An urbanite utopia...

Tracie and Mario love the modern feel of their downtown condo in Raleigh. So, it made perfect sense for these two lovebirds to find a wedding nest at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. The hotel showcases plenty of modern flair while maintaining a unique elegance - much like Tracie and Mario.

These two take after my own heart and are a couple of beer nerds. In fact, I broke my normal "no drinking during weddings" rule and enjoyed a special brew with the groom. (Don't worry, it was just one).

Mississippi Queen

Apparently, bad luck for me translates into good luck for wedding clients. This destination wedding started with me spilling hot coffee on an unsuspecting airline passenger, who screamed as if I had just murdered her husband. Seconds later, I was offered a seatbelt extender. During the wedding reception, a small child punched me in the groin for no apparent reason. And I arrived back in Raleigh tired and hungry to a car with a dead battery sitting in the airport parking garage.

Contrasted with my dumb luck, Clif and Cara's wedding seemed downright perfect.

The wedding in Vaughn, MS (near Jackson) was epic. Cara, a former Raleigh wedding planner, created an elegant event while retaining the southern charm found in rural Mississippi. Personally, it was a great wedding - I got to hang out with some dear friends from Raleigh, including April Sirit, of Evoke Images, Chris and Toni Wheaton, Randy Bennett of Bunn DJ Company. Despite the now-funny hiccups on the trip, I had a terrific time.

Anyway, check out the pics while I go find a bag of frozen peas.

Published in The Knot

My wedding last year with Ivy Robinson was published in The Knot... check it: