Asheville Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Colorful Summer Wedding in The North Carolina Mountains with The Couples Golden Retriever as the “Dog of Honor”

This pretty pop-of-color wedding is sure to make you smile. Filled with a bright color palette of blooms by Spring Vine, sweet sips, and the couple’s adorable dog- Wren and Chick planned a day that delights at every turn. The joy of the day radiates through the imagery captured by McSween Photography, you’ll fall in love with every darling detail inside the full gallery.

From McSween Photography… Caroline and Evan met during their freshman year at UNC-Chapel Hill and began dating the next year as Sophomores. Caroline texted him “Hey, I’m single. Want to get dinner?” It’s okay … You can laugh. Looking back now that pretty much sums up their entire relationship. In August of 2019, Evan lost his twin brother Michael in a skateboarding accident. Every day after that was a struggle waking up and dealing with the loss. Then just two months later in October of 2019 Caroline’s brother, Drew passed away. Evan was with Caroline as she spoke in front of 400+ people at her brother’s funeral. In those two months, they knew they were meant to be there for each other. Truly knowing what it means to love each other through the ups and downs. During their senior year of college, Caroline got a golden retriever named Holden. She started a bucket list for Holden at UNC-Chapel Hill and blogged about him, it went viral. He now has quite the following on Instagram.

Holden has been through so much with Caroline and Evan he was the dog of honor at their wedding, along with his sister Sophie. Evan proposed on a trip to Colorado in September 2020, they took sporadically between Caroline ending a job and starting a new job. On a hiking trip, Evan popped the question and of course, Caroline said, “yes!” The stars aligned for them to take the perfect trip and for the perfect proposal, much like Caroline and Evan’s relationship, perfect for each other. The inspiration for their wedding was the gorgeous North Carolina Mountains, pops of colorful summer blooms, and an amazing day with their friends and family. Caroline wore a gorgeous Eva Lendel gown with a plunging neckline and all her bridesmaids in the same shade of Show Me Your Mumu pink, in different styles.

Spring Vine did an amazing job with the perfect shades of summer florals. Caroline and Evan honored their pups by including them in their wedding ceremony, but also with an appearance on their wedding stationery, and their very own signature cocktails at the reception. Holden the Golden was also featured getting a little mischievous on the back of the cake. Evan and Caroline also honored their late brothers by including a charm of each of their photos on Evan’s boutonniere and Caroline’s Bouquet. The love these two emanated on their day was an incredible honor to witness and be able to capture.

[iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/0yoWQaIjXQ4 600 338]

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

BBJ La Tavola

View Portfolio

A Modern Interpretation of Indian Bridal Fashion

In a beautiful homage to Indian culture, Radian Photography and Joy Proctor teamed up with an incredible team of vendors to create endless inspiration. With whimsical floral designs in full bloom by Bows & Arrows Flowers and a modern vintage aesthetic, we can’t help but fall in love with all the artful imagery. You can take a closer look at every dreamy detail in the full gallery.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/645167504 600 255]

From Joy Proctor Design… In celebration of her Indian heritage, photographer Radhika McDiarmid of Radian Photography worked with Joy Proctor and an incredible team to design and shoot this fashion-forward editorial to highlight Indian bridal fashion.

The looks featured a whimsical, floral-focused aesthetic that more and more Indian brides are embracing as they opt for weddings that are less large and formal.

Shot against vintage Indian fabric and a hand-painted backdrop designed with her grandparents’ farm in mind, lush floral installations, and a modern henna design added to the dreamy aesthetic.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bows and Arrows

View Portfolio

Joy Proctor Design

View Portfolio

A North Carolina Wedding Set Against Majestic Mountains

Does it get more majestic than a mountain wedding? We don’t think so! After a private wedding, just the two of them, Keiko and Steve were excited to finally celebrate their love with friends and family surrounded by the beauty of nature. Two Sweet Sparrows planned a day well worth the wait, and exquisite blooms in bright hues by Springvine Design were the exclamation point on an incredible day. Each artful image by Kim Branagan Photography is more beautiful than the last, visit the full gallery to see them all.

From Kim Branagan Photography… c were full of emotions (joy being the most prominent) as they prepared to say “I do” again. When Covid changed their plans, again and again, they decided to tie the knot just the two of them in 2020 but the celebration they were really excited for was this wedding day to share with their friends and family on a stunning mountainside in Asheville, NC.

