A black and white image of a bride and groom at a river landing. The groom, in a suit, gently kisses the bride on the forehead. Her flowing gown and veil catch the breeze, creating an elegant silhouette against the forested backdrop—an enchanting moment at their wedding.

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June 27, 2024

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River landing wedding – rachel & thomas

The road to Rachel and Thomas’s River Landing wedding took a few twists and turns thanks to the pandemic, but we finally got there! After a few reschedules and adjustments, their special day unfolded into a truly beautiful celebration. Held at the picturesque River Landing, this wedding was a testament to love, resilience, and the support of their closest friends and family.

Capturing the Moments

From the moment we arrived at River Landing, it was clear that this was going to be an extraordinary day. Rachel and Thomas, a super fun and vibrant couple, were surrounded by their loved ones, creating an atmosphere filled with love and laughter. As a documentary wedding photojournalist, this is manna from heaven for me; all the little idiosyncrasies of the day made it really special to photograph.

Making the Portraits

One of the highlights of the day for me was the couple’s portrait session. As the sun peeked through the clouds, I worked with Rachel and Thomas to find the best light in spots for us to get the best images. They are so natural together, it was a photographer’s dream come true. The soft light of the sun through the clouds added a gorgeous vibe to the photos. The Oak City Films team and I had a lot of fun making pictures together in the short amount of time we had.

A Celebration to Remember

After the portrait session, we headed indoors for a reception that was expertly MC’d and DJ’d by Eric of All Around Raleigh DJ. Eric’s skills ensured the dance floor was never empty, and the celebration was in full swing from start to finish. The energy in the room was palpable, with guests dancing, laughing, and celebrating the newlyweds well into the night.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, a wedding as stunning as Rachel and Thomas’s couldn’t have happened without the hard work and dedication of a fantastic team. A special shout-out to all the great people behind the scenes who made this River Landing wedding a veritable visual feast:

Venue & Catering: River Landing / Planning & Florist: La Ruche / Hair & Makeup: Pinup Studio / DJ: All Around Raleigh DJ / Dress: White of Raleigh / Menswear: Aeries Formalwear / Live Ceremony Painter: Rachel English / Videographer: Oak City Films / Assistant Photographer: Brian Calabrese

To Rachel and Thomas, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day. Your wedding was nothing short of spectacular, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and adventure.

And with all the formalities taken care of, let’s take a look at some photos! Here are just a few of my picks of the pics….

