Rachel & Lee | June 20, 2014

Selecting a escort for the mother of the bride (MOB) is an important but frequently forgotten detail of the ceremony planning process. My first piece of advice for brides-to-be is to ask mom for input. More often than not she has a special man in mind. For those MOBs that don’t, consider preparing a list of suitable options including brothers, brother-in-laws, uncles, and cousins. Groomsmen are another likely choice especially if you decide to have the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter separately. The chosen groomsman can take his place in line immediately after seating the MOB saving an extra trip down the aisle. In the case of divorced parents a stepfather or serious significant other may be a good option.

Occasionally the father of the bride will be recruited for double duty, escorting his wife and then his daughter.  Although this is not something I usually recommend it actually worked quite well at this wedding.  After accompanying his wife down the aisle, father of the bride, Lewis, slipped out the side and hustled back to the dunes to meet his daughter while the bridal party processed down the aisle. Because the walk was quite lengthy we decided to send the bridal party down the aisle single file and space them a bit further than usual. We also had Rachel meet her father at the dunes rather than in the hotel. Lewis’ timing couldn’t have been better. He rounded the dune just in time to bid farewell to the maid of honor and share a few moments with his daughter before the bride’s processional began.

Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach

Hannah & Josh | June 14, 2014

Father’s Day weekend was bitter sweet for Doug, as he gave his first of two daughters away. Doug was a proud papa indeed. I could see the joy in his face and love in his heart as he stood arm and arm with his beautiful Hannah waiting for Cannon and D to begin.

For self proclaimed daddy’s girls the wedding day is filled with sentimental moments between brides and their dads. From the walk down aisle and welcome toast, to the father-daughter dance and tearful goodbye I never tire of witnessing these sweet expressions of love. Yet another reason I love this business!

Sentmental turned to silly as guest were presented with mini beach balls and instructed to “lightly toss” them at the couple. I have to admit I was a bit nervous when some of the guys starting warming their pitching arms in preparation to “pelt” the couple mercilessly. Fortunately these balls were not designed for speed or accuracy and I’m happy to report the couple made it down the aisle unscathed. Not only did they make great pictures but the mini beach balls also provided an endless supply of entertainment for the kids during the post ceremony photos.

Location: Oceanic Restaurant, Wrightsville Beach

Jennifer & Glenn | June 8, 2014

Once a Wilmington girl always a Wilmington girl. There’s just something magical about this place. So many of our brides grew up vacationing on our sandy shore or called it home while attending UNCW. With so many fond memories it’s no surprise many of them choose to get married here.

Although Jennifer currently resides in Virginia, but as a UNCW Alumni, picking a location was one of the easiest decisions of the wedding planning process. Other easy decisions included choosing daughter Emma to be her maid of honor and selecting a beautiful pair of tiffany blue pumps to sport beneath her gown.

Deciding when to end the first kiss, however proved a bit more challenging. We always tell our brides to kiss for at least three seconds to allow the photographer to get that perfect shot. This couple certainly took our advice to heart. Jennifer and Glenn’s first kiss was sweet and tasteful, but a bit too long for Emma who decided it was time to move things along. After a gentle clearing of her throat failed to break their lip lock, the pint size maid stepped onto the platform and inserted the bride’s bouquet between the couple. Everyone laughed as the kiss came to an end and Glenn bent down to give his new stepdaughter a hug.

Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach

Kathryn & Eric | May 24, 2014

As luck would have it, Paul finished our new small pavilion on the eve of Kathryn and Eric’s wedding. Of course I decided “we” (i.e. Paul) should reconfigure the small arbor with new, larger bamboo smack in the middle of wedding season, but my wonderful husband somehow made it happen. An impressive feat considering he works full time and is currently training for a half ironman.

As usual, his timing was spot on! We couldn’t have picked a better day or a nicer group for the “big reveal.” The weather was perfect and the wedding party was awesome. Everyone got along beautifully and they all genuinely seemed excited to be a part of Kathryn and Eric’s big day.

The bride and bridesmaids had some of the best wedding hair I’ve seen all year. It was the perfect combination of bobby pins and hair spray resulting in “beach proof hair” ready to endure nearly an hour of wind and humidity. Six beautiful updos and not one hair slid out of place, Impressive!

A few days after the ceremony, Paul and I received the most thoughtful thank you note from the bride’s parents highlighting specific interactions we shared with them throughout the planning process and wedding day. We were truly humbled by their kind words and so appreciate them taking the time to write. I keep this letter in a special place and read it from time to time; it still brightens my day. I love this business!
Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach

Victoria & Alex | May 18, 2014

Ahh the “Big Group Shot” one of the best wedding photos of all time.  This group picture made the short list of must haves at my own wedding and is definitely one of the photos I cherish most.  I’ve worked with many photographers and seen it done several different ways, but I must admit the folks at KMI Photography certainly do it better than most!

Immediately following the first kiss the officiate directed everyone to turn and wave. In a blink of an eye Kevin had snapped the photo from atop his ladder and was back on the ground ready to capture the recessional.  With guests still on their feet, waving and smiling, the officiate introduced the couple as Mr. and Mrs.  Waiving turned to clapping as recessional music began and the couple made their big exit. Wow what great energy!

