Golden Hour Wedding Ceremony in October Overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains || Asheville, NC

I think we and the wedding party collectively spent hours watching last Friday’s radar, optimistically discussing our fair-weather photo plan but realistically planning for the rain. Julie & Cormick’s wedding day dawned gray and rainy, but just as it was time for their first look, the skies cleared and the sun brilliantly shone through.

However, when it really came down to it, these newlyweds were just as giddy to dance together in the rain that came down moments after they said “I do!” Thank you so much for trusting me with documenting your beautiful day, and thank you to everyone who worked their wedding magic! 💙

Sunlit & Nature-Inspired October Wedding at Fields of Blackberry Cove ||Asheville, NC

October 14, 2023: beautiful day with the very sweetest family. The meticulously hand-stitched wedding gown designed by the bride’s sister, the ceremony officiated by her parents, the pages worth of tear-inducing vows from both partners, the first dance set against the just-changing leaves, the exceptional toasts, and the happy couple even taking the time out of their special day to congratulate all of the recently married and engaged couples. We had the most perfect October day in the mountains possible - first cozy under a blanket of fog and then brilliantly colorful once the festivities began - and it was such an honor to get to document a day full of love like this one.

Wedding Celebration at The Rickhouse || Durham, NC

If you know me, you know just how much I advocate for making your wedding celebration(s) perfectly tailored to you as a couple and as a family. When I met Jennifer and Pete at the Rickhouse’s February open house and heard them excitedly talk about their plan to get married in Aruba surrounded by family, then celebrate with family and friends back home in Durham, I knew that we’d be exactly the right fit for each other! And they absolutely proved me right - from their laid-back reception allowing them to interact with all of their guests, to their exceptional food choices (including an ice cream truck!), ending the evening with sunset portraits on the field “photobombed” by their children and children’s friends - it was the perfect balance of easygoing elegance, history, and joy.

Downtown Asheville + Crest Center Vibrant Fall Wedding || Asheville, NC

The absolute best thing I get to hear as a photographer is that a couple - who began our partnership weary of having their photo made - genuinely enjoyed the experience. When I first met Stephanie and Marc in person for their spring engagement photos, Stephanie had just had back surgery. So, not only were they both nervous to have their portrait made, but I was scared I’d somehow pose them in a way that wasn’t doc-approved! . By our fall engagement session (we’d split it into two to allow Stephanie time to recover) they were cautiously dancing together in the garden, preparing for their first dance. By their wedding day? They smiled for the camera as if they’d been doing it for years!

Elegant Summer Sunset Wedding at The Crest Center & Pavilion || Asheville, NC

If we gave out superlatives for wedding couples rather than vendors,Laura and Gabe would definitely get “most welcoming.” Certainly from their loved ones - it seemed like everywhere they turned they threw their arms up excited to hug another guest, almost all of whom traveled quite a distance to attend. In every single photo, I caught both Laura and Gabe with huge grins on their faces, making sure each person knew just how much their attendance meant to them.

Epic Sunset Summer Destination Wedding at The Crest Center || Asheville, NC

And as always with this kind of theme, their wedding day dawned with the sure promise of rain right at the time of their first look. As their photographer, this was disappointing for me as well because I’d scouted what I knew to be an epic selection of first look and portrait locations amongst the River Arts District studios, but Mother Nature had other plans. Not only were Mike and Lexi exceptionally relaxed as we changed plans on a dime, but they graciously trusted me to guide them through their first look, wedding party portraits and couple’s photos in a location they’d never seen, simply happy to be together.

Fairytale Garden Wedding at Tryon Palace || New Bern, NC

If there is any perk to planning and replanning a wedding several times, from across the country, over the course of three years, it’s that by the time their wedding day finally arrived, Amy and Bryce had created a wedding perfectly suited to them. From their focus on sustainability through local, eco-friendly florals to their use of the Stardust theme throughout their reception decor; their incorporation of hand fasting into their ceremony to their personally-design trivia game for the reception, every detail and experience told a story about their relationship.