A Western North Carolina Wedding

In 2014 Ryan saw Jennifer in a Mutual friend’s (Lisa, bridesmaid) pictures on facebook.  He asked Lisa about Jennifer and if Lisa would introduce them.  Jennifer was in South Carolina at school with Lisa and Ryan was in Massachusetts.  Jennifer and Ryan talked nonstop on the phone and it didn’t take long for them to connect and create a friendship built on communication.  After a month of falling in love over the phone, Ryan couldn’t stand the distance anymore.  He flew south to meet Jennifer.  He says to make sure she was real.  The minute he laid eyes on her, and confirmed she was in fact real, he knew he would make her his wife someday!

If you’ve been in the Carolinas for anytime this Spring then you know we’ve had A LOT of rain lately.  We watched the radar all day and were prepared for anything!  I say the best rain plan is to have a First Look.  It relieves so much stress and gives us about 2-3 more hours to flexible with portraits and rain.  Instead of waiting until after the ceremony and trying to squeeze everything in and crossing our fingers for good weather in that small timeframe.  Jennifer and Ryan were able to have about 15 minutes of portraits together before the rain rolled in and stayed for a few hours.

One of the most beautiful parts of the day was during their vows at the ceremony when the rain eased off and the clouds were rising in the valley below us.  Mountains layered in puffy clouds get me all kinds of happy.  Guests from Massachusetts and all over got a pure taste of what makes Western North Carolina so special.

Point Lookout is finishing its first full year as an event venue. Jennifer booked it before it was even built!!  She knew it would be spectacular!  Their unique wine selection and branded wine glasses as wedding favors capped off a fantastic experience for family and friends (and vendors)!

Jennifer and her father had a very special first look together before she went to see Ryan.

Get ready, Ryan’s reaction is absolutely perfect!

As soon as I placed Jennifer and Ryan for portraits in the vineyard we started feeling drops of rain.  We did a lovely (and quick) set of portraits then we rushed back to the pavilion’s overhang.

Even though the rainfall sent us into the venue for the rest of portraits, we were able to create outdoor looking images!  I’m a fan of these seated portraits!

Jennifer and Ryan did a wine ceremony where they poured red and white wines together to symbolize the blend of their lives.  Their officiant explained beautifully how marriage is blending families and futures.  The sweet wine and the bitter wine represent the joys and sorrows in life and how they will have true companionship through both.

Yes, we got to go outdoors for more portraits!!  I can’t say enough how much a First Look helps on rainy wedding days!

Jennifer’s father made the delicious cheesecakes for their receptions!

I spy two of my sweet couples Ally + Josh (2016) and Anna + Braden (2014)!!  It is always so FUN to catch up with my couples through the years!

Their DJ did a fantastic job of making sure the dance floor stayed electric!!

View their slideshow below for all the feels!

VENUE: Point Lookout Vineyards, Hendersonville, NC
CATERER: Holmes Catering
FLORIST: Amanda Long
COORDINATOR: North + South Wedding Co.
DJ: Thomas Ciaramitaro – Mountain Top Entertainment
CAKE: Brick Street Café and Cheesecakes by FOB, George Newman
WEDDING DRESS DESIGNER: Martina Liana
WEDDING DRESS BOUTIQUE: The White Magnolia in Downtown Greenville, SC
BRIDESMAID DRESS: David’s Bridal