Some wedding days are centered around spectacle. Others are centered around simply being together. Anna and Aaron’s celebration in Durham very much fell into the second category, and I think that’s what will make it stand out in my memory forever.
Anna, a physician, and Aaron, who works in biotech, approached their wedding day the same way they seem to approach the rest of their lives together: thoughtfully, intentionally, and without unnecessary fuss. They’re a bit Spartan in their lifestyle: minimalist design and maximalist training. Both are serious runners (the ultramarathon and Boston marathon kind of serious) and devoted cat people, with a particular soft spot for black cats. Their wedding reflected that same balance of groundedness and personality — intimate, relaxed, and deeply personal without ever feeling overproduced.
The day began with portraits at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, where we wandered the paths slowly with for couple’s and family portraits before heading downtown. The sun was bright, the foliage was ~lush~, and Aaron and Anna looked as cool as ever donning their shades. Then, drinks and small plates took place downstairs in the annex space at Bar Virgile, which felt less like a traditional wedding reception and more like the perfect cocktail party. Guests gathered around candlelit tables with martinis in hand while conversations bounced around the room and music drifted through the space. Instead of a formal ceremony, Anna and Aaron gathered everybody near the wedding cake (baked by a dear friend!), signed their marriage license, shared a few heartfelt words, and cut their cake. It was simple, personal, and entirely true to them.
One of my favorite things about photographing smaller weddings is how much room there is for spontaneity. Without the pressure of sticking tightly to a schedule, the evening unfolded naturally. People lingered over drinks, moved between conversations, and settled into the kind of relaxed atmosphere that can’t really be manufactured. Aaron and Anna really got the opportunity to catch up with every one of their guests, and I had the chance to get more creative with my camera!
After sunset, I stole Anna and Aaron away for a few final portraits on a nearby rooftop overlooking the city. The streets below had started to glow and we took advantage of that with some blurry motion, direct flash, and a little experimentation. Those images really encapsulated the day for me: intimate, unstructured, and fully alive. Congrats to the coolest couple I know!