The couple was most excited for the florals and the natural beauty surrounding them on their wedding day and loved that the Chateau at The Ridge was a nod to the groom’s European descent and the setting in general was a nod to their shared love of the outdoors and the beauty of nature.

Keiko and Steve just exuded happiness, gratitude, and joy from the moment we started the day and they had eyes for no one else! Steve not only built their wedding altar but also created a custom “Price is Right” wheel that he was VERY excited about and kicked off what was to be a high-energy reception, dancing well into the night!

Enchanted Blush And White Summer Wedding At Biltmore Estate

Excuse us while we swoon, this wedding is nothing short of a fairytale. Held at Biltmore Estate, an 8,000-acre Blue Ridge Mountain oasis, Tara and Nick filled their special day with summer colors that perfectly complimented the gorgeous grounds. Two Sweet Sparrows planned a day that pulls out all the stops, including a butterfly release at the wedding ceremony! Floral design by Dream Events By Daria couldn’t be lovelier, and Barrie Anne Photography captured all the magical moments perfectly. Visit the full gallery for a closer look at all the lovely.

From Barrie Anne Photography… Tara & Nick’s wedding day could not have been more perfect, after postponing and changing wedding locations, finally came their enchanting fairytale day. The couple came from the east coast with their families to be wed at the gorgeous mansion of Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

Tara and her family have significance to the Biltmore Estate growing up visiting for equestrian competitions.Lush summer colors complimented the stunning garden grounds, up on the hill of Diana, overlooking the estate as the two said their vows and released butterflies to solidify their marriage.

Complete with a champagne tower at sunset, family and friends danced the night away with Tara & Nick underneath a beautiful, romantic, timeless, candle-lit tent overflowing with florals and love.

Ethereal Romance In The Mountains Of North Carolina

With soft lush florals and a mountain-range view, it doesn’t get more romantic than this North Carolina wedding! We’ve fallen head over heels for this dreamy aesthetic planned by Silk & Sabal and with just one look it’s easy to see why. Carefully curated details fill the day, from the couple’s custom monogram to a fabulous floral installation by Petal And Fern turning the reception into a real-life fairytale. Kristen Weaver perfectly captures the tender moments in her elegant imagery. Be prepared to fall in love in the full gallery.

From Kristen Weaver… Elizabeth and Ed were married in a luxury mountain-top wedding in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina! Their custom monogram included their dog, Cash, their horse, and lots of Floridian details- it was even printed on the server’s aprons and tea-towels!

The ceremony ended with a huge confetti recessional. Guests were transported to the venue where they were greeted with refreshing Sangria cocktails.

Their floral details were soft and lush, and the Chateau was filled with white linens, stone plates and candles. 150 guests traveled from Miami, Cuba, and Puerto Rico to celebrate with the couple with a Hora Loca including Samba dancers, drummers, and coffee cart.

[iframe https://www.youtube.com/embed/BCfwIEN9Y5M 600 338]

Nashville Singer Songwriters Wed in an Intimate Destination Elopement Amidst the Clouds

Singer songwriters Jamie and Jimmy had a wedding as beautiful as the sweetest melody. They decided to tie the knot in North Carolina where Godfreys designed the most elegant of days amongst the clouds. Beautiful blooms by Kassie Kay Floral Design in shades of pink, blush, and cream filled the wedding with romance. You can feel the love in the artful imagery by A Thomas Photography. Don’t miss the full gallery, it’s sure to be like music to your ears.

From A Thomas Photography… Jamie and Jimmy are singer-songwriters from Nashville, Tennessee, so when they began thinking of their wedding day, music was always going to be at the core. Jamie’s father is a world-class jazz musician, and her sister is also an incredibly talented singer, and they performed an acoustic version of “I Know How the River Feels”.

A few weeks before her wedding day, Jamie had a dream that her beloved, late Grandpa Sonny came to visit her. He told her “I will meet you on the mountaintop, and I will bring the sun”. It was a sweet dream, but when her wedding day dawned drizzling and covered in clouds with an 80% chance of rain, she didn’t think much more of it’s meaning. However, as Jamie and Jimmy began to say their vows to one another, the sun broke through the clouds and the fog lifted to showcase the magnificent mountain views beyond the ceremony space. Everyone gasped and Jamie and her mom both exclaimed, “he’s here”!

Like so many other couples throughout this strange year, the guest list for Jamie and Jimmy’s wedding became only immediate family. Jimmy’s family lives in Canada, so they were unable to attend due to strict COVID procedures. True to pandemic wedding form, they Zoomed in for the ceremony. The design of their intimate elopement was equal parts rock and roll and romantic modernism.

