High South Weddings 2017

High South

Weddings

Say Yes! Tips for Planning Your Mountain Wedding 2017 ISSUE

For North Carolina’s High Country

2017

High South Weddings

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2017

High South Weddings

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High South

H SW Editor

Jessica Isaacs

WEDDINGS

Art Director

Debbie Carter

For North Carolina's High Country,

Northeastern Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia

Welcome To The Blue Ridge Mountains

Publisher

Ken Ketchie

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Contributors

Jessica Isaacs Jessica Kleean Emily Willis

our magazine: High South Weddings is published once a year in the fall by High Country Press Publications of Boone, North Carolina. All content © 2016.

All rights reserved. Reproduction, either in whole or in part, is forbidden without written permission from the publisher.

High Country Press Publications P.O. Box 152, Boone, NC 28607 828-264-2262

HighSouthWeddings.com A complete digital companion to this publication, HighSouthWeddings.com is a helpful resource for following the local industry and planning your own mountain wedding.

A complete online directory of local vendors puts you one click away from their contact information, details about their products and services and direct access to their own websites.

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his breathtaking place that we call home has earned its name, The High South, after decades of providing quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan areas surrounding these peaks and valleys, as well as cool relief from sweltering off-themountain summer heat.

Here in our neck of the woods, every day brings exciting new opportunities to reconnect with mother nature, and every changing season brings a whole new world of beauty and color. It is home to a prestigious university, a thriving business community and, of course, a booming wedding and special events industry that’s growing and changing year after year. If you’re looking for a truly magical spot to tie the knot, you’ve come to the right place, and it comes complete with a vast network of professionals

who are ready and willing to make your dreams happen.

They make great strides to create incredible events that are just the right degree of luxurious, rustic, modern and romantic. They have a lot to show for their hard work, and that’s where we come in with High South Weddings.

All year long, we’re working day in and day out to follow the folks who have made this dream industry a reality in western North Carolina. We’re right here, sharing in their community and following their work. We’re committed to showing you just how fabulous these friends of ours are, and we promise you’ll be impressed by what you see when you flip through these pages. We are proud to call these successful, creative and hardworking people our friends, and we’re ready to do our very best to connect you with them, too.

from the editor

The 2016 season has been a busy one for us here at High Country Press, and we know the same has been true for the local wedding and special events industry. One year ago, we were just breaking into this outstanding community, meeting for the first time a lot of fantastic people who have since become our friends. It’s hard to say just how many folks we’ve come in contact with since we began work on our inaugural edition, but I can honestly say that each one has been a blessing. To those great people, thank you for making us part of your world. To anyone planning a wedding or event in our area, I guarantee that you’re in good hands with this crew. Seasons of change brought me opportunities to team up with, get to know, support and rely on them in so many ways, and I look forward to what the future holds. No doubt about it, 2016 has been an adventure. Now, who’s ready for another awesome season?

Jessica Isaacs

your hi g h south WEDDING PLANNING W

STARTS HERE

hat makes mountain weddings different? The first and most obvious answer is simply, the mountains. Sweeping views of Appalachia can take any wedding over the top, and it’s often the vast and immeasurable wonders abounding here that first draw couples to the High South.

Another appeal, which has been recognized more and more in recent years, is the vast network of professionals in the area’s wedding and special events industry.

Thanks to the work of the High South Event Professionals organization, these local pros have built a reputation even off the mountain for their strong sense of community, as well as for the incredible events their partnerships produce.

As the largest group of its kind in the area, HSEP has made great strides to promote the region as a premier special events destination in the Southeast. Over the past year, it has successfully executed a total branding overhaul, joined with and absorbed a similar network in

a nearby area and expanded its board of directors to strengthen its role in the industry.

“The organization continues to grow with a lot of good effort from businesses who are involved in the community and who have also contributed their efforts with the board to keep our organization thriving,” said Elizabeth Hempfling, owner of Events by Elizabeth Ashley and downtown Boone’s Wedding Resource Center, also president of the HSEP.

ON THE COVER Sam Stroud Photography Our cover shot for 2017 is a stunning look at Valerie and Josh's wedding day at Overlook Barn on Beech Mountain.

Photographer Sam Stroud captured this shot, which represents everything we love about weddings in the High South — towering mountains, natural beauty and sweet, happy love. Valerie and Josh's perfect day was coordinated by the team at The Whole Shebang weddings and events.

Visit the photographer at: www.samstroudphoto.com

Ready to start planning? Consult the HSEP online vendor directory to learn more about its membership and the services and products they provide.

TAG LINE

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S O U TH EVENT PROFESSIONALS

Elevating Expectations

High South Wedding Expo 2017

COLOR PALETTE

The 2017 High South Wedding Expo will be held under the main event tent in conjunction with the SAVOR Blowing Rock wine and food festival in April.

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SUB MARKS/BRAND ELEMENTS

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he association has also recently launched partnerships with local chambers of commerce in order to better unify business communities with the special events world. Fruits of this labor include plans for the 2017 High South Wedding Expo, which will take place at a later date and in a new location compared to years past.

This year’s expo will happen on Sunday, April 23, 2017 in conjunction with the S OBlowing U TH SAVOR Rock wine and food festival, providing ample space under the event’s main tent for a large number of participating vendors and a convenient locale for both local brides and those traveling to plan destination weddings.

Elevating Expectations “We are joining up with the Town of Blowing Rock and their chamber, which has had some great recognition and done a lot for our community,” Hempfling said. “They have offered us the option to take advantage of using the tent on Sunday, which is not only a large S draw for tourists but gives a great advantage to those who are shopping in the area for wedding vendors.”

Stay tuned for more information on the expo by checking www.HighSouthEvents. com and our own local news outlet, www.HCPress.com.

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E V E N T P RO F E S S I O N A L S

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contents

Dance With Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... 6

Venues. ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

She Said Yes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... 12

Accommodations.............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Inspired by the graceful elegance and simple romance of ballet, the story of a princess awaiting her prince charming comes to life in this styled collaboration, which takes place during the magic of winter in the High Country and a frozen scene along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Every precious wedding story begins with a ring and a simple question. Get to know some local couples and find out how and where their adventures began.

Planning Your Perfect Day.. . . . . . ..... 15

Recently engaged and not sure where to start? Planning a wedding is a lot of work, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. We’ve created a step-by-step check list that will help you stay on track and super organized as you move toward the big day.

Songs of Old Appalachia.. . . . . . . . . . .... 20

We’re going back to the basics with sweet, simple, down-to-earth wedding style. The rustic natural wonder of Leatherwood Mountains Resort plays host to this styled shoot inspired by the musical legacy of Appalachia and the area’s rich history.

Consultants... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... 28

No one knows High Country weddings like these awesome folks, and they’re ready to make your dreams come true. Don’t let stress overwhelm you!

High Fashion in the High Country....

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You don’t have to leave the mountains to find the designer gown you’ve been draeming of all your life. Get to know a few of the designs that are available here in the High South and learn about what makes them unique.

A Southern Tradition.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....

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The way you look and feel in your wedding dress is a memory you’ll want to preserve for generations to come, and high quality bridal portraits are a great way to do just that. Find out what one local photographer has to say about this tradition and why she always encourages her brides to invest in it.

Photography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... 42

A large number of photographers in the area specialize in capturing wedding day events, engagements and portraits, each one bringing their own special style and flare to the process. Read about some of the most common approaches to wedding day photography and find a photographer that’s right for you.

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Can you imagine a more beautiful place to tie the knot than the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains? We can’t either. A booming wedding industry has fostered an increase in new venues popping up across the region, which means you have more options than ever when it comes to finding the perfect place to say “I do.”

Take care of your loved ones by recommending the best place for them to stay while they’re here to celebrate you. Learn about hotel room block reservations and how to communicate important logistics information with your out-of-town guests.

What's Trending?............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Here is a quick look at some of the trends that we’ve seen pop up or grow during the 2016 wedding season, as well as ideas for following what’s really hot in the wedding world right now — personalized events with custom details galore.

A Love Story for the Ages.. . . . . . . . . . . . 82

In honor of the Green Park Inn’s recent 125th anniversary, its Victorian charm served as inspiration for this styled shoot, which shows everything we love about the “first look” wedding day tradition.

Food & Beverage.............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Whatever your plans for the big day, the food you serve your guests will be an important part of the experience for everyone. Catering expenses will also eat up a large portion of your overall budget, so be sure to do your homework and find the vendors that can carry out just what you’re looking for at your reception.

Finishing Touches............ . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Top off your wedding day plans with beauty elements that will have you feeling confident and floating on Cloud Nine. Use choices in floral design and paper products to pull your overarching style goals together.

Bohemian Romance............ . . . . . . . . . . 108

Go boho! Draw inspiration from a scene set high atop Beech Mountain at one of the area’s most popular new venues, Overlook Barn.

The Essentials. ................. . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Get help making the important decisions that will set the framework for your wedding events. These logistical decisions will play a significant role in the overall success of your day, so take time to review your options.

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ake a sneak peek into what our local vendors can do by seeing their work in action. Our 12 “real wedding� stories not only introduce you to the couples who exchanged their vows in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but will showcase some of the dreams and visions that local photographers, wedding planners, stylists, caterers and other vendors brought to life during the 2016 wedding season.

Sluder. ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Overlook Barn, Tracy Brewer Photography

Huffstetler. .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 White Fence Farm, Nicole Huffman Photography

Hansen........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Garner. .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Overlook Barn, Revival Photography

Private Residence, Joy Davis Photography

50 Beck. ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Shockley. ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Boone United Methodist Church, Burton Photography The Inn at Glen Alpine, Michelle Hrin Photography

Mahon. .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Twickenham House, Pixels on Paper Photography

Chiklakis......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Westglow Resort and Spa, Wayfaring Wanderer

Thompson....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 On the Windfall, Salty Spruce Studios

Brewer............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Brayshaw Farm, Ellen Gwin Photographer

Tumminello...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 River Run Farm, Matt Powell Productions

Cioffi. ............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Private Residence, Andi Peters

2017

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Dance

with me Burton Photography

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edding professionals are not just experts in their field — they’re artists, shaping, redefining and bringing together the elements found in the world around them to create something new, evocative and inspiring. They’re not just photographers, florists, cake makers, seamstresses and event planners. They’re storytellers, creators, dream weavers.

That’s especially true for vendors in the High South, where a close-knit community of professionals translates into a powerful coming together of great ideas. Big things happen when these creative folks put their heads together, and this styled shoot is no exception.

“This is the best time for creative collaboration. As much as I love designing for brides, I am still contained to their color palette or theme. A styled shoot allows me to try new shapes or design techniques,” said Fuschia Moss, a floral designer with a keen eye for bringing fairytales to life through expert styling. “It’s a very controlled environment, so I can adjust a stem or twist a ribbon in a direction at any given moment, or pause to wait while a cloud passes.

Mostly, I just love the experience. It’s bringing together artists of a different kind to create a scene or a story.”

Jonathan and Bonnie Burton, the husband-and-wife team behind Burton Photography, brought their impeccable techniques in fine art portraiture to the table for this project, which was inspired by the crisp, quiet beauty of winter in the High Country, the elegance and grace of ballet and every bride’s dream of finding her own Prince Charming.

“We have such talented professionals in the High Country, and we always love the opportunity to rub elbows with them. Working events together doesn’t necessarily man that we have time to discuss ideas and get to know each other as artists,” Bonnie said. “A styled shoot is the perfect chance to combine ideas and talents to create something really unique.”

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Village Jewelers

Cue the drama! Fuschia’s lush, draping bouquet features some of her favorite flowers: Anemone, Hellebore, “Darcey” Garden Rose, Japanese Ranunculus, Pieris Japonica, Majolica Spray Rose and “Combo” Rose.

A strapless, pink ruffled fit and flare gown from designer Maggie Sottero is a perfect fit for our ballet inspiration, complete with soft sequins, a flowing tulle skirt, corset back closure and satin ribbon belt with circular Swarovski crystal detail.

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A Bushel and a Peck’s vintage ladder, Chippy Little Side Table, Olive Tufted Side Chair and assorted small details set the stage for this sweeping scene, set in the ballroom of the Blowing Rock Country Club.

Ugga Mugga Bakery’s two-tiered lemon blueberry cake features a handwritten message and is adorned with lavish golden roses. Its stucco texture aims to mimic the French Provincial cracked and worn walls characteristic of old opera houses. A close-up shot highlights Fuschia’s oversized greenery hoop, which incorporates Eucalyptus, Myrtle and Bay Laurel and local Rhododendron.

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VENDORS Burton Photography / PG 43 | Fuschia Moss / PG 102 Events by Elizabeth Ashley / PG 29 Did Someone Say Party? / PG 103 A Bushel & a Peck Vintage Rentals / PG 118 Ugga Mugga Bakery / PG 89 | Canvas Beauty Bar / PG 104 Village Jewelers / PG 101 Blowing Rock Antique Center

Models Courtney Greene Skylar Moss Charlotte Williams Isabella Cutillo Garrison Lawrence

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“Incorporating ballerinas into the shoot added just the right touch of romance and grace. We love the powerful storytelling of the image of the ballerinas on the bench waiting for their chance to dance, not just on that magical wedding day but anticipating their own beautiful wedding day in the future.

We also love the ballerina with the bouquet by the window. The lighting, pose, flowers, and innocent beauty of the subject combined to created an image that is just exquisite.” – Bonnie Burton

The pros at Canvas Beauty Bar gave our bride the perfect graceful chignon, as well as a flawless example of wedding day makeup and sweet milkmaid braids for our ballerina maids.

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The crimson upholstery and stained wood frame of A Bushel and a Peck’s Detailed and Dainty Settee contrasts the dramatic bouquet in this scene, captured on the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby a frozen Bass Lake. The bride’s gold embellished Mignon formal dress from Did Someone Say Party? is paired with a vintage fur from Blowing Rock Antiques Center and gold diamond estate pieces from Village Jewelers.

“The inspiration came with our collaboration of ideas. A princess bride hidden in her castle, deep in the winter woods, waiting for her prince. A snowy scene of ballerina sisters, or maids, accompany her. The stately fireplace mantle covered in greenery that would have been foraged from the surrounding forest, with glowing pillar candles. A dramatically draping bouquet giving an old-world feel.” – Fuschia Moss

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In The BeginningL

She Said Yes!

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ong before they tie the knot, before the dress is altered and the flowers are ordered, before the venue is booked and the invitations are sent, every couple’s journey to “I do” begins with the sweet, simple goodness of an engagement story. Whether it’s an elaborate surprise or a quiet moment stolen away from the rest of the world, those precious seconds between the “Will you marry me?” and the happy tears mark one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life together. Many choose to mark the momentous occasion by hiring a professional photographer, and boy, do these Blue Ridge Mountains make for some perfect engagement sessions!

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“I love the relaxed nature of engagement sessions that allows me to get to know the couple a little better, as well as help them get comfortable with being photographed,” said local photographer Jean Morée. “I also really love that many of my brides choose to get a photo guest book album that features their engagement sessions to have on their wedding day. It’s very popular with guests and is a great way to showcase their images.”

Engagement photography gives couples a chance to get to know their photographer before booking them for the big day, and it also guarantees keepsake images to mark the first experiences of their treasured journey.

“It’s the beginning of their story as they begin their marriage and start their own families. My own children enjoy seeing photos of their parents as a couple before

they were born, as we tell our life story,” Morée said.

“These images will later bring fond memories to life.

Can you tell I think it’s important to record the story of your life in photographs?”

Kristen Suggs Griffin, who hired Joy Davis Photography to capture her engagement to fiancée Patrick, agreed that these photos contain priceless memories.

“It is a great way to commemorate that special time where you have made such a huge decision and will celebrate the rest of your life,” she said. “It’s your chance to live in that high of being in love and planning your future with the love of your life. These photos let you capture emotion and that feeling of finding a love like that for the first time, and that is impossible to replicate or re-live any other time.”

abby & brock Jean Morée Photography

Krista and Jacob’s steadfast commitment to one another has endured experiences that only true love can withstand. “Less than two weeks after we started dating, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He chose to continue our relationship and successfully saw me through treatment,” said Krista. “I’m doing well today, physically and emotionally, in large part due to his unwavering love and support.” Jacob surprised Krista with a proposal in front of friends and family, complete with a string quartet on hand, and they were married in July 2016 at their church, First Presbyterian in Boone. Their collection of wedding photography, which began with their engagement session, is a reflection of the journey through life they continue to share. “It is difficult for me to limit myself to one thing that I love most about my wife. She is smart, funny, beautiful, loving, a good cook (pun intended) and the most amazing person imaginable,” Jacob said.

“I will say, though, that waking up next to her in the morning means the world to me, and her laugh never fails to lift my spirits.”

Some couples choose to hire a photographer to capture the joy of the proposal itself, as seen with Brock Hudgens, who popped the question at the stunning, Banner Elk Winery on a surprise trip with girlfriend Abby Prestwood. “We met during college at UNC Charlotte and we lived in the same apartment building. He stole my car magnet of my Boxer bulldog and left a ‘ransom note’ under my door, saying that I had to call or text him if I wanted my magnet back,” said Abby. Following a blissful relationship, Brock took Abby on a wine tasting trip in late October 2015 and asked her to dance as the sun set on the High Country, painting them both in the warmest of glows. All the while, photographer Jean Morée was on standby, ready to capture the surprise. “I wanted it to be the perfect proposal,” Brock said, “and I wanted us to have pictures to look back on for the rest of our lives.” Abby and Brock were engaged between their birthdays on the only weekend of the year that the two are the same age, and they were married the following year on the same weekend in Weaverville, North Carolina.

krista & jacob Jean Morée Photography

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Maureen and Taylor met in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they became fast friends over many nights of trivia and watching soccer with friends. They placed bets against each other in an arcade game one night, promising that the loser would owe the winner a dinner on the town. Maureen lost the bet, but she won a night out with her new best friend and the man that would become her forever dinner date. They were engaged in September 2015 while vacationing in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, where they climbed Blackcomb Mountain for a gondola ride and Taylor asked Maureen to adventure with him for the rest of their lives. For their engagement photos, they enlisted their friend Ellen Gwin, a talented photographer in the High Country, where Maureen lived for seven years. The images captured the magic of fall in the North Carolina mountains on the site of Camp Sky Ranch in Blowing Rock.

