Mrs. Casey Lee Edwards (Elizabeth Brinn Timberlake), photo from rrdailyherald.com

At Silverland Jewelry, we have worked with countless brides to help them select the perfect bridal jewelry for their weddings. We were delighted to see one of our bridal jewelry sets featured in a beautiful bridal portrait in the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald’s online wedding announcements. These are the details on the special wedding jewelry worn by radiant bride Elizabeth Brinn Timberlake of Fuquay-Varina.

The radiant Miss Timberlake married her sweetheart Casey Lee Edwards on September 25, 2010 at the Highgrove Estate in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. She chose a fabulous silk satin couture bridal gown by Lazaro Couture. The chic wedding gown featured a jeweled belt with Swarovski crystal and pearl embellishments. The bride selected a spectacular custom Swarovski crystal and pearl bridal jewelry set from Silverland Jewelry which was the perfect accompaniment to the details on her wedding gown.

The bridal jewelry set selected by Miss Timberlake was a lariat style necklace with coordinating drop earrings and a matching bracelet handcrafted by Silverland Jewelry in our Raleigh boutique. As with almost all of our wedding jewelry, the bridal set was made to order right in our shop in the Sutton Square shopping plaza. The sparkling necklace, earring, and bracelet trio was handmade with genuine Swarovski crystals and lustrous pearls. The fabulous Cassidy bridal jewelry set is available exclusively at Silverland Jewelry.

One of the most special features of the Cassidy lariat necklace is that it is created with both a front and a back drop. A stunning 28mm Swarovski crystal teardrop is suspended from a sterling silver chain accented with more crystals and pearls. The necklace is 34 inches long, with a pair of 16 inch Swarovski crystal teardrops dangling down the back of the piece. The wonderful thing about the lariat necklace is that it can be adjusted so that the teardrop in the front hangs lower or closer to the neck, depending on what length best suits the neckline of your bridal gown.

The other fantastic thing about the Cassidy lariat necklace is the long jeweled drops down the back. What a gorgeous accent to a wedding gown with an open back! Miss Timberlake wore her Cassidy lariat necklace with a strapless wedding gown, which looked amazing. The long drops would also work beautifully with a spaghetti strap, V-neck, or scoopneck bridal gown with an open back. After all, you spend much of your wedding ceremony with your back facing your guests – shouldn’t your back view be just as beautiful as the front?

To accent the spectacular lariat necklace, we handcraft a coordinating pair of drop earrings with a 22mm Swarovski crystal drop on each one. The exquisite earrings also feature a petite pearl accent, which make them ideal to wear with any bridal gown. They have a marvelous presence with an updo, as Miss Timberlake wore for her bridal hairstyle. The drop earrings are also gorgeous with hair worn down, of course. Last but not least, is the elegant crystal and pearl bracelet which completes the set.

If you would like to see the Cassidy bridal jewelry set in person, please visit us at our Raleigh boutique. Brides who live outside the Triangle can also order any of our exclusive wedding jewelry sets on our website. We thank the lovely Elizabeth Timberlake Edwards for being such a gorgeous model of our jewelry, and wish her a lifetime of happiness with her new husband!

As part of its ongoing series “Going to the Chapel”, NBC 17 has been following the wedding planning adventures of a woman named Yasmine who is engaged to be married on Valentine’s Day in 2011. “Going to the Chapel” segments are aired during the program “My Carolina Today” which airs at 11am weekdays. The Triangle Bridal Association is one of the sponsors of the wedding segments, which are great fun for any bride-to-be.

You know all that goes into planning your own wedding, so it can be highly entertaining to watch another bride on her path to planning the perfect wedding. In anticipation of her Valentine’s Day wedding next year, viewers get to come along for the ride with Yasmine, as she considers her options for venues, gowns, wedding accessories, and more. Of course, everyone will love seeing Yasmine try on bridal gowns, almost like a Triangle version of “Say Yes to the Dress”!

On December 7th, viewers of “Going to the Chapel” will see Yasmine’s visit to the Silverland Jewelry boutique on Falls on Neuse Road in Raleigh, where she gets to try on fabulous bridal jewelry for her wedding. We at Silverland were delighted for the chance to assist Yasmine in her search for the ideal jewelry to complement her bridal gown. Viewers can tune in to see our beautiful jewelry collections, as Yasmine explores her choices for the perfect accessories. Remember that in addition to stunning jewelry for the bride, Silverland Jewelry also handcrafts exquisite bridesmaid and mother of the bride collections. In fact, we are pleased to say that Yasmine found the perfect bridesmaid jewelry for her wedding party in our boutique.