A Romantic Asheville Wedding Set Against The Mountains

Say hello to 360-degree views of gorgeous mountain ranges at this North Carolina wedding. The Planning Asheville designed a day that leaves no detail unturned, from the swoon-worthy outdoor ceremony to the reception space dripping with elegance. The florals by Floressence Flowers rival the beauty of the mountain range and fill the day with unrivaled romance. You’ll get lost in the artful imagery Almond Leaf Studios. Make sure to visit the full gallery for every beautiful moment.

From the bride… Jack and I met at Duke University Hospital across a trauma bay in the emergency department. It was Jack’s first year as an orthopaedic surgery resident and I was the nurse in charge of that bay. There was an instant connection but (of course!) we had to be professionals and take care of the patient between us. Two weeks went by and I ran into Jack on his last week of his emergency department rotation, talk about fate! Jack asked me out on the spot.

On the day of our wedding, it was truly magical seeing all the pieces come together. I loved all the rich lush greenery in Tulum when Jack and I visited there. We had the best trip and I wanted to incorporate some of that energy into our wedding. The florals were the highlight of the decor and it brought me great joy to hear guests say it looked like a jungle.

Overall, my advice is classic. Enjoy it all. What matters is that you are getting married and you are surrounded by friends and family that love you. It makes me emotional thinking back to how all of our favorite people gathered to celebrate our love. The day may have been a blur, but I will never forget how I felt.

Asheville Wedding Planner’s Amazing Bridal Shower

Editor’s Note: For starters, what’s not to LOVE about a bridal shower with donkeys adorned in the most gorgeous floral accessories? That’s right. And that’s just the beginning. This bridal shower is seriously what dreams are made of.

Can we start with the donkeys? Because how adorable are donkeys with flowers in their satchels? Too cute! Right?! Okay, let me back up a bit. We are so excited to be a part of this incredible bridal shower for one of our favorite Asheville event planners, Caroline! Caroline works with Mingle Events! It’s her turn to tie the knot. So her Mingle gal pals, Candace, and Ashley planned the most beautiful celebration for our dear Caroline!

Along with a dream team of vendors, Candace and Ashley created the most beautiful bridal brunch we have ever been to. Greeted by Poppy and Bean as you enter the new barn at The Venue at Mills River. Grab a mimosa from the mimosa cart or a bloody mary and get your gab on with all your gal pals. Graze through the massive charcuterie display in the middle of the barn.

Then make your way to a cozy and gorgeously styled seating area around the barn. And don’t forget to pop by the dessert table for a cake pop or heart cookie. We had an amazing time celebrating Caroline!

After opening gifts, Caroline posed with Poppy and Bean on the quaint tree swing. Then spent time chatting with all her friends and family. It was a lovely afternoon.

Bistro Lights + Wooden Beams Are a Rustic Romance Dream!

When Simply Sarah is behind the camera, I know the wedding is going to be an instant fave of mine, and this Biltmore Estate celebration is no exception. We’re talking an all-out romantic fete planned by Mary Bell Events, from the warm atmosphere created with bistro lights and rustic wooden ceiling beams to the pretty pink and ivory florals designed by Flower Gallery of Asheville. Finish it off with this stunning couple and their sweet, sweet love…it just doesn’t get any better.

[styleguide}

From the bride… Nitesh and I met at a sports bar in Atlanta in December 2012. We were watching the SEC championship game between UGA and Alabama and were cheering for opposing teams. We had a mutual friend and ended up sitting beside each other during the game and chatted the entire time. Overlooking the occasional ‘Roll Tide’ cheer, we found that we had a lot in common and hit it off instantly. We went out on our first date several months later and dated for three years before moving to Tampa, Florida together.

We had a trip to Hawaii planned with Nitesh’s family over the 2016 Christmas holiday and were excited to get away for a relaxing vacation. Several friends were convinced that Nitesh and I would get engaged during the trip, but I had no indication that any proposal plans were in the works. We planned to spend the day before our flight to Hawaii with my family at my parent’s house to enjoy an early Christmas celebration. After breakfast and opening gifts, Nitesh shocked me by proposing to me on the back deck of my parents house, with my entire family peeking through the windows. It was so special to celebrate our engagement with my family and then to continue the celebrations with Nitesh’s family in Hawaii.