Another highlight today was watching the groom’s aunt and grandmother embark on their first beach “four wheeling” experience. It may have taken some convincing to get them out there, however the ladies were more than happy to join Paul for a second ride afterwards, even stopping to give him a hug before heading into the reception.

Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach

Roxanne & Keith | May 17, 2014

I typically try to avoid photographing the photographers, but at this wedding I couldn’t resist. Roxanne and Keith’s wedding was all about family with each of their kids playing a special role.  The groom’s daughter served as bridesmaid and his son as photographer #1. The wedding party also included the bride’s daughter and granddaughter who stood by Roxanne’s side as maid of honor and flower girl.  The bride was escorted down the aisle by her eldest son to tunes played by her youngest while her middle son joined Keith’s son as photographer #2.

Selecting Access #4 for there seaside ceremony was easy.  For it was here that Roxanne and Keith’s love story began with a first date which included a drive to beautiful Wrightsville Beach and romantic walk along this very shore.

Location: Wrightsville Beach, Access #4

Caroline & James | May 3, 3014

Friends and family frequently offer their talents to assist with the ceremony and reception. From sewing bridesmaid dresses and baking the wedding cake to arranging flowers and providing ceremony music, allowing loved ones to help can be a great way delegate items of your “to do list,” save money, and really personalize your big day. FYI most people who offer, genuinely want to help. So, if possible accept these gifts with gratitude. If their gifts don’t jive with your style consider proposing another way they can contribute.

James and Caroline were thrilled when Michael offered to provide the ceremony music. Although Michael is a gifted guitarist who plays in the right genre it was important to the groom that his brother stand with him when he got married. Their solution, have Michael record his music in advance so he could focus on his best man duties during the ceremony. This turned out to be the perfect compromise, the guests were able to enjoy Michael’s music, and the couple now has a wonderful keepsake CD to remember their special day.

Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach, NC

Megan & Marty | April 26, 2014

Thank goodness for beach renourishments and flexible brides! Maintaining a sandy beach coastline is a never-ending project that requires a great deal of time and resources. Every few years the state must battle Mother Nature to keep Wrightsville Beach from flooding. Yes, it’s expensive, but for those faithful who live and vacation here it is certainly well worth the price.

The 2014 beach renourishment schedule, though badly needed caused a few issues for several spring brides. They had to change locations in order to stay out of the path of the massive trucks and people sized pipes. After it was all finished the project added nearly 100 yards of new sand to the beach.

Fortunately Megan was a local bride, so she had ample opportunity to explore other options and select a new location outside the construction zone. Ultimately she and Marty settled on Access #6. Located a short distance from the Holiday Inn Sunspree, (site of the couple’s reception) Access #6 is a lush and secluded entry with absolutely no parking. Luckily Noni and her crew were kind enough to shuttle guests to and from the ceremony in the Holiday Inn van.

As of 4/26/14 the beach renourishment effort had yet to reach Access #6, which made set-up a bit challenging. The beach was so narrow that we ended up arranging the chairs in 3 long rows and curving them inward to create a more intimate feel. This also kept our pavilion safe from the approaching tide. I have to say I loved the way it photographed but I’m relieved to know next time were here we should have much more space to work.

Location: Access #6, Wrightsville Beach

Liz & Ryan | April 26, 2014

Whoever said the bride’s attendants have to be female? Over the past few years weddings have certainly evolved. Couples are personalizing their nuptials, creating new traditions and pushing old etiquette aside. With the tradition of boys on the right, girls on the left no longer set in stone, more and more couples are breaking away from the stereotypically bridal party and choosing the people that are closest to them regardless of gender. Bridesmen and groomsladies are indeed a fact of 21st century weddings. As for this modern bride it seemed only natural that her three brothers stand by her side. So they did and it was perfect! At the end of the ceremony, rather than recessing arm and arm with the groomsmen, each bridesman picked up his spouse from the front row and escorted her off the beach.

One tradition no couple should overlook is personally acknowledging each and every guest at their wedding. This can be accomplished by greeting attendees at their table over the meal, mingling through the crowd during cocktail hour or opting for a receiving line at the end of the ceremony; Liz and Ryan choose the latter. Commonly seen in weddings up north, a receiving line is a fast and easy way to personally acknowledge each and every guest prior to heading to the reception. Although we don’t see a lot of receiving lines down south, I think they are a great idea (especially for larger weddings) and definitely worth considering.

Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach

Rachel & Tony | April 18, 2014

Serving as a maid of honor is more than simply holding a bouquet and hosting a great bachelorette party. It can be the marvelous opportunity to help the bride enjoy a wonderful stress-free day, creating a happy memory that will last a lifetime. From straightening the dress and supervising the kids to making sure the bride remembers her bouquet for the recessional a great maid honor anticipates the bride’s every move and is their to support her on this most special day. Kudos to Shannon for doing it so well.

Favorite part of the ceremony was definitely Rachel and Tony’s vows. The couple read heartfelt promises to one another from tiny vow books. I love the vow book idea for several reasons:
1) They are easier to maneuver on a windy beach than a piece of paper
2) They alleviate the stress of having to recite vows from memory
3) They are precious keepsakes which can be added to year after year.

Location: Shell Island Resort, Wrightsville Beach