The wedding, on April 22nd at The Inn at Crestwood Resort in Blowing Rock NC, between Lance and Fiona Martin was the perfect springtime event: kilt, weather, laid-back bride and all. The couple had a small and intimate gathering of friends and family from all over the country and different parts of the world, including friends from Switzerland and Scotland. Only one bridesmaid and one groomsmen were in the wedding party. Each detail was well planned, but when it came to the day, they just trusted everything to go smoothly and as planned. And it did, including the brief arrival of sunshine for a period.
Weather can be dodgy in April, so Fiona wisely chose to have the event indoors. Good thing too, because the Scottish inspired clouds were out and it did rain. Fortunately, it cleared long enough for photos. Even during the ceremony and reception though, the views from the windows were spectacular with Grandfather Mountain in the distance. They could not have chosen a more fitting spot for a groom in Scottish attire and a bride who looked like a Celtic Fairy.Even though the couple are from South Carolina, they are serious cyclists and choose the Inn at Crestwood because of their love for the area. They’ve cycled in this area many, many times and so it was no surprise that they towed their bikes with them for their wedding weekend. The day before the ceremony, they went for a long road ride together along the Blue Ridge Parkway. But I wasn’t kidding about how serious they are as cyclists. To share their love of it with everyone, the couple gave water bottles and bicycle bottle openers as favors to guests.Brides come in all types and temperaments, and Fiona is easily one of the most laid-back relaxed brides we have ever worked with. Her trust in all of her chosen vendors allowed everyone to be relaxed; each of us, from photographers to caterers, were able to take care of them and provide the best service. It’s refreshing when clients have complete trust in your work and don’t give you a list of specifics that sometimes hamper creativity.Lance and Fiona shared that a few of the highlights were when Lance choked up during the ceremony, that they were able to chat with guests out on the patio before the reception started and when the dance floor flooded with ALL the guests who wanted to dance to a song by Average White Band. The reception was a real party!Congrats to these two! We look forward to wishing them a Happy Anniversary this time next year.
If you’re interested in the vendors, Fiona and Lance chose for their wedding, have a look!
Wedding gown: London & Lace, Columbia, SC
Hair & Makeup: Beautiful Bride On Location
Wedding coordinator /planner: Vanessa Hensley at the Inn at Crestwood
Wedding and reception venue: Inn at Crestwood
Flowers: Park Place Florists, Blowing Rock, NC
DJ or band: Mountain Peak Sound
Caterer: Inn at Crestwood
Cake/deserts: Ugga Mugga Bakery
I know a lady who likes to say, “these are the things I’m thinking about instead what’s bothering me.” She’s not burying her head in the sand or failing to solve problems or face challenges; she practicing what she says the Buddhists call “good thinking.” It takes practice – like most things worth getting good at – but it can change your mood when the world feels all wrong or the people around appear to be on hiatus from being kind.
So here’s what I’m thinking about instead of what worries me about our world.
Spring is here and summer is coming. There’s a great thought. Cooking and eating the food I grow in my garden, cutting flowers, relaxing on my front porch. Yes to that.
And I’m thinking about family. I love mine and we love to photograph families of all sizes. Each one contains a library of stories, memories, legacies and shared laughter, pain and joy. Family is always a happy thought for me.
Babies. Think about a baby you know or one you’ve raised and your mood will shift immediately. I love thinking of babies. Babies in tutus. Babies wearing hats. Babies in overalls. [Digression: babies in overalls is a HILARIOUS concept to me. They are 20-ish inches tall! “They ain’t driving no tractor!!!” “They ain’t bailing no hay!!” But, there they are… in their denim and buckles and it’s just the funniest, sweetest thing. The only way they are being helpful is that you’re belly laughing at the cuteness. Just saying…] Pick your favorite baby image and ponder. You’re happier, right?
Twinkling lights at night and summer evenings spent by a fire pit, on a porch swing, in a tent or hammock or playing cards by lantern at an old picnic table. I love that kind of light at night.
Mountains. Dance with the one who brung ya, right? I love our mountains and if you’re a hiker, hike. If you have a view, sit back and take it in. I love living in a state replete with mountains and mountain views.
Love that lasts. Who doesn’t want to remember that? Give brain power and care and thought to that; you’ll thank yourself. I love thinking about lasting love: some of it is as new as a baby but will last a lifetime and some already as old as a steadfast marriage. It’s all good.
Going away. I love thinking about travel – allowing myself to escape to my favorite memories and then get excited about the possibilities of travel in the future. Ryan and I have done and seen a lot in our marriage and thinking about that journey makes me smile, regardless of locale.
Home. I think about home and am more full than I could ever describe to you guys. We host you there when you come to our indoor studio or out in the garden, but it’s the center of our world. It’s comfort, it’s creativity, it’s food, it’s gatherings …. our “workin’ week and Sunday rest,” as Auden put it. God blessed us big time with our over-a-century-old home.
