“OH MY GOSH MICHELLE – THESE ARE STUNNING.
WE’RE GRINNING EAR TO EAR LOOKING THROUGH THESE. YOU ARE SO TALENTED, AND HAVE CAPTURED THE JOY, CELEBRATION, AND MAGIC THAT WE FELT ALL NIGHT LONG. “
THANK YOU! I ONLY WISH YOU COULD HAVE HEARD OUR EXCITEMENT LOOKING AT WHAT YOU POSTED. WE ARE SOOOO HAPPY WITH THE PHOTOS”
-KAT & REBECCA
A wedding on their very own private island in the forest. The rehearsal dinner. A chic courthouse wedding in hers and hers suits. An engagement session in the river. Foodies. Lovers of the arts. Embracers of life. Every moment spent with Rebecca and Kat was so inspring.
All film, digital, and drone photography by Michelle Elyse Photography.
We are so delighted to have been able to capture this gorgeous wedding weekend for Kat & Rebecca!
Vendors & Venues
Photos:
Planning: Events by La Fete @eventsbylafete @catylang
Florals: Once Gathered @oncegathered
Rentals:Greenhouse Picker Sisters , Party Reflections, and American Party Rentals @curatedeventsraleigh @americanpartyrentals @greenhousepickersisters @partyreflections
Videography: Nam Vu
Catering: Snap Pea @snappeanc
Bar Service: Bittersweet @bittersweetraleigh
DJ: Tezrah – East Coast Entertainment @djtezrah @eastcoastentertainment
Lighting: Get Lit @ogetliteventlightingnc
Restroom Trailer: Elegant Johns @
Stationary: If It’s Paper @ifitspaper ifitspaper
Artist – Emily Shern @emilyshern
Hair and Makeup – Peach Cowgirl @peachcowgirlbeauty
Transportation – Carolina Livery @carolina_livery
If you’re planning a wedding, looking for an LGBTQIA+ affirming photographer, and want images that are modern, artistic, and authentically you, please explore our work via my portfolios and featured events on michelleelysephotography.com. We would absolutely love to hear from you!
Kat & Rebecca | A Whimsical Woodland Wedding on a Private Island in the Forest
Some weddings are beautiful because of the details. Others are memorable because of the people. Kat and Rebecca’s wedding was both.
Set on their private residence on a secluded island along the Haw River in Pittsboro, North Carolina, their celebration felt like stepping into a hidden woodland fairytale. Nestled within the forests of Chatham County, just outside the Raleigh-Durham area, the property offered a setting unlike any other wedding venue in Central North Carolina. Guests crossed into a private world filled with towering trees, winding forest paths, glowing lights, and thoughtfully designed spaces that reflected the couple’s personalities at every turn.
As a luxury wedding photographer with drone coverage serving the Raleigh-Durham area and Central North Carolina, opportunities to photograph weddings on private properties like this are always special. Every detail was intentionally designed around the landscape, creating a wedding experience that felt immersive, magical, and deeply personal.
From the riverside ceremony to the woodland cocktail hour, the hidden forest bar, and the glowing clear-top reception tent beneath the stars, Kat and Rebecca created a celebration that felt equal parts elegant, adventurous, and unforgettable.
A Private Island Wedding Along the Haw River
One of the most remarkable aspects of this wedding was the setting itself.
Their home sits on a private island along the Haw River near Pittsboro, surrounded by mature forest and natural beauty in every direction. While Pittsboro is often known for its proximity to Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh, it also contains some of the most beautiful hidden landscapes in North Carolina.
The property felt wonderfully secluded while still being accessible for guests traveling from across the country. Massive hardwood trees, river views, woodland paths, and carefully maintained gardens created the perfect backdrop for a wedding that embraced nature without sacrificing luxury.
Rather than centering the celebration in a single location, Kat and Rebecca thoughtfully designed the wedding to showcase multiple areas of the property throughout the day.
