Black Mountain Elopement / August 3, 2022 by Lacey R Butler

Bride and groom under a Japanese Maple at Lake Tomahawk

Lake Tomahawk. I’d heard of it, but not been there before. It is a favorite spot for the couple, and has a great view of the mountains on either end. The gazebo is quote affordable for an extended rental and made a cute setting for their ceremony. I dont usually love these structures, but with flowers, benches inside and some of the only shade available, it worked really well for this pre-sunset ceremony.

Blue flowers and white flowers with very shallow depth of field.

I completely adore the brides dress! A boho look, for sure, complete with carefree blue gems. The blue flowers really accentuated the details they thought through, including Dan’s seersucker blue suit.

Life is but a dream.. romantic couple portraits are my favorite!

You can see the gazebo here as the bride and groom walk along the side of Lake Tomahawk.

I love elopements the best, I think, recently. There’s something so romantic about either just the two in love, or them with just a handful of close ones to witness the moment they vow to cherish one another. I notice so much less stress and the pictures we create can be more focused on you two as you needn’t worry about what’s going to happen next. It’s kind of like actually being present in the moment of your bliss.

Thank you so much for being the most beautiful part of my day! I hope to see you both in concert sometime soon, and maybe, just maybe, work together again on some photographs. Much love! L.

Amy & Damian | Elopement near Boone | Wedding Photography / November 5, 2018 by Lacey R Butler

I did already share a couple images.. and given a full hour with Damian and Amy before their ceremony, I may be over-sharing favorites of their two hours with me at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock.

from the first look.. Amy said she liked this idea as a way to physically start and say “I’m ready to do this”. I thought that was a unique symbolism in the moment and a good start to our portrait session.

I met Amy and Damian at a wine bar in Apex called Peak of the Vine, and got to know them a bit before they needed a photographer. Still, you don’t really know anyone until you see them at their most vulnerable. Before this I just knew they were an attractive couple with four kids between them. Now I know the way Damian is tender and protective toward Amy, the way she lights up for him, and that the kids all seem to love one another already. It was a fine line between laughing and crying for all six.

there were, truly, two swans there. did you know swans spend a lot of time with their heads under water? I didn’t either.

this is about where the crying began for Amy…

I dig all the different facial expressions. Kids are awesome.

me pausing to look goofy.. on purpose. of course. I like how the family is also being kind of silly. :)