Leah + Chris | Brooklyn Arts Center Wedding

Leah & Chris’s Brooklyn Arts Center wedding was a long time coming! We shot their engagement session almost exactly a year ago at Airlie Gardens (check those out [here]!), so it felt like forever since I’d last seen Chris — though I did get to see Leah a few weeks earlier for her bridal session (you can find that post [here] too!). They couldn’t have asked for a more perfect fall day — not a cloud in the sky, comfortable temperatures, and that crisp, low-humidity air that makes October the best time of year to get married in North Carolina. From the very start, Leah & Chris’s family and friends were such a joy to be around. When I found out that Leah’s dad is a photographer himself, I knew I had to bring my A-game! We began the day in the Manse bridal suite, where Leah and her bridesmaids were getting ready. Although the couple chose not to see each other before the ceremony, Leah shared a sweet, emotional first look with her dad — one of my favorite moments of the day. Afterward, we took the girls out to the courtyard for some portraits in that dreamy afternoon light. Meanwhile, Chris and his groomsmen were getting ready over in The Annex. I got some photos of them getting dressed and took them out for some group shots using the epic archway entry of the Annex as the backdrop. Once guests began to arrive, both Leah and Chris tucked away while everyone filed into the grand ceremony space — the “Church” at Brooklyn Arts Center. Following the ceremony, the talented team at Blue Satin Bee Events seamlessly flipped the ceremony space into a stunning reception setup while guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the courtyard. After family and bridal party portraits, Leah, Chris, and I snuck away for a few gorgeous sunset portraits, wrapping up at the venue’s iconic bay window on the church balcony. As the night kicked off, the celebration was full of laughter, dancing, heartfelt toasts, and a packed dance floor until the sparker exit. I feel so lucky to meet such amazing couples through my work as a wedding photographer — and Leah & Chris’s day was the perfect reminder of why I love what I do. Be sure to check out all the incredible vendors who helped bring their day to life at the bottom of this post!