MARRIED: Emma + Ryan

Emma and Ryan had one of the most colorful, fun, and romantic weddings I've ever photographed. The weather was perfect, the light was beautiful, and there was a LOT of love surrounding these two as they stepped into this new adventure together.

Big love to the wedding vendors who made this day perfect:

Venue and Catering: Biltmore Forest Country Club ⁠
Hair and Make-up: Flawless Airbrush
Florals: The Bloom Room
Ceremony Music: The Moon and You
Reception Band: Sol Fusion Band

MARRIED: Rebekah + Sam

I don't think Sam and Rebekah stopped smiling at each other the entire day of their wedding. They both just radiated happiness all day - and I have so many photos of one or both of them smiling or laughing. A day full of smiles and laughter pretty much sums up the warmth of their wedding day - from the lighthearted atmosphere they shared with friends while getting ready, to their joyful guests whose readings at their ceremony and toasts at their reception were so lovely, to Sam’s absolutely epic marriage rap on the dance floor. I also got to work with some of my favorite wedding industry friends like Lucky Penny Creative and Orange Krush Band, and the dessert table from Gateaux Cakes and Pastries included macarons and a beautiful Croquembouche. I guarantee you can’t look through these photos without smiling.

Thanks to the amazing team that helped make this wedding so great: ⁠
Planning/Coordination: Lucky Penny Creative⁠
Venue/Catering/Rentals: The Venue
Floral: Flowers by Larry
Band: Orange Krush Band
Hair and Makeup: L'eau de Vie Salon Spa
Desserts: Gateaux Cakes and Pastries⁠
Transportation: Young Transportation
Additional Photography: Heather Hambor Photography

MARRIED: Sarah + Will

A perfect way to follow an intimate, tropical New Year's Eve wedding is with a chilly, blustery January night with your closest family and friends, in a castle above the city you call home. Though it was cold outside, Sarah and Will repeated their wedding vows surrounded by the warmth of their family and friends, in the historic and beautiful surroundings of Zealandia Castle. Words are inadequate to describe the beauty of the evening, the power of the words spoken, or the love that was present. Instead I'll let the images speak to that, and I'll simply say what an honor it was to be present to document this moment for these sweet people. 

My sincere thanks to the wonderful vendors who helped make this night so perfect: 

Planning, Floral, and Styling: Cordial & Craft • Catering: Colorful Palate • Desserts: 50/Fifty the Art of Dessert

Instrumentals: Moonshine Rhythm • DJ: Marley Carroll

Vintage Rentals: East West Vintage Rentals • Venue: Zealandia Castle, Asheville

MARRIED: Meghan + David

Meghan and David could not have ordered a more perfect fall day for their wedding in Bryson City at the beautiful Lands Creek Log Cabins. Visiting National Parks is one of their favorite activities to share, so having their first look take place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was just right. From there we hiked with their fun, big bridal party to Tom Branch Waterfall for some portraits - including a '90s boy band interpretation that will go down as one of my favorite bridal party photos of all time. 

I was so moved by their sweet ceremony, by the involvement of many family and friends in their special day, and by the bride's father's toast that was both heartwarming and emotional. One favorite moment took place when, while having her hair done, the bride helped her mother put on her shoes. A bit later, Meghan's mom Mary Rose helped her into her (totally awesome) dark green high tops. I was touched by this exchange of heartfelt and simple caregiving between mother and daughter. It is in moments like these that my job is a beautiful privilege, and my ability to keep shooting with tears in my eyes a bonus. 

Thank you, Meghan and David, and your lovely friends and family, for welcoming me so fully into your celebration of love. It was as beautiful as the bright blue sky and vibrant fall foliage surrounding us that day. May you enjoy a lifetime of adventures together. xoxo 

Thank you to those who helped make Meghan and David's day so lovely: 

Venue: Lands Creek Log Cabins  • Hair Stylist: Olivia Parrish • Makeup Artist: Meagan Eby 

Catering: Anne's Custom Catering • Second Photographer: Heather Hambor 

Band: Mac and Juice

FAMILY: The Rybas

My favorite assignments are those that end up being a real collaboration between myself and my client. I love that Cate had some ideas for the types of photos she wanted us to create together,  but she put her faith in my abilities and she was open to starting our photo session at home - my very FAVORITE place for a family session to occur. The space in which you live is an important piece of your story as a family - I love to take a child up to their room for a portrait in their space, no matter how messy or imperfect it may seem to mom and dad (for the record, Winnie's room was very neat!). Plus - kitties! This session was the perfect blend of collaboration and creative freedom, and I love the result. If I could order up a lifetime of sessions like this, I would be a very happy photographer. Thank you, Cate, Aaron, and Winnie - I loved creating these images with you. xoxo 

MARRIED: Kate + Chazz

So much of Kate and Chazz's wedding day was drawn directly from who they are as individuals and as a couple. They chose a beautiful outdoor venue, nestled in the mountains, where friends and family could camp along the creek, just steps from the ceremony site. The whole day was colorful and bright, with flowers from Blue Ridge Blooms, floral and vintage-inspired attire, and a fantastic dessert table (including macarons!) from 50Fifty. Their reception was decorated with paper heart garlands cut from maps and their guest book was a set of vintage postcards, thanks to their fondness for travel and exploration. Their love of nature and the outdoors infused their favors - packets of wildflower seeds - and even their choice of footwear: they changed into bright blue Chaco sandals during their reception. The groom's cousin had the sandals custom made just for the event. Even their wedding bands include leaves representing trees native to the various parts of the country in which they have lived. All of this, plus warm, friendly people and dream-like lighting, made this wedding day a photographer's dream. It was such a joy to share in their day and to create some beautiful images for them to remember it. All my best wishes to you both!! xoxo 

My sincere thanks to the talented professionals who helped make this day so beautiful:

Venue: Brahma Ridge Event Center • Wedding Planner: Events by Kiersa • Hair/Makeup: Lola

Second Photographer: Kendra Stanley-Mills

Flowers: Blue Ridge Blooms • Catering: Homegrown

Cake and Dessert Table: 50Fifty the Art of Dessert • Band: Soulution

 

MARRIED: Rebecca + Dayton

I'm often fortunate enough to become friends with my clients after photographing them, but sometimes this works the other way, too. I first met Rebecca several years ago when we were coworkers. Her genuine positivity, compassionate listening, and warmth made her stand out in my life as a special person from our very first meeting. Over the years I've had the opportunity to work with Rebecca to create photographs for her business, and to document her first home. Meanwhile, she served as the officiant when my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage, giving us a beautiful and meaningful ceremony with our children. I was honored to then be asked to be her engagement and wedding photographer, and to have the opportunity to get to know her fiancé Dayton. 

Rebecca and Dayton shared many special rituals with their family and friends to celebrate their marriage. Blessings from several traditions, Native American flute music, and handfasting were just some of the elements that created their unique ceremony under the bright blue sky at Boundary End Center in Barnardsville. Hand-sewn pennants decorating the reception space were created using thread that belonged to Rebecca's grandmother. Dogs and kids joined the dance floor as a bonfire warmed up the cool evening and the stars rose above the mountains. It was a heartfelt, magical day. 

Thank you for sharing such a special day with me, Rebecca and Dayton, and may the love that surrounded you on your wedding day sustain and strengthen you for the years to come. XOXO 

Hair: WaterLily Salon •  Native American Flute: Michelle Skeele • Catering: Homegrown

Venue: Boundary End Center

MARRIED: Mandalin + Hunter

I loved this wedding. I had the chance to get to know Mandalin and Hunter well during the wedding planning, from shooting an engagement and bridal session for them, and also because I had the good fortune of photographing Mandalin's sister Caroline's wedding. There were great moments, beautiful light, gorgeous details, sequins (!), and a cat photobomber during the bride and groom portraits. It meant so much to me to see my photos used throughout the celebration as well - in the guest book, in a beautiful printed portrait from Mandalin's bridal session, and in the lining of the groom's jacket. It was a lovely day, in so many ways, and I was honored to be there both to celebrate with my clients who've become my friends, and to photograph their beautiful wedding. 

Getting Ready Location: Engaged Asheville • Hair and Makeup: Dollbox Productions 

Venue and Catering: Celine and Company On Broadway • Flowers: The Bloom Room

Cake: Andrea Hollifield • DJ: Spinfire Entertainment

Second Photographer: Nick King

MARRIED: Valerie + Gerhard

I love the story of how Valerie and Gerhard met. When Valerie and her mom and brothers moved to Hendersonville 4 years ago, they moved into a house two doors down from Gerhard. He welcomed them to the neighborhood the night they moved in and the rest, as they say, is history.

During the ceremony, on the sunny deck at Crest Center, a swarm of bees rose up behind the wedding party and swirled around before floating off into the sky. It felt like a little blessing from nature for the couple. Gerhard and his family are from South Africa, and I found it especially touching when Gerhard's mom gave a blessing before the meal in Afrikaans. I didn't understand any of the words, except for "family", which seemed so appropriate at a celebration bringing these two families together. At the end of the night, guests circled around the newlyweds on the dance floor, and they all danced together in celebration. 

Congratulations, Valerie and Gerhard, and thank you for sharing your beautiful day with me! 

Thank you to the following awesome vendors for making Valerie and Gerhard's day so perfect: 

Venue: The Crest Center • Officiant: Rev. Jacqueline Weiks, M.S.S. • Cake: Short Street Cakes 

DJ: Sound Extreme Entertainment • Ice Sculpture: Masterpiece Sculptures 

Second Photographer: Sarah Whitmeyer

BRIDAL: Mandalin

I have never considered myself much of a studio photographer, but as Mandalin and I planned for her bridal session, I felt that to achieve our vision for her session, the simplicity and control of a studio was needed. This was a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I'm so glad we pursued it. My amazing friend René of Luxe House Photographic allowed me the use of her studio, with the most beautiful light and feel I've seen in a studio space. This session has become one of my all-time favorites, and I feel like I've been opened up to a whole new world I can't wait to explore further. Let this be a lesson to us all to give in when pushed beyond our comfort levels, especially when it comes to creative endeavors, because the beauty of what we can discover in unchartered territory is so worth it. 

MARRIED: Mariate + James

An intimate, candlelight ceremony surrounded by family, bilingual vowels, my very favorite homemade cookies, and a handknit gold dress are just a few of the elements that made the wedding of Mariate and James so special. It was truly an honor to photograph this lovely day. 

 

MARRIED: Courtney + Andy

From our first telephone conversation, I was drawn into Courtney and Andy's love story. Their devotion to each other and their deep gratitude for having found one another was so profound. I felt instantly like I was witnessing something very important and special. On their wedding day, friends and family surrounded this new couple with love and encouragement. During the final dance of the evening, all the guests present gathered on the dance floor encircling the couple, a perfect symbol for how much love and care had been imbued in the entire wedding day. 

Congratulations Courtney and Andy - I could not be happier for you both. xoxo 

Lots of love to those who created this beautiful day, including: 

Venue: The Crest Center and Pavilion • Bridal Assistant: Weddings by Wendy

Flowers: Becky's Florist • Desserts: Karen Donatelli • Bride and Groom Gifts: Shinola

Second Photographer: Sarah Whitmeyer