A black and white photo captures a bride and groom embracing closely at Duke Gardens. The bride, in a lace dress and veil, smiles as the groom, in a suit, gently touches her forehead with his. The softly blurred background highlights their intimate moment.

Duke Gardens Weddings

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June 30, 2019

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duke gardens weddings – anh & david

Regular visitors to my website will know I love working on Duke Gardens weddings and it was such a treat to photograph Anh & David’s wedding there a few weeks back. But rather than me tell you about it, here’s Anh herself with a quick recap of how she found me and how the planning and the day itself  went down:

“I am the kind of bride who puts a lot of time and effort into researching each and every vendor till I find a perfect match. I rank my wedding vendors in an excel spreadsheet and Joe was my number one choice in the photographer category. My husband and I planned our wedding on a moderate budget but we knew we had to prioritize photography and videography because years from now, photos and videos will be the only physical things we have left with to remember our wedding day by. One of my husband’s groomsmen who is a wedding photographer recommended Joe and said he was the best wedding photographer in the area. When we saw Joe’s photos on his website and instagram, we knew we had to book him fast!

Joe was so accommodating when my husband and I wanted our first look to be at a different location (Duke Chapel). He reached out to the location to ask for permission to take pictures there. On our wedding day, Joe drove me while his assistant, Erin drove my husband to our first look location. It was a pretty warm summer day and I am sure they were exhausted taking pictures for hours in the sun but both of them stayed enthusiastic and excited throughout the night. Joe and Erin were very dedicated, professional and easy to get along with. We were able to see our first photo on Joe’s instagram and thought it looks stunning. We highly recommend Joe and Erin and we truly appreciate all of their help on our big day.”

You’ll see Anh brought in a few unique touches from here home country of Vietnam; from her wedding dress to the traditional attire she and David wore for a quick sunset shoot around the gardens, there really were plenty of cool little details to photograph.

I hope you enjoy just a few of my faves from their day.

Ceremony & Reception: Sarah P Duke Gardens, Durham, NC | Event Coordination: Bona Fide Events, Raleigh, NC | Florist: Whole Foods, Chapel Hill, NC | Catering: Catering Works, Raleigh, NC | Hair & Makeup: Wedding Hair by Liz, Raleigh, NC | Ceremony Musician: Save the Date Music, Chapel Hill, NC | Rentals: CE Rental, Raleigh | Assistant Photographer: Erin Henderson, Wilmington, NC