Whatever is potentially weighing on you, … take the time – make the room for “good thinking.” List your happy places, people, pets, memories, foods and let that happy into every artery you have inside of you.
When you start off the summer with one of the rainiest seasons in quite a long time, any wedding couple begins to be concerned that their day would fall on one of those wet days. Amy and Tom were very fortunate to have a clear NC mountain day to celebrate their wedding in Boone, NC, the heart of the high country. Even in the beginning of August, the temperature was just right for what was to be a day full of family and friends from literally all over the world celebrating their love. This couple resides in Washington DC but planned a NC mountain destination wedding in Boone and Blowing Rock NC, where Amy spent years growing up and her parents still live. Amy enlisted the help of a wedding planner and designer, our dear friend and incredible talent Melissa Riley of Day of Your Dreams. Even if your not making wedding plans long distance, we highly recommend Melissa. Her help is essential and her creations beautiful.
The ceremony was held at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, NC. A very special touch before the start of the ceremony, was Amy’s mom playing several songs on her flute as guests were being seated. She has such an amazing talent and contributed it for a moment that will forever be engrained in our minds. Family was also a big part of the wedding party itself. Tom’s oldest son and brother, along with Amy’s brother, were groomsmen, and Tom’s two youngest sons were ring bearers, carefully carrying the rings down the aisle in bird’s nests.
One moment from the ceremony itself that we will never forget, was when the pastors (one of them being Amy’s pastor growing up) called Tom’s boys up to the altar to make them part of the marriage celebration. Amy, Tom and all three boys held hands and made promises to each other to become one family, promising to love and care for each other.
After all of the post ceremony photos were complete at the church, the wedding party drove over to Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC. We gathered the wedding party to do a few more photos before the party began. Melissa did an exceptional job designing and setting up the reception just outside the main lodge. A large white tent was set, with some amazing hanging floral arrangements provided by Bless Your Heart floral designs. If you’ve never seen the incredible floral artistry by Sherry of Bless Your Heart, it’s a sight to behold. It was wedding photographer’s dream come true to photograph this family-oriented couple’s wedding and the beauty that surrounded them in all the amazing details.
Because kids are such an important part of Tom & Amy’s life they wanted a kid-friendly wedding and wedding reception. There was a separate tent beside the main tent just for the kids! They had their own menu for dinner, had lawn games and paddle boats to take out on the lake (both for the young, and the young at heart.) Plenty of activities kept the kids entertained and having as much (if not more) fun than the adults.
The reception band, Hipshack, played all night and the guests really seemed to enjoy themselves out on the dance floor. It really was a great party that everyone will surely remember. Congratulations to Amy, Tom and the new family!
Wedding Venue: Grace Lutheran Church, Boone, NC
Reception Venue: Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, NC
Wedding Photography: Pixels On Paper
Wedding Planner: Day Of Your Dreams
Wedding Gown & Veil: Did Someone Say Party
Flowers: Bless Your Heart
Rentals: Boone Rent All
Entertainment: Hipshack Band
Gifts/Favors: Candy Bar from Mast General Store, Boone NC
Want to learn more about our husband and wife team providing wedding photography packages and portrait photography in the NC Mountains, Wilkesboro NC and the NC High Country and packages for NC Mountain destination wedding photographers? Call 336-990-0080, visit our website www.pixelsonpaper.net or send us and email at mail@pixelsonpaper.net for more information.
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All photos are ©2013 Pixels On Paper. Pixels On Paper Photography Hendersonville NC Wedding, Asheville Wedding Photography, NC Mountain Weddings, NC Mountain Destination Wedding Photography, NC Mountain Wedding Photographer, Boone Wedding and Portrait Photographers, Boone Wedding Photography, Boone Wedding Photographers, High Country Wedding Photographers, NC Wedding Photographers, Charlotte Wedding Photographers. Husband and wife team providing creative photography for weddings and portraits in NC, specializing in the NC High Country, Charlotte, and NC Mountain Destination Weddings.
We have been blessed this year to have some amazing clients and stunning locations for NC mountain portraits and high country weddings. A couple of examples include Kristy Brown and Trey Bryan’s engagement photos at the Pixels On Paper photo studio, as well as Kristy’s bridal portraits on one of her family’s farms.
This streak continued with Kristy and Trey’s wedding just outside Boone, NC this summer. Although the weather was a tad iffy the day of the ceremony, we were able to catch the breaks in the drizzle to run out and knock out some stunning outdoor photos.
The ceremony was held in Deep Gap, NC at Laurel Springs Baptist Church, just at the bottom of the hill from Kristy’s grandparents home. Surrounded by open fields and crazy nice views around the church, we were able to do some dramatic cloudy sky photos with the bridal party before the ceremony. Sometimes you just have to make the best of a less than desirable situation, and completely rock it out.
