Weddings

Engagements

follow @arikashelest

Get a taste of wedding days with sneak peeks of my favorite images, tips from local vendors, updates about your favorite photographer, and as always lots of pretty pictures!

The blog

After a year’s postponement, Julianna and Spencer said ‘yes’ to forever at The Merrimon-Wynne House! Their day was colorful, energetic, and loads of fun—just like the two of them! Both attended Virginia Tech but met on Twitter after realizing they shared a sense of humor. A few years later, Spencer proposed at Burke Lake in Virginia, their favorite date spot.

Spring Wedding at The Merrimon-Wynne House

When they began planning, the couple knew that they wanted a laidback spring wedding inspired by an outdoor tea party. With that vision in mind, they soon discovered The Merrimon-Wynne House, one of the crowning jewels of the Raleigh area! They fell in love with the romantic ambiance of the house’s back garden, and the lawn with plenty of space to loosen up and have fun. Cornhole boards provided by the venue were the icing on the cake!

Soon after, they decided on a color palette of spring pastels, including blush, peach, pale orange, and yellow. The vibrant florals of the season inspired them, and they wanted their wedding to exude the same cheer. In addition, they drew inspiration from Julianna’s Mexican heritage. Traditional Mexican weddings are colorful affairs, so they wanted their own celebration to reflect that!

A Surprise Hora Loca

The couple also included the Latin American tradition of Hora Loca in their reception! Hora Loca, which translates to “the crazy hour,” combines props and dancing for an hour of partying. They surprised their guests with a table of hats, masks, and glow sticks, and everyone got in on the fun! Julianna even changed into a pink and white traditional dress that twirled as she danced. It was obvious that everyone LOVED getting down on the dance floor with their new accessories, and that Julianna and Spencer’s bubbly personalities were contagious!

It was a joy to capture Julianna and Spencer’s love at The Merrimon-Wynne House after a long wait! I take bright, true-to-life color photos for couples who crave fun and a wedding day they’ll always remember. Sound like you and your partner? Inquire today!