come+together events

Vendor Love: Rachel Fesko Photography

katrina — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:57:10 +0000

Meet Rachel Fesko Photography. Rachel was introduced to me by another vendor-friend Kymm McLean. I love meeting new vendors in the industry, hearing their stories, their successes, their struggles, their pride in owning their own business. Makes me feel like I’m amongst friends who relate to all of the ups and downs of this industry. Rachel was no exception. Before we knew it, 2 hours had flown by at Starbucks. So grateful to have made a new friend. Please enjoy a few (ok, more than a few, I couldn’t decide!) images and an interview from Rachel! How and why did you start a photography business?
I can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t have a camera in my hands. My parents were always developing film for me, not to say that all of the pictures were mind altering at the age of 5! When I turned 10 my grandfather gave me his old manual Olympus, and I was hooked. The business really began to bloom when my aunt approached me after getting engaged, and asked if I would take her wedding pictures. To say I was freaked out would have been an understatement. I did all the research I could, asked a ton of questions from anyone that would give me time and then jumped in. After blogging the images I had two more inquiries from brides getting married, and the snowball just started rolling. Four years later, it’s bigger and better than I had ever hoped it would have been at that point.
What inspires you?
Honestly, I saved this question until last; because it’s not easy for me to answer. Mainly, it’s the couple. I never want to overstep my bounds as a photographer, take over and transform my clients into something they’re not. If they’re laid back, I shoot from the heart. If they have an inspiration or idea for how they want the shoot to turn out, then we collaborate. The goal is to make it the most fun, and best shoot they’ve ever had. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me and said, “Well, I just don’t look good in pictures.” My answer? “Well, then you haven’t worked with me yet!” The goal is to get them to relax, pretend the camera isn’t there and just be themselves. How would you describe your style in 3 words?
Clean. Bright. Timeless.What would be your DREAM wedding to shoot?
Is it okay that I have two?? First dream wedding to shoot, and maybe because it’s of a recent visit, would be at The Biltmore. Ceremony on the front lawn, open air reception on the terrace with string lights, tall centerpieces, and that new Lazaro gown that’s in J Majors window (squeal!).

Second wedding dream wedding would be in Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Italy at the Villa Baroncino. It’s an old Italian vineyard that they use to host weddings in. If you’ve seen French Kiss, then you understand what the grounds look like.Both weddings would have a super fun couple that would allow me enough time to create these amazing images (first look, hint, hint), and have a flawless wedding planner… oh, and Kymm McLean along for makeup and sanity checks.What is your favorite part of shooting weddings?
For me, it’s not just shooting the wedding… it’s the whole process. It’s getting to know my couple’s. There’s a reason why I will never call my couple’s “clients,” because to me they’re always more than that. They will always be the couple that allowed me into their lives for a short season, and trusted me to capture one of the most important times in their lives. They allow me to be the window through which their friends, family… and more importantly, their kids, are transported and given an inside look into who they were during this time. It’s why I love my job. Not everyone is given that opportunity, and I feel so blessed that I am.

Engaged: Lauren + Marshall

katrina — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:36:34 +0000

Meet Lauren+Marshall. These two brainiacs are in law school at the University of South Carolina and will be getting married in September after acing the Bar Exam! :) Their Myers Park Country Club wedding is going to be a stunner. I’ve had so much fun with Lauren and her mom, Karen, the past few months at vendor and design meetings. They’re what I like to call ‘good people,’ the best to work with! Looking very forward to what’s to come! For now, enjoy some of their engagement photos taken by Courtney Dox Photography.

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

katrina — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:59:46 +0000

With everything on the Internet nowadays, a lot of couples are convinced they can plan a wedding themselves (even I was one of them for a few short months before I hired someone!). Pinterest, blogs, endless websites, books…what more could you need to plan a 200 person party involving high emotions and multiple complicated factors, all while trying to enjoy the day and focus on each other? I find more times than not, my brides and grooms tell me they never knew how much they needed me until after they’ve hired me. While I could tell you endless reasons to hire someone to plan your big day, I took the time to find some great articles written by other bloggers and planners alike.

Preppy Chic:

Every Last Detail:

Happy Love Day

katrina — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:46:10 +0000

Happy Love Day (as the CFO and I call it). Love is what people come+together to celebrate at all sorts of events. So of course, I LOVE love. To you and yours on this Valentine’s Day.

{Inspired}: Something Blue

katrina — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:24:49 +0000

In *love* with a few of these whimsical ‘something blues’ that every bride needs on their wedding day.…

{Inspired} A Classic-Modern Mint Museum Wedding

katrina — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:22:38 +0000

Words can’t express my excitement for this wedding! Last week, the bride-to-be and I finalized all of the design elements for this summer fete at the Mint Museum Uptown. The challenge: a classic groom marrying a more modern bride. Here’s a little sneak peek of what is to come this summer!

Mint Museum Wedding: Melissa + Jarian

katrina — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:54:32 +0000

Melissa+Jarian were married on December 10, 2011 at the Mint Museum, and man was it a good one. I adore this couple; and they went from clients to now friends–which, I love. I’m not sure if these two ever stop smiling in their every day life, and there is no doubt that they are truly made for each other.

The day was full of emotion, like a wedding should be. Melissa’s dad recited a line from the movie Lost in Translation and I think that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house:

“It gets a whole lot more complicated when you have kids. The most terrifying day of your life is the day the first one is born. Your life, as you know it…is gone. Never to return. But they learn how to walk, and they learn how to talk.…and you want to be with them. And they turn out to be the most delightful people you will ever meet in your life.”

Congrats Melissa+Jarian, to many more double (or triple!) dates together :).

Photography: The Schultzes
Makeup: Who’s the Fairest
Hair: Mel w/ Therapy Essentials
Bride’s dress: Lian Carlo purchased at Ivory and White
Bridesmaids dresses: BCBG
Flowers : The Place for Flowers
Band: Swinging Richards
Caterer: Something Classic
Invitations:Wedding Paper Divas
Photobooth: Audio to Go
Melissa and Jarian chose to do a “first look”–made for TONS of amazing portraits before the ceremony.
Love this shot so much.
Charlotte skyline <3

Featured: Wedding Row Charlotte: Christina + Matt’s Palmer Building Wedding

katrina — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:30:40 +0000

Thanks so much to Wedding Row Charlotte for the amazing feature of Christina+Matt’s Palmer Building Wedding! I had such a blast planning this one :) See the original post HERE.
One of Christina’s bridal portraits (see HERE) was also chosen as one of Wedding Row’s favorite 50 images of 2011–gorgeous!

Engaged: Katie + Chris

katrina — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:19:24 +0000

Meet Katie+Chris. I am so excited to be working with this couple for their June ceremony at St. Peter’s Catholic, and Mint Museum wedding reception. Katie and I met for her initial consult and immediately hit it off. Her New York personality is so refreshing and fun, and I’m counting down the days to show off what we’re putting together for this wedding. In the mean time, a few of their engagement photos shot by The Schultzes.

Engaged: Shannon + Martin

katrina — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:34:12 +0000

Meet Shannon+Martin. This sweet couple is getting married in Florida this July. Their French-inspired Florida wedding decor design can be seen HERE. For now, enjoy some of their beachy e-session. Congrats Shannon+Martin!