They were later married on the groom’s family land in Union Grove, North Carolina.

MAUREEN & TAYLOR

KRISTEN & PATRICK Joy Davis Photography

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Ellen Gwin Photographer

This love story is certainly one for the books! Kristen and Patrick met in an English class during their freshman year as students at Appalachian State University, neither knowing that two years later they would be dedicating their lives to one another. After connecting in the mountains of the High Country, they adventured together to Boston, where they fell in love while spending time at the Bunker Hill Monument. “We were laying in the grass, whispering sweet nothings, and that’s when I realized, ‘This is it,’” Kristen said happily, “This is the love I’ve been waiting on.” One year later, Patrick got down on one knee in that same spot and asked Kristen to be his wife.

Soon after, they laughed and cuddled their way through a cold November day in Boone for beautiful outdoor engagement photos along the Blue Ridge Parkway. They were married in June 2016 at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock and have been living their own “happily ever after” ever since.

planning your perfect day 12 Months Before:

❍❍ Determine your budget and who’s paying for what. ❍❍ Start a wedding planning binder to keep up with inspiration, information and important documents. ❍❍ If you’re hiring a consultant, find the right one and let them help you get started. ❍❍ Choose a date and time. ❍❍ Choose and book a venue for the ceremony and reception. ❍❍ Choose and book an officiant. ❍❍ Start working on your guest list. ❍❍ Choose your wedding party and invite them to help you plan.

10 Months Before:

❍❍ Start shopping for your bridal gown. ❍❍ Research vendors. ❍❍ Attend a local bridal show or expo and jot down ideas as you’re inspired.

8 Months Before:

❍❍ Order your gown and accessories. ❍❍ Choose and book a photographer and videographer. ❍❍ Choose and book a band or DJ for the reception. ❍❍ Hire a caterer and plan the meals. ❍❍ Hire a florist and plan your décor. ❍❍ Hire musicians and plan the ceremony with your officiant. ❍❍ Create a wedding website to share details with friends and family. ❍❍ Hire a stationer if you want custom invitations and save-the-dates. ❍❍ Register for gifts at your favorite department stores. ❍❍ Block hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.

6 Months Before:

❍❍ Order your bridesmaids’ dresses. ❍❍ Book your honeymoon and update travel documents (passports, visas, etc.). ❍❍ Send save-the-dates. ❍❍ Order invitations. ❍❍ Shop for wedding bands. ❍❍ Secure transportation for guests if you’re providing it. ❍❍ Purchase wedding favors.

4 Months Before:

❍❍ Order your cake. ❍❍ Plan your rehearsal dinner. ❍❍ Choose attire for the groom and groomsmen. ❍❍ Hire wedding-day transportation.

2 Months Before:

❍❍ Book your stylist and try on styles you for your big day. ❍❍ Book your makeup artist and try out looks you like. ❍❍ Finalize the ceremony with your officiant. ❍❍ Write your vows. ❍❍ Mail your invitations. ❍❍ Update your registry. ❍❍ Celebrate with a bridal shower.

Just Married

1 Month Before:

❍❍ Apply for a marriage license. ❍❍ Print programs, menus, etc. ❍❍ Have your final dress fitting and make sure your maid of honor knows how to bustle your gown. ❍❍ Have a final fitting for your bridesmaids’ dresses. ❍❍ Celebrate with bachelor and bachelorette parties.

2 Weeks Before:

❍❍ Pick up your marriage license. ❍❍ Update your registry. ❍❍ Review your RSVPs. ❍❍ Submit a shot list to your photographer. ❍❍ Submit a playlist to your band or DJ. ❍❍ Get your last pre-wedding haircut and color.

1 Week Before:

❍❍ Submit a final head count to your venue and caterer. ❍❍ Finalize your seating chart if you have one.

1 Day Before:

❍❍ Do last minute primping (manicure, pedicure, spa treatment, etc.) ❍❍ Enjoy the rehearsal dinner. ❍❍ Give gifts to the bridal party and parents. ❍❍ Assign a family member to be the photographer’s contact so he or she will know who’s who.

Wedding Day:

❍❍ Give rings to the best man and maid of honor. ❍❍ Enjoy quality time with your wedding party as you get ready for the day. ❍❍ Get married and celebrate! ❍❍ After the big day: ❍❍ Arrange for someone to return any rentals. ❍❍ Write and send thank-you notes to guests and vendors.

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Amber & Ethan

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his love story, 19 years in the making, began to blossom when the bride and groom met in grade school. Amber and Ethan met when they were both 5 years old, and they’ve spent nearly their entire lives together. In fact, she first confessed her love in her fourth grade diary, in which she wrote her plans to marry Ethan one day.

The two reconnected after college, and finally gave in to the feelings they’d been hanging onto all along.

“I then knew that it was no longer just a crush,” Amber said. “I was in love with my best friend of 19 years. I had always known it was him, but I never 16

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trusted the Lord enough to listen to what he was telling me my whole life.”

The couple’s relationship has remained rooted not only in their love for each other, but their faith in Christ, and their deep-seated trust in God’s plan for them has shaped their future together.

In October 2015, the two traveled together to Quiet Reflections Retreat chapel in Burnsville, North Carolina, which she assumed was for a photography session with a family friend.

“I put my hand in Ethan’s and told him that it was missing something,” Amber laughingly recalls about

the trip. “He just smiled at me and said, ‘Babe, if I had a ring, I would give it to you.’”

At the chapel, after he stole away for a quiet moment of prayer, Ethan joined the love of his life as she posed for a photo. He dropped to one knee, asked her to marry him and was met with an overjoyed “Yes!” This homegrown love story was born and bred in the High Country, and it was only fitting that the happiest day of their lives took place high atop Beech Mountain. Organized by friends and family, the wedding day was rooted in beautiful love and prayer above all else.

Amber Singleton & Ethan Sluder september 9, 2016 | OVERLOOK BARN | tracy brewer photography

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FEATURED VENDORS Venue: Overlook Barn Photography: Tracy Brewer Photography Officiant: The Rev. Wesley Duncan Videography: Eyez-N-The Skyz Flowers: Mountain Visions Florist Catering: Mo's BBQ 18

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“We met when we were 5 years old in elementary school. We became really close through the years and my crush grew even more. After graduating high school, we went our separate ways and we began to lose touch with one another. After four years had passed, we rekindled our friendship, and it felt as if we were always meant to be together.”

– Amber Singleton Sluder

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Leatherwood Mountains Resort 20

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songs of old

appalachia Burton Photography

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hese mountains hold a deep, abiding history; a rich blend of culture and character so unique to the High Country that you can almost feel it lingering in the air. You can see it taking shape when the fog settles in among the valleys. You can feel it in your heart when the breeze blows by you in the mornings.

It’s a culture of music, tradition and craft; of family, neighborly kindness and southern hospitality; of solitude and natural wonder in a world all its own.

In a day and age of lavish, over-the-top ceremonies and receptions, our community’s rich and storied heritage inspired us to imagine what weddings would be like if we stripped away the drama and the showmanship, leaving be what matters most: family, friendship, love.

Beneath the layered elements of any wedding, no matter how extravagant, lies the same core idea: the surrounding of two people, who have joined together for life’s adventures, by those who love them, support them and celebrate them.

An array of top local vendors came together to explore this idea with us, and something truly beautiful happened.

The picture of our family-centered, back-to-the-basics mountain wedding came to life as the colors of summer in the High Country were woven together with the traditions of old-time string music, timehonored local recipes, bright sunny blooms and the natural beauty of Leatherwood Mountains Resort.

Tbe dream team of professionals behind this styled shoot have proven that modern brides don’t have to sacrifice quality or expertly designed details to achieve the peaceful simplicity for which old Appalachia is known.

VENDORS Burton Photography / PG 43 | Events by Elizabeth Ashley / PG 29 The Whole Shebang / PG 29 | Fuschia Moss Floral Design / PG 102 A Bushel & A Peck Vintage Rentals / PG 118 | Miss Match Rentals / PG 125 Amber Moretz, Serendipity Hair Studio and Bare Minerals The Pink Hanger (Charlotte) | Lucky Penny Boutique Handlebar Betty | Reid’s Catering / PG 89 | Eat Crow / PG 93 Appalachian Mountain Brewery | Mike Wiseniewski 2017

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Fuschia Moss Floral Design created the eucalyptus wreath that hangs with floating candles from an ancient cedar tree behind Leatherwood’s original 1840s cabin, as well as the floral centerpiece that tops off our dinner scene. A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals paired a reclaimed barn wood farm table with mismatched vintage chairs to host a menu inspired by classic Southern favorites.

On the table, a plated meal from Reid’s Catering includes pan fried Poulet Rouge from Against the Grain Farm, salt roasted baby beets and white acre peas with salted ATG sorghum. Paired with it are scratch-made peach pie from Eat

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Crow and local drinks to top it all off: Appalachian Mountain Brewery’s flagship Black Gold Porter and Leatherwood’s signature Cowboy Lemonade, made with lemonade, limeade, vodka, soda and cayenne peppers.

This set of authentic Blue Ridge dishware, which was made by hand in the early 1900s in eastern Tennessee, now part of the Miss Match Rentals collection, brings an added layer of authenticity to the shoot’s inspiration with simple, handpainted floral designs.

Models: Alison Azbell and Trevor Whitson | Band: Handlebar Betty

With upright bass, banjo, Dobro and guitar in tow, local roots band Handlebar Betty brings our old-time music inspiration to life on Leatherwood’s Cabin Stage.

Amber Moretz of Serendipity Hair Studio in Boone created this loose, side swept braid for our model, Alison, as well as her simple, romantic look created using the studio’s collection of Bare Minerals cosmetics.

Alison wears the silk, off-the-shoulder “Delilah” maxi dress with tiered ruffled

neckline by designer Amanda Uprichard from The Pink Hanger boutique in Charlotte. Earrings from Lucky Penny boutique in downtown Boone complement the look, along with a bouquet bursting with summer color by Fuschia Moss Floral Design.

Coral Charm Peony, Red Charm Peony, Rosemary, Chamomile, Honeysuckle vine, Bay Laurel, Larkspur, Dahlia, Foxglove, Cosmos, Icelandic Poppy, Yarrow, Cornflower and Solomon’s Seal star in Fuschia’s cheerful designs.

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Also a skilled singer/songwriter, local wedding planner Meris Gantt of The Whole Shebang leads Handlebar Betty and takes a turn on the other side of the camera.

Vibrant blooms, fresh local blueberries, vintage table linens and other heirlooms make for a happy, welcoming seat at the table. Little wedding guests splashing in the nearby creek remind us that the small things in life are often what matter most.

Our Appalachian music inspiration shines through as Alison sits for a spell on an ornate honey settee from A Bushel and a Peck, which has been paired with a vintage radio, guitar and quilt to bring a colorful, eclectic feel to the shoot.

Alison wears Lucky Penny’s simple, short-sleeved cotton dress with lace detail and gold metallic ankle boots.

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“As wedding festivities are coming to a close, we sometimes have the opportunity to create images full of tenderness and love as the newly married couple savors each sweet, romantic moment of their wedding day and looks ahead to their future together. It could be a last dance, the moment before they run through the sparklers or just a quiet time stolen away from the guests.�

Bonnie Burton of Burton Photography

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Haylie & Zach T

he sweetest of sparks began to fly at Appalachian State’s Hoey Hall one Halloween night between Haylie Wilson and Zach Huffstetler as they passed out candy together to local trick-or-treaters. The two were inseparable from that day on.

Eventually, after a romantic, snowy evening in downtown Boone and a chilly trip to the parkway to watch the stars, Zach surprised Haylie with a very important question.

“He assured me we would get married by telling me he had a game plan and handing me our special book, in which we often write back and forth to each other. He had me read aloud the reasons he wanted to marry me,” Haylie said. “He wrote ‘On the next page is my plan for us. Remember, it is a work in progress.’

As I flipped the page, I saw the words, ‘I need to ask you the most important question of my life,’ and I turned to my right to find the love of my life on one knee with the most beautiful ring in his hands. Obviously, I said yes!”

They made their union official in a sweet, romantic and family-oriented affair at White Fence Farm just across the state line in Trade, Tennessee. Despite the tornado that ripped through the High Country the day before, their perfect day went off without a hitch.

“White Fence Farm is so beautiful. It feels like magic and they have EVERYTHING! We stayed there the majority of the week just to enjoy the farm,” Haylie explained. “My family stayed in the farm house on site that is furnished and decorated in the most adorable and comfortable way. Many of our guests brought campers or stayed in the campers on site days before the wedding.”

Haylie donned a recreated 1950s vintage gown she discovered at a consignment shop in Madison, North Carolina, which was one of many elements that will forever remind her of their sweet wedding day.

The bride and groom enjoyed great experiences with all of the local vendors they hired, especially with photographer Nicole Huffman.

“She captured my day in the exact way I wanted it to be captured, and I think this is due to her ability to pick up on what YOU want. You can even see in her photos that other weddings were captured in a different way than mine,” said Haylie. “She was by my side the entire day, comforting, helping, capturing … and it felt like I had known her forever (and I promise, we only met in March).

Our wedding day flew by, and, when I saw her photos, I remembered each of those pauses that I took to breathe and take it all in, and I cried.”

"The mountains are so beautiful; it feels like you are in another world.”

– Haylie Wilson Huffstetler

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haYlie wilson & zach huffstetler July 9, 2016 | white fence farm | nicole huffmAn photography

FEATURED VENDORS

Venue: White Fence Farm Photography: Nicole Huffman Photography Flowers: The Pearl and The Petal Officiant: The Rev. Mark Muckler Barefoot Sandals: Catherine Cole Studios Catering: Woodland’s Barbeque Cake: Indulge Bakery

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B

wedding consultants The Superheroes Behind The Scenes

ehind some of the High Country’s most successful soirées are hardworking planners and consultants, who are always in the business of making dreams come true.

Happy clients and beautiful, worry-free weddings and events are the name of the game for these local rock stars, who bring knowledge and experience to the table, as well as strong connections to experts in all facets of the industry.

Many of the featured weddings you’ll find in this publication have been masterfully coordinated by one of burton photography

two local consultants: Elizabeth Hempfling, owner and lead planner at Events by Elizabeth Ashley and owner of downtown Boone’s Wedding Resource Center; and Meris Gantt, owner and principal planner at The Whole Shebang.

“My job is everything. It’s my life when it comes to dedication to my clients and taking care of their events to make sure they don’t have to stress about certain things,” said Hempfling. “There’s no such thing as nine-to-five in what we do, because our ultimate goal is to make sure that people are happy."

Hempfling and Gantt also serve as president and vice president, respectively, of the High South Event Professionals, a growing network of western North Carolina wedding and event vendors who are committed to promoting and serving the local industry.

"Of course, there are big 'payoffs' like watching the bride and groom see each other for the first time, or sitting in the background looking at all of the guests dancing at the end of the night and knowing we helped create a memorable day in two peoples' lives; but, honestly, I love all of the back-end logistics that go into planning the perfect day," said Gantt. "Matching the couples up with the perfect team of vendors and collaborating on details

The Whole Shebang ... Meris Gantt

Where Southern charm meets rustic elegance. The Whole Shebang continually strives to help you create a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable wedding in the High Country Mountains of North Carolina. We absolutely love what we do and there is a real joy in the process of creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere that allows you to create her own unique vision of your perfect wedding day. A wedding is a chance for you to share your love story with your friends and family. There's nothing more special than making your wedding day uniquely your own. Our job is to help pull together every aspect of your vision. Let us focus on the details so you can focus on enjoying the moment!  828-719-9171. www.highcountryweddingplanner.com.

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is really the most exciting part for me.

"A wedding planner can help you look at your relationship from an outside-in perspective. We may notice things that you take for granted and help you figure out how to incorporate those different elements into your wedding day. We can also help you wade through the sea of advice from your friends and family and figure out what works best for you."

So, is hiring a wedding planner worth the investment? Let’s ask some of their recent clients.

wedding resource center ...

Elizabeth Hempfling

revival photography

Operated by Elizabeth Hempfling of Events by Elizabeth Ashley, the Wedding Resource Center is your one-stop-shop for planning a dream wedding. Elizabeth and her team of professionals showcase a gallery of unique vendors and services from and throughout the High South, as well as the knowledge and experience necessary to bring your vision to life. Schedule an appointment to start planning with the experts or stop by to browse the gallery for inspiration.  828-386-1444. www.weddingresourcenc.com. Ad on opposite page

TestimoNials

“Our experience with all our vendors was incredibly smooth and professional thanks to the coordination and wedding planning experience of Elizabeth Hempfling. We needed her help to guide us through the planning process and she did that for almost every aspect of our wedding weekend. She even worked with Sol Fusion Band, our reception band, from Charlotte and took over the details of their set-up and performance. Most importantly, Keith and I, along with longtime friends and family, were able to enjoy a stress-free wedding celebration where we could truly focus on each other. Hiring Elizabeth was the best investment we made. She was our rock, communicator and go-to when problems popped up. She helped us shop prices, gave us choices and advice when we asked. Even though we are local, we had no idea how much help we needed in the vendor selection process.”

Breanna Brown & Keith Shockley | Married Oct. 24, 2015 Boone United Methodist Church, Blowing Rock Country Club, See Wedding on Page 50 “Elizabeth is well connected, knows everyone and everything in the industry and is great at just keeping the bride and groom on track, even if you have to do it all via email or phone, as we did. There are not enough positive things to say about Elizabeth and her ability to give you the wedding you always dreamed of having. Her personal connection is sincere and shows in her work. Her sense of style, her attention to detail and her awareness of the big picture make her excellent at her job. For example, three-and-a-half hours before the wedding, we decided to move everything from the two tents we had set up (nor’easter and 55 mph winds) to my parents’ house, and she did not miss a beat or panic.”

