Oh happy, happy day!! I am overjoyed to share heartfelt stories and stunning film images from Emma and Bob’s timeless, elegant, romantic wedding at the Merrimon Wynne House in downtown Raleigh. Each and every image exquisitely captures the love, joy, and happiness from Emma and Bob’s wedding day!! Y’all, it was just the best and such a beautiful representation of who these two are and what is most important to them.

I distinctly remember when Emma and her mom first inquired with me a year before their wedding date, and we hit it off instantly! When we chatted about what they wanted their wedding to look like and (more importantly) feel like, they said that they wanted a timeless, elegant, joyful wedding day filled with meaningful details and sweet touches that really spoke to who Emma and Bob are and that reflected their faith. They wanted their guests to feel loved and for their faith – and Jesus’ magnificent love – to be felt and known. Yes, yes, yes! Their hearts and desire for their wedding (and marriage) aligned so beautifully with mine, and getting to know these two and their families and friends has been a complete dream come true — I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter, more gracious, more genuine couple to work with and walk with throughout the past year (through some big wedding planning hurdles and major changes, as you can imagine)!

From the sweetest, most calm, and most joyful wedding morning with her best friends in the dreamy bridal suite to moments that made us all tear up as radiant Emma put on her wedding gown with her beautiful mom to the most precious first look with Emma’s dad on the grand staircase at the Merrimon Wynne followed by a memorable few minutes with her three brothers to incredibly touching moments with grandparents to lining Bob and then Emma up to walk down the aisle… what a vivid, memorable, and magical moments encompassed their wedding day! Their wedding day was such a beautiful autumn day with an abundance of sunshine, and the clear top tent on the lawn of the Merrimon Wynne, outfitted with hanging greenery, was a sight to behold. Witnessing Bob’s reaction upon seeing his bride for the first time, listening to the beautiful soloist and the congregational hymn, witnessing Emma and bob share communion together for the first time as husband and wife, a couple special readings… their ceremony was so touching, heartfelt, and a beautiful example of their faith. And isn’t Emma the most radiant bride?!

There was no shortage of stunningly sentimental bridal details, as well, from a family heirloom handkerchief there at least ten women in Emma’s family have carried around their bouquets to a garter that has spanned the decades to these beautiful wedding heels that Emma’s mother also wore on her own wedding day, too. What a treasured heirloom and special, special story to share! Emma and Bob’s wedding day was overflowing with meaning, an abundance of love, the sweetest moments, and so much sheer joy as Emma and Bob were married!

What an absolutely beautiful, joyful, faith-filled ceremony as these two became husband and wife! Endless congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Van Horne — you two are so, so very loved and celebrated!! You’re married, and I can only hope and pray that it was the most marvelous, joyful, stunning, love-filled, meaningful, and fun day as we celebrated your new marriage! It was the deepest honor and joy to be a part of your wedding day, and I cannot thank you two and your families enough.

I can’t thank these stellar creative partners and vendors enough for safely bringing this magical ceremony to life – thank you, thank you to everyone involved!!

Photography: Kelsey Nelson Photography

Planning, design, and styling: Stephanie Shaul Events

Ceremony venue: Merrimon Wynne

Florals: Gather Events

Videography: Twenty One Films

Ceremony musicians: Arioso Strings

Ceremony sound: Bunn DJ Co.

Rentals and tent: CE Rental

Hair and makeup: Ashley Mooney Hair and Makeup

Wedding gown: Coastal Knot

Invitations: Minted

Programs: Haylily Designs

all images by the amazing Kelsey Nelson Photography

Check out Emma’s bride spotlight here!