Some weddings leave you completely full. Full of joy, full of gratitude, full of the kind of love that reminds you why this work matters so deeply. Brooke and Clement’s wedding day at Winmock at Kinderton in Bermuda Run, North Carolina was exactly that kind of day.
On a beautiful, sunny June afternoon, these two, fresh out of college and with Brooke having just conquered law school, said “I do” surrounded by their closest family and friends. Every single detail of this day was a reflection of who they are: intentional, joyful, and deeply in love.
The Setting
Winmock at Kinderton is one of those venues that takes your breath away the moment you arrive. Grand, elegant, and full of warmth. The barn is stunning on its own, but the property itself is something special. There is a gorgeous willow tree on the grounds that glowed beautifully in the bright midday sun and again at golden hour, and I may have kept pulling Brooke and Clement back to it every chance I got. No regrets.
The Details
Brooke and her family spent the entire day before the wedding hand assembling every single floral centerpiece themselves. When I tell you the love that went into this day started long before the first guest arrived, I mean it. Every table was a labor of love.
And then there were the perfumes. Tucked into the detail flat lay box were two custom fragrances that Brooke and Clement had made together at a specialty store, created specifically for their wedding day. It’s one of the most personal and romantic details I’ve ever photographed, and it stopped me in my tracks. I absolutely loved this idea and will forever recommend it to anyone getting married.
The bride’s floral bouquet by Claire Paige Floral were an absolute dream – bright, bouncy, and bursting with pinks, purples, blues, oranges, and yellows. The bouquets were genuinely some of my favorites I’ve ever had the privilege of photographing. The colorful arrangements against the elegant backdrop of Winmock created this perfect balance of fun and sophistication that felt entirely like Brooke and Clement.
The First Looks
Before Brooke and Clement saw each other at their ceremony, there were some other people who needed to see them first.
Brooke shared her first look with her dad beneath that gorgeous willow tree, its branches catching the bright afternoon light in the most magical way. The moment her dad turned around, there were no words needed, just a father seeing his daughter, radiant and ready, and everything that comes with that. And tucked quietly in the background, watching it all unfold, was Brooke’s mom. That image, a mom witnessing her husband meet their daughter in her wedding dress for the first time is one of those gifts you can’t plan for. You can only hope to be in the right place to capture it.
Then came the bridesmaids! The squeals, the hugs, the happy tears, the excitement – it was pure and completely unfiltered love. There is something so special about a bride being surrounded by her people in that moment, and Brooke’s girls showed up for her in every way.
On the groom’s side, Clement shared his first look with his mom. It was a quiet, tender moment that was full of so much pride and love. Watching a mother see her son on his wedding day is something that never gets old, no matter how many weddings I photograph.
The Ceremony
I always say you can tell everything about a couple by the way they look at each other during their vows. Brooke and Clement didn’t just look, they reached. In the middle of their vows, through tears and trembling voices, they each reached out and touched the other’s arm, as if to say I’ve got you. I’m right here. It was one of those moments I will carry with me for a long time.
Family Portraits
Family formals are one of the most important parts of your wedding day – and also one of the easiest parts to make stressful if they aren’t planned ahead of time. After years of photographing weddings, here are my biggest tips to make your family portrait time smooth, fun, and efficient so you can get back to celebrating!
Give People a Heads Up
This one is huge. If a family member is going to be in formal photos, let them know ahead of time! Nothing slows down family portraits more than hunting down Uncle Steve who wandered off to the cocktail hour. Ask anyone who will be in portraits to stay behind at the ceremony site immediately after the ceremony ends rather than heading straight to drinks and appetizers. A quick note in your wedding program or a text from a family member the morning of goes a long way.
Build Your Portrait List Before the Wedding Day
Start thinking about your family photo groupings well before the wedding – ideally a few weeks out. This question will be in your timeline consult with me and it’s best to have it ready! A good rule of thumb is to plan for 10 to 15 groupings for a portrait session of around 25 to 30 minutes. Each grouping takes roughly 2 to 3 minutes when things are running smoothly, so the more groupings you add, the more time you’ll need to set aside. Write the list out in the order you want to shoot them and share it with your photographer ahead of time so we can keep things moving efficiently.
Some things to think about when building your list:
- Immediate family on each side separately
- Both families together with the couple
- Grandparents (prioritize these first – they tire quickly and you want them at their best!)
- Siblings with and without spouses and kids
- Any special combinations that are meaningful to you
The Wedding Party + Newlywed Photos
Brooke and Clement’s wedding party was exactly the kind of group that makes a photographer’s job a joy. With bridesmaids in the most beautiful brown / champagne satin dresses and groomsmen sharp in light tan suits, the entire party looked like they stepped straight out of a editorial shoot – effortlessly elegant against the backdrop of Winmock’s stunning grounds.
But what made them truly special wasn’t what they were wearing, it was how genuinely comfortable they all were with Brooke and Clement. You could feel the years of friendship in the room. Nobody was stiff, nobody was awkward, and nobody needed much direction. They just showed up, laughed together, and made every single frame easy and natural. As a photographer, a relaxed wedding party is truly one of the greatest gifts you can ask for.
The Reception
The reception at Winmock at Kinderton was everything you’d want from a warm, elegant summer wedding. The space came alive with those stunning colorful florals set against the grand elegance of the barn. The centerpieces that Brooke and her family had spent the day before lovingly assembling were absolutely worth every minute of effort. The room was breathtaking.
The dance floor was full, the energy was high, and the love in that room was everywhere. Watching Brooke and Clement move through their reception from laughing with guests, sharing dances, soaking in every moment was a reminder of why this day is so worth celebrating.
Before the bubble exit, Brooke and Clement shared a private last dance, just the two of them, alone on the dance floor, the music playing softly, the rest of the world completely faded away. It was quiet and intimate and perfect. Two people, freshly married, savoring the last few minutes of the most important day of their lives together. I always encourage couples to do a private last dance if they can, and moments like this are exactly why.
Then came the bubbles. Guests lined up, wands in hand, and Brooke and Clement walked through a tunnel of glimmering bubbles into their new life together. It was joyful and beautiful and the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Final Thoughts
This day came together so beautifully because of an incredible group of vendors who poured their hearts into every detail:
- Venue: Winmock at Kinderton, Bermuda Run NC
- Florals: Claire Paige Floral – seriously, the bouquets alone were worth writing home about
- Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Reese – her energy was infectious all morning, and she was right there at the end of the night for touch-ups before portraits. That kind of dedication means everything.
- Wedding Coordinator: Taneka of Wedding Coordinator NC – seamless, warm, hospitable, and completely on top of every single detail all day long. Vendors like Taneka make the whole day feel effortless.
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