A woman sits with her eyes closed, wearing a robe, in the intimate and serene setting of River Landing. Another person stands beside her applying makeup, capturing the tranquil preparation for a beautiful wedding in timeless black and white.
Black and white photo of hands resting on a knee, featuring long, manicured nails and a diamond engagement ring. The soft lighting evokes a contemplative mood, reminiscent of the serene ambiance at river landing weddings.
Three women in a room, one seated in a white robe laughing, another holding a football-shaped gift, and a third using a smartphone. A soft drink can is on the table nearby. The mood is relaxed and cheerful, reminiscent of an early gathering before a joyful river landing wedding.
A woman in a white robe, preparing for her River Landing wedding, has her makeup done with a gentle brush. Her arm is raised, partially covering her eyes. The black and white image beautifully captures her serene expression.
Two men in formal attire stand facing each other in front of a large window at River Landing. One is adjusting the other's tie, both smiling. The black and white scene conveys a moment of friendship or preparation for a wedding event.
A man in a blue suit and bowtie stands in a dimly lit room, buttoning his jacket with practiced precision. He gazes out with a slight smile, illuminated by soft light from a nearby window, as if anticipating the joy of the river landing wedding. The background is dark, accented by a framed picture on the wall.
A man in a formal suit with a bow tie stands by the lake, hands in pockets, contemplating the serenity of the river landing. The background features trees and a calm body of water. The image is captured in elegant black and white, capturing wedding-like tranquility.
A person holds a handwritten letter and a pen, with a notebook resting on their lap, reminiscent of wedding vows crafted by the river landing. The black-and-white image focuses on the hands and paper, crafting an intimate and reflective atmosphere.
A black-and-white image captures a wedding preparation scene: a woman in a robe holds up a dress, another sits reading, and the third styles her hair. The room, adorned with hairdressing tools and framed art on the walls, exudes an air of elegance reminiscent of river landing serenity.
A bride in a wedding gown is adjusting her veil in front of a mirror, with the serene river landing just outside the window. A woman in a dark dress stands beside her, assisting. The room is dimly lit, creating a tranquil mood that perfectly complements the setting.
A bride with long, wavy hair and a white veil gazes over her shoulder at the river landing. She wears a strapless lace wedding dress and has a calm, focused expression. The softly blurred background emphasizes her serene and poised appearance.
A black and white photo captures a tender embrace between a bride in a veil and strapless gown and an older man in a suit. The softly blurred background hints at an intimate river landing wedding setting.
In a warmly lit room at River Landing, a bride smiles as she reaches for a blue gift box from her five bridesmaids. Each wears a unique shade of green, adding to the joyful ambiance of this special wedding moment.
A bride in a white lace wedding gown smiles brightly, holding an open turquoise gift box that reveals a ring. She's sitting indoors at the River Landing wedding venue, with natural light beautifully illuminating her face.
A man in formal attire holds a young girl dressed in a fancy dress with a small tiara, likely at a river landing wedding. She clutches a wicker basket and looks slightly pouty, set against an indoor scene with a soft-focus background.
A young boy in a suit walks down an aisle at the river landing wedding, carrying a pillow and smiling. Guests are seated on either side, watching him. The scene unfolds in elegant black and white.
A bride in a flowing gown and veil walks down the aisle with an older man, likely her father. Guests at the River Landing wedding stand on either side in an elegant venue, capturing the moment in black and white.
At a beautifully decorated indoor venue, a bride in a white gown walks down the aisle at a stunning river landing wedding. Accompanied by an older man in a suit and red tie, she beams as she carries her bouquet past seated guests. The flower-adorned aisle adds to the enchanting scene.
A bride in a white gown and veil smiles as an older man in a suit escorts her at the river landing, shaking hands with the groom. Guests watch, some standing and some seated. The outdoor setting features a bright backdrop and floral decorations, perfect for this charming wedding celebration.
A black and white photo captures a river landing wedding ceremony on a terrace. The bride and groom stand under a floral arch, embraced by their bridal party and guests. In the background, lush trees frame the scene against a cloudy sky.
A smiling bride in a white, floral-textured wedding dress stands next to a groom in a blue suit, adjusting her earring. They are at an enchanting river landing wedding ceremony, with a floral arch nearby and guests seated against the scenic backdrop.
A bride and groom stand facing each other, holding hands with a cord, during a beautiful river landing wedding. The officiant stands behind them, book in hand. The background features a serene landscape with a railing and trees.
A bride and groom stand under a floral arch during their river landing wedding ceremony. The bride, in a white gown, gently touches the groom's face. Guests and a minister observe, while the bridesmaid holds a bouquet. The idyllic setting is outdoors with lush greenery in the background.
