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

Loved spending the afternoon and night with these two – cooking, dancing, and relaxing in their home. Lifestyle sessions have become such a favorite of mine; home is where people feel the most comfortable and I get to know a couple even better as I’m welcome into their daily life and happenings. Rob and Megan started the session with some cocktails and cooked up dinner for the night. We chatted about life, their beautifully styled home (that Rob literally designed and did the projects himself!), and their upcoming wedding. A highlight was when they turned up the music and danced in the kitchen with drinks in hand and food cooking on the stove. These two have such a beautiful connection and are constantly laughing. Time flew by that afternoon capturing their love. We also explored the streets of Winston and headed to the County fair later that night, but due to the ridiculous amounts of images I wanted to share – I decided to highlight the images of Rob and Megan being cozy in their home.

One of my greatest joys of being a photographer is the people I get to meet (and befriend) and the relationships and life I get to capture – freezing these moments as a visual legacy and tangible memory. We met up in Portland, Maine on the actual date of their seven year anniversary. As parents, they don’t often spend time away from their three beautiful children, so I wanted the session itself to be an experience of connection. I knew right away as we exchanged hugs that they would instantly feel like old friends, and the session definitely reflects this spirit. We talked about their very beginnings so many years ago – and dove into the biggest dreams and hopes they have for their lives and family. I left our time together feeling simply and beautifully honored; to witness and capture their connection was a heartfelt experience that centered me back to what’s truly important in my own life. My hope is that these images reflect a voice of the beautiful heart and home they’ve created and share together. So so much love to you both xo

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