north carolina wedding photographer • • • sadie higs photography »

We recently had the opportunity to shoot a wedding with our friend Sally Gupton at Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Winston-Salem. Sally has given us permission to post our favorite images that we got from the shoot.

The church was just stunningly beautiful and reminded me so much of the churches we saw when we were in Paris two summers ago. It provided a very historic European backdrop for Brittany & Reid’s wedding. Centenary is full of winding stairwells, unique accents and white stone, which was fun for me as I was photographing all the wedding day details.

I love this shot of the rings on the window of the main doors to the church.

The architecture of Centenary’s sanctuary was incredible and very humbling.

As I was shooting the details, Higs got to hang out with the guys.

Centenary’s back door opens up on to 4 1/2 street in downtown Winston-Salem. Yes, there’s actually a 4 1/2 street.

I finished the details just in time to meet up with Sally as Brittany was putting on her dress and veil.

So cute!

It’s go-time!

Just moments after the ceremony.

Reid was such the gentleman with his new bride.

The front steps of Centenary United Methodist Church were the perfect spot for group shots.

It was a tad windy that day!

Congratulations Brittany & Reid! And thanks to Sally for having us shoot with you!

Floral Visions Design Studio has become one of our favorite vendors recently since working with them for Jackie & Zack’s wedding at Graylyn. They did a really amazing job of bringing the entire day together with gorgous bouquets and arrangements that reflected the personality of the couple and complimented the vision they had for their wedding day. One thing I can say for sure is that the quality of their work is incredible. When I picked up Jackie’s bouquet, I was astounded at how sturdy and strong it was, yet still so beautiful. That’s an important quality to have in wedding floral arrangements as they need to last for hours and hours. To help showcase the work of Floral Visions Design Studio, we tagged along while they were setting up another recent wedding at Graylyn to get a few shots of them in action, as well as show the details of their beautiful work. Meet Floral Visions Design Studio.

Company Name: Floral Visions Design Studio

Owner/Contact: Wayne Hurst

Specialty: Independent and completely personalized floral design for weddings, events, commercial and residential clients.

Areas Serviced: Floral Visions Design Studio is located in Winston-Salem and services all of The Triad.

How many years have you been in business? “I have been designing floral arrangements for over 30 years and, after spending a few years in Atlanta, decided to move back home to Winston and opened Floral Visions Design Studio in 2002.”

What makes your business unique to others in your field? “While we’re known for our signature design flare, we’re very versatile in our design capabilities. We can do everything from simple, classic and conservative Martha Stewart-inspired design to ultra-contemporary and over-the-top designs, not to mention everything in between. No matter  how simple or complex, the sky is the limit. We pay very strong attention to detail which helps us as we strive for impeccable quality.”

“We like to think of ourselves as big-picture people. We don’t just do floral arrangements. We’re considered more of an aesthetic advisor or visual planner. We help bring together the entire look, feel and atmosphere of the event. We’ll assist in selecting everything from the table linens to votives to fabrics and decorations such as Chinese lanterns.”

What excites you when you meet a client for the first time? ”I love getting inside a new client’s head and learning their personality, likes and dislikes. All of that is brought out in the event we design and is captured in the final product. Someone who is whimsical, free-spirited and outgoing would tend to have much more colorful and cutting-edge arrangements, while someone who is more reserved and classic would tend to have an all-white palette and very simplistic and elegant arrangements. Nothing we do is pre-packaged. Everything is completely customized and different for each client.”

Web:  www.floralvisionsdesignstudio.com/

Address: 729 North Peace Haven Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104

Phone: 336.793.2363

Email: floralvisions@msn.com

A few weeks before we photographed Jackie & Zack’s wedding at Graylyn, we met with the Graylyn team to do a Meet the Vendor on them. It was nice to get to know them and learn the background on the venue, which is a staple in The North Carolina Triad. Working with them the day of the wedding was smooth and seamless. They were nothing but professional and courteous to the couples’ needs, as well as ours, which really helps make such a big day go off without a hitch.

Company Name: Graylyn International Conference Center

Specialty: With 98 guestrooms and some of the most unique spaces in North Carolina, Graylyn specializes as a hosting venue for wedding ceremonies, receptions and special events, as well as all-day meetings and overnight conferences.

