Marielle & Benj are Married!

October 19, 2019

Based in beautiful North Carolina, I’m a wedding, family and senior photographer with a heart for real moments, golden light, and the kind of love that makes your chest feel full.

Photography, for me, isn’t just about pretty pictures. Though, don’t worry, we’ll get those too. It’s about creating a space where you can be fully present and comfortable, while I document it all in a way that feels natural and true to you.

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Marielle and Benj were married last Saturday at the Millennium Center in Winston-Salem, NC. Since the first time I spoke to Marielle on the phone I have been so excited to see these two get married. Their day was beyond perfect!

Marielle and Benj met through a mutual friend at The Grayson bar while they were both living in New York City. After a few dates they were hooked! They have been together over 3 years now.

I love their proposal story. Marielle said “we spent the morning driving through the cities of Detroit and Highland Park looking for homes to buy in anticipation of my move there. Benj drove me out onto Belle Isle and headed to a place called Sunset Point. It was a bitter cold early March day and the wind was up but the grey winter skies provided a pretty backdrop to Downtown Detroit. Benj asked me to go for a walk with him which threw me off because Benj hates to walk. We walked a ways down the point and Benj started fumbling around for words and eventually ended his proposal with a knee on the ground and a “I know you’re going to say yes.” Benj was embarrassed about his ramblings but he has never proposed before so he gets a pass.”

These two share such a sweet and strong love for each other. I was so blessed to document their proposal and wedding day. If you want to see more of them click here for their downtown Winston-Salem engagement session.

I started the day with Marielle and her girls getting ready at her house. Courtney went with Benj and his guys at the Wherehouse Art Hotel. Both Marielle’s house and the Wherehouse were two of the most beautiful and uniquely decorated places I have seen on a wedding day. I loved everything at Marielle’s house and getting to see all of the pictures from the hotel was so cool too!

Marielle and Benj opened gifts from each other before their first look. Both of them were brought to tears. These two love each other so well.

We headed to the Millennium Center for their first look. I love how excited they were to see each other. First looks are one of my favorite wedding day moments.

After some gorgeous bride and groom and bridal party pictures around the Millennium Center it was time for the ceremony. Their ceremony was held in the old courtroom inside of the Millennium Center. It was such an amazing space for a wedding!

Marielle and Benj were married by Benj’s Grandfather. Family members from both sides sang and read poetry. These two are loved by so many people!

Marielle and Benj included something in their ceremony that I have never seen before and I absolutely loved it. They wrote vows for each other and had not seen them before they read them! So Marielle wrote Benj’s vows and Benj wrote Marielle’s. The vows were beautiful. They brought lots of laughs and a few happy tears.

After their ceremony we snuck off to the rooftop for some sunset portraits. I love the city as the backdrop and one side of the sky had a light layer of pink clouds! We were blessed with perfect weather all day and it was just warm enough.

Marielle and Benj held their reception inside of the ballroom. Every detail of this wedding was phenomenal. I loved the florals and the succulent and candle centerpieces! Marielle and Benj enjoyed the night by celebrating with the people that they love the most in the world.

Thank you Marielle and Benj for choosing me to capture your memories. I feel honored to have been a part of your day. I hope you two are having the best time in the Seychelles. I wish you a marriage filled with love and joy!