Wilson’s Creek Waterfall | Caldwell County Courthouse Wedding
November 10, 2023
~ Memorable courthouse wedding in Lenior, NC with a majestic waterfall ~
As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of attending quite a few distinct and memorable weddings, but there’s nothing like the wedding day of a close friend or family member. I was so happy to be a part of this wedding which I’ll remember forever. In March, I made the journey back to my hometown of Lenoir, North Carolina, to document the wedding of my sister, Christina, and her now husband, Jared.
Emotional Ceremony at Caldwell County Courthouse
Christina and Jared chose to have their wedding ceremony at the Caldwell County Courthouse. Their ceremony was held in the magistrate’s office, which was initially quite hard to find. When we first arrived, we thought we had the wrong place because the main courthouse doors were locked. It turns out the magistrate’s office has a discreet entrance on the back, on the eastern side of the courthouse, off Mulberry Street. Unfortunately, no cameras were allowed inside the magistrate’s office. On the bright side, this allowed for a more intimate ceremony and allowed me to be able to fully present as a witness for their ceremony. The magistrate’s office was quite small and was not far off from what you would think a stereotypical office looks like. Despite the bland setting, Christina and Jared were able to have a beautiful ceremony. Christina and Jared wrote their own vows that were so touching that the magistrate even teared up. This was the first time experiencing that for courthouse wedding where the officiant didn’t know the couple! Another special moment that made the ceremony even more emotional was their ring bearer, Christina and Jared’s 4-year-old son. He was so excited and happy for his parents, he had a little trouble staying still, he also decorated the box for the wedding rings, making them even more special.
Memories at Wilson’s Creek
After the courthouse ceremony, we headed to Wilson’s Creek, a place that held special significance for Christina and Jared. Wilson’s Creek is a 23.3-mile mountain stream in the Pisgah National Forest, starting in Grandfather Mountain. The creek is known for its stunning waterfalls and beautiful scenery. My favorite time to visit the creek is in the fall as the leaves start to turn, it’s so beautiful! This wedding took place in March just as the plants were starting to regrow after the winter. This allowed us to get a unique blend of rustic winter leaves with hints of greenery throughout the forest. While some parts of Wilson’s Creek can get quite busy, the area Christina and Jared chose for their post-wedding photoshoot was quiet and secluded which allowed us to relax and have fun capturing some photos. Another great highlight of this spot was the small waterfall that this section of the creek had.
First Date Flashbacks
This serene spot was actually the location of their very first date! Christina and Jared had written their initials on a rock by the seating area. Although they were the first to do so, they noticed that now their initials were joined by those of other couples on the neighboring rocks. During a break from taking photos, I noticed Jared looking around for something. I thought he may have dropped something, but he eventually stooped down near the waterfall to pick up a small red flower. Apparently he had found one during their first date and given it to Christina, so had been looking for one to give her on their wedding day as well.
A Candid Reception
After this initial intimate ceremony, Christina and Jared had a second wedding for more friends and family to be able to join. At this ceremony, they decided to opt out of an official photographer and instead offered disposable cameras for the guests to use throughout the night. They later had these photos developed, creating a beautiful, candid album of memories. It turned out a lot of the photos had been taken by their 4-year-old son, but they still ended up creating a great collection of fun and spontaneous photos. I think this is a great idea for those who are not interested in traditional photography or are just looking for a fun way to spice up your wedding album. Your guests will be able to capture some great moments you may never thought of getting on film and will almost always be some of your favorite shots from the night. This is also a great way to get some wedding guests up on their feet, even if they don’t want to join you on the dancefloor. You can always set up a photo booth or prop table next to some disposable cameras as well!
Christina and Jared’s wedding day was a unique blend of intimate moments, personal touches, and cherished memories. As a wedding photographer, it was an unforgettable experience to capture these moments, and as a sister, it was even more touching.
View the full blog post here: https://vidrphotography.com/post/733576545391788032/serene-waterfall-and-courthouse-wedding-lenoir