Beka Larson & Dean Topodas | Married Nov. 1, 2014 | Blue Ridge Mountain Club “We used Meris from The Whole Shebang as a month-of wedding coordinator and felt that she did a wonderful job making the night go smooth. She was great at troubleshooting and anticipating any problems or breakdowns and putting mechanisms in place to stop them from happening. She had a great sense of humor and made us feel at ease throughout the weeks and days leading up to our big day. We would recommend her to anyone. If you’re planning a wedding at a nontraditional venue, she is the person you MUST have on your team.”

Kata Dungan & Chris Cioffi | Married June 11, 2016 | Private Residence, See Wedding on Page 132 “We are still so in awe of the wedding Meris put together for us last month. Hiring her was probably the best decision we made during the planning process and whatever success our wedding can be considered single-handedly falls on her and her team’s shoulders. She built a detailed wedding weekend schedule that we distributed to family and friends and she called all vendors the week before. I didn’t deal with a single logistical item the day of our wedding, which was worth her rate right there. They decorated the entire venue, they set up the tables, centerpieces and place cards, coordinated delivery of all materials and vendors, helped guests find their seats, paid all remaining vendors for us, kept us comfortably on schedule throughout the day, cleaned up after the reception and so many other things. Her positive attitude and laid back demeanor are such a breath of fresh air. She set the tone for our entire wedding weekend and we are eternally grateful to her.”

Molly McKinney & R.C. Walker | Married Oct. 1, 2016 | Overlook Barn 2017

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Amy & Troy

T

he wedding day of Carolina girl Amy Dixon and Australia native Troy Hansen was, much like their life together will be, a perfect marriage of the elements that make them who they are and the things that tell their story.

They tied the knot at more than 5,500 feet above sea level at Overlook Barn, an increasingly popular recent addition to the High Country wedding scene, in its newly opened Cliffside Barn.

Jason and Heather Barr, the husband-and-wife team behind Revival Photography, became fast friends with the couple and enjoyed being part of their sweet soirée.

“We loved getting to know Troy and Amy! It started with the engagement session, which was an adventure and so much fun. We got to hang out with 30

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them before the wedding day and hear the story of how they met, and so, by the wedding, it felt like we were celebrating with old friends,” Heather said.

“We loved photographing their chemistry and their love for each other and for their family and friends.”

Among the details that were incorporated into the festivities were the couple’s affinity for fine dining and culinary arts, their international travels and Troy’s passion for restoring vintage cars.

“It was a taste of North Carolina mixed with Troy’s Australian culture. The mood and feel of the day and the atmosphere captured their personality as a couple and all of the things they love the most,” Heather said. “The day was easygoing, heartwarming and real, filled with celebration, good cheer and good music.”

Amy Dixon & Troy Hansen august 14, 2016 | overlook barn | revival photography

FEATURED VENDORS Venue: Overlook Barn Photography: Revival Photography Coordination: Events by Elizabeth Ashley Hair and Makeup: Canvas Beauty Bar Flowers: Fuschia Moss Floral Design Catering: Reid’s Catering Furniture: A Bushel and a Peck Place Settings: Miss Match Rentals 2017

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high fashion

in the

high country

Photos by Matt Powell

P

lanning the day of your dreams? There’s nothing you can’t find here in the High South, including high-end designer bridal gowns and knowledgeable consultants to walk you through the shopping process.

For more than two decades now, downtown Boone has been home to one of the best formalwear shopping experiences in the Carolinas — a family-owned and operated shop called Did Someone Say Party?

The shop boasts two decades of positive working relationships with some of the industry’s most coveted designers, which translates into reliable, personal and special access to some of the most sought-after gowns.

“We work with designers that are exclusive to us that they can’t get online or at 100 different places. We’ve worked with our designers for more than 20 years and they protect our rights to the lines,” said Donna Cook, who opened the store in 1989. “We respect them and represent them as designers. My designers take care of me, too. We’ve got their lines in here for people to try on. A girl needs to put the dress on and know that she feels beautiful in it. When you buy something online, you don’t know what you’re getting.”

Maggie Sottero, Casablanca Bridal, Justin Alexander, Venus Bridals and, new this year, Lillian West, are among the top designers you’ll find when you shop at Did Someone Say Party?

Cook and her team of consultants are always on hand to help brides find the right style, fit and shape for their body types, their budgets and, of course, their dreams about the perfect dress.

“So many girls don’t know what size they are, because the sizing is so much different,” Cook said. “The important thing is to help them find what’s right for them. If you feel pretty, you look beautiful.

“It’s the dress of all dresses. They go from their christening gowns to their prom dresses, and then your last special dress is your wedding dress. There’s just sort of a magic that goes with the wedding dress, because most girls think about it from the time they’re old enough to think about being in a wedding gown to the time they’re actually getting married.”

Ready to say yes to your perfect dress? The large selection of designer styles available right here in the High Country guarantees you won’t have to go off the mountain to find it. Start by taking a looking at a few examples of some of our favorites.

VENDORS

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Matt Powell / PG 47 Banner Elk Winery / PG 65 Did Someone Say Party? / PG 103 Shady Grove Gardens / PG 107 Village Jewelers / PG 101 Canvas Beauty Bar / PG 104

models Candice Corbin Rain Thoresen Kiera Symmes Jasmine Melton Raychel Alford

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venus bridal

venus bridal

A full gown with sweetheart neckline and beaded straps fits Kiera like a glove and is made with lace, soft netting, new tulle and lush satin.

Dress also features a low beaded back with zipper and a court train.

Candice wears a fit and flare gown with a delicate lace high illusion collar and deep plunging neckline and beaded belt waist accent. Dress is made with lace, soft netting and imperial satin, also featuring all around hem lace skirt and dramatic illusion zipper back.

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venus bridal

justin alexander

This short knee length lace dress features ¾ length off shoulder lace sleeves, a rouched waistband with center brooch and zipper back with buttons. Made with lace appliqués, organza, lush satin and new tulle. Candice wears it beautifully with French net headpiece.

Raychel shines in this straight Venice Lace and Luxe Charmeuse dress that’s accented with a sabrina neckline. Pictured in champagne and ivory, this timelessly glamorous gown is paired with a lace hem cathedral veil.

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maggie sottero

JUSTIN ALEXANDER

Maggie Sottero’s “Poppy” gown features romantic lace and a soft Vincenza organza with sweetheart neckline, half corset and wide soft shimmer satin belt, glittering with Swarovski crystals, at the waist. Rain wears “Poppy” with a floral crown made of bold, late summer blooms.

Jasmine shows off this stunning light gold beaded embroidery and organza ball gown, which offers a sweetheart neckline. She pairs it with a romantic cathedral veil, complete with beaded hemline and a blusher.

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BRIDAL PORTRAITS I

burton Photography

A Southern Tradition

f you’re planning to get married in the Blue Ridge Mountains, be sure to take advantage of the breathtaking backdrop they can make for a series of bridal portraits, a wedding tradition that’s often celebrated here in the South.

“A bridal portrait session allows the photographer to spend an extended period of time crafting the most beautiful, amazing, original portrait featuring the bride looking her most beautiful, amazing and original self,” said Bonnie Burton of Burton Photography, which specializes in fine art portraiture. “We always photograph the bride by herself on the wedding day, but don’t often have longer than 10 minutes and are restricted to where we can be with the bride to create the portrait. Spending one or two hours with our choice of location allows for more creative expression.”

Bridal portraits can be displayed at weddings and receptions, often incorporating family heirlooms or items that add personality and sentimental value to the images.

“Everyone who loves the bride cherishes a bridal portrait of her,” said Bonnie. “It’s not just for the bride, but for nicole huffman Photography the generations before her (parents and grandparents) and the generations to follow (children and grandchildren). Also, the groom always treasures a beautiful portrait of his bride.”

Whether you’re typically into portraiture or not, keep your options open and consider booking a bridal session with your photographer. Bridal portraits are as unique as the brides they showcase, and they're a great opportunity to show some personality.

The resulting images will preserve the beauty and confidence you feel and exude when you’re wearing the dress of all dresses, and they’ll help you tell this part of your story to your family for generations to come.

tracy brewer Photography

joy davis Photography

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Michelle & John

T

he stars aligned for this bride and groom when they met in the High Country as students at Appalachian State. The bride, a Banner Elk native, and the groom, from Hickory, first crossed paths while tailgating for a Mountaineer football game in Boone.

After several years of dating and enjoying their new life together, John proposed to Michelle during a January trip to New York City for his 30th birthday.

As a newly engaged couple, the two had a lot of choices to make during the planning process, but the easiest decision was choosing a place to exchange their vows.

“I was born and raised here. John also went to ASU and has continued to live here in the High Country since graduation,” Michelle said. “We live and work here. It’s the most beautiful place on earth, so we couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else.”

Bringing their dream day to life began with calling on local consultant Elizabeth Hempfling of Events by Elizabeth Ashley.

“The most important vendor was definitely our wedding planner, Elizabeth. She pointed us in the right direction and really cared about our needs and visions,” said Michelle. “We were very pleased with all of our vendors. Everything went smoothly and the guests had a great time.”

The couple said “I do” in front of a large group of friends and family at the bride’s family home in Banner Elk, and concluded the big day with firework for all to enjoy.

“The ceremony and reception took place at my parent’s house in Banner Elk. To me, they have the most beautiful view around, and having wedding events there was extra meaningful.”

– Michelle Eggers Garner 38

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michelle eggers & john garner july 30, 2016 | private residence | joy davis photography

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FEATURED VENDORS Photography: Joy Davis Photographer | Coordination: Events by Elizabeth Ashley Videography: Eyez-N-the-Skyz | Paper Goods: Boone Drug, Snow in July Designs Officiant: John Ferree | Hair and Makeup: Canvas Beauty Bar Bridesmaids: Shail K. (Peaches Boutique) | Menswear: Did Someone Say Party?

Flowers: Fuschia Moss Floral Design Décor Rentals: A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals Catering: Reid’s Catering | Cake: Jo Ann Hallmark | DJ: Sound Technique Transportation: High Country Transportation | Fireworks: JECO Pyrotechnics, Inc.

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photography A

Milestones Made Everlasting

re you engaged and busy dreaming up your best day ever? If so, you’ve probably got a lot on your plate, and a lot of decisions to make before you get there.

One of the most important investments you’ll make in this process is booking your wedding day photographer, so find time to do some research and make an educated choice.

The High South boasts a surprisingly comprehensive variety of experts in all facets of the industry, and photography is no exception. If you’re getting married here, there are many to choose from. So, where do you start?

The world of wedding photography can be a little intimidating, especially if you’ve never really had to hire a professional photographer before. Our advice? Jump right in and start doing your homework.

As you flip through these pages, take a minute to bookmark some of your favorite images. Pay attention to the photographers credited as you read through, find them in our vendor directory and use their listings to check them out

online. Visit their respective websites to read about them, click through their digital portfolios and get a feel for their style and personality. Follow them on Instagram to see continued examples of their work, and look them up on Facebook to see how they interact with their clients. Although budget isn’t always a deciding factor, it may be smart to take a look at what kind of investment you’re getting into when you book with them, which is also information you may find on their websites.

Take notes through your research process, write down names that stand out to you and jot down what you like about them or what caught your eye about their work. After some looking around, narrow down the list to the top two or three that are most appealing to you and start making inquiries. It sounds like a lengthy process, but you’ll likely be drawn to one or two of them right away. Besides, this type of investment is worth the time it takes to make a smart decision. These are your everlasting memories, after all!

Pixels on Paper Photography

Before You Book

michelle hrin photography wayfaring wanderer

Go Online Visit HighSouthWeddings. com to find our complete online directory of featured local vendors. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page to learn about each one and find direct access to their websites.

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Already have a wedding photographer in mind? Get to know them better by booking an engagement session with them. This will give you firsthand look at how they work, will help you feel more comfortable in front of the camera before the big day and will give you a great example of their finished product.

Spending time with your photographer before the wedding will give you a chance to be sure your personalities work well together. Remember, if you hire them to shoot your wedding, they'll be with you all day and sharing some important memories with you, so it's important to connect beforehand.

tracy brewer Photography

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STYLE Choice: 101

Style choice is among the most important decisions you will make in finding the right wedding photographer for your big day. Stylistic preferences abound in the world of wedding photography, but, as you get to know the experts here in the High South, you’ll find that many of them lean toward one of two overarching approaches: either fine art portraiture or documentary style photojournalism. So, what’s the difference?

FINE ART PORTRAITURE

PHOTOJOURNALISM

Photographers who rock this MO are often masters of precision and technique, bringing added drama and creativity to the scene that will give you not only beautiful portraits of your family and friends, but emotive works of art in every shot. If you’re looking for images with an artistic edge that you’d love to see hanging on your walls, these folks might be your best bet. Meticulous styling comes into play through this type of work, and the end result is a collection of distinctively crafted images that make a great album together or stand well on their own. Some portrait photographers also implement an illustrative strategy, through which their images employ a process of carefully orchestrated storytelling to keep memories alive for generations to come.

Rather than styling and posing most of your shots, a photojournalist will likely take a less controlled approach to your wedding day, hanging back or blending right into the action to capture more candid imagery.

This hands-off approach hails from the type of photography you typically see in news media, and a documentary method will place more emphasis on what’s happening in the moment than on posed portrait shots. Most will do family portraits if that’s important to you, but their overall tendency to capture activity as it happens will likely yield less time posing for pictures and more time to party. The genuine smiles, gestures, interactions and emotions they document will bring the day back to life year after year.

"Fine art wedding photography, to me, means creating a wedding image with aesthetics in mind. That is, creating an image with beauty that is worth framing for display. When I delivered this framed portrait of a bride to her mother recently, both the bride and the mother were overcome by the overall beauty of the portrait and were eager to display it. It also brought tears to the mother's face."

Jean Morée, Jean Morée Photography

"Careful consideration of composition, lighting, location, posing and expression leads to the creation of stunning, thoughtful and powerful images. A wedding day with all of its joy and emotion presents beautiful moments to create Fine Art Portraiture."

Bonnie Burton, Burton Photography 44

MAKE IT YOUR OWN If you’re planning a wedding here in our neck of the woods, you’re in luck when it comes to photography options. The area is home to an array of talented professionals, each one pulling from different styles and tastes to create a look that’s truly their own. As you explore which one may be right for your big day, take time to review their online portfolios and reach out to them to talk about their own ideas for dreaming up the perfect collection of images for you.

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"We are all artists. We strive to harness light to create beautiful images. There are moments shared in laughter, tears, a simple touch or hug that you know carries emotion in leading up to this day; to this big event. It is my goal to try and capture those moments that tell the greater story of the couple. A journey of love can be told in those images, and seeking those moments throughout the day is something I am constantly searching for in my work.

Ellen Gwin, Ellen Gwin Photographer "I had no idea they would bolt down the aisle, through the bubbles. Almost before it happened, it was over, but I caught it. At the end of the day, it comes down to you having the best time of your life, while allowing us to capture that in the most creative way possible.

We are purposeful to not over-direct.

Instead, we focus on capturing the true you, illustrating the essence of your chosen place, and the genuine character of those around you. This requires a certain level of surprise and adventure on the wedding day, plus the ability to utilize any available lighting to capture authentic emotions and natural beauty."

Matt Powell, Matt Powell Productions

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wedding photographers Jonathan and Bonnie Burton, a husband/ wife team of awardwinning photographers, combine creative forces to skillfully capture the unique story of your wedding day. All of the details, romance, excitement, and fun are artistically documented in a mixture of color, vintage, and black and white images. Wedding collections begin at $4,200 and include a gorgeous, custom designed Queensberry wedding album, complimentary engagement session, online image gallery, custom Album APP for mobile devices, digital files with permission to print, and two professional photographers - Jonathan and Bonnie. Burton Photography.

828-266-9889 www.ncphotographer.com Ad on page 39

Burton photography

Ellen Gwin Photographer

Ellen Gwin Burnette is based in Boone, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Appalachian State and specializes in wedding and

portrait photography. She strives to bring creative, natural, and comfortable coverage of your candid moments to capture, document, and preserve your memories for more than a lifetime. Her favorite moments involve laughter when those captured are truly themselves! Every event, no matter the size, age, or weather, is approached with great energy, insight, and professionalism.

336-978-2613 www.ellengwin.com Ad on page 41

Jean MorÉE PHOTOGRAPHY

I have had the pleasure of photographing well over 100 weddings since 2007 in numerous states and settings, but especially love weddings in the High Country of North Carolina because of the absolute beautiful surroundings unique to this area.

I am a long-time member of the Professional Photographers of America. I strive to provide a pleasing photography experience, high quality images worthy of display, a diverse product line, and exceptional customer service.

www.pixelsonpaper.net 336.990.0080 46

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828-278-8228 www.jeanmoree.com Ad on page 45

Joy Davis PHOTOGRAPHY

Joy and Ryan Davis make a remarkable “wedding day team." The pair are no strangers to true love, for they have their own remarkable, modern day fairy tale.

They adore their jobs because they get the chance to share in the glorious celebrations of other people’s lives. The Davis' work hard to develop a close friendship with their clients, because they feel that is the best way to get those intimate shots. The Davis’ have a remarkable talent for getting right into the heart of the moment to capture a visually stunning image. An image that allows a person to relive an entire day through just a single photograph.

828-729-3046 www.joydavisphotography.com Ad on page 43

www.michellehrinphotography.com info@michellehrinphotography.com 828-302-7572 2017

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wedding photographers Matt Powell Productions

Matt Powell Productions has 15 years experience in international documentary photography and video storytelling. Our wedding photography and films are a timeless collection of fine-art telling your story; highlighting what is most important to you. We focus on capturing the essence of your location and the character of you and your guests. We approach photography with a sense of fun and adventure, utilizing natural light and documentary techniques to capture emotions and natural beauty.

