The NC Museum of Natural Sciences Wedding
How many brides and grooms can say, “we just wanted to have our first dance as husband and wife next to a dinosaur?” Well, let me introduce Claudia and Charles. But first…
The Setting
Claudia: “We chose the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences because all through college it was one of our favorite weekend date spots. We could go for free and just enjoy all of the exhibits. I sat for a while trying to find a theme for our wedding, but eventually the consensus became that our wedding theme would just be our personalities. We drew inspiration from the museum exhibits and knew we wanted decor to be minimal so as not to deter from the beauty of the museum.”
Well dear reader: it worked. This place is an embarrassment of riches for a photographer, and this couple were a dream to photograph. There were little (and big) moments everywhere at the museum when it came to capturing vignettes. I loved seeing the elements that are mainstays at this museum juxtaposed with happy guests celebrating a happy couple.
The Couple
If Claudia and Charles were a play, on or off broadway, the title would be: Claudia and Charles Get the Giggles. There would be eight shows a week and it would run for decades. In fact, these two met when Claudia performed in a play with Charles’ father and sister, and that same night, she tripped and fell on stage. She didn’t actually fall in love with Charles until later, but it was certainly an auspicious first step.
These two are joyously happy together, and images of them reveal an ease and eagerness to laugh. From their engagement portraits in downtown Raleigh and at Union Station to their wedding day, photographing them was like capturing champagne bubbles.
Preparations
The wedding day began with preparations at The Guest House in Raleigh where there was plenty of celebrating, singing, dancing, merrymaking and photo-taking. The bride and her father shared first looks and then future husband and wife did the same. It was a perfect spot for gathering and getting ready. Claudia had two gowns for the day and her wedding gown was beautiful: draped, flowing, sort of like a toga with elegant jewelry and veil. Charles wore a three-piece tuxedo and the attendants were all dressed in black. The mix of genders was totally modern and I loved getting shots of them all helping each other while revelling.
First Looks
The Ceremony
The Party & Details
Not only did these two let the space and decor of the museum shine for their ceremony and reception, they added to it. Details on their cake - the butterflies that remembered the lushness their ceremony space for example - and the use of chemical symbols instead of table numbers at the reception - were all cohesive and incredibly clever.
And yes, there was dancing next to a dinosaur.
Congratulations
Claudia and Charles, I wish you so much continued joy. I picture Charles grinning affectionately and Claudia in the throws of laughter. And that is how it should be. Keep the bubbles flowing, you two.
Vendors:
Preparation Venue: Guest House
@guesthouseraleigh
Venue: NC Museum of Natural Sciences
@naturalsciences
Catering: Rocky Top Catering
@rocky_top_caters
Bridal: Gilded Bridal
@gildedbridal
DJ: DJ G
@dj_g1224
Photographer: Christian Reyes
@christianreyesphoto