One of our favorite getaways during our relationship has been Asheville. It was one of our first trips together and a destination of several other long weekends over the years. We love the beautiful scenery, vibrant downtown, and the countless options for hiking, brewery tours, and delicious dining experiences. We decided very quickly that Asheville would be the perfect location for our wedding, and during our first wedding venue scouting mission, we chose Biltmore Deerpark as our location because it embodied the rustic, romantic setting that we envisioned for our wedding. Our intention was to create an authentic, casual atmosphere that reflected our view of Asheville. We chose ivory and blush as our color palette with accents of rose gold and used bistro lights along the wooden ceiling beams and candlelight to further enhance the romantic setting of the venue.

The favorite memory for both Nitesh and me was our ceremony in the courtyard of the venue. We were blessed with perfect weather and even had some chirping birds join in during our vows. It was such a special moment for us to have all of our family and friends in one place to witness our vows to each other.

During the planning process, one of the most important choices for me was a photographer for the day. After speaking with other brides, they emphasized the importance of having the best photographer to capture the day because photos would be the most lasting, tangible mementos. After scouring bridal magazines, online websites, and social media, I came across Simply Sarah Photography and immediately fell in love with the style and quality of their images. We were lucky enough to book Simply Sarah and could not be happier about our experience with Sarah and Will. From the communication prior to the wedding to the attention to detail and professionalism on the wedding day, it was perfect from start to finish. And one of the best parts of our experience was how friendly, relaxed, and comfortable Sarah and Will were! It was such a joy to have them be a part of our wedding day.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

View All Collections

Wedding Dresses

Augusta Jones

Best Sellers

View All Collections

Mountain Views Are Always a Good Idea

Majestic mountains are always a good idea for a wedding ceremony backdrop – just take a look at this Asheville celebration captured by Katherine Miles Jones. The team at Gather Together drew inspiration from the raw beauty of the setting, incorporating the colors and textures of the mountain range into everything from the invitations to the blooms by Floressence Flowers. So get scrolling, because this gallery is a breath of fresh air.

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Al Fresco

Styles

Rustic

Samantha, a pharmacology PhD candidate, and Josh, an energy engineer, were college sweethearts at Clemson University in South Carolina. They chose Asheville, their favorite vacation destination, for guests from the Midwest and South Carolina to come together and celebrate their wedding. The wedding became a bit of reunion for many of their closest college friends.

Samantha and Josh both experienced significant losses of family members in recent years. Through tragedy, they found home in each other, and on their wedding day, the spirit of their loved ones was felt in the stillness of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The couple wanted the best of both worlds: mountain views for the ceremony and a reception in downtown Asheville so they could go out and enjoy the town after the wedding. While we love the North Carolina mountains in the fall, our favorite time is when they’re still green, mid-September, when the heat is just starting to melt away.

Samantha’s style was classic and organic – everything from her dress to the flowers felt refined yet playful and fitting for the mountain atmosphere. Her embroidered illusion bodice Hayley Paige dress was absolutely breathtaking. Invitations featured rose gold foil and watercolored scenes reminiscent of the mountain setting. Ceremony details were designed to highlight the beauty and color of the mountains by pulling in organic textures and a cool color palette with fall tones. A floral drenched arbor stood at the end of an aisle framing the stunning horizon. Textured organza linens covered cocktail tables set on the porch and lawn before the ceremony, fluttering with every breeze.

The reception echoed the organic feel of the outdoor ceremony. Patterned linens and lush florals were brought into the cool downtown space, set in the heart of Asheville. A giant floral chandelier was a focal point in the room and extended across the entire head table. Their band was only four members, but they had the presence of an entire rock show. At one point in the night, they mixed Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd) into Country Grammar (Nelly) and the crowd went wild. From the calm serene mountains at the ceremony, to the luxe and upbeat reception scene, Samantha and Josh’s wedding was a celebration that felt like everyone was family!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Hayley Paige

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

Spring 2013

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Spring 2016

Blush by Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige Occasions

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

Blush by Haley Paige

Spring 2018

View All Collections

An Elegant, Organic Wedding at the Biltmore Estate

Whenever I see a wedding at the Biltmore Estate, my desire to visit this stunning site increases exponentially, but this wedding film right here? Well, it seals the deal. Not only does it show the venue at it’s absolute finest, but these two lovebirds warm my heart. With both in school, their schedules are packed to say the least, but they stopped to pause and say “I do” and Light Cannon Films was there to capture it all. And we’re glad they did because this is the type of film we all need to see; it’s just that good. Enjoy!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/218052752 600 338]

Seasons

Spring Weddings

Settings

Church Estate Weddings

From Light Cannon Films… Caleb and Kelly could not have designed a more ideal day or venue to get married. Mountainous Asheville, NC was “ablaze with new life” as Kelly’s dad put it – everything was in bloom and the natural beauty of the Appalachians were a breathtaking backdrop to their wedding on the Biltmore Estate. While the main areas of the Estate were teeming with tourists and congratulatory onlookers as we tried to escape the crowds for a few photos, the reception was held at the Lioncrest, once the Vanderbilt’s barn but now a secluded and elegant venue.

The decor could not have been more youthful or natural, perfect for Caleb and Kelly. Kelly is in PA school and Caleb is in medical school, and they had to squeeze the wedding between tests and rotations, but it’s obvious to see that these two are the type not to slow down for anything. They are a team, they are best friends, and they are determined to make each other their top priority amidst all the chaos. They just make it work. And not just that; we happen to know from personal experience (since they are close family friends) that they have a ton of fun making it work. Our wishes for them are many more decades of fun and laughter and dancing, but also some well deserved rest. :)

This Military Wedding Nails the “Classic” Look

If you want to see “classic” done right, this Biltmore Estate affair is just the ticket. Captured by Elizabeth Fogarty, there’s an effortlessness to every detail, blending the couple’s rustic and elegant style preferences in one seamless move. But don’t just take my word for it, head to the gallery and watch Hannah and David’s big day unfold for yourself.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/193663503 600 338]

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Estate Weddings

Styles

Classic Weddings

From the Bride… We met on the Pacific Partnership in May of 2013 on the USS Pearl Harbor (Dave’s amphibious ship at the time – he was the chief engineer)!

Our wedding color palette was creme, sand, champagne, and gold. The hardest thing was bringing our worlds together. An element of our big day was tying in Dave’s rustic side and my elegant and airy aesthetic.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

View All Collections

Wedding Dresses

Martina Liana

Fall 2014

Spring 2017

Fall 2017

View All Collections

Accessories

David's Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Accessories

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridal

"Wonder" by Jenny Packham Bridesmaids

David's Bridal Spring 2018

Oleg Cassini Spring 2018

WHITE by Vera Wang Spring 2018

Truly Zac Posen Spring 2018

View All Collections

Inspired by the Most Stunning Lace Dress

For this Winter inspiration, it all started with a dress. Backless, lace and insanely beautiful to be exact from Erin Grey Couture. From there, HART & CO. Events crafted a shoot layered in texture and bursting with lush blooms by Springvine Design. If you like lace or velvet or florals literally hanging from the heavens, then pop on over the the vault captured by Almond Leaf Studios for so much more.

From the planner… When Charlotte based bridal boutique owner and couture gown maker CJ Bostrom reached out to me about creating a wintery, romantic shoot in the Asheville mountains, I knew right away this was going to be something special! CJ created an amazing lace gown for her Erin Grey Couture line that is simply stunning and served as inspiration as I pulled together the rest of the design elements.

With hints of silver and gold woven in the gown, I incorporated a mix of the two metals throughout the table design. A gorgeous velvet linen from La Tavola created the perfect base, and allowed for those hints of silver and gold to stand out. I tried to keep everything else about the table simple yet classic and nothing that would take away from Springvine Design’s amazing hanging greenery and floral garland.

Springvine created a beautiful bouquet and we were lucky to have some Renee Pawlee jewelry plus beautiful rings from Trumpet & Horn to complete the bride’s look. For our groom, we decked him out in a classic black tux with a velvet bowtie from Men’s Wearhouse. The two are quite a dapper pair!

Engaged Asheville’s studio space gave us the perfect overall backdrop for our shoot. The clean white space and windows that let tons of natural light flow in was incredible.

Bohemian Ink created a beautiful invitation suite that was both romantic and whimsical. Jess is an incredibly talented artist in Charlotte and each piece she makes is really a work of art!

I always try to keep a look consistent and Wow Factor Cakes did just that by carrying the mix silver and gold into their cake design. The curves of the top tier were inspired by the gold curves of the chargers on the table. And they even brought in a lace pattern on the bottom layer of the cake that was similar to the pattern on the salad plates.

We Found the Perfect Venue for Your Intimate Wedding

If your idea of the perfect wedding is an intimate locale set against the picturesque Smoky Mountains, then this, loves, is for you. Because whether you plan on hosting a small get-together or plan on tying the knot in a sweet elopement, Majors Estate is THE place to do it. Think a stunning heaven on earth where rustic romance takes center stage. Scroll to start planning that dream day.