A bride stands in a softly lit room wearing a white wedding dress. An older woman in a colorful floral robe helps fasten the dress. Framed art decorates the wall, and a lamp casts a warm glow from a nearby side table.
A close-up of a brides back showing intricate lace and embroidery on her wedding dress. A person is fastening delicate buttons along the dress, showcasing careful attention to detail. The sleeves are sheer with floral patterns.
A woman in an elegant wedding dress with intricate lace details gazes thoughtfully to the side. Her hair is styled in a loose updo with soft curls framing her face, and she wears subtle makeup.
Two men in white shirts are adjusting each others black bow ties in a bright room. One is wearing glasses, while the other stands by a window, holding his tie. The scene conveys a sense of preparation and camaraderie.
Black and white photo of a groom in a tuxedo with a bow tie, adjusting his jacket. He stands outdoors with a slight smile, wearing a boutonniere on his lapel. Background is softly blurred.
A groom stands confidently in the foreground wearing a tuxedo with a boutonniere, while four groomsmen in matching suits stand behind him, slightly out of focus. The background features soft-focus trees and sunlight.
A bride in an elegant gown walks up to a groom in a formal suit in a grand, arch-lined hallway with framed artwork and hanging chandeliers. The black and white image captures their first look moment.
A bride and groom hold hands while walking up a staircase in an elegant indoor setting. The bride wears a lace wedding gown, and the groom is in a suit with a bow tie. Above them are large, decorative chandeliers. The image is in black and white.
A couple stands in a brightly lit corridor with arched windows and hanging lights. The bride wears a white dress, and the groom is in a dark suit. Stained glass artwork is visible in the background.
A bride and groom share an intimate moment, touching foreheads and smiling. The bride wears a lace dress and veil, while the groom is in a dark suit. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the couples joyous expression.
A bride and groom stand close together on a sunny day, surrounded by greenery and soft pink flowers in the foreground. A large stone building is partially visible in the background.
A bride and groom pose for a black-and-white photo in a park, with a tall, ornate tower in the background. The bride wears a lace gown and veil, and the groom is in a suit. Trees and a clear sky surround them.
A diverse group of people, dressed in formal attire, stands together on a grassy area with trees in the background. The group includes a bride in a white gown and a groom in a dark suit, surrounded by family and friends, smiling for the photo.
Bridesmaids and a bride hold vibrant bouquets of pink peonies and pastel flowers, with light blue dresses in the background.
A string quartet performs under a wooden arbor surrounded by lush greenery in a garden. The musicians are seated, focused on their sheet music, and their instruments include violins, a viola, and a cello. Sunlight filters through the leaves overhead.
A bride in a white dress holding a bouquet walks down the aisle accompanied by a man in a blue suit on her left and a woman in a red dress on her right. They are outdoors with a decorative stone arch and greenery in the background.
A bride warmly embraces a woman in a heartfelt hug, both smiling with closed eyes. A groom stands nearby, bowing his head slightly. Two children and one man in a suit observe the moment in the softly lit, outdoor setting.
A serene outdoor wedding ceremony set in a lush garden, featuring a small pond in the foreground. Guests are seated around a circular area with a wooden pergola framing the couple, surrounded by tall trees under a clear blue sky.
A wedding ceremony is taking place outdoors, with a bride and groom standing before an officiant. Guests sit on chairs, watching. The foreground is blurred with pink flowers, adding a dreamy effect to the scene.
A black and white photo of a wedding ceremony outdoors. The bride and groom stand facing each other, surrounded by their bridal party. Bridesmaids hold bouquets, and the setting is elegant with natural light illuminating the scene.
A wedding ceremony is taking place outdoors under a wooden arch. Guests are seated, observing the bride and groom standing with the officiant. Trees and a building are in the background, and sunlight filters through the leaves.
A bride and groom stand facing each other during their outdoor wedding ceremony. The bride is smiling, wearing a long veil, while a woman officiates between them. Bridesmaids hold bouquets in the background. The scene is peaceful and joyous.
A wedding ceremony set outdoors in a lush garden, with sunlight filtering through trees. The couple stands together, surrounded by family and friends seated in rows. Floral arrangements decorate the scene.
A bride and groom exchange rings during an outdoor wedding ceremony. The bride wears a lace dress and veil, while the groom is in a dark suit. A woman stands behind them, officiating. A flower girl is partially visible on the left.
A groom lifts and kisses the bride in a white gown during an outdoor wedding ceremony. Bridesmaids with bouquets and a young girl watch nearby. There is a pond and lush greenery in the background under soft, golden lighting.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom walking hand in hand down a path surrounded by lush greenery. The bride wears an elegant dress with a train, and the groom is in a suit. Their backs are turned to the camera.
A bride in a white lace dress holds a vibrant bouquet while standing between two stone pillars adorned with plants. Sunlight filters through trees in the background, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.
A bride in an elegant lace wedding gown holds a bouquet of pink flowers. She smiles while looking over her shoulder, with a serene garden background softly blurred.
A bride stands outdoors, draped in a light veil and wearing a white dress adorned with floral patterns. She looks to the side, framed by blurred green and purple foliage, and is bathed in warm sunlight.
A bride in a lace wedding dress and veil smiles joyfully while standing outdoors. The sunlight highlights the intricate patterns of her dress and the flowing veil, creating an elegant and serene scene. Black and white photo.
A couple stands in a bamboo forest. The man wears a blue traditional outfit with white patterns, and the woman wears a red dress with lacy sleeves. They look lovingly at each other, surrounded by tall bamboo stalks.
A couple embraces outdoors, surrounded by greenery. The woman wears a red, gold-embroidered dress, smiling warmly. The man, in a blue embroidered outfit, gently kisses her forehead. White flowers peek through the leaves in the background.
A couple in traditional attire stands on a wooden bridge amidst lush greenery. The woman wears a red dress and the man wears a blue outfit. They are gazing at each other affectionately, surrounded by trees and nature.
A couple stands on a red arched bridge surrounded by lush greenery. The woman is wearing a red traditional outfit, and the man is in a blue outfit. They gaze into each others eyes with smiles, creating a romantic scene.
A couple in traditional attire stands smiling in front of a fountain. The man wears a blue outfit with white patterns, and the woman wears a red and gold embroidered dress. They are embracing and looking at each other lovingly.
A couple embraces and shares a kiss on a tree-lined path. The man lifts the woman in a flowing red dress, surrounded by lush greenery and pink flowers in the foreground. The scene conveys romance and natures beauty.
A smiling couple wearing traditional attire sits at a round table, looking towards a person in a suit whos standing and facing them. The scene appears to be a celebratory event, set indoors with large windows in the background.
A couple dances elegantly in a spacious, warmly lit reception hall with a high wooden ceiling and large windows. Guests seated at round tables watch, and photographers capture the moment. The atmosphere is festive and joyful.
A couple dancing together at a wedding reception in a large, rustic hall with wooden beams and a high ceiling. They are surrounded by seated guests watching them. The atmosphere is joyful and celebratory.
A bride in a white dress throws a bouquet over her shoulder. A group of women eagerly reach to catch it. The room is decorated with wooden beams, and tables are set for a wedding reception.
A couple in formal attire walks hand-in-hand through a joyful crowd blowing bubbles outside a building marked Visitor Center, during a nighttime wedding celebration.

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