Hearing a meteorologist describing an impending tropical storm is never what a bride and groom (or a wedding photographer) want to hear the week of their wedding; however, Olivia and Brent Jordan would not let some wind and rain ruin their day. In fact, they took it in stride (Olivia texted me the day before, “I have accepted my fate”), and the rain gave me a chance to get creative with my photography—resulting in some incredible and memorable photographs at a charming North Carolina wedding venue.

I first met Olivia when I photographed her sister Katie’s wedding in January 2020, so I was beyond thrilled when she reached out about documenting her own wedding on October 28, 2021. I quickly learned that Olivia was a dream bride—extremely organized while simultaneously easy-going and willing to roll with the punches. (Again, see “tropical storm” reaction.)

Olivia and Brent’s wedding took place at Chickadee Hill Farms—an idyllic North Carolina wedding venue with 25 acres that’s also a miniature horse rescue farm in Statesville (just north of Charlotte.) Again, while we were all eager and hopeful to capture some beautiful fall foliage during the ceremony, the tropical storm moved us inside to the little chapel on site, which was beautifully decorated with gorgeous fall arrangements showcasing burgundy, orange, and yellow autumn hues.

Olivia wore a stunning, fitted lace wedding gown and completed the look with two “something borrowed” pieces—a gorgeous veil borrowed from her sister and beautiful jewelry from her mom. In keeping with the fall wedding style, the bridesmaids’ dresses were a muted orange, adding to the autumn ambiance inside the chapel, and the groom and groomsmen wore dark grey suits with dark green ties, complimenting the floral arrangements and the bridesmaids’ dresses. 

Olivia chose to do a “first look” with both her soon-to-be husband, Brent, as well as her father. I was thrilled to capture both Brent’s glee as he first saw Olivia, as well as his love and appreciation for his bride as he embraced her.

The photograph of Olivia’s father’s “first look” reaction seems to capture a father’s complex emotions on his daughter’s wedding day: he looks both in awe of his stunning daughter and in disbelief that his little girl is old enough to get married. It’s one of my favorite photographs from their wedding day. 

Olivia and Brent’s reception took place in the Chickadee Hill barn, a stunning structure that combined both modern and rustic elements—with bright white paint on the outside, dark wood beams inside, and an impressive stone fireplace.

The fall colors continued at the reception with table arrangements featuring pops of orange.

Of course, the glow sticks also added some fun color as the couple and their guests danced the night away and again when Olivia and Brent left the reception. 

While neither Olivia nor I were thrilled with the forecast, I have to say, some of my favorite photos from the evening were the black-and-white photographs captured in the rain. I loved catching Brian, his groomsmen, and his dad sneaking a congratulatory cigar, not minding the rain one bit.

And, the photograph of the wedding party, with their umbrellas, looking fondly at the newlyweds, along with the image of Olivia and Brent kissing under the clear umbrella stand out as some of my favorites from the night.

No amount of rain could hide the pure joy and contentment in this wedding couple and their friends and family; I was honored to witness it and capture it in these photographs.