Their guests weren’t simply attending a wedding, they were experiencing the story of a place that holds tremendous meaning in the couple’s lives.
A Moody Woodland Aesthetic
From the beginning, the vision for the wedding centered around creating an elevated woodland atmosphere.
The design felt intentionally overgrown, romantic, and immersive. Rather than polished perfection, the aesthetic embraced the natural beauty of the property. Florals appeared as though they had emerged organically from the landscape itself, with arrangements reaching upward and outward in a way that felt wild yet refined.
Tall floral installations framed important moments throughout the day while helping blur the line between the curated wedding design and the surrounding forest.
The result was a wedding that felt both luxurious and organic, a balance that can be difficult to achieve but was executed beautifully.
As guests explored the property, they discovered thoughtful details around every corner. Nothing felt forced or overly formal. Instead, every design decision contributed to the feeling that this woodland celebration had naturally grown from the landscape around it.
A Ceremony Beside the River
The ceremony took place near the couple’s guest house on one side of the property overlooking the Haw River.
This riverside location immediately set the tone for the day.
Surrounded by towering trees and the quiet sounds of nature, guests gathered in an intimate setting that felt tucked away from the outside world. The forest canopy created beautiful filtered light, adding depth and moodiness to the ceremony photographs.
One of the things I love most about documentary wedding photography is the opportunity to capture genuine moments as they unfold. The emotion present during Kat and Rebecca’s ceremony was palpable.
There was laughter.
Happy tears.
And countless moments of connection between the couple, their families, and their friends.
Rather than interrupting those moments, our goal was to preserve them exactly as they happened.
As a high end documentary style wedding photographer, I believe the most meaningful wedding images often come from observation rather than direction. The ceremony provided countless opportunities for that kind of storytelling.
The result is a collection of photographs that feel honest, emotional, and deeply reflective of the experience itself.
Capturing the Day with Documentary Storytelling and Drone Photography
Throughout the wedding day, our approach combined documentary storytelling with relaxed, effortless portraiture.
The documentary portions focused on preserving authentic interactions and unscripted moments. We wanted guests to feel fully immersed in the celebration rather than aware of cameras documenting them.
At the same time, we incorporated natural portraits that complemented the atmosphere of the property.
Rather than heavily posed images, we focused on movement, connection, and allowing Kat and Rebecca to simply enjoy being together.
The wooded trails, river views, open meadows, and dramatic forest scenery created endless opportunities for beautiful imagery.
We also utilized drone photography throughout the day to showcase the incredible scale and uniqueness of the property.
From above, the private island reveals itself in an entirely different way.
The winding river.
The dense forest canopy.
The ceremony location nestled among the trees.
The glowing reception tent later in the evening.
Drone photography allowed us to tell the complete story of the setting while highlighting just how extraordinary this wedding location truly was.
For couples searching for a luxury wedding photographer with drone coverage, aerial imagery often becomes one of the most distinctive parts of the final gallery because it provides perspectives impossible to achieve from the ground.
Woodland Creatures and Thoughtful Details
One of the most charming details from the day involved the reception tables.
Rather than traditional table numbers, each table featured custom artwork depicting woodland creatures native to the property.
The illustrations felt whimsical, artistic, and deeply connected to the landscape surrounding the celebration.
Guests spent much of the evening admiring the artwork and discussing which animals they had encountered while exploring the property.
These types of personal details are often what make weddings feel truly unique.
Instead of selecting decor simply because it was beautiful, Kat and Rebecca consistently chose elements that reflected their home, their environment, and the things they love most.
That intentionality was present everywhere.
A Hidden Bar in the Woods
Perhaps the most talked-about feature of the wedding was a secret bar hidden deep within the forest.
Guests discovered the space by following a winding woodland path illuminated by glowing orb lights suspended among the trees.
The experience felt almost cinematic.
As daylight faded, the lights guided adventurous guests deeper into the woods until they arrived at the hidden destination.