Another great feature of “Going to the Chapel’ is all of the wedding trends and tips which are included in the segments. Not only do viewers get to follow Yasmine’s wedding plans take shape, but they will get many useful ideas from area experts about locations, bridal fashions, photography, and everything else that a bride needs to know to plan the perfect Triangle wedding. NBC 17′s wedding segment is definitely a must watch for anyone who is in the process of planning her wedding…or just anyone who loves weddings. By the way, many of the previously aired segments can be viewed on the NBC 17 website, so if you are just finding out about “Going to the Chapel” now, you can head to their site to get caught up on what you have missed.

So be sure to watch as Silverland Jewelry is featured on television on December 7, 2010. We were just delighted to host bride-to-be Yasmine as she shopped for wedding jewelry, and we hope that you will enjoy watching her visit with us. You might even get some great ideas from “Going to the Chapel” that you can use for your own wedding!

One beautiful idea is to include a special motif on your wedding invitations. Carolina alums can show their school spirit with a Carolina blue Old Well motif or a simple tarheel on the top of their stationery. If a motif is a bit much, opt for invitations which feature a special color, such as white invitations engraved with Duke Blue or bordered in Wolfpack Red. That would be a subtle yet fun way to show your spirit with your wedding stationery.

Or give a nod to North Carolina’s state flower or bird by choosing invitations with a dogwood or cardinal design. Picture how pretty dogwood invitations would be for a spring wedding in the Triangle, or how charming a bright red cardinal would look adorning a winter wedding invitation. Fine stationer William Arthur makes exquisite wedding invitations with a letterpress flowering dogwood branch design. Order them from a shop like Chapel Hill’s Purple Puddle, which carries the high end William Arthur line. Purple Puddle also offers wedding florist services, so a bride can take care of two things at once.

Headed to one of the beautiful North Carolina beaches for your wedding? Set the stage with a beach motif suite of wedding stationery. You could opt for something specific, such as invitations graced with the famous Cape Hatteras lighthouse, or choose a more general beach theme for your stationery. The Green Kangaroo in Cary offers exquisite beach theme wedding invitations in their couture collection which are accented with actual starfish or sand dollars (they are mailed in custom shallow boxes instead of regular envelopes). Such a special invitation will certainly make a grand first impression!

Customization is very popular for Triangle weddings, and there are many wonderful options available for the bride and groom who want unique wedding invitations. Visit a shop like Daisy Notes and Paper in Durham, which carries a number of creative stationery lines, including letterpress, engraved, and offset print varieties. They also offer luxurious eco-friendly wedding invitations from Studio Olivine, which are gorgeous letterpress invitations created on handmade recycled paper with soy based inks. Who knew going green could be so stylish?

Once you have selected the perfect wedding invitations, be sure to attend to the little details which will make them even more perfect. A calligrapher, such as Raleigh’s Calligraphy by Carrie, can put the final flourishes on your invitations which will make them look like works of art. And don’t forget that you can even order custom postage stamps for your wedding stationery. Choose your favorite photo, whether it is an engagement picture, an image of your pet, or perhaps a glimpse of your favorite local spot (maybe where the bride and groom first met). With all the details done “just so”, the invitations to your wedding are sure to make a grand impression on your guests!

Did you know that most salons advise ordering your bridal gown at least six months before your wedding? That means that for a Memorial Day wedding, you need to order your gown around Thanksgiving, if not sooner! Many brides find that Thanksgiving weekend can be a great time to go wedding gown shopping, because they are likely to have their mothers around to help them make the selection. As we head into the holiday season, many of the area bridal salons will be hosting designer trunk shows, as well. Traditions by Anna in Raleigh is hosting a Matthew Christopher trunk show on November 19-20, 2010. Raleigh’s Victorian Rose Bridals also has several upcoming trunk shows, including Alvina Valente on December 3-4 and Jim Hjelm on December 30-31. Brides can sign up for emails from Alexia’s Bridal Boutique in Cary to learn about their upcoming special events. All in all, the holiday season is a great time to purchase a bridal gown for a 2011 wedding in the Triangle area.

The holiday season is a fantastic time to start thinking about your wedding accessories as well. What many brides like to do is to ask Santa for their favorite set of bridal jewelry or headpiece. It’s a great way to get that special accessory you need for your wedding gown, without tapping into the wedding budget. This is also a perfect time to shop around for accessories like a beaded clutch for your wedding, as stores will be full of dressy accessories during the holiday season. If you are thinking about a custom set of bridesmaid jewelry for your 2011 wedding, the designers at Silverland Jewelry recommend starting on the order soon. That way, you will have plenty of time to order a swatch of your bridesmaid dresses for color matching, sit down with a designer to select a style, and to have everything hand made with plenty of time to spare. As a special holiday gift, Silverland Jewelry is offering a complimentary pair of handmade crystal Christmas tree earrings with $50 in-store purchases before Christmas, so brides who choose their bridal and bridesmaid jewelry now will get a special gift that they can enjoy throughout the holiday season (or wrap up and give as a Christmas gift to your mom!).

Something else that is great to do for your wedding during the holiday season is pick up decorations. By the time Christmas day rolls around, stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot around the Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill area will have useful decorations like tiny white lights on sale. Pick them up to adorn the tent poles for your spring or summer wedding. Local craft stores like A.C. Moore and Michael’s are also good resources for decorations which will get marked down after the holidays. Look for items such as candles, glittery branches, and ribbon on clearance that you can use to decorate your 2011 wedding. If you are planning a wedding for the holiday season of 2011, remember to stock up on seasonal décor, too, like all of the beautiful Christmas ornaments which will go on sale at the end of this year’s Christmas season.

While your wedding may not be your main focus during the holiday season, there are some really great ways to take advantage of the events and offers which will be going on around the Triangle over the winter. The best part is that when 2010 glides into 2011, you will feel like you have hit the ground running with your wedding plans.

If your wedding will go late into the evening hours, it is wonderful to have a special late night treat to bring out near the end of the reception. It is a nice surprise for your guests and will give everyone a second wind to keep the energy of the party high. A fantastic idea would be to have a donut stand serving fresh Krispy Kremes. Set out trays piled high with classic glazed donuts, as well as a few other favorites like chocolate frosted and seasonal varieties such as pumpkin spice. Fresh hot coffee is the perfect accompaniment to the donuts. Around the Triangle, there are two Krispy Kreme locations in Raleigh and a new one on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. If there is no location which is convenient to you, remember that most Harris Teeter grocery stores also sell Krispy Kremes. In the unlikely event that any donuts are left at the end of the reception, you can bring them to the post-wedding brunch the next day.

As we all know, summer days and nights can be very hot in North Carolina. A great way to help your guests cool off would be to set up a milkshake stand at your wedding reception. There are a couple of ways to design a milkshake stand. One option is to have an attendant whipping up fresh milkshakes to order in full sized glasses. Be sure to use authentic milkshake glasses like you would find in a diner. Have a few varieties of ice cream flavors available, as well as mix-ins like Oreo pieces, mini chocolate chips, and fresh strawberries. Another way to set up a milkshake bar is with mini milkshake shooters lined up on trays in a selection of flavors like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and coffee. Set out little trays of cookies to go with the milkshakes for a perfect pairing. NC State graduates can give their milkshakes a local flavor by picking up some Howling Cow ice cream. Another great local dairy is Mapleview Farms. Visit the country store out in Hillsborough or pick up pints at Whole Foods in Durham or Chapel Hill.

Gelato bars are a hot trend in cold treats for wedding receptions. The Italian frozen dessert is denser than ice cream and is served at a slightly warmer temperature to allow the flavors to be more intensely tasted. For a great addition to a summer wedding in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, add a gelato bar. There are a couple of local places which specialize in making the Italian treat, and you can either buy the gelato to set up your own stand, or have them cater it. Henry’s Gelato, with locations in Raleigh and Cary, will bring a really cute gelato cart to your reception, along with trained “gelato artisans” to serve your guests in style. Another Triangle gelato hot spot is Sugarland Bakery in Chapel Hill. Not only will they cater a gelato bar for your reception, but they offer mouthwatering gelato martinis for the grown-up gelato lovers at your wedding!

Fresh fruit is another nice idea for a sweet treat at a wedding. It works equally well as a menu item during the reception and as a wedding favor. Choose the fruit that will be in peak season on your wedding date. You could set up a mini strawberry shortcake bar with strawberries, fresh whipped cream, and small fresh biscuits. This idea would work equally well with blueberries, sliced peaches, or raspberries. For the freshest berries, visit one of the farmer’s markets scattered around the Triangle. If your guest list is small, you could also consider picking berries at one of the local pick-your-own farms (visit pickyourown.org to find a farm near you). Of course, the bride does not want to have berry-stained fingers on her wedding day, so this would be a good task to delegate! Whichever sweet treat you choose for your wedding, your guests are sure to love it.

In Raleigh, head over to Nowell’s Clothing on North Market Street. There you can find a classic tuxedo or a handsome suit for the groom, along with a great selection of accessories. Local grads will particularly enjoy the NC State or UNC bow tie and cummberbund sets from Vineyard Vines in team colors and logos. Such a great way to show school spirit on your wedding day! If a tuxedo is too formal for your wedding style, pick out a nice suit and give it a personal flair with a Brioni tie or a Robert Talbott shirt. For an outdoor summer wedding in the Triangle, you may even wish to consider a classic Southern seersucker suit. Your groom will surely look the picture of a Southern gentleman!

Another local menswear store that has been a Triangle tradition for generations is Julian’s, located on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. This is definitely the place to shop for your groom’s attire if you want to add a dash of Carolina blue to your wedding! Classic with a definite leaning towards preppy (think lots of argyle), Julian’s has a great selection of bow ties, monogrammed belts, and other accessories to personalize the wedding attire for your groom and groomsmen. A full service menswear store in the traditional sense, they offer a wedding attire coordinating service, alterations, and personal shopping as well. (Julian’s does carry women’s clothing too, by the way.) You can rent or purchase a tuxedo, order a custom suit, or select a handsome suit from their in-store collection.

A store with locations around the Triangle is Jos. A. Bank. Their menswear stores can be found in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Cary. Jos. A. Bank primarily carries their own private label, and they offer a wide array of suits and formalwear. Tuxedos are available to buy complete or as separates to allow each groom to get exactly the look he wants. They also now offer a tuxedo rental service, for the man who does not plan to use a tuxedo again in the future. Jos. A. Bank carries a wide range of suiting if your wedding is semi-formal. One thing that is nice about their suit collection is that they make a selection of big and tall sizes also, which is not something that is always easy to find in premium suiting. If you have some time before your wedding, keep your eyes open for one of the huge sales that Jos. A. Bank frequently advertises on local television.

For the groom who wants a suit with a modern edge, consider heading over to J Crew in Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh or the Streets at Southpoint in Durham. Their suiting tends be cut with a more slim modern fit, which is great for a young groom or one with a taste for hip clothing. It’s a great place to find a handsome khaki suit for a spring or summer wedding, along with a tie in a trendy color. They also carry a good selection of shoes for men. J Crew has been expanding their wedding offerings for both brides and grooms, so you may also want to check out their website for additional choices beyond what is carried in the local stores.

Shorter bridal veils are a stylish trend this fall and winter. Without a doubt, the vintage inspired birdcage veil is what the most fashion-forward Triangle brides will be wearing this year. Not much more than a small pouf of netting pinned to the hair, the birdcage looks fabulous with everything from sleek sheath gowns to dramatic couture creations. Southern brides do tend to like classic styles, so for those who prefer a more traditional bridal look, a fingertip or waist length veil will be both fashionable and timeless.

Fresh, classic beauty with a touch of elegance is the trend for wedding hair and makeup right now. Brides from the Raleigh area have always favored a polished grace, and this season, that is the hot look right off the runway. A smooth chignon accented with a double headband or a Swarovski crystal clip would be just the right amount of embellishment. Select a sophisticated headpiece to coordinate with the rest of your bridal jewelry set, whether it features crystals or pearls. For an extra dash of elegance, add a few feathers to your hair jewelry.

Speaking of bridal jewelry, the hottest looks on the runway are layered necklaces, dramatic earrings, and gold tones. Sparkling Swarovski crystals and classic pearls remain popular for all styles of wedding jewelry. Multi-strand necklaces, pieces featuring very large pearls, and crystal necklaces with multiple drops are all chic options for Triangle brides this season. Fall theme jewelry is very stylish for an autumn wedding. A Swarovski shaped leaf pendant in rich topaz colored crystal set in 14kt gold fill would be right on trend for both the bride and her bridesmaids. When the wedding is planned for the winter months, Swarovski crystal snowflake pendants and earrings are spectacular.

