Thanks for Voting! I'm a Winner - Best of WNC 2011

Wow!  I won second - Best Photographer in Western North Carolina - in the Mountain Express WNC Best of 2011.

Who made it happen?  My much appreciated group of supporters, followers, fans, friends and family.  I truly appreciate all the votes.  It’s always fun to win something, even if you don’t know what it’s worth.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for the thrill.

Biltmore Estate Wedding / Part Three

We’re still at the Biltmore with Kathryn and Doug.  It has been so nice to revisit this wedding as an extended feature.  Thanks for hanging in…  I know it was a healthy little break between Part Two and this posting -  I’ve been traveling a lot the last couple of weeks.  I’m sure you’ve all been at the edge of your seats, waiting for when Kathryn and Doug are married.  No, Kathryn didn’t just take a pretty carriage ride. She actually went somewhere very important!  :)  I will take you there…

Isn’t this ceremony lovely?  Everything about Kathryn and Doug’s wedding was so romantic.

I usually include only shots taken by me on my blog, but this one is by my second photographer Camilla Calnan of Kathryn’s father shaking Doug’s hand.  A beautiful moment:

Biltmore Estate Wedding / Part One

Kathryn and Doug’s wedding took place at the Diana on the gorgeous Biltmore Estate in Asheville.  Kathryn and Doug are an adorable couple and their wedding was absolutely beautiful.  Tara Jordan of Weddings with Tara did a wonderful job coordinating all of the details - everything was perfect!  And Stacey of the Bloom Room created stunning floral arrangements. Scott Thompson did a fabulous job with makeup as always.

Kathryn and Doug’s wedding story will be told in two parts.  Welcome to Part One!

Kathryn’s beautiful dress was found at The White Room in Birmingham, Alabama.  She wore her mother’s veil.

Kathryn’s great-great grandmother’s brooch:

Kathryn’s Grandmother’s wedding dress sleeve around the bouquet:

Scott and Kathryn:

Such a beautiful laugh…

Gardenias in her hair and bouquet to honor her grandparents…

Kathryn and Doug have a special moment when they see each other for the first time.

On the shuttle:

The Biltmore House and the wedding party:

Come back later for the ceremony and the reception at the Diana!

Biltmore Estate Wedding / Asheville Wedding Photography

Ann and Ben’s wedding was held on the beautiful Biltmore Estate at Lioncrest. 

All the details of Ann and Ben’s wedding were perfect, from the dress to the flowers to the table settings…  it was a great festival for the eyes.  Ann had lots of wonderful ideas which paired well with the creativity of the vendors she chose, who were able to collaboratively see her vision through.

As a photographer shooting a wedding at the Biltmore, it’s very helpful to know your way around the estate because it is so large and spread out.  I’m so grateful I do.  I live only minutes away from the Biltmore and as a passholder member of it I spend a lot of time exploring and scouting for new angles and places to shoot.  I love photographing weddings at the Biltmore.

Ann and Ben are a couple who are truly generous of the heart.  I enjoyed getting to know Ann over the planning stages and I was grateful to Ben on the wedding day when he so graciously faced the intense summer heat as I escorted them all over the estate for photos.  It was his wedding day, so what else was he supposed to do?  But he had the sweetest smile on his face the entire time.  I loved witnessing how happy Ann and Ben were.

Since the wedding day I’ve gotten to hang out with Ann a little bit (we went to a wine tasting together) and I really appreciate her calming, up-lifting spirit.  It’s totally palpable in her smile - you can see it everywhere in the photographs below.  I can’t wait to hang out more.  It’s really nice to know I’ve made a friend.

Something that I enjoy about weddings is the feeling of working as a team.  For the most part I work “alone” as a photographer but I like being part of a group effort when it’s supportive of each individual’s creative efforts and strengths.  I bring this up because there was a nice synergy I felt at this wedding.  And… I think both Ann and Ben’s sweet personalities are infectious, so that even when we had to play a little “catch up” with the schedule (as it goes with many weddings) we were all just gushing with cheerfulness and truly enjoying being a part of a real celebration.

Bravo to the team of amazing vendors:

Maura of Honey Darling Events

Florist: The Bloom Room

Makeup: Scott Thompson

Hair: Lola

Ceremony Site, Reception Site, Venue, Catering, Cake:  Biltmore Estate

Congratulations, Ann and Ben!!  I’ll shoot your wedding any day!

 

 

Give a wink to the shuttle… and an ahhhhhhh for air-conditioning.

The Conservatory:

I don’t always blog post so many table settings and centerpieces, but I couldn’t leave these out.  A complete table setting is so elegant.