I am super excited to share a special wedding that Sean and I photographed this spring. Kristen and Michael were married March 30 at Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville, NC. Tucked away on the northern end of Shell Island, the area offers beautiful windswept beaches, dunes and amazing sunsets over the marsh. It was a blustery spring day…but no one noticed, since the warmth and love Kristen and Michael have for each other and their loved ones filled the air. Here are some highlights from this fabulously fun wedding day!

Kristen’s delicate and intricate lace dress was from Maggi Bridal in Raleigh, NC.

Hair & Makeup provided by Kristen’s friend, Lauren, a hairstylist and makeup artist in Garner, NC.

Dad’s first time seeing his little girl on her wedding day…

Loved listening to the unique ceremony music provided by family members Erin and Skip.

Ukuleles by the ocean, you can’t ask for anything more perfect for a beach ceremony.

 Enjoyed meeting and working with Pastor Skip Corbett of Weddings of Topsail.

Michael and Kristen led their wedding party and guests towards the water’s edge for a seashell ceremony–shells are tossed into the water along with wishes and blessings for the newly weds.

Wendy Wright with A Beautiful Event provided the gorgeous flowers.

Imaginary Cakes in Wilmington, NC created this beautiful (and delicious!) cake.

Kristen and Michael did a splendid job creating the table centerpieces.

Loved the different textures and colors. My fave—the button flowers!

Have you seen cuter guest favors? A friend of the bride’s, Julie, made these yummy

State Cookie Favors. We made sure to sample them; 5 stars!

Michael’s best man, surprised the newly weds with a very special German toast involving a Nuernberg Wedding Cup …

Here’s to a marriage full of love and good luck!

Special delivery for these two cuties: a spectacular sunset!

DJ Ryan Pflumm with Spin (Raleigh, NC) had everyone on the dance floor!!

Congratulations to Kristen and Michael!! Thank you for having us as part of your wedding day!

There is nothing more special than photographing dear friends, especially when those friends are expecting their first child!!! I have known Maureen for almost fifteen years; beach girls, we bonded over our mutual love for marine biology.

This past November, we set out for a maternity session and Maureen and Mike brought me to a few of their special spots. It was a magical afternoon by the water, and included a “race” to find the best sunset location and even maternity photos at a marina on a boat. A first for me!! Mike is a sweetheart and takes such good care of Maureen…you just know his heart if over brimming with love for her and the little one.  I am so happy for these two dear friends.

Here are just a few of my favorites…..

On a warm June day, last summer, I took a day trip down to beautiful Ocracoke, an island that can only be reached by ferry! Once there, I met up with Kristen and Mike and together we set out for a fun filled engagement session, exploring the beaches and marina along the way.  The love this sweet couple has for each other shines through…I couldn’t help but smile and think this is why I love what I do!

This weekend, our travels will take Sean and I to their wedding on Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach, NC. We are so excited and can’t wait to share photos from Kristen and Mike’s wedding day. It is sure to be brimming with love and joy!

Here are just a few engagement session favorites…

The past couple days, as I step out into freezing temperatures and make my way through snow, I’ve been dreaming of warm summer days….

Last August, in between sunshine and a summer thunderstorm, I met up with Beth and Shawn who were celebrating their engagement with a weekend at the beach. Since their wedding will be held in Manteo, NC at Marshes Lighthouse and 108 Budleigh, we decided to explore one of my favorite places: downtown Manteo….docks, wooden bridges, a lighthouse, blue brick walls, nautical murals, a cute local movie theater and even sunflowers, courtesy of the artists at Wanchese Pottery!

After soaking in a bit of the “city”, we put on our boots and had some fun at Island Farm. Then we ended the evening with a champagne toast and toes in the sand at Coquina Beach. Hope you enjoy these photos and that the love you see warms your hearts during this chilly winter…

Hair and Makeup by the awesome ladies at It’s Royalty salon in downtown Manteo.

Marshes Lighthouse, where this sweet couple will tie the knot in April!

Island Farm!

We got to feed the chickens!

Storm clouds didn’t keep us from celebrating at Coquina Beach!

Beth has a wonderful eye for accessories and details…she also brought a number of fun props she had been collecting, which we had a great time playing with!

Congratulations Beth and Shawn!! You were a joy to photograph and we can’t wait for your wedding this Spring…it’s going to be so much fun!

We have been enjoying finding out more about you and your wedding plans, so now you can get to know us better! Enjoy!

What is your Photography Style? 

With a blend of photojournalism and artistic creativity, my husband Sean and I are dedicated to creating and delivering a collection of story telling images for life’s amazing moments. Our romantic, enthusiastic, and chic style makes every moment we capture unforgettable.

What is your Business Philosophy?

We love stories. The photographs that can truly tell a story are of the un-staged moments that narrate our lives. Documenting emotions and events as they occur, quiet or loud, laughter or tears, is an exciting and rewarding challenge! The people and details of each wedding inspire creativity. A love story is always unique; to document this love, to be the storyteller, is an honor.

What Sets you Apart?

We are passionate about connecting with people and documenting their stories. To every event, we bring our energy, creative ideas, and our unique way of seeing and capturing the moments around us.

During childhood, I devoured every fairytale in the library, and upon getting my first camera at age six, capturing life’s moments soon became a passion. Through my journalistic studies at UNC Chapel Hill, I refined my skills as a documentary photographer and gained valuable tools and experience necessary to tell a story with only images.  Capturing the enchantment of love stories transferred easily.

How Long Have you Been in Business and Where?

In 2005, after studying Photojournalism and Environmental Studies at UNC Chapel Hill, I returned to Manteo, my hometown, and started my photography business. Nine years later, Sean and I are an award winning husband and wife team. Having Sean start working alongside me in 2012 has been an exciting new step in our own adventure!

Although based on the Outer Banks, we travel throughout North Carolina and Virginia for weddings, engagements and bridals. We enjoy experiencing new places and cultures and are available to travel world wide for events. One of our favorite weddings to photograph was in Mumbai, India!

Your Favorite Outer Banks Place?

By the water and under the stars.  Contemplating whether there are more grains of sand on the beach or stars in the sky.

What is your Best Advice for an OBX Wedding?

When your wedding day chapter comes to a close, you will have your love ones hand in yours, suitcases full of amazing memories, and your photos. Be sure to choose a photographer who is a good fit for you, whose work, style, and visual perspective you admire!

Also, have someone you trust to take care of the details, so you can relax on your special day!!

What is your Favorite Part of the Job?

The story of life and love.

Your Favorite Hobbies?

When not out exploring the world or looking through a lens, I enjoy cozying up to a cup of ginger lemon tea and good friendly rivalry of Banana Grams, taste testing Sean’s latest culinary dish, beach combing with our sweet nieces and nephews, cheering with friends while we watch our favorites teams: the Carolina Hurricanes and Carolina Panthers, encouraging orchids to bloom… and getting lost in a good book.

Favorite Meal?

For breakfast? My Austrian grandmother’s poppy seed strudel or a Boston Cream donut.

For lunch? A good, hearty Irish stew.

For dinner? The Panaeng & Yellow Curries that Sean and I had in Thailand. It’s not quite the same recreating at home!

252-455-0065 / rachael@rachaelhyde.com/ www.rachaelhyde.com