Summer Sutherland Wedding – Marc and Elysia
Even after twelve years of shooting weddings, I don’t get repeat business from past bride and grooms siblings. I had the pleasure to shoot Elysia’s brother’s wedding back in 2014. Having experienced one wedding with a family makes the next wedding much easier.
Bradley and Sarah’s Wedding In 2014



Elysia in 2018




Family Wedding
If I were to describe this wedding with one word, it would have to be “family.” I find sometimes that the wedding day is a joining of two families that don’t know each other. Nothing could be different from Marc and Elysia’s summer Sutherland wedding. Their wedding was more of a family reunion; siblings, cousins, parents. Elysia and Marc also had a vet unique wedding party. Both bride and groom had a wedding party exclusively of family. While that’s not unusual for small wedding parties, they each had five. Everyone had grown with one another, there was no “odd man out” that had to be introduced to the other family and friends. It was refreshing to watch siblings and cousins joke and laugh about past family events and weddings.


The Ladies
Finishing their hair and makeup before putting on their dresses and Elysia putting on her wedding gown. Elysia went with a beautiful tea length gown.






The Gentlemen
Marc and his groomsmen getting dressed in the Settlers House. Elysia and Marc both wore bracelets with the coordinates of their first meeting. I will leave the location a mystery.






First Look
I have been saying for a while now, the “first look” is becoming a staple for North Carolina Weddings. If you are having a traditional wedding or a non-traditional wedding, the “first look” can be a point of contention. For some, it can be hard to wrap their heads around the concept. It has been called the “wedding spoiler” but I like to explain it as a “stress reliever.” The bride and groom don’t have to see each other. There are many ways to approach the ”first look.” It is an opportunity to read a love letter or poem, hold hands, have a quick chat. For the groom that doesn’t want to cry in front of his guest, it is a great option. Marc and Elysia chose to fully see each other, to hug, to talk, and to kiss.





Formal Portraits and A Chevy
Again during the first planning meeting, Marc talked about the green Chevy truck. Other than Elysia and his children, Marc wanted to make sure he got portraits with the truck. The restored Chevy truck was originally going to be the escape vehicle at the end of the wedding. Once I saw it in person, I decided to make it the centerpiece for their formal wedding party and family portraits.









The Sutherland in Summer
At my first planning meeting with Elysia and Marc, they made it clear they were designing their summer wedding with their guest comforting mind. Comfort for a summer wedding in North Carolina means air conditioning and not making your guest sweat. In order to achieve this, they moved their summer Sutherland wedding indoors into the enclosed pavilion. While usually purposed for wedding receptions, the pavilion can be used for the ceremony as well. Simply decorated and with a very concise ceremony, their wedding was an absolute joy.






Sweet Water Italian Ice
No summer wedding would be complete without a visit from Michale and Richard of Sweet Water. What better way to cool off your guest than bring them the best Italian ice in the Triangle, to your summer Sutherland wedding. Even if you are getting married in the dead of winter, I would recommend Sweet Water!





Reception
Some highlights of the summer Sutherland wedding reception. Deserts, dancing, and Donovans Dish.







Sutherland Wedding Vendors
Venue: The Sutherland
Planner: Christy Ethridge (With the Sutherland)
Florist: The Purple Poppy
Band: Emerald Empire Band
Bar Service: Pour Bar
Refreshments: Sweet Water Italian Ice
Photography: Nieto Photography
2nd Photographer: Stevie J.
Cake: Nothing Bundt Cake
Doughnuts: Sandra’s Bakery (Sanford NC)
I would love to speak with you about your own wedding. Feel free to contact me.