McNamara-Rosenthal Wedding

What a weekend! I spent this past weekend on Bald Head Island with Meghan McNamara and Brian Rosenthal and their friends and family for a fantastic wedding celebration! The weather was perfect and I could tell that Meghan and Brian were so genuinely excited to marry each other.

This was a special weekend for me because Meghan is a friend of mine dating back to high school. We became close friends while attending UNC-Chapel Hill's Journalism School and witnessing her excitement (and radiance) this weekend was enough to make this hardened wedding photographer teary-eyed.

This past fall, I met Meghan and Brian on UNC Campus for some engagement portraits. This was the first time I'd met Brian and I was impressed from the beginning. Just the type of guy you want your friends to marry. Meghan and Brian met in college while working together in Chapel Hill (despite the fact that Brian, unlike Meghan, was a NCSU student). When Brian got Meghan's engagement ring in the mail, he couldn't wait for his planned activities to propose and, instead, asked Meghan to marry him on Saturday morning (pre-coffee)! I don't have to tell you what Meghan's response was.

They live in Morrisville, NC with their two Labradors, Maddie and Boomer, and their cat, Lucy. They both love tennis, the Beatles, and are self-processed "foodies".

It was hard for me to pick the highlights from this weekend's event. I've posted a few of my favorites below:

The weekend started on Friday with a rehearsal at the Bald Head Island Chapel. Meghan holds her rehearsal bouquet (above) while Brian gets congratulated by his groomsmen for winning their NCAA bracket competition. Brian (a NCSU grad, I remind you) won his bracket by picking Duke to win.

Meghan's father, Tom, practices escorting her down the aisle (below).

Meghan's niece, Elizabeth (below), watches the rehearsal with her father (below).

Following the rehearsal, Megan and Brian and their guests headed over to the Rosenthal's for a fantastic rehearsal dinner. Below, Ivan Rosenthal thanks his guests for coming.

The pasta bar by Coastal Catering and Events was spectacular (below)

Since Meghan and Brian weren't going to have a traditional cake at their wedding, they cut the groom's cake together Friday night (below).

Saturday, Meghan started the day with hair and make up at Island Retreat Spa and Salon (below)

Meanwhile, friend of the Bride and Grooms', Lake, acts as resident bow tie expert and teaches the groomsmen how to properly tie a bowtie (below).

Brian gets dressed with a little help from his friends (below).

The detailing on Meghan's dress was gorgeous (above and below).

Meghan's mother, June, watches as she gets her wedding dress on (below).

Meghan's brother in law, Alan's cue cards rest on the coffee table before going to the church (below).

I've never seen Meghan look so beautiful! She was stunning.

The flowers were done by The Window Garden, based out of Southport, NC.

Below, Meghan and her dad wait outside the chapel before walking down the aisle.

Brian (and best man, Bryan) wait for Meghan and her dad to walk down the aisle (below).

Meghan and Brian recite their vows (above and below). Reverend Susan Darnel conducted the wedding ceremonies.

They break the glass (above) and share their first kiss as husband and wife (below).

Announcing for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Rosenthal!

Meghan waves to guests as they leave the church (above) and Brian gets a hug from his grandmother (below).

Check out the wind in that veil (above)!

Did I mention how beautiful Meghan looked? Wow.

Meghan and Brian head over to the Bald Head Island Club for their reception (above). There are no cars on Bald Head Island so guests and residents drive around the island on golf carts.

The photo of Meghan and her parents (above) was displayed at the reception and was taken by Meghan's grandfather. The photo shows Meghan and her dad practicing walking down the aisle of the very Chapel that she was married in. At the time this photo was taken, Meghan declared that she wanted to get married one day at the Bald Head Island Chapel and luckily, Brian agreed!

Below, family members look at the above photo at the reception.

Brian and Meghan listen (above) as Meghan's father gives out an award to the guest who traveled the furthest to attend the wedding this weekend (below).

After dinner, Meghan and Brian along with myself and my second photographer, Kate Monroe, headed out to the beach for some photos at sunset.

The clouds and light were all just right!

When the couple returned to the reception, the dancing began (below). Brian and Eric from DJ professionals did a great job keeping the party going.

Parent Dances (above and below).

Brian and Bryan share a hug after the best man's speech (below).

The Horah! (above and below)

After Brian's turn, his father Ivan gets in the chair and has to hold on for dear life (below).

After a great night, Meghan and Brian exit their reception (above) and depart on their decorated golf cart (below).

I had so much fun this weekend with Meghan, Brian and their friends and family. Congrats to you both and I wish you lots of happiness!

A special thanks to my second photographer, Kate Monroe, for doing such a great job (as always). Kate also keeps a blog, so check her blog for some more photos of Meghan and Brian.