In the sunlit JC Raulston Arboretum, Holly and Sut stand serenely amidst lush greenery and towering palm trees. She glows in her white wedding dress, while he looks sharp in a blue suit, both embracing the peaceful beauty of their special day.

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December 21, 2023

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JC raulston arboretum wedding – holly & sut

October closed out in style with Holly & Sut’s intimate JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. This was such a beautiful day to photograph!

Departing from tradition, Holly & Sut decided to forgo some of the typical wedding elements like a bridal party, dancing, or a sparkler exit; they focused instead on an intimate ceremony and candlelit dinner under the stars with heartfelt speeches from their closest friends and family—a personalized reflection of the couple’s vision for their special day.

From a photography standpoint, I always say each wedding has its own personality which translates over to the photos themselves. For Holly & Sut’s day, I found I was really drawn to two different vibes as the afternoon progressed: the anticipation and quiet mood of the bride and groom getting ready together in their hotel room leant itself to a B&W look; whilst the warm hues of the autumn afternoon and golden hour at the arboretum naturally led to a more vibrant look for that part of the day.

You’ll see Holly & Sut placed a lot of emphasis on the portrait side of things and bringing in the environment of the arboretum as well as the intimacy of the event. I always ask my couples what drew them to my work and this is what they told me in the intro questionnaire they filled out for me:

“We love your landscape shots! Especially the grandiose nature views of the couples. Your composition — the placement of the couple, the amount of space around them, etc. shows your strong sense of perspective when shooting. The lighting (natural) is also what we prefer. The contrast also peaks interest in your shots — with broad range of dark to light that brings depth to the scene. We’re hoping for: landscape compositions, depth/contrast in light and color, nature, elegance, and candid shots, too. We’re trying to create a simple, elegant, and intimate event for our closest friends and immediate family and would like to capture that essence as well.”

So with all that said, here are just a few of my faves from Holly & Sue’s special day. I hope you’ll agree we accomplished the brief!

Cheers to the Holly & Sut and best wishes to them both for a long and happy life together!!

