Dreamy, Nostalgic and Colorful: A Luxury Wedding at Hotel Concord

Documentary style photograph of the moment just before an emotional first look at Hotel Concord in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This wedding at Hotel Concord was so elegant and so cool. Tabita + Hunter didn’t forget a single detail culturally or aesthetically, when planning their wedding day, and I am so grateful to have been there to photograph it. T+H had a champagne seating chart, a Lego guestbook, and stunning florals by Viivifloralstudio (Check Sofya out, we love working together and offer specials if you hire us!) that were to die for.

Bridal portraits in Charlotte, North Carolina, just before the first look.

Tabita’s Anthropologie dress with removable sleeves was the star of the show. And don’t forget the absolutely perfect makeup by Rachel Safrit (It stayed in place all night, mind you.) and hair that also stayed in place (!!!) by Greyson Harvey.

This couple had a champagne tower with a toast, gorgeous decor and planning by Polished Event Design + Decor, a Photo Booth, an entry table featuring a sentimental tribute to all the weddings in their families that came before them (I loved this soooo much!!), cutouts for their guests to have of their pets at home, Pokemon cake toppers, and traditional Brazilian wedding favors as Tabita is from Brazil. They also had their own little wedding emblem that was on everything (even the backdrop for the Photo Booth!!) and that may have been my very favorite luxe detail. It just made the wedding feel so cohesive and so much like a well put together event. I could honestly on and on about this one wedding for ever.

BREAKING HEADLINE!

How cute are these? T+H had their little newspapers placed in the seat of each guest so they could interact with one another and play fun guessing games while they waited for the ceremony to begin. Peep guests below actually speaking to each other!

There was no shortage of fun details like how the ring bearer had ring pops instead of the actual ring and he carried them in a briefcase while wearing his little sunglasses. I’m telling you, this was the ‘IT’ wedding. I think they legitimately had the absolute perfect wedding day.

They were big on me capturing the day as naturally as I could and they wanted almost all of their images to be candid (documentary). They also loved an editorial moment and wanted wedding photos with a solid flash aesthetic. (His mom used to be a wedding photographer so they knew exactly what they wanted.) So I delivered on plenty of documentary photos with not a single moment missed, and lots of beautiful portraits of the two of them, both completely candid and directed to an editorial pose. T+H wanted their first look photographed, but they wanted to do vows privately with each other following the first look. I LOVE when couples do this. It really sets the tone for the rest of the evening. Hunter surprised himself when he became emotional seeing Tabita for the first time on their wedding day. The sweetest part about this is, they had actually already been married for a while before their wedding day, so Hunter getting emotional was especially romantic. These two got together during the pandemic days so they were one of the couples that just didn’t care to wait to tie the knot, but they knew they wanted to throw a kickass party with all the most perfect details later, and they delivered!!!

Check out my blog post here if you’re on the fence about doing a first look.

Groom gets unexpectedly emotional during powerful first look at luxury wedding venue, Hotel Concord, in Charlotte, North Carolina

Weddings are for emotion.

Tearful snapshots of the first look. Hunter loves Tabita in the deepest and most beautiful way, and she deserves every single bit of that love. Get a photographer that can tell a story this sweetly.

Hunter was definitely overcome with emotions of gratefulness and an overwhelming sense of love during this beautiful wedding. The speeches given by Tabita’s sister and Hunter’s brother were thoughtfully prepared and were similarly tear-jerking moments. I actually cried a few times at this wedding, myself! It was too sweet and full of love not to feel the emotion, and the images from their wedding definitely speak volumes about the love that was present.

Hunter’s brother, Jackson, as he delivers a moving speech that has everyone, including myself, both laughing AND crying.

But please don’t think they didn’t party!! Because they did! Tabita and Hunter had a special choreographed dance planned and let me tell you, they ATE. After their first dance they had the DJ call each table up to stand with them at their table to take portraits. That is one trend that I really hope continues for 2025, because the two of them got to visit and get a photo with every single guest at their wedding, but they also got to eat their food and sit down and take a break all while getting shit done. It’s a life hack to survive your wedding and a serious efficiency move. Then later, their dance floor included Chappell Roan playing through the speakers, the infamous Cat and Dog cut outs, laser rings, glow wands, and blow up instruments. Please notice grandpa! That is one of my favorite images EVER.

Hunter’s dad and Grandpa were enjoying the wedding just as much as everyone else! This wedding was incredible to look at, but let me say that these people were some of the most genuine, kind, and fun loving groups I’ve ever had.

This was a luxury wedding for the history books.

Intentional motion blurred photo of the head table romantically lit by candles of various sizes.

a quiet snapshot of two lovers sharing an intimate, hearltfelt moment to share their private vows and commitments to one another

A moment of pause between the bride and her sister, artistically captured in black and white.

Party like you mean it.

However you tell your love story is up to you, but do it authentically.