828-773-1311. www.mattpowellproductions.com Ad on page 41

Michelle Hrin PHOTOGRAPHY

Michelle Hrin is an award-winning photographer who would love the opportunity to capture your story. Her goal is to preserve your memories from the little details to the

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big moments and everything meaningful in between.

Your smiles and your glances on your wedding day, your friends and your family surrounding you, the laughs, the tears of joy, and the fun! She loves giving her clients the best service through getting to know them on a personal level. She wants your photographs to tell your story for generations to come.

828-302-7572 www.michellehrinphotography.com Ad on page 41 Michelle Lyerly strives to make organic, sincere and beautiwww.michellehrinphotography.com ful images that capture theinfo@michellehrinphotography.com raw beauty of relationships and the love of friends and family.828-302-7572 Drawn to couples who value family, nature, authenticity and kindness, she specializes in elopements and small, intimate weddings. She loves to travel and would be honored to join the experience

michelle lyerly Photography

as you promise forever in the mountains. www.michellelyerly.com Ad on page 42

Pixels on Paper Photography

Pixels On Paper is Misty & Ryan Case, a married couple who’ve been photographing portraits and weddings for over 10 years. They compliment each other in style, temperament, vision, and creativity (read: they are talented and fun). The couple believes in using their talents not only to capture special events, but to create beautiful heirlooms that go beyond selfies and snapshots. They are also extremely focused on creating strong relationships and friendships with their clients and usually go on to take portraits of their wedding clients’ children and most other milestones long after the wedding is a memory.

336-990-0080. www.pixelsonpaper.biz Ad on page 42

wedding photographers Tracy Brewer Photography

I love weddings and I love photographing people. I would be honored to be chosen to document your love story. I work to give my clients lasting memories that they will cherish and pass on to future generations. I also offer interesting products that can showcase your wedding photography in beautiful settings. I photograph families and couples in Banner Elk, Boone, Blowing Rock and the surrounding areas. I was raised in these beautiful North Carolina mountains that I still call home. I have an amazing husband who supports me in all my dreams.

He is truly my best friend. We have one furry “child” named Josey. Please visit my website to see examples of my work.

828-260-1984. www.tracybrewer.com Ad on page 42

wayfaring wanderer

Born and raised in the High Country, wedding, engagement and lifestyle photographer Jessica Maceda loves to follow couples as they set sail on a journey through life together. As Wayfaring Wanderer, she and husband Cody Maddox team up to document wedding day adventures all across the area and offer a free-spirited approach to freezing life’s most epic moments in time.

828-773-8764. www.wayfaringwanderer.com Ad on page 42

828.455.8726

facebook.com/calahstephensphotography

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Breanna & Keith

F

orever together in the Blue Ridge Mountains makes perfect sense for Breanna Brown and Keith Shockley, whose deep connections to the North Carolina High Country made their wedding experience all the more special.

Keith proposed to Breanna during a visit to Bass Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway, which has remained one of the couple’s favorite spots to share during the decade they’ve already been together.

“We are very connected to the High Country, its people and the mountains,” Breanna said.

To pull off their dream affair, the soon-to-be Shockleys enlisted the help of a dream team of local vendors, including Elizabeth Hempfling of Events by Elizabeth Ashley and Jonathan and Bonnie Burton of Burton Photography.

“Our experience with all our vendors was incredibly smooth and professional thanks to the coordination and wedding planning experience of Elizabeth Hempfling. Even though we are local, we had no idea how much we needed her help,” Breanna said. “Keith and I, along with longtime friends and family, were able to enjoy a stress-free wedding celebration where we could truly focus on each other.”

The late October wedding blended the bride and groom’s hometowns of Boone and Blowing Rock, bringing together both sides of the family and many mutual friends from Breanna and Keith’s days in elementary school, high school and college.

They were married at Boone United Methodist Church, where Breanna was raised and her parents were married in 1980, and Breanna’s youth minister, Vern Collins, conducted the wedding.

After a quick stop at Moses Cone’s Flat Top Manor for gorgeous fall photos, they danced the night away with friends and family (including Yosef, the Appalachian State Mountaineer mascot) at the Blowing Rock Country Club.

Breanna and Keith honeymooned at an inclusive resort in Playa Mujeres, Cancun and are back to “living the dream” in the High Country.

breanna brown & keith shockley october 24, 2015 blowing rock country club | burton photography

FEATURED VENDORS Photography: Burton Photography Ceremony: Boone United Methodist Church Coordination: Events by Elizabeth Ashley Paper Goods: Snow in July Designs Flowers: Root and Vine Floral Design Hair and Makeup: Canvas Beauty Bar Bridesmaids Dresses: South’s Specialty Clothiers Jewelry: The Stone Jewelers | Cake: Hallmark Cakes Photo Booth: Boone Photo Booth Transportation: Air Haven Limo

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“The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains are our home. I am a fifth generation native of Watauga County and we both graduated together from Watauga High School and Appalachian State University. We knew we wanted to begin and continue our lives here in God’s country. We are living the dream.”

– Breanna Brown Shockley 52

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venues

I

Falling in Love with the High South

s there any better place to tie the knot than the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains? We certainly don't think so, and if you ask the immeasurable number of brides and grooms who have exchanged their vows here over the years, they, too, will sing the praises of North Carolina's glorious High Country.

Whether you already call this place home or you're planning a destination wedding, there's a venue with your name on it somewhere in the High South that boasts breathtaking views, the space and amenities you need to host your perfect day and a group of folks ready to make it happen.

Thanks in large part to the area's growing network of wedding and special events professionals, the industry as a whole has been on the rise over the past several years, drawing more and more couples to get married here season after season. So, what does that mean for you if you're engaged and planning a wedding? Options, options, options. To meet the demands of a booming industry, new venues are popping up all over the region, and with them come new ideas, new services and new perspectives on what makes a wedding successful.

Added options make the decision process all the more difficult, however, so it's important to take a careful, strategic approach to booking your venue.

As you get started, it's important to remember that a large part of your budget may be spent on securing the ideal location, and the one you choose will ultimately set the tone for every decision, regarding both style and logistics, that will follow. It's a tough choice to make, but it's also a very exciting one, too, as the day of your dreams will begin to take shape soon after.

Follow our advice as you flip through this section and you'll be saying "I do" to a venue in no time. leatherwood mountains resort, burton photography

16 hands farm, waterhouse studios

BEFORE YOU BOOK It may take some homework to find which venue is right for you, or you may already have your heart set on the one you've been dreaming of for quite some time. Whatever the case, this is not a decision to take lightly or to make in haste. Here are a few questions to review with your family and your wedding planners before you make it official.

Does the style of this venue work with my vision for the big day?

How much will this cost and does that make sense for my budget?

What deposit will be required and when is it due?

Is there enough space here to accommodate my guest list?

Is this a full-service venue? Do they allow or encourage outside vendors?

Are any equipment rentals included in the cost? What will I need to rent from outside vendors?

Is there enough parking here for all of my guests? If not, what are my options for offering transportation services?

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blue ridge mountain club, matt powell productions

GET THE SCOOP

chetola resort, jean morĂŠe photography

Looking for some personal insight? Ask your consultant to help you get in touch with local vendors who frequently work at your preferred venue. Find out what they have to say about their experiences and decide whether or not you have reason to share in their concerns.

Not using a wedding planner?

Go online to find reviews from other brides and grooms or find your venue on Facebook to see what other people are saying.

THE DETAILS Continue reading the following section to learn more about some of the High Country's most impressive and soughtafter venues.

BE PREPARED Everyone loves an outdoor wedding, especially here in the High South, where the weather is great and the views are even better. Mother Nature can be unpredictable, though, and it's always important to have a contingency plan in place in case rain or high winds decide to make an appearance. If you've got your eye on an outdoor venue, talk to the owners about what options you may have (if any) for bringing your whole crew indoors if necessary, even at the last minute.

They say a little rain on your wedding day is good luck, but you don't want be outside in yucky weather, and your guests certainly don't either.

burton photography villa nove vineyard, george street photo

LIGHT IT UP Depending on the particular time of year you choose to get married, there's a good chance that your wedding festivities will begin before sunset and continue on through the night. The lighting conditions will play a significant role in the overall tone and environment that day, so be sure to take that into consideration as you start touring potential venues. Make those trips around the same time of day you'd like to get married so you can see the space in the right light, and talk to the owners and your consultant, if you have one, about your options for additional mood lighting.

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Rustic, Natural Beauty

ON THE NC

Line IN TN

350 PAUL MCGLAMERY RD, TRADE, TN | 828-964-6767 | www.whitefencefarmrentals.com

56

Surrounded by all natural elements and gorgeous views, White Fence Farm offers the perfect venue for a fabulous farm wedding High South Weddings

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The Perfect Setting

FOR YOUR Destination

Wedding

940 SKI MOUNTAIN ROAD, BLOWING ROCK, NC | 828-295-7828 | www.appskimtn.com

Unique to western North Carolina, our traditional Bavarian-style lodge offers an intimate mountain setting with panoramic Blue Ridge views.

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A Mountain Wedding

Dream Come True

CAROLYN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY

WATERHOUSE STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY

1923 WATAUGA RIVER ROAD, SUGAR GROVE, NC | 828-407-8142 | www.vallecrucisvineyard.com

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Have your rustic mountain wedding dreams come true at Valle Crucis Vineyard

A Blend

of

Turn-of-the-Century Style & Genteel Hospitality

WATERHOUSE STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY

MONICA REID PHOTOGRAPHY

JOY DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY

9239 VALLEY BLVD., BLOWING ROCK, NC | 828-414-923045 | www.greenparkinn.com

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Green Park Inn opened in 1981, and is the last of the “Grand Manor Hotels” in NC. This landmark offers one of the largest dining facilities in Blowing Rock along with indoor and outdoor event spaces.

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The Beech Mountain Difference 1007 BEECH MOUNTAIN PKWY, BEECH MOUNTAIN, NC | 800-438-2093 | www.beechmountainresort.com

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Breathtaking Views | Unparalled Service | Multiple Venue Locations Scenic Lift Rides | Multiple Lodging Options High South Weddings

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Perfect...Peaceful...Pristine 512 MEADOW ROAD, FERGUSON, NC | 336-973-5044 | www.leatherwoodmountains.com

Leatherwood Mountains Resort has it all...pristine views, amazing accommodations, rustic elegance & more! 2017

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BLUE AMBER PHOTOGRAPHY

Elevate Your Wedding

at 3200’

9557 LINVILLE FALLS HIGHWAY, LINVILLE FALLS, NC | 828-765-1400 | www.linvillefallswinery.com

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Surrounded by the vineyards of Linville Falls Winery, the Red Barn provides the perfect backdrop to your unforgettable day.

2017

Rustic Elegance

At Its Peak!

830 ELDERBERRY RIDGE ROAD, BEECH MOUNTAIN, NC | 828.414.1156 | www.overlookbarn.com

Breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains serve as a perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony or reception

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Secluded

Natural Beauty

Awaits You

LOU MURREY PHOTOGRAPHY

1381 JOE SHOEMAKER ROAD, VILAS, NC | 828-297-LILY (5459) | www.thelilypatchfarm.com

64

High South

Located just 10 minutes from Boone, The Lily Patch Farm offers 42 acres of winding roads and beautiful views for your special day. A timber-framed pavilion by the pond, a re-imagined greenhouse, an old barn, wildflowers, orchards, and Weddings 2017 woodlands-all combine for perfect mountain wedding memories.

Stunning Views,

Elegant Settings

60 DEER RUN, BANNER ELK, NC | 828.898-9090 | www.bannerelkwinery.com

The perfect venue for weddings and receptions of all sizes and styles, from the small and intimate to the large and opulent

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A Rustic Barn

IN THE Blue

Ridge Mountains

841 BALD MOUNTAIN ROAD, WEST JEFFERSON, NC | 336-877-0945 | www.16handsfarm.com

16 Hands H i g h S oFarm uth Weddings

66

~ a rustic barn venue ~

If your dream wedding includes mountain views, a waterfront site and a serene setting then 16 Hands Farm is for you.

2017

Experience Tuscany

in Tennessee

1877 DRY HILL ROAD, BUTLER, TN | 423-768-3633 | www.villanovevineyards.com

Nestled in the Appalachian High Country, our vineyard laced hills give way to a breathtaking 360 degree view of the mountain ranges that surround our wedding pavilion 2017

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Storybook Weddings at Chetola Resort

HAPPILY

EVER

AFTER

Leave your stress behind, soothe your soul and dream about your big day at our full-service spa and salon.

The perfect place to say “I Do” and enjoy the wedding you’ve always dreamed of.

For intimate gatherings to grand galas, our venues combine rustic elegance with classic sophistication.

PLAN YOUR WEDDING TODAY:

Kara Miller 828.295.5520 Chetola.com 68

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~ Storybook Weddings ˻ ŐŦ Ħ žƅŬźƜıŬŬŝ žļƅƅŐŦŇ

PHOTOS BY REVIVAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Blue Ridge Mountain Club is the perfect backdrop for your magical mountain wedding.

1155 MAIN ST, BLOWING ROCK, NC | 828-295-8667 | www.blueridgemountainclub.com

Blue Ridge Mountain Club is the perfect backdrop for your magical mountain wedding

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Delight IN THE Beautiful

Natural Surroundings

225 VINEYARD LANE, BANNER ELK, NC | 828-963-2400 | www.grandfathervineyards.com

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Tie the knot along the banks of the Watauga River in our beautiful Vineyard

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Weddings at L a Quinta The La Quinta Inn & Suites is more than just a hotel; it is a complete lodging experience. Nestled in a prime area, our beautiful mountain lodge is the perfect headquarters for your wedding.

Feast your eyes on spectacular views of the tranquil Appalachian Mountains. We are a stone’s throw from so much that the High Country offers. With so much comfort and convenience, we set the highest standard for service, amenities and value.

165 Highway 105 Extension Boone, North Carolina 828-262-1234 Email Susanna Russell For More Information srussell@panoramichospitality.com

La Quinta offers t " GPSNBM PS DBTVBM XFEEJOH WFOVF GPS ZPV UP DSFBUF B VOJRVF FYQFSJFODF t " SVTUJD ZFU DPOUFNQPSBSZ NPVOUBJO MPEHF MPCCZ XJUI PQFO mSFQMBDF t 'SFF 8J 'J IFBUFE TXJNNJOH QPPM TPPUIJOH XIJSMQPPM BOE B GSFF #SJHIU 4JEF #SFBLGBTUĂ‘ t *OWJUJOH 5FNQVS 1FEJD %SFBN4QB NBU USFTTFT UP QSPWJEF B HSFBU FYQFSJFODF GPS ZPV BOE ZPVS WJTJUJOH HVFTUT " MBSHF XSBQ BSPVOE EFDL UIBU QSPWJEFT UIF QFSGFDU MPDBUJPO GPS ZPVS XFEEJOH DFSFNPOZ PS BT B NFFUJOH TQPU GPS ZPVS XFEEJOH HVFTUT

Please call or email us for more information on using La Quinta in your wedding plans.

venue 16 hands farm

descriptions

16 Hands Farm is a rustic barn venue nestled in the heart of the High Country of North Carolina. If your dream wedding/event includes mountain views, a waterfront site and a serene setting, then 16 Hands Farm is for you. Located only minutes from Boone, Our barn has a large front porch overlooking a fresh water pond. The four horse stalls can be used for a picture booth, a cake/dessert room, a toasting room, etc. The upstairs loft can be used for recreation or for seating up to 50 people with table and chairs. We also have an event/reception building complete with a drink station, restroom and seating for 200 guests. We have on site parking for up to 150 cars. We also offer a private bridal suite/dressing area that accommodates 2 overnight guests. And we have a unique waterfront setting

for pictures or ceremonies and large open pastures with a creek running through. Please give us a call for your perfect wedding location. ď ´ 336-877-0945. www.16handsfarm.com. Ad on page 66

Appalachian Ski Mtn Appalachian Ski Mtn. provides a unique and scenic location in the Boone / Blowing Rock area for your High Country Wedding. Our professional staff will assist you in making your occasion one to remember.

The Catering Department is always available to aid you in the planning of your event. We offer many complimentary services, such as assistance in locating florists, bakers, musicians, rental equipment, and more.

Appalachian also offers chairlift service for Wedding ceremonies as well as convenient on-site mountainside

lodging. We know that planning an event takes a lot of time and we want to facilitate your needs in every possible way. We look forward to the opportunity to offer you service that is second to none! ď ´ 828-295-7828. www.appskimtn.com. Ad on page 57 2017

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location, location, location Banner Elk Winery & Villa A wedding at Banner Elk Winery & Villa is the event of a lifetime. Imagine family and friends surrounded by the majestic High Country mountains in celebration of one of life's most special occasions. Sites within our winery such as the elegantly rustic Enchanted Barn, the manicured gardens of the Grassy Knoll surrounding the enormous stone fire pit, the blueberry orchard, or the Scenic Vineyard high above the rest of the property ~ each provide a picturesque romantic backdrop to exchange wedding vows. It is the perfect venue for weddings and receptions of all sizes and styles, from the small and intimate to the large and opulent. We have the experience and the expertise to create the wedding of your dreams.  828-898-9090. www.bannerelkwinery.com. Ad on page 65

Beech Mountain Resort Beech Mountain Resort offers unique settings, both indoor and outdoor, for your extraordinary day. Take advantage of the ski lifts to the ceremony site, situated at 5,506 feet in elevation. Take a walk in the clouds with the one you love, and enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains as you exchange your vows. We have multiple venues that can accommodate up to 400 people. A variety of wedding planning services, catering options, and choices are also available.

Contact us to schedule a tour and start planning your dream wedding at Beech Mountain Resort.  800-438-2093. www.beechmountainresort.com.