A black and white image captures Holly in a kimono, standing before a mirror, applying makeup for her JC Raulston Arboretum wedding with Sut. The scene, viewed through a partially open door, exudes intimacy and focuses on her serene reflection.
A black and white image captures Holly helping Sut with his tie, both elegantly dressed for their JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. Standing in front of a window with drawn curtains, the light casts a striking silhouette of the couple's intimate moment.
A woman in a robe admires a lace wedding dress on a hanger in her modern, neutral-toned bedroom. The setting is serene and elegant, reminiscent of the style seen at Holly & Sut's JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. Beside her, a lamp softly glows on the nightstand.
A bride in a lace wedding gown stands by a window at the JC Raulston Arboretum, while another person helps her with the dress. Sunlight filters through the curtains, illuminating the elegant train at Holly and Sut's wedding.
A woman in a lace wedding dress stands near a window at the JC Raulston Arboretum, gazing out thoughtfully. The black and white image highlights the intricate details of her gown and her serene expression—perfectly capturing the elegance of Holly & Sut's special day.
In a black and white image, a man in a white shirt and patterned tie adjusts his sleeve with meticulous care. The lighting casts deep shadows, emphasizing his focused expression, reminiscent of the elegant moments captured at JC Raulston Arboretum weddings like Holly & Sut’s.
In a dimly lit room, a black and white image captures a person in a suit and tie, hands in pockets. Their shadow stretches onto the wall, evoking contemplation—a moment reminiscent of quiet reflections at Holly & Sut's JC Raulston Arboretum wedding.
A black-and-white photo captures Holly in a flowing gown walking towards Sut at their JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. The bride's dress sways gracefully as she approaches the groom, standing on a grassy area with trees in the background.
A black and white silhouette of Holly and Sut, a joyful couple at their JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, smiling as she, with her hair in an updo adorned with flowers, touches his chest. Both are elegantly dressed in formal attire against a softly out-of-focus background.
A black and white photo captures a bride in a lace wedding dress at the JC Raulston Arboretum, looking to the side amid lush greenery. In the background, a groom in a suit—perhaps Holly’s beloved Sut—is slightly blurred, tenderly gazing at her.
Holly and Sut stand amidst tall bamboo stalks at JC Raulston Arboretum. The woman wears a white wedding dress, and the man dons a suit. Both gaze at the camera, surrounded by the serene, natural setting in this timeless black-and-white capture.
A black and white photo captures Holly and Sut in formal attire embracing on a garden path at JC Raulston Arboretum. Tall trees and lush foliage surround them, with sunlight softly illuminating the scene. The couple gazes into each other's eyes, creating a romantic atmosphere.
A black and white photo captures Holly & Sut on their wedding day at the JC Raulston Arboretum. The bride's long, flowing gown and the groom's suit stand out among the lush foliage, with sunlight filtering through tall trees and shrubs, creating a timeless scene.
A wooden sign on a table reads, "Welcome to our wedding, Holly & Sutyajeet, October 29th, 2023," adorned with exquisite floral motifs. Celebrating at the JC Raulston Arboretum Wedding, the floral cloth-draped table is embellished with blooms and neatly stacked napkins.
A decorative floral arrangement featuring white roses, pink and blue flowers, and lush greenery graces a JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. Beside a white wooden chair, the display rests on grass sprinkled with scattered autumn leaves—a perfect setting for Holly & Sut's special day.
At Holly & Sut's JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, a string quartet performs outdoors, enveloped by lush greenery and colorful flowers. The musicians, in elegant black attire, play violins, a viola, and a cello while seated in a semicircle on white chairs.
A young boy in a suit walks along the garden path at the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding of Holly & Sut, holding a card. Behind him, two men in suits and two girls in dresses follow, surrounded by lush greenery and soft sunlight filtering through the trees.
A bride in a white lace gown holds a vibrant bouquet as she walks arm-in-arm with an elderly man in a blue suit. They gracefully navigate the garden path at JC Raulston Arboretum, surrounded by greenery and yellow foliage, capturing the essence of Holly & Sut's wedding day.
At the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, a young child in a stylish outfit crouches beside a woman's legs. The child smiles at the camera, surrounded by vibrant flowers and white chairs, with sunlight creating a warm atmosphere. It’s a joyous celebration of Holly & Sut's special day.
A man in a blue suit speaks into a microphone, holding a book, facing a woman in a white lace dress with a floral hairpin. They are at Holly and Sut's JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, surrounded by lush greenery and blooming flowers under the sunlit sky.
At the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, Holly delicately places a ring on Sut's finger. She radiates elegance in her white dress while he looks dashing in a blue suit. The officiant, dressed in black, stands before a stunning floral backdrop, capturing the essence of their special day.
A newlywed couple, Holly and Sut, share a romantic kiss on a stone path at their stunning JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. Guests seated in white chairs watch and applaud. A gazebo and lush greenery serve as the backdrop, with flower arrangements lining the aisle.
A bride and groom, Holly and Sut, stand smiling in front of a floral arch at the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding. The bride holds a bouquet of assorted flowers and wears a white lace gown, while the groom is in a blue suit with a patterned tie. The setting is an outdoor garden with lush greenery.
A group photo of six people standing outdoors in formal attire at the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding of Holly & Sut. The bride holds a bouquet, and others are wearing suits and dresses. They are smiling, with greenery and a wooden fence in the background.
Holly and Sut stand under a vine-covered archway at the JC Raulston Arboretum, lost in each other's eyes. The bride clutches a bouquet beneath a chandelier, enhancing the lush, green garden setting of their wedding venue.
In a sunlit grassy field at the JC Raulston Arboretum, Holly and Sut stand closely together, surrounded by warm, glowing bokeh. The groom wears a suit while the bride is in a white dress, both gazing at each other affectionately.
A couple stands closely, gently touching foreheads, bathed in warm, golden sunlight at the JC Raulston Arboretum. The man wears a blue suit, and the woman is in a white lace dress. The sunlit garden provides a blurred backdrop to Holly and Sut's enchanting moment.
Silhouetted couple, Holly & Sut, holds hands against a sunset backdrop at JC Raulston Arboretum, surrounded by trees. Warm golden light from the setting sun enhances the romantic atmosphere.
At the JC Raulston Arboretum, a long wooden dining table is elegantly set outdoors for Holly and Sut's wedding. White plates, red napkins, crystal glasses, and floral arrangements of pink and white flowers adorn the scene as sunlight casts soft shadows, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
A beautifully set outdoor table at the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding of Holly & Sut features elegant plates, crystal glasses, and floral centerpieces with pink and white flowers. The warm sunlight adds a natural glow, creating an inviting and festive atmosphere.
At the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding of Holly and Sut, two children in formal attire joyfully play with large, colorful foam blocks on a patterned rug. A girl in a white dress sits, while a boy in a light blue shirt and tie stacks blocks as adults enjoy the festivities at a nearby table.
At the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, Holly in her white lace dress and Sut in a blue suit with a floral boutonniere stand amidst blurred greenery. Sut speaks into a microphone while Holly looks on lovingly, capturing the magic of their special day.
At a charming JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, Holly gazes lovingly at Sut under the warm glow of lights. An older man in the foreground holds a microphone, likely delivering a heartfelt speech, as tables of guests enjoy the serene outdoor setting framed by lush trees.
A dessert table at Holly and Sut's JC Raulston Arboretum wedding featured a floral cake centerpiece, surrounded by an array of pastries and sweets. Decorative flowers and stacked plates enhanced the setting, illuminated by warm lighting, creating an inviting and elegant atmosphere.
At Holly and Sut's JC Raulston Arboretum wedding, the couple is cutting a three-tiered white cake. The groom is in a blue suit, and the bride wears a stunning white dress. They're smiling warmly as they stand closely together in a beautifully lit room.
At the JC Raulston Arboretum wedding of Holly and Sut, a young girl in a white dress delights in her dessert amid vibrant flowers and blurred dinner guests. The setting radiates an elegant, joyful atmosphere.
A wedding table at the JC Raulston Arboretum showcases a white gift box adorned with floral designs and "Thank You, Holly & Sutvajeet, 10-20-2023" print. In the background, there's a white cake and various desserts, with black and gold utensils neatly arranged nearby.

Huge shout-out of the vendor team working behind the scenes to make it such a beautiful day to photograph:

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