are the focus amidst a gathering. Black and white photo.
A black and white photo of an older man and a young woman embracing in a warm hug at an indoor gathering. People are visible in the background, blurred and seated, suggesting an emotional, likely celebratory event.
A lively wedding reception with guests dancing. A man in a suit dances with women in pink dresses, beneath wooden beams in a warmly lit venue. The scene is vibrant, with motion blur capturing the energetic atmosphere.
A black and white photo of three people dressed formally at an event. Two men in suits and a woman in a strapless dress are standing together, each holding cigars. The scene is outdoors at night, with drinks on the table in front of them.
A group of people in formal attire gathers around a bar at an outdoor evening event. The bartender is preparing drinks while others watch. String lights add a warm ambiance to the scene.
A woman sits alone on a stone bench in a dimly lit park at night, lit by her phone screen. Trees and a faintly illuminated path are in the background, creating a serene yet mysterious atmosphere.
A lively wedding reception scene with guests dancing energetically. An elderly man in a white shirt and tie dances between two women, one in a strapless red dress and the other in a white gown. The room features wooden beams and a large chandelier.
A bride and groom, the groom in a naval uniform and the bride in a white gown, walk through a crowd of people holding sparklers in a celebratory formation. The scene is festive and joyful.

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