Leah & Brock Part 1 / Claxton Farm Wedding / Asheville

I'll be the first to admit that after hearing Leah and Brock's wedding plans I was really hoping they would choose me as their photographer. A beautiful ceremony at Claxton Farm with floral design by The Bloom Room and a reception / party at her father's brewery. I wanted it so much more after I met with Leah and she was seriously one of the coolest people I've ever met. As much as I love photographing a blow out wedding with every detail planned out and executed to perfection I always remain completely focused on the two people that I'm there for and clients like Leah and Brock make that an absolute pleasure.

Anyway, since Leah and Brock decided to spread their celebration over two days I figured I'd split their event on the blog as well. It's probably obvious but this was their smaller wedding ceremony and dinner at Claxton Farm. Next up will be their reception / party at Highland Brewing. 

Oh, and if you're new around here please check out one of my favorite engagement shoots ever! I just love when people want to try something different. Yay Leah! Yay Brock! High fives all around!

P.S. New larger blog images don't cha know.

Mary & Charles / Biltmore Estate Wedding / Asheville

The first time I met Mary and Charles they were insisting that I join them for breakfast at The Inn on Biltmore and their kindness was nonstop from that point on. In fact, Charles sent me one of the most thoughtful thank you notes I've ever received. Mary was very involved in the art world and simply told me, "do whatever you'd like with the photography, you're the artist." Obviously working with people like that is one of the best scenarios a wedding photographer can imagine and my time with them at the Boyd Chapel and The Biltmore Estate seemed to fly by. Thanks so much to you both.

Oh, and yes, I probably got a little carried away posting images of Deerpark at The Biltmore Estate but it really was in top form.

Amber & John / Grove Park Inn / Asheville / Session

Do you get the idea these two like each other?! I just stepped back and clicked.

Coming soon: a beautiful wedding at Grove Park Inn coordinated by the incredible Asheville Event Company team. More laughs and more kisses and I can't wait to capture it all.

Lauren & Keith / NC Arboretum Wedding / Asheville

Above photo by Matt Rose

Photo on right by Matt Rose

Lauren and Keith. All smiles, all the time. Ok, but let's back up to a trip to Target I took one day.

As a homeowner, dog owner, and toddler wrangler I'm at Target a lot. Anyway, one day I wandered in and heard someone calling my name out. My first thought was that I clearly shop here too often but it turned out to be Lauren's sister, whose wedding I photographed at a time that feels somehow like a lifetime, and also mere days ago. Anyway, she told me Lauren and Keith were living in NYC but were having their wedding in Asheville...and...well, you see where this is going. Needless to say I was beyond happy when I heard from Lauren a couple days later. 

Now back to these smiling people. You can't help but feel happy around them and I loved working with all of them...again. I say again since in addition to bringing Keith back, Lauren also brought back the same awesomely fun band (Love, Peace & Happiness) that played her sister's wedding. Wait, I'm skipping ahead. First we should probably talk about the weather. It was simply crazy and after leaving Lauren's parents house I snapped the photo of Keith on his phone after sprinting into a building at the NC Arboretum in a full Amazon downpour. I remember he just laughed and I couldn't help but overhear him chatting with Lauren about plan B, C, D, or whatever they were on by that point. Both of them were unflappable and after a few attempts at taking the wedding outside they went with plan H and just stayed inside. Did you notice how stressed out they look? Oh, no wait, they had a great time! It really turned out to be a beautiful day and was followed by some SERIOUS singing and dancing. I couldn't be happier for them. 

Big thanks to my friend and photographer Matt Rose, Liz and her team from The Purple Iris, Lauren's bridesmaid Allison from Studio R who designed the programs and signage, and the wedding staff at the NC Arboretum. Everyone just rolled right along when the weather turned ugly. I love working with people who understand how to just "make it work."

Thank you so much Lauren and Keith, I hope 2012 is treating you well so far!

Emily & Michael / Asheville / Session

Well this was fun! A couple weeks ago (as followers of my main blog may remember), Emily and Michael, Liza the dog, and I spent a few hours wandering the NC Arboretum and the streets of Asheville while shooting some casual engagement photos. Off the top of my head I recall high fives, a short staring contest, mild leaping, piggy back rides, and lots of happy smiles. It was a great shoot and I truly appreciated Emily and Michael's ability to interpret the vague "directions" I shouted out while shooting. On top of that Liza the dog might be one of the most well behaved dogs to ever grace the streets of Asheville...and that's saying something considering what a huge dog town it is. Next up: Big Day, Claxton Farm, friends and family, toasts and happy tears, dancing and laughter. I can't wait!