Ad on page 60

Blue Ridge Mountain Club Storybook weddings in a storybook setting. At Blue Ridge Mountain Club, we’ll help you make your wedding one you’ll actually remember. With our expansive Great Lawn, gorgeous Pavilion and 50-mile views in virtually every direction, you can marry the man of your dreams in the place dreams are made of. Contact us for more information.  828-295-8667. www.blueridgemountainclub.com. Ad on page 69

Chetola Resort Blowing Rock’s most celebrated wedding destination sits on 86 acres with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge and Chetola Lake. Chetola Resort, whose history dates 74

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back to 1846, offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, as well as beautifully appointed lodging, including Chetola Lodge, the Bob Timberlake Inn and spacious condominiums. The resort’s wedding venues can accommodate weddings up to 250 guests. Special spa packages and outdoor adventure activities are also available for the entire wedding party.  828-295-5500. www.chetola.com. Ad on page 68

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery Grandfather Vineyard and Winery is available for smaller weddings, parties and corporate events. Your guests will delight in the beautiful natural surroundings of the winery and vineyard. The terraced mountain vineyard and winery is nestled right on the Watauga River at the base of Grandfather Mountain. We have a tasting room, a covered outdoor patio and grass lawn for tent space and plenty of parking. Call us for more information about holding an event here.  828-963-2400. www.grandfathervineyard.com. Ad on page 70

ecutive chef will treat you to delicious original menus, served to your guests by our friendly and dedicated staff.

We welcome the opportunity to give tours of the venue, guest rooms, and our history room.  828-414-9230. www.greenparkinn.com. Ad on page 59

Hound Ears Club When it comes to special events, Hound Ears Club will exceed your expectations. Hound Ears Club, in an atmosphere of alpine mountain elegance, offers the perfect venue for your Wedding, Rehearsal Dinner, and Related Events. Panoramic views overlook our lush mountain golf course, ponds and streams, with the Grandfather Mountain profile towering overhead. World class cuisine, attentive service, and a professional management team, all ensure a lifetime of memories.  828-963-2123. www.houndears.com. Ad on back cover

La quinta Plan an inspired wedding at La Quinta Inn and Suites in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, N.C. La Quinta Inn and Suites is more than just a hotel; it is a complete lodging experience. Nestled in a prime area, our beautiful mountain lodge is the perfect headquarters for your wedding. We are a stone’s throw away from so much that the High Country has to offer. We have so much comfort and convenience, we set the highest standard for service, amenities and value.  828-262-1234. www.laquintaboone.com. Ad on page 73

Leatherwood Mountains Green Park Inn Opened in 1891, the Green Park Hotel boasts a blend of turn of the century style and genteel hospitality. She is one of the last “Grand Manor Hotels” in western North Carolina. We are proud to host a variety of events including weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. We have exquisitely redecorated indoor facilities as well as charming outdoor locations. Our facilities can accommodate groups ranging in size from 20 to 200 guests.

The beautiful interior of the hotel lends to captivating photo opportunities for the bridal party. Whether in our library, living room, tavern, or garden patio, guests can capture their special day to remember forever. Our ex-

Breathtaking views and pastoral valleys with grazing horses set the stage for several hundred of your closest friends. You and your guests will enjoy luxurious accommodations at our very special mountain hideaway. We have a number of different locations to choose from for your perfect mountain wedding and reception.  336-973-5044. www.leatherwoodmountains.com. Ad on page 61

lily patch farm Located just 10 minutes from Boone, The Lily Patch Farm is a working organic farm which offers 42 acres of winding roads and beautiful views for your special day.

A re-imagined greenhouse, a timber-framed pavilion by the pond, an old barn, wildflowers, orchards, fields and

location, location, location woodlands-all combine for perfect mountain wedding memories. Our rental includes access to the property the day before and after your event. Please give us a call to schedule a tour. Also, ask about our delicious local farm-to-table catering!  828-297-5459. www.the lilypatchfarm.com. Ad on page 64

linville falls winery Family owned and operated, Linville Falls Winery is the culmination of a life-long passion for wine by owner, Jack Wiseman. The beautiful setting is perfect for smaller, intimate weddings for up to 80 people. With a state of the art tasting room and a on-site beautiful red barn situated on a 40 acre farm filled with grapes and Christmas trees, Linville Falls Winery is the perfect backdrop for your wedding event. Please give us a call.  828-765-1400. www.linvillefallswinery.com. Ad on page 62

overlook barn Eldermann’s Overlook Barn is a wedding venue that sits atop Beech Mountain in North Carolina. It has a vantage point that offers breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains that serve as a perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony or reception. Between the 6,500 square-foot Overlook Barn with its 30-foot arched ceilings with original exposed wood beams and the multiple-acre meadow adjacent to the barn with a custom-built wooden ceremony stage with a beautiful rock wall surround for brides, grooms, and their wedding party to stand on. For a reception, the meadow can also hold a tented (or under the stars!) event for 500+ guests. Our Cliffside Barn is a 1,000 square foot barn with beautiful original wood floors, original exposedbeam arched ceilings, brand new 45-light chandelier, glass garage door that opens to a stunning view, and large

covered deck with 750 square feet of additional event space. Please contact us and let us know how we can be a part of your special day.  828-414-1156. www.thelilypatchfarm.com. Ad on page 63

Sky Retreat Weddings with a Spectacular View. Sky Retreat is a 30 acre, all seasons event venue. Grand Ballroom with an expansive covered porch, log cabins by the pond, grassy knoll with sweeping views for outdoor weddings, Sky Retreat provides a picturesque environment to create memories of a lifetime. Enjoy the activity and lodging amenity options, such as professional ballroom dance instruction to create the wedding dance of your dreams.  336-973-0444. www.theskyretreat.com. Ad on page 72

Valle Crucis Vineyard Take a look at the area's newest and most affordable wedding event venue! Located just above the banks of the Watauga River, Valle Crucis Vineyard offers an updated barn with tent space on 75 acres of mountainside, featuring breathtaking views of the vineyard, river and mountains. Relax in the comfort of our luxury cabin, included in your reservation. Invite your guests to camp and hike here during their stay. We are dedicated to making your experience unique and unforgettable!  828-406-3135. www.vallecrucisvineyard.com.

Ad on page 58

White Fence Farm Simple, Rustic, Creative Elegance … Down on the Farm. White Fence Farm offers a quaint wedding venue on 100 private acres just outside of Boone on the NC line. We offer a Rustic Barn, Farmhouse, Stage, Vintage Campers, Fully equipped Bathrooms / Kitchen.

One of the prettiest Venues in the area. Come and have the stress free wedding you’ve always dreamed about ... with us!  828-964-6767. www.whitefencefarmrentals.com. Ad on page 56

whispering waters farm As the newest venue in town and one of the most historic properties in western North Carolina, Whispering Waters Farm is now booking weddings for 2017 and events including rehearsal dinners, cocktail parties, receptions and more. Once an important stop along the original “Tweetsie” Railroad, the property was home to generations of the Shulls family and anchored the Shulls Mills community that thrived until the early 1940s. Let the farm’s rich and storied past host your special day, along with unique facilities including the family home place, an old general store and a 1972 “Geodesica” home built by famed architect Gilbert Spindel.  828-773-8431. www.whisperingwatersevents.com. Ad on page 71

villa nove vineyard Nestled in the Appalachian High Country, Villa Nove Vineyards enjoys a 360 degree view of cloud-topped Tennessee mountain ranges. As you enter through the wrought iron gates, and wind your way through vineyard-laced hills, you will be transported to Tuscany.

The Tuscan-towered wedding pavilion will accommodate over 200 guests and boasts a caterer's prep kitchen. Our vineyard -cottage is also available for you or your guests. The perfect destination wedding, yet conveniently located to Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Beach Mountain, North Carolina, Abingdon, Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Visit us and "Experience Tuscany in Tennessee."  423- 768-3633. www.villanovevineyards.com. Ad on page 67

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FACILITY RENTAL FEE

outside on-site catering lodging

VENUE

CAPACITY

16 Hands Farm 841 Bald Mountain Rd, West Jefferson, NC

Event Building up to 200

upon request

yes

2 person maximum

Appalachian Ski Mtn. 940 Ski Mountain Rd., Blowing Rock, NC

40 to 400 4 banquet rooms, outdoor venue

upon request

no, cake only

yes

Banner Elk Winery & Villa 60 Deer Run Ln., Banner Elk, NC

up to 150 outdoor venue

upon request

yes

yes

Beech Mountain Resort 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mtn., NC

up to 400 indoor / outdoor venues

upon request

yes

close by

Blue Ridge Mountain Club 1 Reynolds Pkwy, Boone, NC

up to 350 / outdoor tented pavilion event lawn up to 1000

$3,000

yes

limited

Chetola Resort 185 Chetola Lake Dr., Blowing Rock, NC

2 to 250 / 6 banquet rooms outdoor venues, lakefront, restaurant

$1,250 - $3,950

no

yes

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery 225 Vineyard Ln., Banner Elk, NC

up to 150 outdoor venue

upon request

yes

no

Green Park Inn 9239 Valley Blvd., Blowing Rock, NC

20 to 200 indoor / outdoor venues

$100 - $1,500

no

yes

Hound Ears Club 328 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone, NC

40 to 200 indoor / outdoor venues

$1,000 - $1,500

no

yes

Leatherwood Mountains 512 Meadow Rd., Ferguson, NC

up to 400 indoor / outdoor venues

$400 - $3,500

yes

yes

Lily Patch Farm 1381 Joe Shoemaker Rd, Vilas, NC

up to 200 indoor / outdoor venues

$3,000

yes

limited

Linville Falls Winery 9557 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland, NC

up to 80

upon request

yes

no

Overlook Barn 830 Elderberry Ridge Rd, Banner Elk, NC

indoor up to 250 seated outdoor 500+

upon request

yes

within 1/2 mile

Sky Retreat 432 Cascade Dr., Purlear, NC

upon request indoor / outdoor venues

upon request

yes

yes

Valle Crucis Vineyard 1923 Watauga River Rd., Sugar Grove, NC

up to 200

$1,200 - $2,000

yes

yes

villa nove vineyard 1877 Dry Hill Rd., Butler, TN

up to 200

$2,000 to $3,500

yes

yes

White Fence Farm 350 Paul McGlamery Rd, Trade, TN

up to 1000 indoor / outdoor venues

$800 - $3,600

yes

yes

Whispering Waters Farm 274 Shulls Mill Rd., Boone, NC

75 to 100 indoor up to 500 outdoor

upon request

no

limited

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To Mountain City, Tennessee

221

221

Jefferson

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West Jefferson

16

421

Laurel Springs WHITE FENCE FARM

WATUAGA LAKE

VILLA NOVE VINEYARD

88

16 H ANDS FARM

194

Trade

16 221

Zionville

L ILY PATCH FARM

321

421

Fleetwood

Todd

Meat

Glendale Springs

Camp 194 221

N

Vilas 221 421

194

RO

N

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A

EN

VALLE CRUCIS VINEYARD

O

RT

H

T

p

Sugar Grove

LI

ES

SE

A

E

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Valle Crucis

Boone

N

O VERLOOK BARN BANNER ELK WINERY

194

Seven Devils 105

Banner Elk

184

Newland 221

le

il Linv

RA M N O DF U A TA T IN HE R

G

105

SKY R ETREAT

421

105

221 321

HOUND E ARS CLUB WHISERING WATERS FARM G RANDFATHER VINEYARD

Foscoe

BASS LAKE

Elk Park

Ga

OLD

BEECH MTN. R ESORT

19E

p

e De

CHETOLA R ESORT

PRICE LAKE

221

A PPALACHIAN SKI MTN B LUE R IDGE MOUNTAIN CLUB

To Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem

BYPASS

321

BUSINESS

321

Blowing Rock G REEN PARK I NN

Crossnore 268

194

19E

L EATHERWOOD MOUNTAINS

221

L INVILLE FALLS WINERY

Spruce Pine

221

Linville Falls

181

To Lenoir and Hickory

VENUE MAP 2017

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ACCOMMODATIONS W

wayfaring wanderer

GOOD ADVICE

Help your guests find a place to stay by posting recommended accommodations on your wedding website or sending the details out with your invitations.

BUDGET FRIENDLY Consider blocking rooms at more than one hotel to ensure options for every budget.

Stay Awhile

hether you’re local to the area or you’re plannning a destination wedding, getting married in the High South is a great opportunity to share the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains with the important people in your life. If many of them are traveling from out-of-town, you may want to consider making arrangements for immediately family and recommendations for other guests to be sure everyone can find the right place to stay.

Many of the area’s hotels offer room block services, which guarantee space for guests when booked in advance for some of the season’s most popular weekends, often at discounted rates. Room blocks ensure that your guests have access to accommodations, even if you’re planning to get married on busy weekends for tourism and travel in the area.

“A lot of times, people will add on to either before or after the wedding block. With a wedding on Saturday and maybe a rehearsal on Friday, people want to come early or stay later and bring their family and make a vacation out of it,” said Jessica Smith, general manager of the Courtyard Marriott in Boone. “When they call us interested in booking a block, they usually only ask for Friday and Saturday, but I’ll still go ahead and offer them to extend that to our guests and offer them a special rate.

Want to make them feel “It’s usually even cheaper because Thursdays and Sundays are cheaper nights. welcome when they get here?

Leave small welcome bags We’ll build that into the block for the guests, so, if they do decide to do that, we’re stocked with maps, brochures, ready for them.” snacks and travel advice for Guests who visit the High Country to share in a wedding experience are more hotel staff to distribute as likely to find additional ways to enjoy the area while they’re here, and yours will thank your guests arrive. you for taking the time to help them make arrangements in advance.

SAY HELLO

The Best Western Mountain Lodge in beautiful Banner Elk, NC is a gorgeous mountain lodge nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains Offering 100 newly renovated quest rooms, which include brand new 37” flat screen TV’s, Feather Top Mattresses, microwaves, refrigerators, and DVD players, we are the perfect location to host your out of town wedding guests.

Amenities include a new Fitness Center, a seasonal Outdoor Heated Pool, a complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet, and a laundry area on site. We offer beautiful banquet space large enough to accommodate up to 200 people with a delicious catering menu available. We are located within minutes of several of the area’s most popular wedding venues including Eseeola Lodge, The Banner Elk Winery, Grandfather Winery, The Apple Barn at Valle Crucis, and so many more.

Give us a call today! We can’t wait to have you stay with us!!!

(828) 898-4571 | www.bestwesternbannerelk.com | swooten81@gmail.com 78

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pl aces to stay Best Western Mountain Lodge

BEST WESTERN Mountain Lodge in Banner Elk offers comfort and convenience in a beautiful mountain setting. Nestled in the "Heart of the High Country", we are within minutes of the area's best attractions and destinations. Our mountain themed lodge offering pool view as well as mountain-view rooms. In addition, we are proud to be the area's only "Pet Friendly" hotel. We have a beautiful courtyard area, including a large, seasonal outdoor heated pool, picnic area with gas grills, swing, and deck area. The BEST WESTERN Mountain Lodge is a great resort getaway!

828-898-4571. www.bestwesternbannerelk.com. Ad on page 78 The new state-of-the-art lobby at Courtyard provides greater flexibility and choices for our guests. At the center of it all is The Bistro, your destination for a great breakfast, or drinks and dinner during the evening. You'll also enjoy inviting, flexible spaces where you can work or relax, free Wi-Fi throughout. Plus, our well-equipped fitness center, indoor pool and whirlpool will help you stay refreshed and energized. Need to reserve 10 or more guest rooms, meeting or event space, or a combination of both? Tell us a little about your event, then we’ll contact you and plan it together.

828-265-7676. www.marriott.com/HKYBN.com. Ad on page 79

courtyard Marriott

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Make Sure Your Mountain Wedding Includes the Right Mountain Lodging Along with your perfect mountain wedding, you should have the perfect mountain lodging.

From fully furnished homes, to mountain cabins and villas, we can help you find the right accommodations for you and your guests.

Visit our web site to see over 150 properties.

Located in the Heart of the High Country

Resort Real Estate & Rentals

RRR

at Sugar Mountain

828-898-9476 | 800-438-4555 | staysugarmountain.com

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places to stay Conveniently located near the most famous attractions in the High South, as well as its popular ski resorts, Foscoe Rentals offers properties that are typically within a 10-15 minute drive from everything you will want to see and do in the area. Foscoe Rentals offers accommodations for vacationers and wedding guests in Boone, Banner Elk, Valle Crucis and Blowing Rock.

800-723-7341. www.foscoerentals.com.

Ad on page 80

foscoe rentals

the inn at glen alpine

Tucked away in the foothills on the outskirts of the city of Morganton, the Inn at Glen Alpine boats four luxurious guest rooms, unbeatable outdoor event space, a “green� environment and the best porch in Burke County. In 2014, husband-andwife team Craig and Teresa Sellman renovated the 1913 country manor, which

80

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has since been named a Top 30 Romantic Destination in North Carolina. 828-584-9264. www.innatglenalpine.com. Ad on page 80

Resort real estate Rentals

Imagine exchanging your vows in an elegant, calm and serene setting high atop a mountain with cool breezes and breathtaking mountain views, surrounded by family and friends. RRR offers accommodations for wedding couples, as well as for family, friends and wedding parties. Enjoy superior service at non-superior rates as friendly staff members handle all of your accommodation needs. 828-898-9746. www.staysugarmountain.com Ad on page 79 Resort Real Estate & Rentals

RRR

at Sugar Mountain

What’s #TRENDING?

T

he 2016 wedding season gave us a sneak peek at some of the styles and details that have recently been growing in popularity, as well as some that made their first appearance in the industry. Wedding pros throughout the industry say these ideas are on the rise, but there’s also been a lean toward throwing the trends out the window and finding more and more ways to incorporate personal elements. If these trendy features suit your vision, work your own color schemes and ideas into the plan and make them your own. Whatever you do, remember to stay true to the things that matter most to you and your loved ones. It’s your wedding day, after all!

