Whitney and Colby

Whitney and Colby are MARRIED!!! These two are the kindest people with the biggest hearts, and I have LOVED getting to know them both over the last year as their friend and photographer. Ever since my first phone call with Whitney about her wedding day, I knew we were going to be great friends and I was so excited to capture their wedding day. Instead of your traditional southern evening wedding day, Whitney and Colby had a Sunday Brunch wedding hosted at the classic Merrimon-Wynne House in Raleigh.

With a nod to her Italian family, they incorporated blue, white, and yellows throughout the wedding day. There were lemons incorporated in the decorations in honor of her grandmother, and it reminded me of the coast in Italy! One of their family traditions is toasting with limoncello, so they celebrated with everyone at their wedding by serving limoncello.

Whitney and Colby have been together for about two and a half years now, and met RIGHT before the pandemic began. What a time to start dating! Ever since they started dating, they have been inseparable. They are absolutely perfect for one another. I knew this from the moment I met them at their engagement session, and their family and friends confirmed it even more when they spoke such kind words during their toasts. They have the biggest hearts, and their wedding day was truly centered around family.

A few of my favorite moments…

• Before the ceremony Whitney had a first look with both her dad and step dad and they were both so sweet. Right after her step dad walked in he gave her a huge hug, and asked if he could pray for her. I was only two feet away and trying to sob silently behind my camera because it was so sweet!!
• During cocktail hour Whitney and Colby had Alpacas for guests to hang out with and take photos with and it was a huge hit! I went over to bring the Alpacas to the bridal party for a group photo and all of their reactions seeing the alpacas for the first time was hilarious.
• After Colby and Whitney shared their first dance, they dedicated a special dance to her sister and her husband. They got married during the pandemic, and were unable to have their big wedding day, so she dedicated an official first dance for them as a married couple. There wasn’t a dry eye on the lawn!
• During their reception, the guitarist in the band handed over his guitar to Colby for a solo! Colby is a super talented musician, and he just killed it on the spot playing guitar for everyone. What a fun reception!!

Congratulations Whitney and Colby!!! Your brunch wedding day at Merrimon-Wynne was absolutely perfect, and I am so excited for you both to venture into this exciting new stage of your life as newlyweds! I hope you both are enjoying your honeymoon in Mexico, but for now here is a small preview of the best day ever! Thank you so much for having me there to capture it!

Thank you to all their amazing wedding vendors!

Venue: Merrimon-Wynne

Planner: Viva L’Event

Photographer: Sarah Hinckley Photography

Florist: Brushed By Bec

Hair and Makeup: WINK Hair and Makeup

Videographer: Alex Schwindt Media

Catering: Rocky Top Caters

Ceremony Music: DJ Elliott Coleman

Reception Music: The Mack Band

Bakery: Lucette Grace and Crumbl Cookies

Rentals: CE Rental Raleigh and Themeworks Creative

Entertainment & Alpacas: Shaky Tails Farm

Officiant: Mark Celoria

Dress: New York Bride and Groom Raleigh

Designer: Essence of Australia

Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie

Groomsmen Attire: Jos A Bank

Stationary: Minted

Live Painter: Elizabeth Batten Art

Transportation: Carolina Car Service