Michelle + Michael
SHOP TIL YOU… MARRY
The Story (written by Craig Carpenter of Luster Studios):
Weddings at The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC never seem to get old for me. I’ve photographed there several times now and am always amazed by the new spaces that I keep discovering. But as with all weddings, the day isn’t about spaces, beautiful lighting, creative posing or even those decisive moments to open the shutter on my camera. While those all help in the creation of wedding photos, the people and their relationships are what moves me deeply. Michelle, Michael and all of their friends and family were genuine and kind. Their connections with each other were palpable. When that happens, my full range of emotions are at their peak and helps me create some key photographs that I feel we can all connect with below. But before we look I’d like to share some more information about the couple to put everything into context.
Michael grew up in New York and Michelle moved around a bit from Japan to North Carolina and South Carolina due to her military family. Her father was in The Marine Corps and is highly decorated. She went to school at Chapel Hill, which was one of the main reasons they wanted to get married at The Carolina Inn. Michelle works in marketing and Michael works as a sales manager for Aruba Networks and is part-owner of a pizzeria, Randy’s Pizza in Morrisville. With my insatiable love for pizza I will definitely have to stop by SOON!
They both shared with me their engagement story and how they first met at Southpoint Mall. When Michelle used to work at a clothing store Michael would keep coming in to “shop” and eventually asked her out because he thought that she was one of the nicest people that he had met. Michelle told me that she was awestruck by Michael’s incredibly good looks and was really nervous on their first few dates.
After meeting Michael I suddenly realized why Michelle never “asked for a return” with this merchandise. 
She told me that she considers him to be the “Holy Grail” of men. As I worked with them throughout the day I was able to witness Michael’s caring and supportive nature. She also shared with me that he even loves to shop and has way more patience flipping through hangers than she does. If I’m being totally honest Michelle was a little overwhelmed up until the wedding ceremony. Several times throughout the day I was able to watch the support, love and respect that they have for the other so I wasn’t really surprised when Michelle told me how perfectly romantic the proposal story was.
Their wedding date is extra special because it marked their five year anniversary of their first date! Michael had taken her to the place where they went to on our second date and proposed with the exact ring that they had found seven months earlier that Michelle had fallen in love with. He not only remembered the ring, but tracked it down (it had moved to a different store) and got it for her. She couldn’t believe it!
They both decided to forgo a bridal party and instead concentrate this focus on Michael’s 9-year-old daughter named Bella. She was such a sweet girl and I was happy to be present as these three individuals started their family together. I wish each of you a wonderful future and hope this post finds you well at St. John in the US Virgin Islands!
The Photos:
Another Blissful Wedding by:
Officiant: Reverend Kayelily Middleton
DJ and Wedding Music: Simpsound
Florist: Victorian Seasons
Cake: Edible Art
Click here for more Couples’ Stories.