MAKE IT METAL

Joy Davis Photography

BOURBON BAR When a groom’s cake just won’t do, plan to include a bourbon and cigar bar at your reception for the guys (and the girls, of course).

Stock it with your favorite brands and ingredients and get ready for some serious fun.

Sleek city chic finds its way to the rustic wedding scene with gold and brushed metal details. Pair them with your place settings atop reclaimed barnwood farm tables (which are all the rage right now, too) and marry the best of both worlds.

GET CONNECTED Let’s get social! A custom hashtag is a fun and simple way for your friends and family to share the memories they’re making on your wedding day. wayfaring wanderer

Elizabeth Marie photos

Take your favorite fresh cut blooms to new heights with hanging floral arrangements. The added whimsy will elevate your wedding event décor in a whole new way.

andi peters

BLOOMING CHANDELIERS

GIRL’S BEST FRIEND Can’t say “I do” without your furry best friend? Add them to your wedding party and keep them around all day! Lucky for us, many outdoor venues in the High Country make this option available.

SIGNATURE COCKTAILS Not sure what to serve at the reception? Why not opt for your favorite mixed drinks? Incorporate your preferred ingredients to mix up a recipe that reflects your personalities. For added fun, pick and choose a his-andhers cocktail menu and name them after your favorite things.

revival photography

SHOW YOUR COLORS Your wedding reception will also likely be an awesome reunion of your college pals. What better way to pay homage to the good times than by sporting a little team spirit? Find a way to incorporate your school colors and share a little history with your friends.

MAKE IT PERSONAL 2017

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a love story

for the ages Something Beautiful Happens When Long-Standing Tradition Meets Modern Wedding Day Trends in This Featured Collaboration of Local Professionals

Joy Davis Photography | Green Park Inn 82

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B

uilt of heart pine and American Chestnut, the stately Green Park Inn was constructed during the late Victorian era as a picture of modern luxury.

Its halls keep the stories of people who’ve walked them over the decades, and its past boasts visits from many notable guests, including presidents, national business leaders and Hollywood stars. Herbert Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Mitchell, Calvin Coolidge and John D. Rockefeller are among the guests it can claim, along with the famed Annie Oakley, who offered sharpshooting lessons on the grounds in the 1920s.

Now known as the Legendary Grand Dame of the High Country, it is the last of the grand manor hotels in western North Carolina and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. The inn recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of its grand opening, a milestone that inspired this styled shoot collaboration.

In honor of the inn’s rich and storied past, a group of local vendors worked together to pair its quintessential Victorian romance with a modern wedding trend — an intimate “first look” moment between future Mr. and Mrs. Superstition tells us that the groom shouldn’t see the bride in her dress until the wedding, but more and more couples are exchanging that tradition for a quiet moment stolen away from the crowd — an intimate experience for them to share before they promise forever.

This collection of styled images shows a couple’s sweet “first look” after spending time with the wedding party. The enduring charm of the Green Park Inn makes a perfect backdrop for our display of this popular new custom, and a little Victorian style inspiration shows us how to rock a chic, sophisticated and timeless wedding day look.

Our bride wears a Casablanca bridal gown, classic cathedral veil and royal blue satin pumps from South’s Specialty Clothiers.

2017

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Debbie Isaacs at Serendipity Hair Studio created our bride’s romantic side swept up-do with cascading curls, as well as a soft braided design and half up-do for the bridesmaids. Simply stunning makeup by Courtney McLain gives the girls a romantic look that’s polished and perfect with just enough drama.

In the Garden Room at the inn, A Bushel and a Peck’s Sweet Lillie Lace Buffet anchors a soft, charming seating area for the bridal party, along with the Patsy Ruth chair set. The buffet displays a collection of delicate details, including a floral printed china tea set.

An ornate stand holds a two-tiered creation from Hallmark Cakes, adorned with soft colors and handcrafted pearl and cameo details.

VENDORS The Green Park Inn / PG 59 | Joy Davis Photography / PG 49 A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals / PG 116 Events by Elizabeth Ashley / PG 31 South’s Specialty Clothiers / PG 107 The Formal Showcase (Valdese) | Village Jewelers / PG 101 Debbie Isaacs, Serendipity Hair Studio Courtney McLain Makeup Millefleurs / PG 103 | Hallmark Cakes / PG 90 84

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A pink Alencon lace gown with fit and flare silhouette, short sleeves, bateau neckline and flower accent from The Formal Showcase in Valdese lends to the bride’s timelessly romantic, sophisticated look.

Her bridesmaids wear chic, dark navy full length dresses, also from The Formal Showcase.

A one-of-a-kind, handmade lace collar recalls a Victorian era fashion staple. It’s paired with a double strand of antique pearls and an authentic 1890s cameo brooch from Village Jewelers.

The look is paired with lace wristlets created by A Bushel and a Peck and a matching cameo bracelet.

2017

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The groom and groomsmen sport classic black and white tuxedos from South’s Specialty Clothiers in a dramatic group shot in the Green Park Inn’s bold, sophisticated library. Also available at South’s, the bride’s beaded satin Casablanca bridal gown, the bridesmaids’ rose toned tea length dresses and their nude colored pumps.

A large fireplace in the dining room, made of chestnut wood original to the inn, provides a dark, masculine space for the groomsmen to enjoy a drink.

Models:

Courtney and Darren McLain | Courtney and Jonathan Dale-Cox Summer Ritchie | Tyler McLain

2017

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FOOD & BEVERAGE Wining and Dining in the High Country

CONSIDER THE OPTIONS

Choosing the right caterer for your event will be one of the most impactful budgetary decisions you’ll face, so playing through the options will be an imperative part of the process. We’ve done a little homework for you, so take a look at some of the factors these factors that might influence your catering decisions and start thinking about the foods you want to share with your crew on the big day.

revival photography

S

o many of life’s greatest moments are shared at a table. Whether it’s a party, a first date, a night out with friends or a big family dinner, good food is, in many ways, what brings us close over the years. Your wedding reception will bring all of your favorite people together for one truly special occasion, and food will be an important element of that experience, too.

Feeding guests our favorite dishes has long been a tradition in the wedding world, but a rise in “foodie” culture over the past several years coupled with the farm-to-table revolution means that couples everywhere are getting more creative and paying more and more attention to the details of their menus.

Many of today’s brides and grooms make it a priority to serve foods that are their own personal favorites or are somehow representative of culture in either their hometowns, their favorite travel destinations or in the city or town in which they’re getting married.

Caterers everywhere, especially here in the High South, are attuned not only to these growing trends, but also to the recent farm-to-table movement, which usually incorporates a variety of fresh, locally sourced foods.

The rich agricultural integrity of our area ensures that caterers in these mountains have access to highquality and organic products, which means you’re in luck if you’re looking to give your guests a fresh-off-thefarm kind of meal.

Whether you’re planning a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, a plated dinner, a dessert bar and drinks or all of the above, these local folks are ready to help you make it happen. revival photography

sam stroud photography

PICTURE PERFECT

When it comes to the menu for your wedding reception, your guests will pay as much attention to how the food is presented as they will to how it tastes.

Chat with your caterer about ideas for displaying your spread so that it suits the overall style of your festivities. Using creative serveware and adding your own personal touches to food tables can yield a dining experience that’s just as fun for your guests as it is delicious.

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EAT LOCAL

Ask your caterer for recommendations on ingredients that will be available in droves at the time of your wedding. Factoring in seasonal availability and the use of locally or regionally grown products can give you a high quality, mouthwatering menu that’s not only super fresh, but also delectable.

revival photography

CHEERS!

Talk to your caterer about options for serving your favorite beverages. Incorporate a local winery or brewery to give your bar a little Appalachian flare, or come up with a signature cocktail inspired by your story.

Specializing in Artistically Crafted, Gourmet Wedding Cakes, Groom Cakes, & Dessert Bars

Main Street, Blowing Rock • 724-799-1334 • www.uggamuggabakery.com 2017

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FRIENDLY FOOD

It only makes sense to serve your favorite dishes on your big day, but don’t forget your guests when you’re narrowing down your menu options. Talk to your caterer about sugar free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan alternatives for friends and family who may be on restricted diets or have food allergies. joy davis photography

revival photography

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

The amount of food you order, and, ultimately, the way it will be served, will depend largely on how many people you plan to invite. A meticulously plated sit-down dinner could be costly if you’re looking at hundreds of guests, but it’s feasible if your priority is a more upscale affair. If you’re leaning to a more relaxed environment, a buffet style spread could add to your laid-back aesthetic and the overall feel of your reception. Because paying your caterer to hire servers and waitstaff will add to your costs in the long run, it’s important to think about whether or not a plated dinner is worth the expense.

Pastries Done The

Proper Way

HALLMARK CAKES

90

A great many things can be resolved with kindness, even more with laughter, but there are some things that just require cake!

We Do Weddings Well!

hallmarkcakes.com 828.295.3738

1104 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607 828-264-9476 www.peabodyswineandbeer.com

High South Weddings

2017

Catering With A Southern Flare

From pastries, to cakes, to full meals, we specialize in Homestyle Southern Cooking with a modern, seasonal slant Open Monday - Saturday: 11:30am - 9:00pm Sunday: 11:30am - 3:00pm

828-865-5000|www.propermeal.com

food & beverage This is your special day, and at BBQ-Burgers and Brews, we specialize in catering for any aspect of your wedding – from small rehearsal dinners to large wedding parties. Don’t let our name fool you - we are not limited to just barbecue!

Our chefs are experts in preparing meals for any taste.

We can help you develop that unique dining experience that you and your guests will enjoy, while remaining within your budget. 828-265-2828. www.bbqburgersbrews.com. Ad on page 94

BBQ, BURGERS & BREWS

C.R. Catering coMPANY

C.R. Catering Co. is Casa Rustica Restaurant’s sister company.

We are pleased to offer the High Country’s finest gourmet catering for events on and off site. We provide fresh, distinctive food and quality service for each and every event. We are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions, and regularly prepare vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan meals. North Carolina’s

freshest seafood and the finest locally grown vegetables appear regularly on our custom designed catering menus.

Want a family favorite included in your menu? No problem! We can customize any item for your special event.

Need the perfect space to accommodate your catering needs? We can serve 25 to 150 guests on-site with ease. Give us a call. 828-406-7721. www.crcateringco.com. Ad on page 92

Eat Crow

Dominic Geraghty has been an executive chef for over 30 years serving delicacies in places as far away as New Mexico, Alaska, California, Massachusetts, Scotland, and his native home of England. His delicious creations are now available in the High Country for catering. His specialties of Beef Wellington, Boeuf Bourguignon, or Chicken Pot Pie would be a delight at any of your wedding functions. His pies and cakes are fabulous and are fit for a "Queen or King." With the help of his wife, Meryle Geraghty and their dedicated staff, your guests will enjoy

some of the best food in the High EAT CROW Country. Please see our catering menus and photos on our website.

828-963-8228 Gourmet Catering / British Tradition www.eatcrownc.com. Ad on page 93 Foscoe’s hidden gem serving delicious European-style dishes, fabulous cakes and pies.

Our quaint cafe is perfect for small dinner gatherings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners & intimate wedding receptions.

Chef Ed Winebarger Serving Venues across the High Country trained at the Johnson and 9872 HIGHWAY 105 SOUTH BANNER ELK, NC 28604 828-963-8228 Wales University School of www.eatcrownc.com Owners, Dominic & Meryletoday Geraghty Culinary Arts in Charleston, South Carolina and resides on a seven-acre, fully operational organic farm.

With more than 20 years of experiences in the Boone area food service industry, he specializes in organic farm-to-table catering and also offers gluten free and vegetarian menus. 828-773-4318. www.earthworkscatering.com. Ad on page 94

earthworks catering

Gadabouts Catering

Gadabouts has been pleased to cater and plan weddings and special events for the North

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food & beverage Carolina High South since 2004. As a professional and full-service catering and event planning company, our specialties include weddings and rehearsal dinners, as well as corporate galas, grand openings and other social events. With certified wedding planners and consultants on staff, as well as a professional catering team, Gadabouts is especially prepared to provide perfect memories forSERIOUS a lifetime! Convenient to all North Carolina High South Venues in Valle Crucis, Linville, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Boone NC, Gadabouts is truly the caterer to call for that perfect wedding or special event! We would love to discuss the opportunity with you.

828-297-7886. www.gadabouts.com. Ad on page 91

WE’RE

ABOUT

GOOD

GRUB

Gamekeeper Catering is committed to making your event unforgettable. You can reserve the entire restaurant, the Vineyard Room, or the bar. GK also handles catered events at Camp Sky Ranch or the site of your choosing. Our staff experienced and We’llis make your dreams come true.

REHEARSAL DINNERS | RECEPTIONS | PRIVATE DINING | BRIDAL LUNCHEONS attentive to all of your needs. Options include: On-site grilling, Hors d’oeuvres, Buffets, Plated dinners, and Family-style restaurant bar Stations. 828-963-7400. www.gamekeeper-nc.com.

Ad on page 93

Gamekeeper Catering

& CATERED EVENTS

3005 SHULLS MILL RD • BLOWING ROCK, NC • 828-963-7400 • GAMEKEEPER-NC.COM

The Woodland’s Barbecue & Pickin’ Parlor

Looking for a caterer for your event, wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, party or celebration? Contact Woodland’s.

We cater barbecue, chicken, ribs, and much more!

Catering available for groups from 40 to 3000.

We work with many venues in the High Country area.

Feel free to call us for more information.

The Cake Lady — I am a self-taught cake artist and I work alone out of my professional home kitchen. I bake every cake, create every sauce, puree, buttercream ... that makes them delicious. I build and decorate every cake. I deliver and set up every cake (well - on really busy days, my husband sometimes helps!) I am proud to be a part of your special day, and I will do everything I can to make it live up to your dreams! I have worked with countless brides, grooms, and their families and it is a joyful business indeed!! It would be my honor to be a part of your magical day by making a wedding cake for your NC mountain wedding!

828-295-3738. www.hallmarkcakes.com. Ad on page 90

Hallmark Cakes

Peabody's Beer & Wine

Peabody’s Wine & Beer was established in 1978 and has the region’s largest and finest selection of wine and beers.

Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can assist in all aspects of your rehearsal and wedding beverage needs while staying in your budget. Allow us to make planning your beverage needs fun and easy, as we have done for thousands of weddings for over 35 years. Please give us a call or visit our web site for consultation on making your celebration the toast of the town! 828-264-9476 www.peabodyswineandbeer.com. Ad on page 90 Based in downtown Boone, Proper is an homage to a Southern upbringing. It is a way of life that includes an honest living, being polite and eating good food. On your wedding day, feed your friends and family lovingly prepared, locally sourced Southern cuisine from Proper.

proper

828.295.3651 92

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www.woodlandsbbq.com

food & beverage Can’t get enough Proper? Come hungry and stop by the restaurant in Boone’s historic jailhouse.

828-865-5000. www.propermeal.com. Ad on page 90

Reid's cafÉ & CATERING

At Reid's Cafe & Catering we offer seasonal menus customized for every occasion, specializing in locally sourced and handcrafted foods. We believe in the importance of bringing those you love together through food and conversation. We value the handmade and fashion from scratch details as small as the aioli and dressings we use, to house made focaccia and pastries, slow roasted meats and naturally fermented pickles. We avoid industrially grown and processed foods. This translates throughout our planning process to include varied menu possibilities ranging from traditional favorites to ethnic flavors from around the world. We love the intentional, the specific, the wellcared-for. 828-268-9600. www.reidscateringco.com.

Ad on page 89

WE’RE

SERIOUS

ABOUT

GOOD

GRUB

Stick Boy Bread Co. uses traditional ingredients and methods to produce a wide range of baked goods and boats a full espresso and smoothie bar, but it’s also been in the wedding business for a long time, delivering amazing cakes all over the High Country time and

stick boy bread co.

E AT C ROW

Gourmet Catering / British Tradition Foscoe’s hidden gem serving delicious European-style dishes, fabulous cakes and pies.

We’ll make your dreams come true.

REHEARSAL DINNERS | RECEPTIONS | PRIVATE DINING | BRIDAL LUNCHEONS

Our quaint cafe is perfect for small dinner gatherings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners & intimate wedding receptions.

Serving Venues across the High Country 9872 HIGHWAY 105 SOUTH BANNER ELK, NC 28604 828-963-8228 www.eatcrownc.com

Owners, Dominic & Meryle Geraghty

restaurant

bar

& CATERED EVENTS

3005 SHULLS MILL RD • BLOWING ROCK, NC • (828) 963-7400 • GAMEKEEPER-NC.COM 2017

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food & beverages time again. Not only does Stick Boy offer custom wedding cakes, Stick Boy Kitchen is ready to meet all of your catering needs, too.

828-268-9900. www.stickboybread.com. Ads on pages 91 and 94 Ugga Mugga Bakery is a gourmet bakery serving North Carolina's High Country. We specialize in artistically crafted and gourmet wedding cakes, event cakes, dessert bars, and catering. We bake everything from scratch, fresh, and with the highest quality ingredients we can find. Designs can be anything from the simple and elegant to the crazy, colorful, and unique. Call today to schedule your cake tasting and design session.

724-799-1334. www.uggamuggabakery.com. Ad on page 89

Ugga MuggA Bakery

Looking for a caterer for your corporate event, wedding reception, wedding rehearsal or celebrations? Contact Woodlands. We cater barbeque, chicken, ribs, and much more.

Most items from our menu are available for catering. Meals come with baked beans, cole slaw, rolls, and iced tea. Plates, plastic ware, napkin, and ice are included. Catering available for groups from 40 to 3000. Smaller orders can be picked up. Woodlands is famous for its catering services and has been serving the High Country for over 30 years.