Fur was all over the runway for fall and winter. While the early autumn months in the Raleigh area are too warm to imagine getting bundled up in fur, by the time November rolls around, fur accessories become a definite possibility. Small white fur shrugs tied with satin ribbons are perfect for winter brides. For a true indulgence, treat yourself to a luxurious little piece from Hertzberg Furs in Raleigh, or seek out a vintage fur shrug from one of the area vintage clothiers. Department stores like Nordstrom also carry fur accessories, both real and faux, as do many online stores.

Every bride needs a great pair of shoes for her wedding. Triangle area brides can visit shoe meccas like Nordstrom at the Southpoint Mall in Durham, shop at area bridal salons, or try their luck at bargain hunting for discount designer shoes at the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet in Morrisville or the newly opened Nordstrom Rack in Durham. The key trend for fall and winter is a round toe, whether you like ballet flats or high heels. Platform shoes are also popular this season, and an ivory silk high heel with a round toe and a very slight platform would be a gorgeous take on the trend for a bride (especially a petite bride with a tall groom!). If you feel like being a bit daring with your bridal footwear, consider a chic pair of leopard print shoes; hidden under a wedding gown with a full skirt, they will be your secret, to reveal only as chosen. A bold accessory under a classic bridal gown is a great way to balance the latest wedding trends with traditional Southern bridal style.

Speaking from personal experience, my first piece of advice to any bride and groom planning to get married in or near a college town is to check the schedule of events at the school before setting a wedding date. Dates to watch out for include Parents’ Weekend, homecoming, graduation, and big sporting events. Put it this way: can you imagine the incredible hassle it would be for your guests to get to a wedding at the Carolina Inn on a Saturday afternoon with a UNC football home game? The traffic would be atrocious, accommodations difficult to come by and more expensive, and grabbing a quick bite to eat on Franklin Street before the wedding an impossibility. Or what about the cost and inconvenience to your guests of trying to book hotel rooms for a wedding near the Duke campus during graduation weekend? (A quick glance at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club shows that all the guest rooms are already sold out for that weekend, which is May 13-15 in 2011.)

By the way, if you do get married on a busy weekend in a college town, you will even face future hassles as a result in future years; my husband and I unwittingly booked our wedding for Parents’ Weekend in a college town, and since our anniversary each year also fell on that busy weekend, reservations for our anniversary dinner at our favorite restaurant had to be booked months in advance! The lesson is to check the college websites in the Triangle to ensure that your wedding date does not conflict with a large event. Also be aware of other big local draws, such as the NC State Fair in Raleigh each fall.

Of course, there are also times of years when college campuses go quiet, and that can offer a bride and groom the opportunity to get a particularly good rate on a venue, hotel accommodations, or other services. If a winter wedding appeals to you, book it for a time when NC State, Duke, or UNC are closed for winter break. The hotels and restaurants will have much lower than average traffic, meaning that you can score a luxury hotel room for your wedding night or possibly even reserve a private room in a great restaurant for less than at other times of the year (although there may be competition from Christmas parties). Rates can drop by 25% for hotel rooms for the off-season as compared to say, a football weekend. So if you have always dreamed of getting married in a fabulous silk gown with handmade wedding jewelry in one of the elegant hotels in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill region, consider doing it over the winter break. As a bonus, many hotels, restaurants, and churches will be fully decked out with seasonal decorations, which can trim your wedding décor bill considerably.

When you talk about wedding dates, of course the weather must be a consideration. Brides and grooms who have their hearts set on an outdoor wedding should pick a date in the late spring or the autumn. In April, May, and October the average high temperatures are in the balmy 70s, with low rates of precipitation. Of course, competition for popular spots can be fierce; to score a reservation at the beautiful Sarah Duke Gardens, couples have to enter a lottery and keep their fingers crossed! Keep in mind that lesser known wineries, country inns, and gardens just outside of Durham, Chapel Hill, or Raleigh may be easier to book for the very popular wedding dates. With all of these considerations in mind, you will be able to pick the perfect date for your wedding in the Triangle.

Certainly, Asheville is one of the first places that comes to mind when you think of a scenic mountain getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is hard to decide what is more exciting about Asheville, the breathtaking natural scenery, the vibrant art scene, or the magnificent historic architecture. Of course, no honeymoon to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the legendary Biltmore Estate, but that is far from the only attraction. Visit ExploreAsheville.com to learn about “romance packages” geared especially towards honeymooners at many of the area inns and hotels. A particular highlight of early autumn in Asheville is the Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival on September 5th, which is an annual end-of-summer celebration.

