Clay+Amy | Engagement | North End, Wrightsville Beach, NC

9 Jan 2014•Engagement

These two just got hitched a few weeks ago. I’ve known Clay since we were in diapers hussling trapper-keepers and nike pumps. The least I could do for the ole chap is shoot some Engagement photos for them. This was a short session, just walking around the expansive North End of Wrightsville Beach, NC, in the shadows of Shell Island Resort. We hung out in dunes, walked the shoreline & ended up in the marsh. Here’s what we got. We were counting on a good sunset to cap off the session, that didn’t come to fruition, but I think we still came away with some winners. Being a groomman in their wedding, I wasn’t able to shoot their wedding images for them, but I did manage to obscurely follow them around shooting some video, you can find that final video at the bottom of this post. Might have to add video to my wedding services…. Stay tuned. Cheers.

Doug+Maggie | Wedding | Pembroke Hall, Edenton, NC Photographer

5 Dec 2013•Wedding

This wedding was a photographers dream.. Beautiful location, beautiful weather, beautiful people… Doug & Maggie decided to wed in Edenton, NC (google it) at the stunning Pembroke Hall (google it), and to be honest I wasn’t sure quite sure what to expect when I arrived after a 3-hr drive north from Wilmington. Doug, Maggie and I didn’t get an opportunity to meet prior to their wedding day, I have never been to Edenton and other than a few google searches, I had never seen Pembroke Hall. So you could imagine my relief when I pulled up to a charming historic plantation style home in the heart of downtown Edenton with Maggie’s big contagious smile there to greet me. It was a pleasure hanging out with these guys and their friends & family, on this beautiful and picturesque occasion, a true example of an old fashioned southern wedding.

Brie+Caroline | Wedding | Brooklyn Arts Center | Wilmington, NC Photographer

5 Nov 2013•Wedding

It’s pretty rare to get to shoot a wedding of the same couple twice, but on this friday evening in September I got to do just that. I had the pleasure of joining these two in New York last year to shoot a small, intimate ceremony in Central Park, as well as some engagement/lifestyle images in the urban-esque landscape of the Big Apple. (If you missed that post, you can check it out here, https://chriszachary.com/blog/2012/10/11/briecaroline-engagement-wedding-new-york-ny/). Brie has roots in New York, while Caroline is a local girl, so it only makes sense to have a wedding in both locations. After the New York wedding, I knew this one would not disappoint. The love these two share is rare and its quite apparent whenever they’re together. The ceremony & reception were held in Downtown Wilmington at the Brooklyn Arts Center. It was quite the honor to have the opportunity to document both of their wedding days. Hopefully I’ll be able to attend their wedding next year! (There is one next year, right guys? Guys???) The day after their wedding I got to drive up to Edenton, NC to shoot a stunning wedding at Pembroke Hall, look for those next on the blog.

Ceremony: Brooklyn Arts Center Courtyard
Reception: Brooklyn Arts Center
DJ: Kevin Durant
DJ: Jesse Stockton Band
Florist: TBD
Caterer: Bon Appetit
Cake: Imaginary Cakes
Coodinator: KickStand Events

Ross+Leina | Wedding | Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area

24 Oct 2013•Wedding

Ross & Leina got married on a beautiful September day at the Beach House Bar & Grill on the grounds of the Fort Fisher Recreation Center, overlooking the Cape Fear River. The weather couldnt of been any better. We started the day at the Fort Fisher Historic site to shoot Ross & Leina’s first look and some bridal party portraits before heading to the ceremony/reception site. After a beautiful ceremony on the banks of the Cape Fear, we proceeded on to the Bar & Grill for the reception. Ross & Leina had hands down one of the best reception entances I have ever seen! The day was capped off with some dancing and a spectacular sunset, a fitting way to start my fall wedding season.

