the gardens at gray gables - stylized garden vintage photo shoot

As the temps "soar" into the 20's today & its threatening to snow, I'm thinking back on a stylized photo shoot I collaborated with Sue McCain of the Wedding Galleria by Bella on last summer. The Gardens at Gray Gables, a beautiful 1890's victorian home & wedding and event venue in Summerfield, NC was the setting for our shoot. I love this venue, with its beautifully landscaped gardens, koi ponds & fountains, and mature hardwood trees. It never disappoints!

Sue did a fantastic job of pulling everything together, along with Danielle & Keith, both of the Gardens at Gray Gables. Thanks to all of the other vendors who put a lot of effort into making this possible too. Everything looked great & our models Annika & Matt were naturals in front of the camera! Grand Rental Station supplied the table linens, chair covers, china, flatware, and the family style farm table & chiavari chairs. The yellow & purple flowers in the blue vases added a pop of color to the centerpieces on all of the tables. Sue did the styling for the cake & sweetheart tables under the gazebo as well. Sue certainly has a keen sense of style. I loved her idea of the garden vintage victorian theme - it suits the venue perfectly!

Many of you may recognize some of these images, as several appear on the Garden at Gray Gables' new website & in their marketing materials. Also The Wedding Galleria is several months ahead of me, as they posted a few of their favorites to their blog back in August!  So my excuse is for posting it now {rather than last summer!} is that this coming Wednesday evening, February 18th {weather permitting} The Gardens at Gray Gables will be hosting an open house and wedding show with over 30 vendors participating.  Its from 6-9pm free of charge. Bundle up and come on out and see for yourself all while enjoying complimentary appetizers, beverages, or a cocktail of your choice. Please stop by our booth to say hello - hope to see you there!

venue - The Gardens at Gray Gables

rentals - Grand Rental Station

florals - Oak Ridge Florists

cake - Amy's Cakes & Candies

styling - The Wedding Galleria by Bella

sweetheart & cake tables/chairs - Southern Vintage Rentals {at the Galleria}

wedding gown, accessories, & men's formalwear - The Wedding Galleria by Bella

bride & groom {models} - Annika and Matt

all images © elizabeth larson photography 2014

suzanne+matt - an intimate greensboro wedding

suzanne and matt traveled all the way from their home in toronto, ontario to celebrate their intimate may 19th wedding with close friends and family in greensboro. although suzanne is originally from this area, she met matt while he was in greensboro several years ago and the rest is history!  matt is a former professional hockey player & now they are both real estate brokers in the greater toronto area.

suzanne was such a striking bride in her unique white wedding gown accented in black lace and satin. i loved how they included their two australian shepherds in their wedding day festivities too.  ziko and kyzer were so handsome, both wore bow ties and were so well-behaved. and for good reason - suzanne and her family are also professional dog-trainers!  the boys reminded me so much of my two doggie nephews, who are also aussies.

we dodged a few rain-drops, however it held off long enough for suzanne and matt to have their ceremony out on the patio and for us to take some wedding party photos outdoors as well. the most memorable part of the day is when the minister announced suzanne & matt as husband and wife, their guests clapped which made the dogs bark in happiness too!  everyone celebrated with dinner and dancing on the screened in porch immediately following the ceremony in the clubhouse. it was the perfect setting for a small intimate wedding and it was nice that the venue was dog friendly, so ziko and kyzer could be included in the wedding day festivities too!

although i met suzanne and matt for the first time just two days before their wedding, i knew they would be wonderful couple to work with. they were not only gracious and appreciative to me, but to all of their vendors they worked with. a special thanks goes out to sue mccain and her team at bella wedding and event planning.  because of them, this wedding wouldn't of come together so smoothly in such a short period of time! a wedding planner & coordinator are worth every penny.

venue {ceremony+reception} - bur mil clubhouse
catering - thyme 2 cater

cake+cupcakes - delicious cakes  

floral design - abba design

music- drake's dj services 
planning, coordinating, + design -
bella wedding & event planning
 the wedding galleria by bella

all images © elizabeth larson photography