Getting Ready at Paramount Event Venue

Au’Shonna looked incredible.

Before the ceremony, I photographed her inside the venue using those gorgeous oversized windows to create both the dramatic silhouette of her gown and the bright, close-up bridal portraits that show off her expression.

Her fitted lace wedding gown had so much texture, which photographed beautifully from every angle. But more than anything, these photographs feel like her. The huge smile, the confidence and the excitement are exactly the things I want my couples to remember when they look through their wedding photographs years from now.

That balance is always important to me as a Raleigh wedding photographer: I want the beautiful portrait, but I also want the person in it to still feel completely recognizable.

An Outdoor Ceremony at Paramount Event Venue

The couple held their ceremony outdoors beneath a white arbor decorated with soft draping and warm-toned florals.

One advantage of having the ceremony and reception at the same wedding venue is how naturally the day can move from one part of the celebration to another. Paramount offers separate ceremony, cocktail-hour and reception spaces, along with landscaped grounds for photographs.

After the ceremony, we were able to stay right on the property for wedding-party and family portraits.

These are some of the photographs that become increasingly important over time.

Of course, I love the artistic portraits and candid moments, but I also believe strongly in photographing the people who showed up to celebrate with you. Parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and children are part of the story of the wedding day too.

That comprehensive approach — a little documentary photography mixed with intentional traditional portraiture — is a huge part of how I photograph weddings.

A Beautiful Paramount Event Venue Reception

Inside, the reception space was completely transformed.

Emerald green and gold linens continued the wedding palette while the dark wood floors, chandeliers, ceiling draping and twinkle lights created an elegant backdrop.

The ballroom at Paramount includes white ceiling and stage draping, twinkle lighting, a chandelier, accent lighting and AV capabilities, so couples can dramatically change the feeling of the room from dinner to dancing without changing venues.

The reception design felt polished during dinner...

…and then the lights went down.

That is when things got FUN.