Ceremony: Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area
Reception: Beach House Bar & Grill
Band/DJ: The Muzic Machine
Florist: Marshall Gardens
Caterer: Macgrooders
Cake: Cake Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge
Videographer: Our Wedding Story Productions

Nate+Jen | Wedding | Brooklyn Arts Center, Wilmington, NC

30 Sep 2013•Wedding

Here is another wedding from this summer. This one was back in July. Fall wedding season is in full swing so I’m trying to get caught up on some blogging. I have about 6 queued up. It’s been almost 2 months since the last post! Whew! Anyway, back to Nate + Jen. This was my first time shooting at the Brooklyn Arts Center in Downtown Wilmington, NC. Formerly St Andrews Church, constructed in 1888, the Brooklyn Arts Center has been transformed into the ultimate wedding venue. Nate & Jen opted to shoot a “First Look” prior to the ceremony, and the courtyard at the BAC provided the perfect setting. Jen and her bridemaids got ready at the historic house attached to the BAC while Nate and the groomsmen were in the Tower room at the Best Western on the riverfront. Post ceremony we took a trolley to the riverfront to shoot some bridal party portraits, while guests enjoyed cocktail hour in the courtyard. The reception kicked off with a bang with a live band providing a musical backdrop late into the night. We even got a visit from the fire department after the building alarm was set off, still not sure why, but it sure did provide some awesome photo ops. A lot of time and thought was put into Nate + Jen’s wedding which is evident in all the little details. It was a pleasure shooting for these two and I wish them the best! Enjoy!

Contact Me about shooting your Brooklyn Arts Center wedding.

Hair+Make-Up: Bella Salon (Hair), & Dawn Haga (friend of bride)
Ceremony: Brooklyn Arts Center
Reception: Brooklyn Arts Center
Band: Jupiter Jones (Greenville, NC)
Cake Artist: Kimber Herring
Catering: Middle of the Island
Rentals: L & L
Florist: Fiore Fine Flowers

Danny+Brittany | Wedding | Sunset Beach, NC + Silver Coast Winery

10 Aug 2013•Wedding

I’ve been holding out on this one, and man is it a good one. Recently blogging has taken a back seat to editing, processing, packaging, album designing, etc. I shot Danny & Brittany’s wedding back in June of this year. I don’t like to pick favorites, but this was up there. It was one of those occasions that sticks with you and takes a few days to wear off. I met with these awesome folks back in December of 2012 for their engagement session and from the start they felt more like friends than clients; and that feeling carried over to their wedding day. They had a nice little ceremony on the beach at Sunset Beach, NC followed by a phenomenal reception at the Silver Coast Winery. Brittany spent a lot of time preparing and handcrafting the awesome decor for her wedding and it really paid off. She has a great style and it paired profoundly with the Sliver Coast Winery, a tiny slice of heaven hidden between the corn fields of Brunswick county. I had a great time shooting with Danny, Brittany and their family & friends. Sit back and enjoy the show…

Hair+Make-Up: Totally Chic Salon & Spa
Ceremony: Sunset Beach, NC
Reception: Silver Coast Winery, Ocean Isle Beach, NC
DJ: Nitro Dance Entertainment, Asheville, NC
Cake Artist: Coastal Cupcakes
Catering: Art Catering
Rentals: Rent-A-Tent
Florist: Sam’s Club

Dan+Jessica | Engagement | Fort Fisher, NC Photographer

23 Jul 2013•Engagement

Dan & Jessica are from Ohio. Jessica has been vacationing on Pleasure Island for many years now, and since her first visit, she knew it was the perfect place to get married. I can’t blame her. These two were a blast to work with, Dan had us all cracking up the whole time and it really helped bring out those great, natural smiles you’ll see below. Their whole family was in town vacationing and both Dan & Jessica’s mothers joined us as we toured around the scenic areas of Fort Fisher for their engagement session. Can’t be happy enough to shoot their wedding in March of next year.

Jared+Lauren | Wedding | The Grove at Fort Fisher & NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher

18 Jul 2013•Wedding

I shot Jared & Lauren’s Fort Fisher wedding at the start of June this year. I’ve been waiting to shoot a ceremony at this location for sometime now. If you follow my work you know I shoot A LOT at Fort Fisher, but I have yet to shoot a wedding in The Grove. It is one of my favorite places in the world. Pair that with a reception at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, perfect weather and an awesome couple, and you’re guaranteed a picture perfect event. I’m sure many of you have attended the Aquarium during regular hours, but the way they transform the space into a classy & elegant reception venue is nothing short of impressive. They had the dance floor setup right beside the Cape Fear Shoals exhibit, which is the largest tank in the Aquarium, and provided an impressive backdrop for the first dances. I’ve handpicked a few of my favorites to share here on the blog. Contact me to shoot your Fort Fisher or FF Aquarium wedding! Enjoy!