Areas Serviced: Graylyn is located across the street from Reynolda Gardens near Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. If you live in The North Carolina Triad, it’s unlikely that you haven’t heard of Graylyn. And while many of their weddings are for North Carolina residents, Graylyn is quickly becoming an destination wedding location for those living outside of North Carolina.

How many years have you been in business? Graylyn was built in the late 1920s and early 1930s as a private residence for the Bowman Gray family of Winston-Salem. For the next 50 years, ownership would be passed back and for between The Gray Family and Wake Forest University. In 1980 an extensive fire caused the entire 3rd floor of The Manor House to be destroyed. Over the next four years, the 3rd floor was reconstructed, guestrooms were added, and the estate was re-opened as Graylyn International Conference Center, which has since hosted global dignitaries and leading organizations.

What makes your business unique to others in your field? “We are not a traditional banquet hall. The estate was one a private home, so even though it’s incredibly grand and breath-taking, it still has a homey-comfortable feel. Graylyn and its grounds are beautiful and richly decorated, minimizing the need for additional decorations. We also offer many additional services, such as guestrooms, transportation, and our food is unlike any other hotel in the area. Our Executive Chef hails from Barbados and has the ability to deliver a wide variety of culinary cuisines. While Graylyn has a repertoire of menus for events, our chef takes great pride in working directly with our clients to customize menus.”

What excites you when you meet a client for the first time? “We love meeting clients to help them create the most-exciting celebration of their lives.”

Web: http://www.graylyn.com/

Address: 1900 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Phone: 336.758.2429

Contact: http://www.graylyn.com/requests/formspecial.htm

Yay! We’re proud to announce that Catherine & Taylor’s wedding at The Proximity Hotel in Greensboro has been featured on the Completely Unveiled, the blog for Weddings Unveiled Magazine! Completely Unveiled is dedicated to providing Southern brides with fresh, edgy, yet classic wedding inspiration and is an excellent resource to find vendors. Be sure to check out the feature!!

 

I love photographing what Higs & I fondly refer to as “Just Married” sessions! After the build up of the months a bride and groom spend splanning their wedding, then the anticipation that actually comes with the day itself and finally saying “I do,” the Just Married session allows us to capture the undeniable love and pure excitement they have for one another in their first moments alone as husband and wife. We do very little directing during Just Married sessions because it’s impossible to make up this kind of happiness. We just capture the moment, in all its beauty, as-is. And I love it!

After Jackie & Zack’s outdoor wedding ceremony at Graylyn, we spent some time on the beautiful 55-acre estate to photograph their Just Married session. What an incredible backdrop for such a happy, fun and in love couple!

Jackie Fine!

I love the expression on Jackie’s mom’s face as her husband toasted (and roasted) the newlyweds.

The outdoor/indoor cockail hour and reception had a true Southern ambiance, including cigars, sweet tea, constant laughter and drinks all around on a hot July evening.

Seriously, I’m in love with these rings.

Special thanks to this suit of armor for assisting with my ring shot.

Floral Visions Design Studio of Winston-Salem did a fabulous job of keeping with the all-white/romantic-themed reception Jackie & Zack selected by using white orchids and white floating votive candles in the centerpieces.

The cake, designed by Jackie and Regi Originals, incorporated the reds, pinks and fuschias of the bridal bouqutes.

The place cards were beautifully hand-written in calligraphy by Carole Murray.

Jackie & Zack transformed The Atlantis Room of Graylyn to incorporate their all-white-themed wedding reception by draping the walls and hanging white Chinese lanterns.

And then the party started! Leggz, a band represented through East Coast Entertainment, was AMAZING! They played huge variety of party favorites including everything from Motown to Classic Rock and hits from the 70s and 80s. In addition to that, Higs & I got to talk with them prior to the reception and they’re such a fun group who genuinely love putting on a good show!

Zack’s dad jumped in at one point and joined them on the trumpet!

Congratulations Jackie & Zack! Thank you for having us there to document such a beautiful and fun day!

Vendors:

Location: Graylyn International Conference Center

Florist: Floral Visions Design Studio of Winston-Salem

Caterer: Graylyn International Conference Center

Ceremony Entertainment: Elegant Ensembles

Reception Entertainment: Leggz through East Coast Entertainment

Bakery: Regi Originals

Place Card Calligraphy: Carole Murray

Wedding Invitations: Christine Cannon

Wedding Planner: Jo Stanley (336.924.6828)