sutherland estate wedding - stephanie & hunter

Hello friends! We’re kicking off the blog for 2023 with a wedding from a few weeks ago. It was mid-March, and the weather was on our side with a gorgeous sunny day in Wake Forest, NC. I was thrilled to be the Raleigh wedding photographer entrusted with capturing the special day of Stephanie and Hunter at the stunning Sutherland Estate.

I’ve shot at The Sutherland a good number of times in the past, but this was my first time back in a couple of years and I was really looking forward to it. It’s a beautiful historic venue with plenty of character and plenty of spots for some cool photos.

I got there around the same time as Stephanie and her entourage so I gave her some time to settle and begin hair and makeup whilst I scoped out the lay of the land for the day. I then made my way up to the bridal suite where the girls were getting ready and took some detail shots before joining the ladies for the finishing up of the hair and makeup and getting in the dress. My assistant, Brian, headed over to take care of the guys’ getting ready as per usual.

When the moment arrived for their first look, there were tears of joy all around (I may have even shed one or two!). Stephanie and Hunter’s love for each other was so evident, and I always love being able to document those moments of pure emotion.

After the first look, we spent some time making portraits of the couple that truly showcased the character and beauty of the historic venue. We then moved on to the family photos. As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the benefits of having a first look is that we were able to get these done before the ceremony, allowing Stephanie and Hunter to enjoy more time with their loved ones during the cocktail hour and reception.

Speaking of the reception, it was a night to remember. The live band Crush totally lived up to their name and were absolutely incredible; they had everyone on the dance floor all night long. The energy was brilliant, and I had a lot of fun photographing people throwing shapes on the dance floor. The couple had also mentioned they wanted plenty of portraits so we step outside the reception a couple of times to take some photos in the golden hour light and again once darkness had fallen and the bride had changed dresses.

As the night drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for being a part of such a special day. Stephanie and Hunter’s wedding was a celebration of love, and I was honoured to capture the precious moments that they will cherish for a lifetime.

To Stephanie and Hunter, thank you for entrusting me with documenting your special day. It was truly a pleasure to be your wedding photographer, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness together. Cheers to you both!

And without further ado, here are my picks of the pics: