My heart. These two. This wedding.

You may remember Nick and Naomi from their beautiful and emotional engagement session upon Max Patch Mountain (which was recently named one of Junebug Weddings Best of 2015!) What many might not know is that Nick and Naomi were all set to get married in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Throughout their planning they came to realize that they didn’t want to get married anywhere else but the rolling hills and beautiful scenery of where they first met and grew up in Lakeville, CT. I don’t think anyone could have asked for a more perfect day. Every emotion expressed and felt, every detail and handmade element. Nick artfully handcrafted their wedding rings, the florals and herbs were grown throughout the year by Naomi’s Mother, and the arbor they wed under was hand built by both families. Honestly it’s hard to choose my favorite moment as I reflect on the day. Besides all the heartfelt tears and hugs given by everyone in attendance, I especially loved the song that Nick wrote and performed for Naomi during the reception and the releasing of the wish lanterns into the air for the happy couple at the conclusion of the wedding day. A huge thank you to the wonderful Valerie for traveling to Connecticut with me and helping photograph the wedding. I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else there. This wedding day was truly a tribute and reflection of not only the deep love that Nick and Naomi have for each other, but the abundance of love and support of their family and friends. Nick and Naomi, it was such an honor to tell your story through my eyes and heart by knowing your hearts. The world is a better place because your in it, and I’m so excited to see you take on this life together. Love you both!

Vendors I Loved:
Venue: Fairfield Farm
Dress & Handmade Sash: Wildflower Bridal (Watters)
Florist: Sweet Haven Farm
Cake: Freunds Cake Market
Jewelry: Noyes Designs

As I made my way around the curves of the mountains before I arrived to the beautiful Sherrill’s Inn, rain started to lightly come down in the area. I smiled to myself remembering how beautiful Vince & Ginny’s engagement session in the rain and fog was, so their wedding day wanted to reflect the same feeling. It drizzled on and off throughout the day at exactly the right times, making all the greens around the venue vibrant and rich with color. Ginny & Vince knew they found THE wedding venue when they walked through the maze of hedges and “secret” gardens the property is surrounded by. The Inn has been around since 1834 nestled up in the mountains, I was swooning all day. A huge thanks to Amy for traveling to photograph the day with me! Ginny & Vince, I so loved getting to know you both throughout the months and capture a piece of your history together as a couple and now husband and wife! xo

Here are some of my favorite memories of the day (just to name a few!):
- The veil and earrings Ginny wore were passed down through the generations and Vince’s ring is passed down from his grandfather
- Vince designed/handmade the groomsmen/father ties (how cool is that!) The design incorporates the North and South Carolina state flowers
- All of the DIY decor and details (wedding invitations, florals, handwritten program screen, and the prayer flags) were artfully done by the couple
- Ginny & Vince found and restored the old church window they used as their ceremony backdrop with the eucalyptus dripping along the sides
- Both of Ginny’s parents walked her down the aisle. It was a really special moment.
- Their family and friends surrounded them in an intimate ceremony in the woods as they exchanged personalized vows
- These two can dance. Ginny’s Dad and his band played throughout the reception – even Vince got on the drum set for a couple songs and rocked it out!

Anne & Kenny’s wedding was all things organic, romantic, and sweet. Everything from the florals, to the bridesmaids dresses, and the ceremony location in the side garden of the Homewood Mansion was ridiculously swoon worthy. We dodged the summer rain shower until the ceremony time when warm golden sunlight shone upon them as Anne walked up the aisle. We sneaked outside from the reception as the sun was setting behind the mountains for a few more portraits celebrating their becoming husband and wife. Anne & Kenny have so much admiration and adoration for each other, it was such an honor to be part of the day and to be able to call these two friends. Thank you to Julia for traveling to Asheville with me and helping capture the day xo! Who I Loved Working With!:
Venue: Homewood
Floral: Flora Botique
Planner: Exquisite Events

Luke & Brittany’s wedding is one for the books. With only 18 family members in attendance, the day was perfectly intimate and emotional.
- Brittany looked ridiculously stunning in her Jenny Packham dress paired with the delicate dried eucalyptus crown. I was swooning all day.
- Luke is a chef in Charleston, he especially loves the craft of artisan pizza. His socks and the rosemary boutineer were the perfect touch.
- The ceremony took place on the beach at Isle of Palms with their family standing in a circle around them. Even their sweet pups had bow-ties.
- Both families stayed in a beach house for the week leading up to the wedding. After the reception dinner at Cru Cafe in downtown Charleston, everyone made their way to the beach house for toasts on the rooftop. Brittany and Luke shared their first dance in the living room to La Vie En Rose.
- One of my favorite memories was when Brittany asked her grandfather to dance. I will never forget how much he lit up with glee. I was in tears.
- A huge thanks to Amy for traveling to Charleston to photograph the day with me!