828-295-3651. www.woodlandsbbq.com. Ad on page 92

Woodlands CATERING

Farm to Table Catering for Western North Carolina Destination Weddings

BOONE NC • BLOWING ROCK NC • BANNER ELK NC

Contact Chef Ed Winebarger about designing a Custom Catering Menu for your next Western North Carolina Destination Wedding, Corporate Event or Dinner Party

earthworkscatering.com • 828-773-4318 94

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HOW SWEET IT IS!

owering tiers, small and sweet, over the top or stunningly simple — whatever your preference, sharing a delectable wedding cake with your friends and family at the end of the day is an “I do” tradition that will never go out of style. It is, however, one that has changed dramatically in recent years as the industry has experienced a boom in trends toward unconventional, personalized details. Almost anything goes in the world of wedding cakes these days, so the possibilities are literally endless. Here’s a little advice for you as you dream up something decadent for your best day ever.

TRUST THE PROS

sam stroud photography

Your caterer and cake maker specialize in bringing dreamy desserts to life, and their knowledge and expertise can help you make smart decisions about what to serve to your guests. If you’re obsessed with a design you’ve found on Pinterest, ask your professional if what you’re looking at is a good fit for your budget, your venue and the overall style of your wedding day. If you can’t nail down what you have in mind, give them a little creative freedom and watch them make some magic!

burton photography

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Sam Stroud Photography Yes, making the right catering choices for your reception includes careful consideration of the folks who’ll be there to spend the day with you. However, your wedding cake (or alternative dessert selection) is a time to indulge in the flavors you love most.

evergreen studios

FRESH TAKE

Everyone saves a piece of their cake to enjoy on their first anniversary, right?

No matter how much you spend to get the most delicious cake you’ve ever had, there’s no guarantee it will taste the same an entire year later, even if you’ve gone to great lengths to package and protect it. Why not go back to your baker on your anniversary and have a fresh new cake made in the same flavor?

HAVE YOUR CAKE & EAT IT, TOO!

Chances are, you’ll be so wrapped up in the excitement of this new experience that you might be inclined to skip having a piece of your own wedding cake. Don’t forget to slow down, take a deep breath and sit down for a slice with your spouse. You can also ask your caterer to cut some and set it aside for you. Packaged up and saved like this, you can enjoy it later that night or in the following days.

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Lyndsey & Alex

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he small town of Morganton, North Carolina is home for high school sweethearts Lyndsey Kirksey and Alex Beck, who were drawn to one another when they met on the first day of their freshman year.

They have been together ever since, and, although they pursued higher education at different schools, the two returned to their Burke County roots in August 2016 to exchange their vows at the charming Inn at Glen Alpine, which holds a rich history of its own.

After graduating from Freedom High School, the two carried on a long distance relationship while Alex was at Appalachian State University (later moving to Louisiana for graduate study) and Lyndsey attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

On a January hike to the top of Table Rock, which boasts impressive views of the Linville Gorge and the Pisgah National Forest, Alex popped the question.

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With their deep connections to the mountains of western North Carolina, it was only natural for the couple to decide on a wedding venue in their own backyard.

“We decided to get married in the mountains, because it is where we are both from and most of our family and friends are from the area, as well,” Lyndsey said. “We also love the outdoors, and outside in the mountains is always beautiful.”

Built in 1913, The Inn at Glenn Alpine was a perfect match for the “simply beautiful” wedding Lyndsey had in mind, and they were married in the town where their love story began.

“Our venue was our best investment we made in planning our wedding,” said Lyndsey. “We were able to keep everything at one location, which made it very convenient. When you book The Inn at Glen Alpine, you also book the beautiful rooms they have, so it ended up being a great place to spend our first night as

husband and wife together.”

The sweethearts honeymooned in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina and will always remember the precious memories that made their wedding day special.

“My favorite moment of our wedding day was saying our vows to each other,” Lyndsey said. “We decided to write our own wedding vows, and hearing my husband recite his made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.”

FEATURED VENDORS

Venue: The Inn at Glen Alpine Photography: Michelle Hrin Photography Paper Goods: Table Rock Printers Flowers: Crescent Flowers | Hair: Headlines Salon Dress: Did Someone Say Party?

DJ and Rentals: Joey Belanger, “DJ Joey B” Linens: It’s My Party | Catering: Countryside BBQ Cake: My Local Bakery

lyndsey kirksey & alex beck august 6, 2016 | The inn at Glen Alpine | Michelle Hrin photography

“What I love most about Lyndsey are the values she exercises.

A combination of trust and loyalty that she has exhibited to me ever since we met is more than I could ever ask for.” – Alex Beck

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Katie & Tim

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he peaks and valleys of the North Carolina mountains tend to leave lasting impressions us, whether we’ve called them home our entire lives or we’ve only passed through on occasion. That’s certainly been true for Katie Speights and Tim Mahon, who met and fell in love while living in Asheville and working at the Biltmore Estate.

The two were together for more than six years when Tim decided to make it official.

“He proposed to me at the Westin in Hilton Head, where we had our first vacation together on his 40th birthday,” Katie said. “He said he wanted me to be his gift.”

Although the couple has since lived in Breckenridge, Colorado and are now in Charleston, South Carolina, the couple’s profound love for mountain environments drew them back here for their big day.

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“We knew how happy the surroundings made us. It is always breathtaking to see the beautiful peaks of both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rockies,” said Katie.

“Living in Asheville, traveling to the High Country to go skiing and snowboarding and hiking were always things we loved doing when we had spare time. When we found Twickenham House on top of a mountain, we just knew it was meant to be.”

As a wedding planner herself, Katie aimed to bring friends and family together for an intimate celebration and a night to remember. Working with High Country vendors made planning a destination wedding a breeze for this out-of-town bride.

“We could not have asked for better photographers.

Misty and Ryan were absolutely amazing and captured our day beautifully. When Tim and I first met them at

their studio months before the wedding, we knew right then and there,” she said. “Eileen at Gadabouts was so great to work with, very accommodating and helped make our day special. The food was delicious – all the guests raved about it – and our DJ, Dan, kept everyone on the dance floor and kept the party going all night.

“And we definitely can’t forget the flowers. I sent ideas of what I was looking for and spoke with Desi a couple of times on the phone and the flowers exceeded my expectations. They were beyond amazing.”

At the end of the night, Dan played Edward Sharpe’ song “Home” as guests gathered around the bride and groom, bringing the festivities to a close and sending the happy couple on a new chapter in their journey together.

“This was the beginning, but also the continuation, of such an amazing adventure,” Katie said.

katie speights & tim mahon june 18, 2016 | twickenham house | pixels on paper

FEATURED VENDORS

“We have so much fun together. He always seems to make me laugh at least once a day, and there is never a dull moment.

I couldn’t imagine my life without this goofy, fun-loving guy.”

Venue: Twickenham House Photography: Pixels on Paper Officiant: High Country Ministers Flowers: The Pearl and the Petal Catering & Bar: Gadabouts DJ: On Target DJ Transportation: CMS Specialty Transport

– Katie Speights Mahon 2017

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FINISHING TOUCHES T

sam stroud Photography

Picture Perfect Details

he date is set, the venue’s booked and major plans are in motion for the day you’ve been waiting for all of your life. Now that you’ve got the framework in place for your wedding events, it’s time to start adding those personal touches that will set it all off and bring your vision to life.

THE LOOK The dress -- it’s by far the most fun and exciting element to shop for, and it will play a major role in your confidence level on the big day. When you look good, you feel good, right? That’s why finding the perfect bridal gown and the accessories to wear with it plays a major part in the planning process. Custom gowns typically take several months to get back from a designer, so be sure you start shopping early enough and factor in time for any necessary alterations.

sam stroud Photography

ON PAPER Custom stationery is your opportunity bring all of your style elements together in one beautiful design. Your save the date cards, invitations, RSVP cards and other paper products will give your guests their first glimpse into your vision for the big day, and, as such, will be your first opportunity to let your personality shine.

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS The overall look and feel of your fresh flower selection can really pull the various details of your day together. Lucky for us, the High South is home to some seriously talented floral designers, who are masters at not only selecting the perfect colors and styles to compliment your look, but at crafting luxurious arrangements that will give you that right-out-ofa-dream aesthetic. revival Photography 100

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You’ve already selected the perfect partner, the perfect dress, the perfect venue, and the perfect date. Let the professionals at Haircut 101 help design your perfect look.

Our stylists can create a style that complements – so you will be polished and beautiful – in person and in your portraits.

flames burn within

a symbol of everlasting love

Haircut 101

Offering in-salon and on-location hair and makeup services.

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Floral Design for Every OccasionL

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697 West King Street | Boone, NC | 828.264.6559 www.VillageJewelersltd.com 2017

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BLOWING ROCK ESTATE JEWELRY

BEAUTY Hair and makeup together form another added element that will play an important role in how you look and feel on your wedding day.

Consult with a few stylists to find the salon that best suits the style you’re looking to achieve, and be sure to schedule a few practice runs before the big day.

Diamonds, Colored Stones & Engagement Rings are our Specialty Family Owned Since 1988

If you’re planning an engagement photography session, enlist them to get you all dolled up and see if you like the results.

Featuring Distinctive Antique & Estate Pieces OPEN MAY THROUGH OCTOBER Call for an appointment during the Winter Season

167 SUNSET DRIVE in BLOWING ROCK (one half block off Main St) 828-295-4500

wayfaring wanderer

Whether you’re looking for something natural, something soft and romantic or something bold and dramatic, you’ll want to be sure you like the way it wears before you commit to a style for the wedding.

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finishing toucHes blowing rock estate jewelers

Located along Sunset Drive in downtown Blowing Rock, the family owned and operated store offers a huge selection of platinum and 14kt and 18kt fine and estate jewelry. Blowing Rock Estate Jewelry specializes in diamonds, various precious colored BLOWING ROCK gemstones and unique heirloom jewelry of all kinds ESTATE JEWELRY since 1988.

828-295-4500. Ad on page 102

Introducing LILILAN WEST, The Most Stunning & Ethereal Collection Yet Proudly Serving the High Country for Over 27 Years!

boone Visit Boone Drug at New Market Center for unique and custom designed wedding invitations to meet your style and budget. We have drug an on site Photo and Invitation Specialist to help you with selections and custom designs. With displays and examples at your fingertips, and on site printing, we can make it easy to get your invitations, programs, menus and stationary in your hands fast!

828-264-9144. www.boonedrug.com. Ad on page 106 callista designs

Raised in her family’s wildflower nursery, Janna Avery now serves as the resident floral designer at the coveted Eseeola Lodge in Linville, and also works with many other brides through her own

Did Someone Say Party?

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www.didsomeonesayparty.com 2017

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finishing touches small business. Named for the word that means “most beautiful” in the Greek language, Callista Designs incorporates Janna’s passion for flowers and the European inspiration she holds dear.

828-260-6149. www.callista-designs.com. Ad on page101

canvas beauty bar

A style staple in downtown Boone, Canvas Beauty Bar is dedicated to sharing a love of style, health and beauty with the High Country. Through the utmost education, the Canvas team creates a culture of luxury and innovation, where personalized services bring out the best in the client and the style.

828-355-9688. www.canvasboone.com. Ad on page 104

You’ve already selected the perfect partner, the perfect dress, the perfect venue, and the perfect Say Party? is celebrating 26 years of “hapDid Someone Did Someone after.” Our customers become part of the DSSP date. Let the professionals at Haircut pily 101ever help Say Party? family and we are currently working with our second gendesign your perfect look. eration. Laughter and happy tears fill all three floors of our building, so bring your

Our stylists can create a style that camera and your entourage to join us.Our entire team is here complements– so youready will to behonor polished for you, your love by caring for your wedding and beautiful – in person and in as if it were our own. We want you to feel confident and look your portraits. fabulous on your special day!

Did Someone Say Party?

828-264-7307. www.didsomeonesayparty.com. Ad on page 103

Haircut 101

Floral design trends change all the time, and I love the varieties of trends. However, classic and elegant styles always stand the test of time. Some of my favorite blooms are Hydrangea, Rose, Stock, Sweet Pea, Freesia, Ranunculus, Peony and Dahlia's ... I could keep going! Unique and unexpected flowers are also one of my specialties. I also enjoy experimenting with new techniques or displays ... I love to think outside the box! Living in the High Country, surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, I am inspired on a daily basis.

828-260-2978. www.fuschiamoss.com. Ad on page 102

FusCHIA Moss Offering in-salon and on-location hair and makeup services.

FLORAL DESIGN

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For the past 22 years, Haircut 101 has helped brides and grooms make their special day more beautiful and enjoyable, by helping them look their very best. We can provide complete makeovers, from hair colour and styles to make-up. We’ve done countless wedding parties and have always prided ourselves on the quality of work we provide. A lot of time, effort and energy goes into planning a wedding, so let Haircut 101 17 4 S O UTH DE POT ST REE T, B O ONE NC help you look and feel your very best on your special day.

82 8.2 62 .332 4 | H ai rcut 10 1 .com 828-262-3324. www.haircut101.com. Ad on page 101

HAIRCUT 101

Millefleurs

At Millefleurs, we look forward to sitting down with each client to hear about their dream day. We personalize each appointment and enjoy helping make your vision a reality. Whether your look is the simplicity of a bouquet of wildflowers or the formal beauty of silver candelabra, we 104

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Exclusively at Stone Jewelers

For the most important moment of your life...

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finishing touches will accommodate your desires. After each appointment and dream session, we will work up a detailed estimate and schematic of your floral design. We will always work within your budget to make your event beautiful. Our meticulous attention to detail is what sets Millefleurs apart.

828-773-6012. www. ncmountainflowers.com Ad on page 103

Mountain Mystic

Here’s how to build the perfect tan for your wedding. Mountain Mystic opened in June of 2013

by Breanna Brown. After trying Mystic Tan at a salon in Charlotte, she decided to open the first salon to have a spray tanning machine in the High Country. Breanna fell in love with the mystic tan machine and knew this is exactly what the High Country community needed. It’s a safe and perfect way to look your best for your wedding day. Mountain Mystic already has over 500 clients and the number continues

to grow through word of mouth and flawless results.

828-773-1162. www.mountainmysticspraytanning.com Ad on page 106 Shady Grove Gardens has been supplying brides with locally grown flowers for 15 years. As the premier “specialty cut-flower grower” in the region, Shady Grove Gardens offers designs and DIY bucketfuls that express the beauty of our mountains with a unique sense of place. Generous arrangements combine organic wildflowers with rustic and traditional flowers.

Susan Wright, flower grower and designer, is at the forefront of the move toward locally grown, farm-direct flowers. The ‘slow flowers’ movement is a resurgence of florists as growers, as well as designers of flowers. We are a proud member of the Chapel Design group.

828-297-4098. www.shady-grove-gardens.com.

Ad on page 107

Shady Grove Gardens

Customize your spray tan for you and your bridesmaids!

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Established in 1965, The Stone Jewelers is the premier jewelry store in the High Country. We are a full service store that strives to offer the very best in service, quality and value. We have been proudly serving our customers for more than fifty years now. Our customers are our numbers one priority. We strive to satisfy all jewelry needs, whether it is a simple repair or creating a complex masterpiece. We have helped thousands of couples find their perfect wedding rings. Please call us or visit us in person! We look forward to working with you and helping you with all your jewelry needs.

828-264-2000 www.thestonejewelers. com. Ad on page 105

the stone jewelers

south's speciality clothiers

South’s Specialty Clothiers in the Boone Mall continues to be the High Country’s premiere onestop shop for bridal, formalwear and casual clothing for more than 30 years. As a family

South’s Specialty Clothiers offers the top lines in Bridal wear.

One of our favorite lines is Stella York which just won the 2016 DEBI Award for Bridal Collection of the Year!

As a full-service Bridal salon, we can work with any budget.

owned business, South’s can fulfill your wedding dreams by working with each bride one-on-one to provide the perfect wedding gown.

828-264-8977 www.southsclothiers.com Ad on page 107

village jewelers

Village Jewelers at OWG is your source for wedding and engagement rings, custom jewelry design, repair services, and vintage and estate jewelry. Our focus is on building relationships based on integrity and trust by providing complete services to our valued clients. We can begin with a concept, a picture, a stone, or even a family heirloom to create fine jewelry designed to last a lifetime and fulfill your dreams. Old World Galleries invites you to experience our commitment to quality, value, and your satisfaction.

828-264-6559 www.oldworldgalleries.com. Ad on page 101

PANTONE 117 0 / 18 / 100 / 15

PANTONE 2768 100 / 78 / 0 /44

Shady Grove Gardens

Flower Design Services & DIY

Use Locally Grown Flowers

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#farmerflorist | #sggarden

828-264-8977 | AT THE BOONE MALL www.SouthsClothiers.com 2017

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VENDORS

Gown: Hayden Olivia Bridal

Bistro chairs from A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals showcase a beautiful idea for ceremony seating and pair perfectly with a custom calligraphy backdrop.

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Elizabeth Marie Photos | Overlook Barn / PG 63 A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals / PG 118 Miss Match Rentals / PG 125 | Ugga Mugga Bakery / PG 89 Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie | Hayden Olivia Bridal Lulu’s Letter Co. | Lindsey Rusher | Ashleigh Jolly

Elizabeth Marie Photos | Overlook Barn

BOHEMIAN B

oho chic was the name of the game at this styled shoot, which pulled together rock stars in the High Country wedding industry and off-the-mountain professionals to create something bold and beautifully new. Marie Griffin of Elizabeth Marie Photos tapped into a vision she’d been dreaming up and opted to head for the hills of western North Carolina for this project at Overlook Barn high atop Beech Mountain. The inspiration?

“Romance. I wanted to create something intimate and romantic. Colorful tapered candlesticks were something I drew a lot of inspiratin from. They are so whimsical, along with all of the café lights at

romance

Overlook Barn,” Marie said. “I love coordinating styled shoots. As vendors, we get to be creative. We get to create something new for our brides. I know the vendors in the mountains are a tight knit group, so it was awesome being a part of their team. Working with these vendors definitely brought together a gorgeous shoot. I love how everything went together so beautifully.”

Rich, flowing floral designs, a custom black and gold calligraphy backdrop, vintage tufted furniture, a spread of gorgeous tabletop details and a perfect afternoon in the Blue Ridge Mountains pulled it all together.