Outdoor lovers from the Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill area can enjoy hiking in the early fall splendor of North Carolina’s section of the Appalachian Trail. There are trails for everyone from the casual enthusiast to the seriously sporty newlyweds. Mid-May through October is considered the prime season for hiking the “A.T.” in the North Carolina mountains, so it would be a perfect active fall honeymoon. September 28 – November 6 is the peak fall foliage season, according to AppalachianTrail.org. The higher elevations will experience the earliest change in season. Check out their guidebooks for more information on the best trails for every experience level, what to bring, what to see, and where to stay.

If your idea of a perfect mountain honeymoon is more about being nestled in front of a cozy fire than tackling a challenging hiking trail, consider renting a log cabin in the Smoky Mountains. There are numerous cabins in the Fontana Lake region, which is nestled in a National Park. Close to the Tennessee border, it is about a five and half hour drive from Raleigh. The lake itself offers boating, excellent fishing, and some of the most pristine shoreline around. Many of the log cabins in the region are perfect for a romantic honeymoon; they come fully furnished with all the amenities and many feature those special extras like fireplaces and hot tubs, perfect for spending some alone time.

The Blowing Rock and Boone region of Western North Carolina is another wonderful honeymoon idea for newlyweds from the Triangle. At a little under three and a half hours from Raleigh, it is a quick and easy getaway with many attractions. It would be a great choice for a mini-moon over a long weekend. There is the quaint charm of the Tweetsie Railway (open weekends in the fall), the Hayes Performing Art Center, and scenic walks at nearby Grandfather Mountain. There are also other fun things to do in the area, such as visiting wineries or taking in one of the Oktoberfest festivals.

Perhaps the best part about a honeymoon in the North Carolina mountains is that it is both close to home, yet a world apart. Whether you like hiking, the arts, history, luxurious resorts, or log cabins, the mountains will have what you are looking for in less than a six hour drive from Raleigh. With so many romantic possibilities, a fall honeymoon in the mountains of western North Carolina might just prove to be irresistible!

Many of the brides and grooms in the Triangle met and fell in love on campus. If this is true of your romance, then a scenic spot at your university is an ideal place to take engagement photos. Not only will they be beautiful, but the pictures will help to tell the story of how you met. Carolina brides and grooms can take advantage of many lovely locations on the Chapel Hill campus, but there is none more iconic than the Old Well. By the same token, the bride and groom who fell in love while attending Duke could consider having their engagement photo session in one of the beautiful gardens or on the steps of the spectacular Duke Chapel.

Engagement photos can also be done at a place which highlights a special interest of the bride and groom. There are an infinite number of possibilities around the Triangle. For instance, a pair of art lovers could have their pictures taken at the unique Museum Park at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. Imagine the breathtaking scenes available within the 164 acres of lush fields and woodlands. What truly sets Museum Park apart from other lovely scenic locations is of course, the art. Where else can you have your engagement portraits created in a gorgeous outdoor setting among magnificent sculptures and other works of art? The portfolio of photographs is sure to be truly original.

Jordan Lake is another wonderful outdoor location for engagement pictures in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. The large lake and wooded shore offer countless panoramas for the engaged couple’s background. The pavilions and other structures can also be used to introduce some architectural elements to the natural setting. Consider Jordan Lake for engagement photos at any time of year. As beautiful as it is when at its peak of lushness and greenery in the summertime, the lake is also hauntingly lovely in the autumn when the leaves turn, and even in the winter, when the trees are bare. You could get some very striking black and white shots in the winter months, which would make for artful and interesting engagement photographs.

Indoor sites can also be an excellent choice for engagement photo shoots. How gorgeous would it be to have a session done inside the butterfly house at the Life and Science Museum in Durham? The foliage is impossibly lush, and all of the colorful butterflies in the background would make for absolutely exquisite photographs. The bride to be should wear something soft and feminine to play up the romantic nature of the butterflies. A pretty floral dress and pearl earrings would suit the butterfly house beautifully. Think about what fun it would be to have your engagement photos taken in the butterfly house for a wedding with a butterfly theme! It would be a marvelous way to set the stage for the main event.

One final idea for engagement photos in the Triangle is to choose an urban or more industrial location. This is a very strong trend in engagement pictures all around the country. The juxtaposition of the attractive young couple in love with a gritty scene (often shot in black and white) is very powerful. For inspiration, consider train tracks, city sidewalks, or interesting doorways. Whether you live in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, you probably pass a location that would be ideal for totally hip and unique engagement photos every day.