Warm October Golden Hour Destination Wedding in the Mountains at Appalachian Lodge at Rivers Bend || Marshall, N

Far and away, my favorite trend right now is couples making their vows to each other privately, allowing for a few minutes of both raw emotion and quiet togetherness before diving into the chaos of their full public ceremony and celebration. Rhaisa and Jack’s private vows were particularly heartfelt, leaving all four of us a bit choked up as they soaked in the special moment and the spectacular view.

As we moved from the tranquility of their private vows to the gregarious jokes, tributes, and impressive dances shared with their loved ones, it was obvious just how loved this couple is.

Romantic Purple & Burgundy Gothic-Inspired Fall Wedding at the Grove Park Inn || Asheville, NC

Their dark romantic theme carried through the candlelight reception in the photographer’s dream of a floral color palette. Then, thanks to Amber & Sierra’s genius planning, we got to fully lean into the spooky vibes with a perfectly-matching smoke bomb to kick off their tiny-but-mighty dance party (followed by late night grilled cheese and milkshakes!) However, amidst all of their visual beauty and artistic details, it was their devotion to each other that wove through their celebration the most, leaving every person out on the lawn a little teary-eyed as these two made their deeply heartfelt vows to each other.

Untraditional and Vibrant Spring Wedding at Emerald Ridge Farm || Weaverville, NC

The beauty of getting legally married first is that you then truly have the opportunity to celebrate your wedding however you want. One white dress for the ceremony and then a black dress for the party? Absolutely. Turning your thank you toast into a birthday surprise for the groom? Celebrate to the sounds of Bob Seger, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and Metallica? No question. And that’s exactly how these two celebrated their special day: relaxed, full of love, and with their own flair.