Dana + Matt - Merrell Estates & Gardens Wedding Preview - Emerald Isle NC Photographer

When I think about Saturday, two words come to mind - the best. Ya’ll, we had THE BEST day celebrating Dana and Matt. It truly was a day that I will never forget. From the moment we walked into the door of Dana’s hotel suite until the very last frame of the evening, we felt like we were spending our time with friends that we just happened to be photographing. Seriously ya’ll, Dana and Matt have a way of making you feel like you belong, like you are part of their inner circle. At one point early in the day, I turned around to Will stuffing alcoholic seltzers into his audio bag… He had chatted with Dana about the unique flavors and she insisted that he take one of each with him!

I cried more on Saturday than I have in a long time, and I still feel teary-eyed when I think back on some of the best moments of their day. I hope I never take for granted the gift it is for Will and I to be invited into some of the most intimate moments of our couple’s lives as they celebrate with tears of joy and happiness and sometimes with bittersweet tears as they honor those that cannot physically be present to celebrate their union.

Going with the theme of THE BEST, Dana and Matt made some of the best decisions when planning their wedding day. They chose to do a first look, which left more time to celebrate afterwards (and also meant they had time for some incredible photos around the property). They chose to keep their wedding parties small, which meant they were surrounded by the nearest and dearest people all day long. They chose the best band I think I have ever seen at a wedding. Seriously, if you guys are reading this and are in need of a wedding band, check out the link below! And they chose the best venue for their guest size and time of year.

There’s no way this preview post will tell the story of Saturday the way we felt it, but I hope it’s a start. You should at least be able to see that Dana and Matt are ridiculously gorgeous people that are full of joy and happiness. Their smiles light up whatever space they are in, but they are obviously at their absolute happiest when they are together! We hope you’ll enjoy some of our favorite shots from the day!

Ceremony, Reception, Catering: Merrell Estates & Gardens

Band: Hot Sauce

Florist: Southern Roots Florist

Cake: Publix + Family friends

Hair + Make-Up: Thairapy Lounge and Day Spa