Rainy Woodland Forest Wedding at Lake Johnson

September 11, 2023

~ Intimate Rainy Spring Wedding at Lake Johnson Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center in Raleigh, NC ~

Amanda and John planned on having an outdoor woodland forest wedding at Lake Johnson in Raleigh, NC. Unfortunately, the weather did not agree with their vision, and it rained all day. Luckily they had a backup plan, and they were still able to have a wonderful day. Their goal for photography was to maximize candid photography, minimize the time spent taking “posed” pictures, and obtain romantic photos with important people.  

A Private First Look

Amanda and John opted for a private first look without cameras, sharing this intimate moment with one another set the tone for their day. Some couples opt to wait until the ceremony to see each other for the first time, but having a moment of solitude together before the whirlwind of the ceremony and festivities can allow you to focus on each other. It can be an opportunity to exchange private words or vows, and for those of us who may have anxiety about being the center of attention can remove the pressure of having an audience. By taking this time for yourselves, you are creating memory of the day that is only for the two of you.

After their private first look, the rain let up a bit and we were able to get some couple’s portraits outside with the trees and forest as a backdrop. They had brought a red umbrella to help shield the rain that

Friendship Bracelets

The bridal party added a personal touch to the day, wearing friendship bracelets they had crafted themselves.

Venue & Details

The Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center at Lake Johnson was the perfect choice of location for their wooded elven forest fantasy vision. Lake Johnson has two different centers, the waterfront center right along the lake, and the woodland center nestled in the middle of the forest area of the park. The woodland center not only has the treetop deck, perfect for a small outdoor ceremony, but also a bird’s nest observation deck, kitchen, and additional room that’s perfect for getting ready. The large windows in the main room, and wooden exposed beams give the feeling of being in a mountain cabin and feel like an extension of the surrounding forest, all while being in the middle of the city! I really love Lake Johnson and this part of the city, and actually included this venue in my round up of best affordable small wedding and elopement venues in Raleigh.

Amanda and John chose a beautiful selection of greenery that decorated their ceremony and reception. The different shades of green complemented the white florals beautifully.

Ceremony

The ceremony was originally planned to be outdoors, but the rain and weather unfortunately did not agree. Luckily the venue had an indoor area as a backup option. Although the rain led to an indoor ceremony, the venue’s expansive a-frame windows, paired with the archway greenery, still captured the enchanting forest atmosphere.

Reception

The reception was full of love, laughter, and dancing. Both the best man and maid of honor gave heartfelt speeches. Amanda and John had a small ice cream cake to cut, which they struggled with a bit because it was still very frozen. Let this be a reminder, if you have an ice cream cake for your wedding, make sure to let it thaw for a bit before the reception! Since they opted for the small, separate couples cake, they did a red velvet sheet cake with cream cheese frosting for their guests, which was a major hit. The catering exceeded expectations, and I was pleasantly surprised when I found out it was provided by Cracker Barrel. I would’ve never thought of them as an option (and this is coming from someone who served a taco bar at my own wedding).

The rest of the reception was full of dancing. After their first dance to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart,” Amanda and her dad shared a dance, followed by John and his mom. Amanda and her mom thought ahead and wore ballroom dancing shoes (which are far more comfortable than regular heels, especially for dancing), but Amanda did eventually change into a casual dress and some sneakers. They left with a beautiful bubble sendoff created by their closest family and friends.

View the full blog post here: https://vidrphotography.com/post/728199485490135040/rainy-woodland-forest-wedding-at-lake-johnson