There are couples you photograph, and then there are couples you finish a wedding day with feeling like you've gained two new friends. Kristi and David are absolutely the second kind. From their engagement session through to the last song on the dance floor at The Rafters at Historic St. Mark in Huntersville, NC, this couple brought big love, big laughs, and the kind of energy that fills a room before anyone says a word.
By the time they said "I do," I already knew this day was going to be a blast — and they did not disappoint.
Getting Ready: Robes, Champagne, and a Whole Lot of Love
Kristi got ready with her people, and her people came correct. The bridal party gathered in matching satin robes — Kristi in ivory with delicate lace trim, her crew in soft blush, all sipping champagne and laughing in the morning light. And can we talk about Kristi's bridesman for a second? Including him in matching robes with the rest of the squad was such a "her" move — fun, inclusive, and exactly the vibe of this whole wedding.
The getting-ready cottage at the venue gave us the most charming porch moments — Kristi in her white robe with a beautiful paisley fan, surrounded by her people in white wicker chairs. Pure Southern spring magic.
Then came the moment Kristi stepped into her gown. Her off-the-shoulder lace ball gown with a cathedral veil was every bit the showstopper, and watching her mom (gorgeous in burgundy lace) and her people fuss over the final details in front of that vintage teal vanity mirror was one of those quiet, perfect moments I love photographing most.
Meanwhile David and the guys were doing what David does best — looking like they walked off a magazine shoot, sunglasses and all. Classic black tuxedos, bow ties, blush boutonnieres, and a whole lot of swagger.
The First Look: Pure, Easy Joy
If you want a snapshot of who Kristi and David are as a couple, look no further than their first look. The second they saw each other, every nervous-bride / nervous-groom feeling melted off both of their faces. There was laughter. There were a few happy tears. There was a long, quiet moment of "this is really happening." And then — joy. Real, unfiltered joy.
This is the part of the day where I always know what kind of pictures we're getting from there on out. With these two, the answer was: incredible ones.
The Ceremony at Historic St. Mark
The ceremony was everything Kristi and David are: sweet, easy, and a little bit mischievous. They held the iconic Historic St. Mark church and grounds in the absolute best light, with that gorgeous red gothic-arched door and the warm brick of the old church making the perfect backdrop for portraits later.
The ceremony itself happened outdoors in a wooded section of the property under string lights — soft afternoon light filtering through the trees, white chairs lined up perfectly, a draped arch waiting at the end of the aisle. When they kissed and turned to walk back up the aisle as a married couple, they did the cutest thing — flashing their wedding rings at every single guest like, "yeah, we just did that." Pure them.
Family + Wedding Party Portraits
One of my favorite parts of this day was watching Kristi and David with the girls in burgundy — there's something so special about photographing a blended family stepping into a new chapter together. Those windswept moments in front of the church? Absolutely magazine-worthy.
And the wedding party? The wedding party was a whole vibe. We did a tug-of-war shot — groomsmen on one side trying to "pull" David away, bridesmaids and Kristi's bridesman on the other refusing to let Kristi go — and I'm telling you, this is exactly why I love photographing weddings where the couple lets us play. You can't fake this kind of fun.
We also did one of my favorite creative portraits — bouquets held up around Kristi's face like a flower crown frame. With the rust, terracotta, and cream roses tucked into sage greenery, this one is going in my portfolio for sure.
And of course, we had to do the dramatic dress fan-out shot. Kristi's gown deserved nothing less.
The Reception: The Rafters at Historic St. Mark Doing What It Does Best
[INSERT PHOTO — reception table detail: cream linens, gold-rim chargers, lantern with floating candles, eucalyptus wreath]
If you've never been to The Rafters at Historic St. Mark, put it on your list. The reception space is everything I love in a Huntersville wedding venue — soaring wooden beams, warm wood tones, and the perfect mix of historic charm and modern barn elegance. It's the kind of space that already feels like a celebration before anyone walks in.
Kristi and David's reception was styled in a soft, romantic palette — cream linens, gold-rimmed charger plates, lantern centerpieces with floating candles, eucalyptus wreaths nestled around the bases. Simple, classic, beautiful.
And then? They lit that dance floor up. There's a photo of Kristi spinning in her gown under those wooden rafters that just is the night for me. The whole room was on the floor. Drinks in hand, joy on every face, the kind of party where nobody's looking at their phone because they don't want to miss a second.
Why I Loved Photographing Kristi & David's Wedding
Photographing a wedding is part art, part presence, part trust. Kristi and David trusted me from day one — through their engagement session and all the way to the last sparkler at The Rafters — and I'm so grateful they let me be a small part of one of the biggest days of their lives.
Kristi and David — thank you. Truly. For the laughs, the easy yes-es when I asked you to do something a little weird for a photo, the dance moves, the rings flashed at the camera, all of it. You two are the real deal, and I'm wishing you both a lifetime of exactly this kind of love.
Planning Your Wedding at The Rafters at Historic St. Mark?
If you're planning a wedding at The Rafters at Historic St. Mark, somewhere in Huntersville, around Lake Norman, or in the greater Charlotte, NC area, I would love to hear about your day. I'm Levar Hage of Levar Hage Photography, and I photograph weddings all over North Carolina with a documentary-meets-romantic style focused on real moments, real laughter, and the way you actually feel.
Get in touch here to start the conversation. I can't wait to meet you.