Vendor’s I So Loved Working With:
Ceremony: Isle of Palms Beach
Dress: Jenny Packham
Reception Dinner: Cru Cafe
Florist: Flowershop at Mixon
Donut Cake: Glazed Gourmet
Makeup/Hair: Paper Dolls
Farmhouse Table/Chairs: Event Haus Rentals
Stationary/Calligraphy: Elizabeth Porcher Jones

It was good being back at Sawyer Family Farmstead for Lauren and Caleb’s wedding. I mean, just look at that view! Plus it’s a Christmas Tree farm which reminds me of all things Fall (and pumpkin spice lattes I get to enjoy soon!) Even more than the view, I so loved how emotional and happy the whole day was. Their first look was one of my favorites ever. They decided to write personal vows to each other and recite them in private during the first look instead of at the ceremony. One of my favorite memories of the day is when Lauren pulled out a journal that she has kept for many years, in it was an entry about finding love. She described to Caleb how she wanted to leave a legacy and continue the story by also writing her vows to him in the same journal. Lauren and Caleb are so loved by all of their friends and family – but I’ll let the images speak for themselves over how happy and emotional everything was all day! Thank you to Amy for helping me capture the day! xo

I hope you got a chance to look at the previous blog post, as it described how Matt & Gabby secretly eloped in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina just a year ago! Even though they are presently living in New York, Gabrielle and Matt spent most of their lives in the mountains of the west coast and wanted to say “I do” with their closest friends and family surrounded by nature and the mountains of the El Dorado Hills that extend for miles. I was so honored when they wanted to fly me out to their big California wedding; the flights were booked within the same hour of being asked! They exchanged vows under a gorgeous California oak on top of a hillside. I loved when Gabby and Matt embraced and whispered private vows to one another during a special time in the ceremony that was only for them. Also, didn’t Gabrielle look incredible? She flew from New York to Seattle to purchase her gorgeous Sarah Seven dress at The Dress Theory bridal shop. We explored the rolling hills of the Lehman Barn for portraits at sunset and then the couple danced under the twinkle lights outside of the barn while guests toasted, mingled, and danced the night away. A huge thank you to Julia for traveling to California and photographing the wedding with me! Enjoy a glimpse at some of my favorites from this lovely day! xo

The vendor’s I loved working with!
Venue: Lehman Barn El Dorado Hills, California
Rentals: El Dorado Hill Party Rentals
Florist: Gwen Downing Lehman Barn Florals
Antiques: Homestead Heirlooms
DJ: Chad Stalzer Productions
Hair Stylist: Liz Guillot
Makeup: Olga Pirmatova
Dress: The Dress Theory

Planner: Perfect Pair Events
Hair/Makeup Artist: Glass Door Salon
Videographer: Good Earth Films
Venue: Hanover Park Vineyard
Cake Artist: Ketchie Creek Bakery
Florist: Green Bee Design
DJ: On Target DJ
Catering: Five Loaves Catering

Venue: The Ivy Place
Florist: Mimi Eden Florist
Bridal Botique: Ladies of Lineage

– One of my favorite things about the day was how often Sarah and Matt would stop and completely soak in what was going on in the moment.
– Doesn’t Sarah look like a dream? Her hair and dress were a perfect fit for their romantic Fall wedding on the farm. Seriously girl – swoon.
– Sarah wore a dragonfly pin on her heart in remembrance of her father – telling me the story behind the dragonfly pin will always be with me.
– Sarah’s sister wrote and performed two songs at the wedding! One song she performed as her maid-of-honor speech and was a complete surprise.
– The desserts and pies at the reception were made by different members of the family. How sweet is that?
– Oh, and Big Spring Farm? Please have me back every weekend to photograph romantic sunsets on your grounds. Swoon.

A very special thanks once again to Julia for traveling with me to Virginia to help photograph the day. Sarah & Matt – I’ve so loved getting to know and document your love throughout the past year. I simply adore you guys and your hearts. See you soon when you come visit me in Charlotte (can’t wait!) xo

Venue: Big Spring Farm
Florist: The Jefferson Florist & Garden
Cupcake Artist: The Drunken Cupcake
DJ: Richard Green Entertainment
Hair Artist: Salon of Lexington
Wedding Dress Boutique: Hannelore’s in Alexandria
Rentals: Central Virginia Rental, Lexington
Officiant: Matthew Watson
Jewlery: BHLDN
Stationary & DIY: Designed by bride and her mother

Venue: Keswick Vineyards
Florist: Flowers by Natalie
Cake Artist: Taylor’s Sweets
DJ: Ran Henry
Hair/Makeup: Sass Factory
Catering: Groovin’ Gourmet

Florist: Willow Floral Boutique
Cake Artist: Trump National
DJ: Bill at Z Brothers
Makeup & Hair Artist: Kymm Mclean
Dress Boutique: Hayden Olivia

Venue: The Farm A Gathering Place
Florist: Shady Grove Flowers
Cake Artist: Short Street Cakes