Anyone from North Carolina knows that October is the most magical month of all. The light is warm, we beam proudly for the land of the pines, and we know whenever James Taylor's timeless tune "Carolina on My Mind" plays, it should be immediately followed by Petey Pablo's "Raise Up," which we all know as the modern day anthem for the Tar Heel State. Katya + Garrett definitely got this right on their wedding night.

I met these two as part of our UNC dental school family back at the beginning of that era of our lives. Katya was intelligent, witty, a lover of sloths, + wonderfully independent, (also a huge grammar nerd, so please, don't destroy this blog post!) so I knew we'd be great friends. A few months later, I met Garrett at Carolina Coffee Shop and he had me in tears with his jokes and laid back personality. I remember Katya telling me she never met a soul who wasn't completely at ease when they met Garrett and I can attest to this. That night, I immediately knew exactly why these two were so perfect for each other. Both extremely driven Tar Heels, their personalities allowed them to be serious when needed, but let loose in the best way possible making these two lovable + quirky individuals a strong, smart, and downright hilarious as a couple.

Their wedding day was full of love + warmth that exuded from their family, friends, and the gorgeous North Carolina October day. The Queen City was vibrant with their love as they said their unforgettable vows (you two had me in tears behind my camera), smiled in pure love + joy as the crowd exclaimed "Mazel Tov!," danced their first dance smoother than Harry, Hermione, + Ron ever could imagine doing at the Yule Ball, and partied their night away as the crowd lifted them into a traditional Horah dance.

Katya + Garret, I wish you all the love in the world. Your infectious sense of humor, love, and ability to grow together is such an inspiration. It was such an honor to document your wedding day + the love you two share! Here's to many, many years of loving each other + laughing any trouble away!

Venue: Renaissance Charlotte Southpark

Dress: Paloma Blanca

Suit: Jos. A. Bank

Florals: Shawna from Ribald Farms

Cake: Sky's the Limit

Videographer: Deano Pictures

DJ: Charlie from Split Second Sound

Makeup/Hair: Blo Charlotte

String Trio: Charlotte Strings

Photo Booth: Shutterbooth

Invitations + Hand-lettered Signs: Laney Schenk

We live less than five minutes from the Texas State Fair, so it would be sacrilegious to not go, right? RIGHT.

“A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”

— Gene Wilder, as Willy Wonka in Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory"

Jerry + I decided head out on late Tuesday afternoon (goin' up...on a Tuesday...literally, we did) so we could skip the crazy weekend crowd. And so we could experience the fair at golden hour, because let's be honest, that is the best way to experience a fair. Within a few minutes, we said "Hey" to Big Tex, had a Fletcher's Corn Dog in hand, + started strolling around in sensory overload.

We ate lots of "fair food" to include this year's cookie fries (creative, yes, yummy, eh), pulled pork nachos, and an edible cup with cotton candy soda, in which I'm still salty about. It was one of the grossest things I ever try to ate and all I wanted was the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka experience. Rest in peace my dear, creative idol. We stopped by the beer gardens because nothing is better than strolling the state fair with a Texas brew in hand. I've been particularly fond of Austin Eastciders Texas Honey Cider lately.

After seeing the best view of Dallas one could possibly see in the Top O'Texas Tower, we strolled around and ran into the Starlight Parade. We ended the night with the messiest but tastiest cotton candy and a spin on the swings. The traditions that seep into this fair are great from the shows, to the ferris wheel, and stunning architecture in the exhibition halls, and they soon become traditions that you want to relive again + again. It's always nice to just escape reality + live like a kid (who can drink spirited libations) again.