A bride in a white lace gown and a groom in a navy suit hold hands, smiling as they walk down the aisle at their river landing wedding. Guests seated on either side, surrounded by lush greenery and floral decorations, admire the arch adorned with white flowers in the background.
A bride and groom embrace beside a serene river landing. The bride wears a long veil and a lace dress, while the groom is in a dark suit. They gaze at each other affectionately, surrounded by trees and calm waters under a clear sky, creating the perfect wedding portrait.
A bride and groom stand back-to-back, smiling and laughing by the river landing in a wooded outdoor setting. The bride wears a lace gown with a long veil, while the groom is in a dark suit and tie. Shadows of trees create a textured background.
A bride and groom hold hands, gazing at each other on a sunlit path at River Landing. The bride wears a flowing white dress with a long veil, while the groom is in a blue suit. They stand in front of a decorative wrought-iron fence with trees in the background.
A bride and groom hold hands and smile at each other while walking outdoors. The bride wears a lace gown with a long veil, and the groom is dressed in a suit with a bow tie. They stroll near the river landing, with trees providing a picturesque backdrop to their perfect day.
A black and white photo captures a tender moment between a bride in a strapless lace gown and veil, and her groom, who sports a bow tie. They stand closely, hands entwined, at the enchanting River Landing wedding venue, with trees lining the path in the background.
A bride and groom embrace on a tree-lined brick path near a decorative lamp post, perfectly capturing their river landing wedding. The bride wears a flowing white gown, the groom a blue suit. The scene is peaceful, surrounded by lush greenery and tall palm trees.
A black and white image of a bride and groom at a river landing. The groom, in a suit, gently kisses the bride on the forehead. Her flowing gown and veil catch the breeze, creating an elegant silhouette against the forested backdrop—an enchanting moment at their wedding.
A bride and groom share their first dance at a river landing wedding in a grand ballroom with elegant chandeliers. Guests are seated at decorated tables in the background. The bride wears a lace-trimmed gown, and both smile as they embrace on the wooden dance floor.
A black and white photo captures a couple dancing closely at a River Landing wedding. The woman, with long wavy hair, smiles with her face partly hidden, while the man embraces her warmly. The softly lit ballroom, adorned with chandeliers, enhances the romantic ambiance.
A bride and a man gracefully dance together in the enchanting River Landing wedding reception hall, as guests seated at a beautifully decorated table in the background cheer and smile. The black and white image captures a joyful moment.
A black and white photo captures a joyful bride dancing with an older man, possibly her father, at the enchanting River Landing wedding reception. They're surrounded by a decorated table and guests in the background.
A couple dances in the foreground of a river landing wedding reception, slightly out of focus. In the background, a bridal party sits at a long table adorned with flowers. People at the table watch the dancing couple with smiles. Black and white image.
A woman with glasses and a patterned dress warmly hugs a man in a suit at a formal river landing wedding. They both appear content in the black and white photo, with a softly blurred background of the reception area.
A bride and groom smile and dance closely at their River Landing wedding reception. The groom wears a blue suit with a red bow tie, while the bride dazzles in a white dress. Guests and colorful light trails create a vibrant backdrop, enhancing the evening's joy.
At a river landing wedding, a bride in a white gown and three women, two in green dresses and one in dark blue, joyfully dance with an elderly man using a walker. They celebrate amidst blurred lights and festive decor at the vibrant reception.
Two women joyfully dance at a lively River Landing wedding reception. One wears a white bridal gown, holding her dress up, while the other, with tattoos on her arm, dons a green dress. Guests in the background join in the celebration, with lights creating motion streaks.
Three women joyfully dance together at a river landing wedding. One wears a green dress, another a blue dress, and the third a white wedding gown. They smile and embrace each other with lively expressions as colorful lights create a festive atmosphere.
At the lively river landing wedding, a bride in a white dress dances energetically with an older woman in a floral blouse. The room buzzes with colorful motion blur, perfectly capturing the festive atmosphere as other guests join in on the dance floor.
In an elegant river landing ballroom, a bride in a white dress prepares to throw her bouquet to the eager guests behind her. Chandeliers sparkle above as guests in formal attire eagerly await their chance to catch the special bouquet.
At a beautiful River Landing wedding, the groom kneels on the dance floor, playfully searching under the bride's dress for the garter during a fun ritual. The bride sits smiling on a chair as guests in formal attire watch and cheer in the background.
A couple joyfully walks through a tunnel of cheering guests waving sparklers at their river landing wedding. The man is in a blue suit and bow tie, while the woman wears a bright red outfit, adding to the festive atmosphere of this enchanting celebration.

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