Intimate, Coastal Neuse River Backyard Wedding in New Bern with Whinter & David
Whinter and David met in Boston and when asked to describe themselves, they agreed that they are “best friends first and partners second.” And this was very evident in all the interactions I got to be a part of on their wedding off the coast of the Neuse River. The couple currently resides in Texas with their cat Bubba, but decided to hold the wedding in North Carolina at her aunt’s house.
The transformation of a simple coastal backyard to a dreamy waterside wedding left me awestruck. It literally felt like we were on the beaches of Hawaii, when in reality I hadn’t even left the state. When I asked how they pictured their special day, the bride shared that she hoped for an environment where her guests could have a lot of fun and be as in love as she was with David. And the goal was achieved quite effortlessly. I loved the life sized games spread around the backyard for guests to enjoy with one another, and this was such a great way for their families to be able to intermingle. There was so much intimacy to be captured with my camera and so much joy all around.
Little intimate weddings like this are so simple yet hold so much inspiration and emotion. Just being able to capture Whinter & David snuggled up with their orange cat in the bedroom before the ceremony begin was enough to see how tender and special their love for one another is.
When the sun began to set, it was the perfect time for the most stunning portraits. They were so easy going when I asked them to interact and be themselves on the dock while I snapped some shots. And those are definitely some of my favorites from the day. (Shout out to the cowboy boots chosen as Whinter’s footwear!)
I think weddings like this remind me that you don’t always need the fru fru dress and elaborate details for it to be called a wedding. And keeping true to who you are as a couple and what you enjoy most, which in case was family, is so important to making sure your day is as magical as you hope!