An Elegant Mountain Wedding at Claxton Farm | Asheville, NC

This day was with no doubt one of my favorites of 2015. Ashlee and Wich invited their closest friends and family to spend the entire weekend with them in Asheville, North Carolina. Wich's family have spent their summers at Montreat for years thus an obvious location for their destination wedding. I'm going to let the images tell the story, but as you will see this day was perfectly filled with everything a good day should be filled with. Family, friendship and love.  

This wedding was recently featured on Borrowed and Blue. 

{Vendors listed at the bottom}

Venue: Claxton Farm | Event Planner, Floral & Design : Shay Brown Events | Linen : BB&J | Farm Tables & Rentals : Classic Event Company | Invitation Suite : 7 Ton Co. | Photographer: Rachael McIntosh Photography | Videographer : Four Seasons Films | Catering and Cake : M7 Events | Hair & Make-up : Cody's Wedding Creation | Music : Adrian Duke | Officiant : Fred Werhan | Transportation : Youngs Buses | Get-a-way-car : Cody's Wedding Creations |

A Winter Elopement in the Mountains

Charlie and Buck eloped to Asheville from Ohio where their love story began. They enlisted the help of Weddings by Wendy to plan the entire day and I was so honored to capture these special moments for them. 

This wedding was also featured on Mountainside Bride

Wedding Planner & Officiant : Weddings by Wendy | Hair and Makeup : Adorn Salon | Venue : The Crest Center, Asheville NC |

"You are my Sunshine, my only Sunshine!"

A Southern Breakfast Wedding! A Family affair with personal touches, and tons of attention to detail. This "You are my Sunshine" themed wedding was extremely unique, fun and vibrant.  Knowing that the Mother of the bride has been responsible for decorating the Biltmore house for over 25 years, we knew this Biltmore wedding was going to exceed all expectations! 

The morning began with a gorgeous sunrise over the mountains and it was the perfect start to this special day! Emily and Cam's guests arrived at 9am, warmly greeted with coffee and donuts. A bell signaled everyone to sit and the ceremony began. Cam made a point during the ceremony to also make a promise to Ayla, Emily's daughter which was very touching and Emily surprised Cam by having the entire wedding put on sun glasses during the first kiss! Following the vows the entire party enjoyed a fabulous brunch together, followed by a group prayer and family dances. 

Emily & Cam's wedding was also featured on Borrowed and Blue here.

Venue, Catering and Cake: Deerpark, Biltmore Estate | Floral: Biltmore Floral Team | Hair & Makeup: Karen Nickel of Structure Hair Design | Favors: Sunflower Seeds from Seeds Needs and Sunglasses from Oriental Trading |

Katlin + Matt | Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC

Katlin and Matt booked me nearly 2 years before their wedding date and when the day finally came, I felt like I was documenting two dear friends getting hitched. After so many conversations, emails and an awesome engagement session here in Asheville Katlin some how failed to mention however that she was planning to wear the most gorgeous flower crown of all time! The Bloom Room are out of this world fantastic and of course a wedding at the Biltmore Estate never disappoints. Their intimate wedding in the gardens was bursting with special moments, sweet gestures and thoughtful gifts. They exchanged some of the most beautiful vows I have witnessed and truthfully there wasn't a dry eye in the house (including my own). I still to this day have no clue why I photographed the gang shaking yellow towels enthussiastically in the air but everyone seemed to really enjoy it :) Here are some of my favorite images of this wonderful wedding in May.

Venue, Catering & Cake: Biltmore Estate | Officiant: Darr Conradson | Hair: Lola Salon | Makeup: Blush Asheville Makeup Artists | Floral Design : The Bloom Room | DJ: The Bride's DJ | Ceremony Music: Asheville String Trio | Rentals: Classic Event Rental Company |

Raven + Bryan | A Crest Center Wedding in Asheville, NC |

First of all I have to say 'Raven' has to be the coolest name of all time! I just loved meeting this pair and getting to know their sweet families. Their day was perfect with some beautiful weather here in the mountains despite the 100% chance of rain forecasted. Nicole from Two Sweet Sparrows did an incredible job putting this all together and we had such a fun time. The weekend kicked off with a Rehearsal dinner at Pack's Tavern, a southern fair of BBQ and a surprise bagpipe performance. I love being invited to the rehearsal dinner and listening to the speeches. Besides the fact that they're usually hilarious I really get to know who my clients are and learn a little more about their story. You're going to be blown away by the amazing floral design by Two Buds and a blossom and well here's some highlights.

Wedding Planner : Two Sweet Sparrows | Rehearsal Dinner Catering + Venue : The century Room at Pack's Tavern | Wedding Venue : The Crest Center | Hair : Adorn | Make-up : Pop of Color Makeup | Floral Design : Two Buds and a Blossom | Officiant : Howard Hanger | Band : Back Porch Orchestra | Cake + Cup Cakes : City Bakery |

"A Bushel and a peck and a hug around my neck." Hendersonville, NC

My children have been singing "A bushel and a peck" for months now, and it sort of stuck with me. This was a lovely wedding last spring. Here, some images of the first look in the Groom's family orchard.

A Travel Inspired Wedding at The Grove Park Inn | Asheville NC

Wedding Planning : Two Sweet Sparrows | Venue + Catering : The Omni at Grove park Inn | Hair + Makeup : Lola Salon | Floral Design : Flora | Officiant : Howard Hanger | DJ : Spintastic Sounds | Additional Photography : Jeremy Russell |

A Look back at 2014

I realize I'm a couple of weeks behind here but Happy New Year Everyone! The thing is I haven't been spending the last few weeks reflecting, setting goals or making good business plans for the year ahead. The truth is I've been building lego forts, taking my kids to the movies, painting, planning vacations and eating far too much British chocolate. I took a little break from work and I have to say it felt great to slow down a little and not think about my to-do-list for a minute or two. I'm so excited about the year ahead but before I do anything else I wanted to look back at some of my favorite images from 2014. A massive thank you to all of my clients and talented vendors I have worked with. I am filled with gratitude for such a fantastic year filled with adventure, friendships and some amazing weddings.

A Memorial Day Wedding | Rivers Ridge Lodge, Old Fort NC

Lis and Wes both serve in the US Army and their red, white and blue wedding was planned beautifully by Kiersa Holy of Events by Kiersa. The love and support from these two families was indescribable and I was beyond honored to document their wedding.

My day began following a trail of balloons to The Rivers Ridge Lodge and I continued to be inspired at ever turn after that. The property is tucked privately away in a wooded area of Old Fort and encircled by the river. The trees provided just the amount of shade on that gorgeous hot day and guests played lawn games and threw rocks in the water. My absolute favorite moment was witnessing Wes present Lis's daughter Lilli with a ring and make his promises to her also during the ceremony; there wasn't a dry eye to be found. Guests were invited to wear red, white and blue and encouraged to embrace the holiday, while the creative use of color and river rocks made for a fun tablescape. The truffles from French Broad Chocolates was a major hit along with the rest of the awesome food and of course the banging sounds of Bright Light DJ.

Congratulations Lis & Wes and thank you for everything you sacrifice every day to serve our country.

Event Planning : Kiersa Holy from Events by Kiersa

Hair & Make-up : Upper Cut Salon

Venue : Rivers Ridge Lodge, Old Fort NC

Officiant: Family Friend

Ceremony Music : Natalya Weinstein 

Flowers : Urban Farm Girl

DJ : Jacob of Bright Light DJ 

Catering : Mamma Dukes

Cake : Short Street Cakes

Truffles : French Broad Chocolates 

Erin + Brian Mountain Wedding | Biltmore Estate

I need to warn you, there are probably too many images in this blog post, but I really have to share this wedding in its entiretity with you. This day was more than beautiful, and fun, and Erin and Brian planned so much time for photography - it was amazing! The mountain views, the people, the floral design everything!

So there's your warning and now I'm going to let the photographs tell the story. Oh and don't forget to check out the amazing vendor line up at the end of the post.

Event Planning : Tamara & Virginia from Belle Soiree Wedding & Event Consultants

Hair : Bella Chic Salon   Makeup : Amanda Carter

Ceremony Site : Dry Cow Hill, Biltmore Estate

Officiant: Family Friend

Ceremony Transportation : Biltmore Estate Shuttles & Land Rover

Ceremony Music : James Barr

Floral Design : The Bloom Room

Reception Venue : The Crest Center

DJ : Spintastic Sounds (You're the absolute best Pat Lance)

Catering : M7 Events

Thumb Tree : Illustrated by Mom (a sketch of the tree that they got married under - incredible)

Transportation : Asheville Historic Trolly Tours

Additional Photography : Abby Moore (Thanks so much Abby I could not have done this without you)