Located in the heart of the Smoky Mountains on 200+ breathtaking acres, Majors Estate is a little slice of heaven on earth with some of the most amazing venue spaces you will ever lay your eyes upon. (Truly.) From their fabulous Chapel in the woods to their three-story Tower that overlooks the gorgeous valley below, your Big Day weekend will be the definition of serene and peaceful. Not to mention their talented staff + awesome customizable wedding packages that totally take the stress out of planning, i.e., you can make the day completely yours by creating a package that fits all of your needs and wants. They’ll even help you choose vendors, so there’s not a box left unchecked on your wish list. In other words? Majors Estate is the sort of idyllic locale that was basically made for those intimate nuptials where you can really truly celebrate with your closest friends and family… OR the best place ever to elope. Your choice.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/195681581 600 338]

Contact Majors Estate to start talking all things wedding. Their talented staff will walk with you step by step throughout the entire process to guarantee everything you’ve ever wanted… whether it’s a day that includes 80 guests or it’s just you and your love at your very cutest. And don’t forget to ask about their engagement weekends and photo shoots. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate saying “YES!” with the one you love.

Photography: Earthmuse Photography | Photography: Kevin Adams

Merry Christmas from Style Me Pretty!

As Perry Vaile, the photographer behind this inspiration shoot said, “No matter how it’s celebrated, Christmastime is a reminder to slow down, be grateful, and cling tightly to the ones you love most in this special season.” And quite frankly, we couldn’t agree more. Along with the design + stylings of Emily Claire Events, she captured the sentiment of a Christmas getaway, and there’s more to see right here. From all of us at Style Me Pretty, wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday!

From Perry Vaile… While some celebrate with large gatherings or boisterous parties, there’s another equally special alternative – the Christmas Getaway. Whether it’s a quiet respite from a busy year, or a way to reconnect with someone special, taking the holidays as a private experience can turn a typical holiday into one for the record books.

Pack light, bring your winter clothes, and plan for a weekend snuggled up watching Christmas movies in bed with hot cocoa, going on the hunt for the perfect tree, and then warming up with a fresh pot pie straight out of the oven.

Make an evening out of decorating the tree, and stay up late as the candles melt down, reminiscing about the beauty and challenges that 2016 brought. No matter how it’s celebrated, Christmastime is a reminder to slow down, be grateful, and cling tightly to the ones you love most in this special season.

[dotted]

Specialty Cocktail: The Christmas Getaway

1oz Cranberry Juice (sweetened)
1 wedge lime
Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Cranberries (frozen)
Mint leaves

In a festive, chilled glass, add cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime. Top off the glass with champagne, and a garnish of delicious cranberries and a touch of mint. Cheers!

Photography: Perry Vaile Photography | Styling + Design: Browne & Towers | Venue: Private Home, Asheville, NC

Saying “I Do” With a View Never Looked So Good

Rustic weddings are awesome, but a rustic wedding tucked away in the mountains of North Carolina at Majors Estate? Well, that’s an entirely new level of amazing. Think acres upon acres of breathtaking scenery, five traditional American log cabins and the beautiful Pigeon River providing a gorgeous backdrop for walking + hiking. In other words? Saying “I do” at Majors Estate is a total MUST.

Located between Asheville and Waynesville in North Carolina, Majors Estate is the sort of rustic meets romantic locale perfect for hosting your Big Day… and beyond. From their awe-inspiring ceremony and reception sites (hello, traditional white chapel and fab barn) to their lineup of crazy cool outdoor activities to their talented staff that knows all there is to know about hosting your dream event, Majors Estate will make everything you’ve ever imagined (and more) happen. We can promise you that.

Whether you’re planning an intimate set of “I do’s” for a small group of friends and family or have a much grander affair in mind, Majors Estate will completely pamper you AND wow all of your guests. Contact them now to start planning that dream day, and don’t forget to keep Majors Estate in mind when it comes to those family vacas, corporate retreats and social gatherings, because, well… you’ll want to celebrate there time and time again.

You’ll Be At A Loss for Words with this Elopement Inspiration

Wow. I’m not really sure what else to say here, in all honesty. Because I’m every single cliche feeling right now – breathless, head over heels, swooning. This elopement inspiration shoot by Simply Sarah Photography is all that and more. Styled by Lacy Geary, we have a scene straight out of an epic romance and there’s nothing else I need on this Friday. See it all in our Vault right this way!

From the stylist, Lacy Geary… The mountains of western North Carolina are some of the most captivating landscapes of undulating hills, crevices and peaks as far as the eye can see. For this beautiful elopement I wanted to capture that beauty and focus on nature. A wedding to me is about the union of two people, a bond they create between themselves and God. When Sarah of Simply Sarah Photography approached me about styling a mountain-top elopement for her most recent 1:1 photography workshop I was thrilled.

She chose Max Patch mountain outside of Asheville as our location and I was immediately drawn to create something simple and meaningful. An elopement on the mountain top overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains speaks volumes to a creation we don’t necessarily always understand but are still in awe of. I wanted to create the feeling of awe inspiring love with this couple here. I was inspired by the natural beauty and color palette of the mountains in my design. I wanted to keep a simple style with the picnic as well, a place where they could sit and relax with one another and enjoy this moment without all the “noise” of the everyday and the distractions of a bunch of guests. Our florals for the bouquet and arbor were a soft mix of greens, ivories and foraged elements added in from the area.

From every angle you couldn’t help but have your breath taken away and this was captured perfectly by Sarah.

The Prettiest Harry Potter Inspired Wedding We’ve Ever Seen

I love a good literary inspired wedding but when the book the Bride’s in love with happens to be Harry Potter, I’m absolutely intrigued to see how she infuses that sort of style into an elegant affair. But with the help of OwlMadeCo., this celebration did so quite successfully. From table number “9 3/4” to a book chapter list designed seating chart, the subtle nods are noteworthy but not distracting – aka perfect. Chris Isham captured them all, set among the beauty of Biltmore Estate and it’s these pics that are making my day. See them all in our Vault right here!

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Luxury Venue

Styles

Classic Weddings

From The Biltmore… Janet and Asad were wed on a beautiful day in October. Their ceremony and reception took place at Biltmore’s Lioncrest venue. Janet used the 2015 Pantone color, Marsala, throughout the entire day and the floral decor was perfect for a fall wedding!

From OwlMadeCo… While Janet was not the type of girl who spent her childhood envisioning her dream wedding, she certainly spent it dreaming. She discovered the magical world of books early on and let them carry her to far off places only her imagination could take her. Naturally, when this leading lady found her beau, he shared her love of written word. Janet and Asad exchanged many handwritten love letters throughout their relationship – lasting proof of a love story for the ages.

Shortly after the pair got engaged, Janet moved to South Carolina to pursue her PhD at Clemson University. Again books, exams, and dissertations – not wedding planning – became her highest priorities. Fatefully, she soon met her wedding planner (also a recent SC transplant) and they became fast friends, bonding over wedding details. When asked their vision for their wedding day, Janet and Asad wanted “simple and enjoyable”, with a few subtle hints at one of Janet’s favorite book series. As an avid Harry Potter fan and collector of signed first edition prints, several of their details were literary references. The bride and groom’s table number was “9 ¾”, their rings were photographed on a book open to the chapter “The Unbreakable Vow”, and their seating chart mimicked a book chapter list. They also exchanged vows under one of their favorite book quotes.

For a wedding planner, these were easy requests. All we had to do was garner the best team of vendors to give this couple a day better than even Janet’s vivid imagination could dream up. A fall wedding at the Biltmore Estate certainly called for rich red tones. As the stars had aligned, Marsala was a Pantone color of the year, so we were right on trend. We asked the florist for romantic, lush, organic centerpieces. When selecting a photographer, we knew just the person to make this couple feel comfortable in from of the lens while capturing the beauty of their day. The results – you can see for yourself. Cheers to Janet and Asad, and to a lifetime of putting pen to paper in the name of love!

[dotted]

More Marsala inspiration here!

Engagement Session in the Blue Ridge Mountains

The only thing better than a mountaintop engagement is a mountaintop engagement with Graham Terhune behind the camera. He captured the incredible beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a couple who still managed to perfectly steal the show. Head to The Vault for a gallery that’ll have you dreaming ahead to autumn days.

From The Bride-to-Be…Mac and I met while studying in London, England. Even though we both were attending the University of Florida it took traveling across the pond for our paths to cross. After two months of friendship our relationship grew into an unbreakable bond that continued to grow once back in the States.