There weren’t many dry eyes in the church during the ceremony as the two exchanged vows and rings. It was clear to us that the newly combined families were there to support Kristy and Trey. The looks on the couples’ faces as they walked back down the aisle towards the back of the church was all smiles.
Following the post ceremony family photos, the newlyweds hopped in a perfectly restored 1966 Chevy Chevelle SS convertible, owned by Kristy’s uncle who loaned it to them to drive to the reception. Of course we HAD to have some photos with a classic car, especially with the skies we had to add to the drama, finishing up just as the rain began to fall.
The reception was held in Boone at a building owned by Kristy’s family that was at one time a car dealership. But with a lot of help from family and friends, that building was transformed into one of the best reception venues and it served its purpose well. Guests were treated to a buffet dinner and one of our favorite high country DJs, Gordon with Digital DJs, emceed the night and kept the dance floor hopping.
One last gathering of the guests happened at the end of the night as they lined up on either side of Kristy and Trey as they ran through the sparkler exit towards their new life as husband and wife. We wish them much love and happiness in their marriage!
Want to learn more about our wedding photography packages or portrait photography in Boone, Blowing Rock, Wilkesboro NC and the NC High Country or for NC Mountain destination wedding photography? Call 336-990-0080, visit our website www.pixelsonpaper.biz or send us and email at mail@pixelsonpaper.biz for more information.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License
All photos are ©2013 Pixels On Paper. Pixels On Paper Photography Wilkesboro NC Wedding, Boone NC Wedding Photographer, NC Mountain Weddings, NC Mountain Destination Wedding Photography, Ferguson NC Wedding, Wilkes NC Wedding, Blowing Rock, NC Mountain Wedding Photographer, Boone Wedding and Portrait Photographers, Boone Wedding Photography, Boone Wedding Photographers, High Country Wedding Photographers, NC Wedding Photographers. Husband and wife team providing creative photography for weddings and portraits in NC, specializing in the NC High Country, Charlotte, Destination Weddings and in the NC Mountains.
Wedding shows are always a lot of work for us, but it is such a rewarding experience when we get the follow up from a couple we have had a few moments to chat with in a crowded exhibit hall. We love getting the opportunity to hear a bit of a couple’s story, but let’s be honest, the shows can be overwhelming for a couple to attend and leaves very little time to get all the juicy wedding day details. So when Amber and Clark scheduled a follow up consult at our Wilkesboro photo studio after attending the ACES fall wedding show at Appalachian State University, all the hard work to participate in the show paid off.
After the show, we had the chance to meet with these Salisbury native in our Wilkesboro photo studio and learn more details about their NC mountain destination wedding at Leatherwood Mountains in Wilkes County. Their ceremony was going to be a fun filled day with lots of DIY touches and family help. Not to mention their love for all things Appalachian State University and the simple touches of ASU that would be incorporated into the outdoor wedding festivities.
The Leatherwood Mountains cabin stage was the location they chose to say their vows, with the covered pavilion for the reception. With Amber being a graduate from App State, it was certain that the black and gold colors would play a prominent role, both in the bridesmaids dresses, but also in the floral arrangements, all the way down to the tailgate style reception.
After the post-ceremony photos were complete, Amber and Clark made a grand entrance into the covered pavilion through the crowd of guests waving their black and gold streamers. Having spent a lot of time in Boone NC while at ASU for college, Amber had Woodlands BBQ cater the diner, because everyone (including Ryan) LOVES a good pig pickin’! Virtual Sounds Entertainment was on hand to make sure that this party went long into the night. With all the dancing guests and former ASU cheerleaders there was lots of dust kicked up on the dance floor!
We wish Amber and Clark all the best as they start their new life together as husband and wife!
Want to learn more about our wedding photography packages or portrait photography in Boone, Blowing Rock, Wilkesboro NC and the NC High Country or for NC Mountain destination wedding photography? Call 336-990-0080, visit our website www.pixelsonpaper.biz or send us and email at mail@pixelsonpaper.biz for more information.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License
All photos are ©2013 Pixels On Paper. Pixels On Paper Photography Wilkesboro NC Wedding, Boone NC Wedding Photographer, NC Mountain Weddings, NC Mountain Destination Wedding Photography, Ferguson NC Wedding, Wilkes NC Wedding, Blowing Rock, NC Mountain Wedding Photographer, Boone Wedding and Portrait Photographers, Boone Wedding Photography, Boone Wedding Photographers, High Country Wedding Photographers, NC Wedding Photographers. Husband and wife team providing creative photography for weddings and portraits in NC, specializing in the NC High Country, Charlotte, Destination Weddings and in the NC Mountains.