The bar quickly became a favorite gathering place throughout the evening.
Some guests stumbled upon it by accident.
Others were given directions by friends who had already found it.
Either way, discovering the hidden bar became part of the experience and added an element of surprise that guests will likely remember for years.
From a photography standpoint, it was an absolute dream.
The combination of darkness, glowing lights, and towering trees created a magical atmosphere unlike anything we had photographed before.
A Parade Through the Forest
Following the ceremony, guests participated in one of the most joyful moments of the day.
Rather than moving directly to cocktail hour and the reception, everyone paraded across the property together.
The procession traveled through the forest from the riverside ceremony location toward the reception area on the opposite side of the island.
Laughter echoed through the trees.
Guests mingled as they walked.
The movement created an incredible sense of community and celebration.
Because the ceremony and reception were intentionally separated, guests had the opportunity to experience different facets of the property while enjoying a shared journey between spaces.
The resulting photographs capture a sense of energy and excitement that perfectly reflects the spirit of the day.
A Culinary Experience Designed Around a Favorite Chef
If there was one thing nearly as important as the location, it was the food.
Kat is a true foodie, and the culinary experience played a major role in planning the wedding.
In fact, the wedding date itself was selected around the availability of their favorite chef.
That level of commitment to the guest experience was evident throughout the evening.
Every course felt intentional.
Every menu selection reflected the couple’s tastes and priorities.
Guests frequently commented on the quality of the meal and how much care had gone into creating the dining experience.
It’s always refreshing to see couples prioritize aspects of the wedding that genuinely matter to them rather than simply following tradition.
The result was an evening that felt highly personal and uniquely theirs.
A Reception Beneath the Stars
As night fell, guests gathered beneath a stunning clear-top tent positioned on the opposite side of the property.
The tent glowed beautifully against the dark forest backdrop.
From the inside, guests could see the surrounding trees and night sky while enjoying the comfort of an elegant reception space.
The atmosphere was intimate and enchanting.
Candlelight flickered across tables.
The floral installations seemed to emerge naturally from the landscape.
The transparent tent ceiling allowed the stars to become part of the design itself.
Viewed from above with drone photography, the tent appeared as a glowing lantern suspended within the forest.
It was one of the most visually stunning reception environments we’ve ever photographed.
Working with Catherine and the La Fête Team
A wedding this complex requires exceptional planning, and we loved working alongside Catherine and the team from La Fête.
Executing a wedding across multiple locations on a private island presents countless logistical challenges.
Every transition felt seamless and detail was thoughtfully coordinated.
All vendors worked together to create an experience that felt effortless for the couple and their guests.
The best planners make complicated events feel simple, and Catherine accomplished exactly that.
Her team helped bring the couple’s vision to life while ensuring the day remained relaxed and enjoyable from start to finish.
A Celebration That Reflected Exactly Who They Are
What made Kat and Rebecca’s wedding so memorable wasn’t any single detail.
It was how every element worked together.
The private island setting.
The woodland aesthetic.
The hidden bar.
The culinary experience.
The glowing tent.
The woodland artwork.
The riverside ceremony.
Every piece reflected their personalities and their love for gathering people together in meaningful ways.
As an LGBTQIA affirming wedding photography team, it is always an honor to document celebrations that are deeply authentic and unapologetically personal.
This wedding was a beautiful reminder that the most memorable celebrations aren’t defined by trends. They’re defined by intention, connection, and creating an experience that feels genuinely true to the people at the center of it.
For couples searching for an LGBTQIA affirming wedding photographer, a high end documentary style wedding photographer, a luxury wedding photographer with drone coverage, or a top wedding photographer in Central North Carolina and the Raleigh-Durham area, weddings like Kat and Rebecca’s represent exactly what we love most about this work.
Beautiful landscapes.
Meaningful moments.
Artistic storytelling.
And unforgettable celebrations that deserve to be remembered for generations.