Jimmy & Nina || An Ayr Mount Wedding

The Saturday before Memorial Day was perfect. Blue skies, an occasional light breeze, sunshine--an ideal day for an outdoor wedding. Jimmy and Nina's early summer wedding went off without a hitch--well, except for the one that really matters, anyway. (Get it?!) They read their own vows, which were rife with inside jokes (Jimmy's mentioned a janitor's closet), making each other and all their guests laugh and showcasing the unique brand of humor that makes them a perfect fit for each other. Friends waved them off with handmade streamers, laughed at the fake programs (listing the officiant as Obi Wan Kenobi, the wedding date as Stardate 12543.7, the reception location as the Hog's Head pub in Hogsmeade) which were dispersed along with the real ones, and watched Nina and Jimmy's dog, Zeus, follow them calmly down the aisle after the ceremony.

Nina and Jimmy are regulars at Mystery Brewing's Pub House in downtown Hillsborough, so it struck them as the perfect place to hold their reception. They rolled up in a stunning vintage Excalibur and entered the bar to AC-DC's "Shoot to Thrill." Their playlists throughout the night evinced their eclectic musical taste and their background as musicians, and even though, as Jimmy said, "They're a bunch of engineers, I don't know how much dancing we really expected," the music kept people moving throughout the night. With custom velociraptor cake toppers (handmade by one of the bridesmaids), toasts recounting tales of Pokemon cards and terrible sadistic childhoods, some big ol' granny panties tossed instead of a garter, and delicious craft beers flowing freely, it was an upbeat night of endless fun celebrating two excellent individuals. We are so thrilled to have been a part of Nina and Jimmy's wedding day. Check out their awesome images below! (More on Facebook.)

Vendors:

Ceremony: Ayr Mount

Reception: Mystery Brewing Public House

Officiant: Mayor Tom Stevens

Transportation: Classy Transportation

Flowers: Fernrock Farm, arranged by the bride, family, and friends.

Catering: Emily Mills

Cakes and Sweets: Matthew's Chocolates

Hair & Makeup: Haven Salon

Bride's Jewelry: Virginia Geiger Jewels
Rings: Bride's diamond wedding ring - family heirloom; sapphire engagement and groom's rings - Ashley & Co. Jewelers

Melissa & Teddy || A Hillsborough Engagement

Sometimes, Michael and I like to play a game called, "What Did You Learn Today?" It's fun for us and good practice for when we have kids in the future. Normally, I don't have an answer, if only because I don't have the patience to spend as much time researching things on the internet as Michael does. After Teddy and Melissa's Sunday afternoon engagement session, though, I had a great answer: I learned that cows actually go, "Moo!" I typically think of "animal sounds" as representational, a simplification, rather than onomatopoetic. Dogs don't usually go, "Woof!", horses don't really say, "Neigh!"; but cows definitely, without a doubt, say, "Moo!" It's hard to deny this when you've got a face full of judgmental heifer nose because you're kneeling near a fence and the cows are really interested since, once you showed up, the food did, too.

Needless to say, I've not spent much time on farms.

Teddy works at Walker Farm in Hillsborough, which means he knows his way around the hills and cart trails and gets up close and personal with all the beasties on a regular basis. He and Melissa had a route planned out that took us all over the farm, through recently planted wheat fields and around antique farm equipment, all the way to a back pasture where half a dozen skittish calves stared down their moms and us. It was a warm day for January, but the wind was still cold, and the speed of the little Gator through the woods made it feel even sharper. Melissa and Teddy were troopers, though, and we captured some beautiful moments (both with and without cows) throughout the afternoon. I'm very much looking forward to their wedding in October. Until then, enjoy their images! More on Facebook.