Mac proposed on July 10, 2015 in my hometown of Sarasota, FL at sunset on Lido Beach. Immediately after, we both knew that we wanted Asheville, NC to be where we tied the knot. Stumbling upon Graham and Samantha Terhune as our engagement and wedding photographers was such a blessing. We wanted our engagement session to be as natural as possible and the Terhune’s were our perfect match! They understood our vision, which was perfectly captured in our photos. How much Mac and I love each other and the natural beauty the late-fall Blue Ridge Mountains came out better than we could have imagined.

We cannot thank Graham and Samantha enough for braving the 40 degree weather with 20 mph winds to photograph our engagement photos! They are the perfect combination of our style while staying true to our rustic romantic wedding theme and colors.

Destroyed Venue Led to Amazing Autumn Wedding

There’s nothing quite like the building excitement in the days before your wedding. But when this couple’s venue caught fire THREE WEEKS before their special day, fear and panic set in big time. And despite all odds, their friends, family, photographer Perry Vaile, and the amazing folks at Omni Grove Park Inn, made magic happen. They ended up with a wedding you’d never guess was pulled together and The Vault has the the photos that prove sometimes “Plan B” is even better.

From the Bride… Whew – where to start! I am Australian and my (new!) husband Sam is American. We’d been dating for about six years with four of those years spent with each of us in our respectful home countries. Handwritten letters, flights back and forth and countless numbers of hours spent on Skype kept us together. After years of many tears, too many goodbyes and me finishing college, our love story still going strong, we decided it was time to put ourselves in the same location. So, I begun the process of trying to move to the USA. This in itself was no easy task! Many people asked “Why don’t you guys just get married!” But, it just didn’t feel right! We knew we would get married one day, but we didn’t want a Visa to make it happen.

I eventually was offered an employment opportunity, and moved to the US! Eight months later, Sam surprised me on Christmas morning with a ski trip to Vail, Colorado. We left that morning and unbeknownst to me, he still wasn’t done with the surprises! On day two, we went to the top of the mountain so we could check out the views of the village. Sam had all the staff at the top of the mountain on his side. They took us on snow mobiles to a secluded little pergola where they had set up champagne, candles and a camera! When I turned around he was on one knee!

We didn’t want to rush the wedding planning process, we knew it was going to be an incredible feat to have all my family and friends arrange to come to the US for it. We gave ourselves 18 months to do it and I’m glad we did – it gave me time to really think about how I wanted our wedding to be. My best friend designed our invites which I cut and put together myself and then hand calligraphed each guests’ address onto in finetic gold ink. I crafted a lot of tea light candle holders to use as romantic decorations. While it took time, all the personal touches really made it feel like “our day.”

A month to go and everything was essentially set. My family was arriving two weeks prior to the day and we couldn’t be more excited that everything was falling into place! Three weeks before our big day, I woke up and checked my e-mail. There was one from my cake designer which said “Kaoma – I wanted to let you know in case you don’t already, there was a fire at your wedding venue last night. Let me know if I can do anything.” I was thinking “No way – she must have the wrong place!” so I frantically typed it into Google, and there it was, a news story and pictures of our wedding venue that we chose 16 months ago and absolutely adored, up in flames.

Sam is a medic and a fireman and was working a shift at the time, I called him immediately; he’s always good in these situations! He called the fire chief of the local department where our venue was, who told us, he was sorry but that “a team of 100 men couldn’t put that place back together in time for your wedding in three weeks.

We were going to be getting married in the mountains, a hugely popular wedding destination which is why we booked our venue so far in advance. We couldn’t believe what was happening. The thought of calling it off didn’t even cross our minds, our friends and family were FLYING IN just for this! We called everyone we knew in that area or who had friends in that area. Everyone immediately swung into action to find us a new venue!

Along with all of our other vendors, we called our photographer, Perry Vaile, to let her know the situation. She said “I got this!” She called around, including the Grove Park Inn. Thinking it was probably a waste of time because we thought that there would be no way the Grove Park has availability in the fall. Well, the stars all aligned. Erin Pangerl, the event coordinator at the time, informed us they had an opening at the country club for our day and that she wanted to help us in any way she possibly could! We signed the contract two days later and oh my goodness, we were getting married at the Grove Park Inn!

My family arrived and wedding festivities began. It was not only the best day ever, but the best three weeks ever! I don’t think there will ever be a time when both mine and Sam’s family is in the same place at the same time!

Despite rain leading up to and on the day of, it held off for the entire length of our wedding! Perry Vaile captured our day beautifully and we couldn’t be more thankful to our family, friends and amazing vendors who moved mountains to make our big day so incredible!