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The bold, romantic hue of A Bushel and a Peck’s vintage tufted “Marilyn” sofa stands before the oversized barn doors leading into Overlook’s spacious event hall. Colored tapered candlesticks add height to the tablescape, which holds a rich, draping tapestry, gold flatware, gold chargers, jewel toned table linens and ornate china, all from Miss Match Rentals.

We asked photographer Marie Griffin, what makes mountain weddings stand out from the crowd in a booming, saturated industry?

Her response: “Most definitely the awesome vendors! They were so wonderful and hardworking. They took the time out of their busy schedules to take part in something creative. Also, a bride can’t go wrong with a venue like Overlook Barn. The venue itself is beautiful, but adding in the gorgeous mountain view? Heck yes!”

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Sketches from the Ugga Mugga Bakery team show design elements that owner and cake maker Beth Zagst dreamed up for this Bohemian-inspired collaboration.

Beth Zagst of Ugga Mugga Bakery said she was excited to create this innovative design because it reflects both her skillset and her interest in developing avant-garde trends in cake making.

“I hugely enjoyed the creative design process on this one. My assistant and I have been working closely together for two years. She is headed to the Culinary Institute of America in one month and this was the last super amazing project we got to do together,” Zagst said. “We knew that and really spent time discussing, designing and building it together. This added such emotion to the project, as well. I love her dearly and we have both grown immensely in the last two seasons.

This project makes me so proud of how far we have come together.”

Sophisticated Florals by Stephanie Hair and Makeup: Ashleigh Jolly

Lulu’s Letter Co.

2017

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Allie & Jason

“Thank you, God, for bringing this man into my life, for his heart and his humor, for the experiences we have shared, for the life lessons we have learned, for leading us to this day and for the future we have to look forward to.”

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s their own love story came to life, these Florida natives also fell in love with the rustic charms of the High South, making the Blue Ridge Mountains the perfect place for them to say

“I do.”

Forever began when Allie and Jason met in high school, and nine years later he proposed on Christmas Eve. These mountains have always held a special place in each of their hearts, so getting married here made perfect sense for this sweet couple.

“It became a very special place for our family, a place that always showed us a good time and gave us an opportunity to spend quality, memorable moments with those we loved most,” said Jason. “For Allie and myself, being in the mountains brought us peace, so much happiness and the idea that it would be the most perfect setting in the world for us to exchange our vows.”

With their intimate love for each other, for family and for the Blue Ridge shining through, they celebrated their future together with friends and family who have been there for them every step of the way.

“We wanted a very intimate wedding. We wanted to be surrounded by only our absolute closest friends and family, and we wanted people to fall in love with this beautiful place as much as we have over the years,” said Allie. “That is why I kept everything so simple, because I knew the love between us, the setting and the people who were surrounding us were going to make this wedding everything we could have ever dreamed of and more.”

allie henderson & jason chiklakis september 17 | WESTGLOW | wayfaring wanderer

FEATURED VENDORS Venue: Westglow Resort & Spa Photography: Wayfaring Wanderer Videography: Authentic Exposure Paper Goods: Inkling Calligraphy, Flourish Calligraphy, Alpine Paper Company Officiant: Andy Cornett | Hair & Makeup: Westglow Spa Flowers: Millefleurs | Rentals: A&J Rentals Décor and Rentals: A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals Catering: Rowland’s at Westglow | Cake: Ugga Mugga Bakery DJ: Dave Blanks Mobile DJ | Musicians: The Lucky Strikes

“Allie has always been the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and she always will be. Nothing will beat seeing that big, beautiful smile for the first time on our wedding day. Ever.”

– jason Chiklakis

2017

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Amanda & Jared T

his forever story began freshman year at Appalachian State as Amanda, known by her maiden name “Kato” to friends and family, bonded with Jared over a passion for nature and wildlife.

Their friendship took flight into a beautiful romance, and, after staying connected through a long distance relationship, Jared knew he never wanted to be away from Amanda again.

He popped the question during an anniversary trip to the Outerbanks of North Carolina, where the two traveled to explore National Parks and National Wildlife Refugees. Ready to journey through life together, they were eager to plan a wedding in the mountains, where it all began.

“The High Country was the foundation of our relationship. Cuddling and studying together through the long cold winters of Boone, fishing and hiking together through the summers,” Amanda said. “All the while, as seasons changed, our love for one another 114

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grew stronger. Despite living on opposite sides of the country from one another at times, not even physical distance between us could shake the strength of our love. No matter what, our trails have always led us back to North Carolina and back to each other.”

They exchanged their vows before an intimate group of loved ones at On the Windfall, which sits on 215 acres of farmland in Ashe County. In an ode to their shared passion for wildlife, the two enjoyed the opportunity to sponsor and release a Great Horned Owl, which had been rehabilitated after a wing injury at the Carolina Raptor Center, during their unity ceremony.

“The week of the wedding, we received news that a bird would be ready for release, but the nocturnal behaviors of the owl would require it be released within an hour of sunset,” said Amanda. “This made for a wondrous moment during the reception, and Jared delivered a passionate speech prior to the release.”

amanda kato & jared thompson october 1, 2016 | on the windfall | salty spruce studios

“We were honored to have the owl, respectfully nicknamed ‘Thompson,’ released on our behalf. Thompson gracefully took flight, swooping just above guests’ heads and perched high above the farm’s Pascova venue through much of the remaining reception. Since the wedding, it has taken up residence at On the Windfall, where its calls can still be heard.”

– Amanda Kato Thompson

Featured Vendors Venue: On the Windfall Photography: Salty Spruce Studio Paper Goods: Emily Layne Designs Officiant: The Rev. Jeff Sweeney Dried Flowers: The Blaithin Blair Shop Pumpkins and Mums: Mountaineer Garden Center Rentals and Décor: A Bushel & A Peck Vintage Rentals Catering Gamekeeper Restaurant and Catering Cake: Stick Boy Bread Co. Bird of Prey Sponsorship: Carolina Raptor Center 2017

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THE ESSENTIALS

lanning a wedding will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting experiences of your life thus far. It's a chance to let your imagination run wild and to pull your favorite styles, colors and elements together, creating an incredible day that is boldly and unmistakably you. A lot of work will go into this process, however, and it could quickly become overwhelming if you don't spend as much time on the logistics as you do on the aesthetics. Flip through this section to see what local businesses have to offer you in setting up the framework for your wedding events and you'll be ready to nail down the major elements you need to get the ball rolling.

Planning Priorities RENTALS

It takes a lot to pull off a wedding reception, and the longer your guest list, the more you’ll need to rent from a local company to provide adequate seating and equipment to accommodate the crowd. Tables, chairs, linens, stemware, dinnerware, flatware and cutlery are among the basic needs you’ll be hunting for when you start to plan your reception. Some venues in the area offer complete services that include use of their own equipment use, although rental costs are not always included in the price you’ve negotiated for the space, so be sure to bring that up with your consultant or your venue manager. When you hire a rental company, make sure you or your consultant coordinate delivery and pickup times that work for your schedule and for the folks running your venue. matt powell productions

MAKE YOUR ESCAPE

Looking to make a dramatic exit after the reception?

Make your escape in style! Local transportation companies also offer vintage vehicles, muscle cars and high-end rides that are ready to whisk you away at the end of the night. Whether you’re looking for something timeless, rustic or a little wild, these folks have something that’s just right for you.

photo by andi peters

CUSTOM DECOR

revival photography

sam stroud photography

TRANSPORTATION

If parking is an issue at your venue, consider hiring professionals to help you provide transportation for your bridal party and your guests to and from the events. A shuttle service is a convenient way to help your guests get around the High Country while they’re here for your wedding. Mountain highways and back country roads can be confusing for out-of-town visitors, so they’ll appreciate any extra effort you make to help them find their way and get them safely to and from your ceremony and reception and their accommodations.

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burton photography

Many of the venues and spaces available for rent in the High South boast boundless charm and character, and the same can be said for the custom decorative furniture, architectural elements and small details that some of our local vendors offer. In fact, the area is home several talented folks who specialize in collecting gorgeous items and making them available for rent to couples getting married and people planning important events. Vintage tufted furniture, stoneware, glassware, linens and reclaimed barnwood tables and chairs are among the assortment of picture perfect pieces that these local pros have to offer, and they are ready to get together and discuss the options for incorporating them into your events. They’ll help you pick and choose from their vast collections to create a look and style that’s all you.

PARTIES TOO! 2017 High South Boone Rent-All Parties Too | 1818 Hwy. 105 Bypass, Boone, NC | www.partiestoo.com

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BURTON PHOTOGRAPHY

BANQUET HALLS

fletcher & fletcher photography

PHOTO BOOTH

Want to make some super fun memories? A photo booth is a great way to do just that. Not only is this growing trend becoming more and more popular with couples across the country, it’s a really easy and exciting away to build tangible reminders of the night you will share with your friends and family at your wedding reception. Keep the laughter and the smiles coming year after year as you look back at the wild images you’re bound to find when you book one of these for your big day.

Need some extra space? With large numbers of friends and family coming from out of town, destination weddings often become a weekend-long series of events when you start adding cocktail parties, bridal luncheons, brunches and more to the schedule.

While some venues offer booking Thursday through Sunday, others are only available on the day of the wedding; and, if you’re only renting the space for one day, you’re probably going to need some options for your other get-togethers. Several local banquet halls, restaurants, hotels and inns offer space that’s perfect for these smaller affairs, and there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for in a convenient location.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music and sound production will also play an important role in the overall atmosphere of your wedding day. Live music during the ceremony can add a great degree of personality and intimacy, but you’ll likely need the help of a professional to pull it off if you’re going for an outdoor event. The same is true for your reception entertainment -- a live performer or band is going to give you a totally different feel than a DJ, so think these things over as you’re envisioning the type of environment you’d like to create. Whether you opt for a DJ or live performers in any genre, you won’t have to look far to find talented professionals in the High Country.

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the essentials Rentals Kelly Williams offers a wide variety of antique, rustic, shabby chic and vintage rentals for all of your event, photography, and wedding needs, as well as custom handmade décor options. A Bushel and a Peck adds whimsy and romance to weddings and other special events with a vast inventory of items including reclaimed wood farm tables, benches, mismatch chairs, doorways and other architectural pieces, as well as luxurious tufted furniture to create a perfect lounge area for your guests. Check out a gallery of available pieces online and call on Kelly with all of your vintage ideas.

828-773-0354. www.abushelandapeckrentals.com. Ad on page 118

A Bushel & A Peck

Welcome, and thank you for considering Boone Rent-All & Parties Too. Since 1972 we have focused on providing the best equipment, the best service, and the best value to our customers.

We carry a complete line of party and special event equipment and supplies. We are a full service party rental with a vast inventory of the perfect items for your event. We also offer you excellent customer service, delivery, helpful ideas, and planning expertise to make your event everything you want it to be. We are here to partner with you in the solving of your problems, in the meeting of your challenges, and the fulfilling your dreams.

828-264-5000. www.boonerent-all.com Ad on page 117

Boone Rent-All

Miss Match Rentals was created to provide an alternative to your common white place setting. We specialize in vintage wares, including table settings, glassware, silverware, and a variety of napkins and linens. Bring a little personality to the table!

828-262-9808 Your Vintage Dinnerware Experts www.missmatchrentals.com. Ad on page 125

Miss Match Rentals

Music & Entertainment

Boone Photo Booth

Booth Photo Booth was started in 2014, by photographers Anna and Devin Ulery, when they realized this service was much needed in the High Country of Western North Carolina. Both have completed degrees in Photography, realize the importance of event photography and have been in the industry for over 10 years. All of our services include the following: Set Up (We arrive 1-2 hours prior to booth start time) 8×8 enclosed Photo Booth with 20" Touchscreen monitor for your guests to enjoy.

Unlimited Photos and Prints for your guests. Props. Background. Full time Attendant on site and more! Give us a call to find BOONE PHOTO BOOTH out more.

828-278-9436 www.boonephotobooth.com. Ad on page 123

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Bridal Party On Board!

High Country Transportation is ready to transport you, your wedding party and your guests to and from your ceremony in sophisticated style. Whether you need a party bus or a larger trolly to take guests from the church to the reception and to the hotel, we’ve got you covered. We work hard to ensure that your wedding group will arrive safely and on-time to the big event.

OUR FLEET: 26 Passenger Executive Coach 29 Passenger Grand Executive Coach 33 Passenger Trolley 9 Passenger Executive Van 6 Passenger Suburban ‘74 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible OUR SERVICES: Bachelor & Bachelorette Corporate Events Weddings Birthday Celebrations Sporting Events

828.898.9595 www.HighCountryLimo.com 2017

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the essentials

Deans’ Duets

DJ Grooves Entertainment provides classy and professional DJ, lighting, and emcee services for wedding rehearsals, ceremonies, receptions, anniversaries, graduations, birthdays and corporate events for over 20 years. DJ Grooves Entertainment offers musical selections spanning many genres for your special occasion. References available upon request. Let's celebrate and make your memories last a lifetime!

828-773-6960. www.djgrooves-entertainment.com. Ad on page 123

DJ GROOVES ENTERTAINMENT

We have the Music, DJs, Sound and Lighting for all events. For more information please call

( 8 0most 0 ) 3 7charming 0 - 3 4 7 5phoTin Can Event Co. is North Carolina’s ( 8 2 8 ) 9 6 4 - 1 1 5 1good to booth company. Ready to deliver unforgettable E-mail: times, Tin Can creates unique, interactive experiences with sndtechnique@skybest.com Visit Our Web Site photo booths anchored in vintage vehicles, like a ’77 www.soundtechnique.net Weddings VW Bus or a ’50 Airstream Trailer. Whatever your Dances Parties Karaoke dreams, we can help design elements that will keep Dance Lighting Equipment Rentals your guests talking long after the festivities are over.

“We take your fun seriously” 828-773-6423. www.tincaneventco.com. Ad on page 120

tin can event co.

Transportation

Air Haven LimoUSINE

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We do more than just drive you from point A to point B — we go the extra mile to help your event go as smoothly as possible. We have a number of vehicles to fit your needs. The entire wedding party can ride together in our 32 seat classic trolley that has many photo opportunities both inside and outside. Or maybe choose our Excalibur convertible instead, because we have made the old classic affordable H AV E R and it's also great for photos. We also have a 33 Passenger Luxury Bus, a 20 Passenger Theater Bus, and 8 Passenger Bridal Party On Board!

High Country Transportation is ready to transport you, your wedding par Mercedes Executive Limousine, plus a 5 Passenger Cus- your guests to and your ceremony in sophisticated style. Whether yo O Ofrom .C a party bus or a larger Ntrolly E toNtake guests from the church to the receptio the hotel, we’ve got you covered. We work hard to ensure that your weddi tom Van - and to top it off, a Mercedes E-Class Sedan. will arrive safely and on-time to the big event.

828-265.2504. www.airhavenlimo.com. Ad on page 119 OUR FLEET: AI

Sound Technique

The High Country is the perfect place to have your wedding, so why not have the perfect entertainment as well? You’ve already picked your venue, flowers, and dress, so allow me to

entertain you! I will use my 25 years of experience in the music field to provide you with the ideal atmosphere for your rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception. Wedding Packages Include: 1.) Sound Systems, Music Library, & Disc Jockey 2.) Karaoke and DJ Music Combination 3.) Slide Show & Video Projection 4.) Video Dance Music 5.) 50,000+ songs S O U N D TECHNIQUE 6.) LED Dance Lighting and Wireless Microphones.

Mobile DJ Service 800-370-3475. www.soundtechnique.net. Ad on page 123

B

.

With roots in classical violin duets, Dean’s Duets employs a vast repertoire of classical and popular music, movie soundtrack themes, Celtic fiddle tunes and sacred music. Specializing in modern covers of popular music, Dean’s Duets offers solo, duet, trip and quartet performances including violin, guitar, cello, piano and harp for weddings, cocktail hours, receptions and more.

828-308-1477. www.deansduets.com. Ad on page 123

DEAN'S DUETS

26 Passenger Executive Coach 29 Passenger Grand Executive Coach 33 Passenger Trolley 9 Passenger Executive Van 6 Passenger Suburban ‘74 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

High Country Limo is ready to transport you, your wedding party and your guestsOURtoSERVICES: and from your Bachelor & Bachelorette ceremony in sophisticated style.

Whether Corporate Events you need Weddings Birthday Celebrations a party bus or a larger trolly to take guests from the church to the reception or hotel, we've Sporting Events got you covered. We work hard to ensure that your wedding group will arrive safely and on-time to the big event.

828-898-9595. www.HighCountryLimo.com. Ad on page 121 828.898.9595

High Country Transportation

www.HighCountryLimo.com

Rev. Dr. Gregory Possman Rev. Sandra Possman Rev. Richard Tidyman Rev. Dr. Michael Dakotah

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Banquet Facilities BEST WESTERN Mountain Lodge at Banner Elk offers 3 spacious banquet rooms overlooking our lovely courtyard that can convert to one large ballroom with total square footage of 3,000. We can accommodate up to 200 people.

Tables and chairs are included in rental. We also have TV/DVD Player, Lectern

Best Western BANNER ELK

Deans’ Duets,

LLC

Complete your perfect day . . . with the perfect music!

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SOUND TECHNIQUE

Mobile DJ Service We have the Music, DJs, Sound and Lighting for all events. For more information please call

Jon-Paul Lacy

Modern and Cla�ical Music!

Solo | Duet | Trio | Quartet Violin | Cello | Piano | Guitar | Harp ... and More

828-308-1477

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MOBILE DJ & LIGHTING SERVICES 237 Jenwil Drive Deep Gap, NC 28618 (828) 773-6960

www. djgroovesentertainment.com

(800) 370-3475 (828) 964-1151 E-mail: sndtechnique@skybest.com Visit Our Web Site www.soundtechnique.net

Weddings Dances Parties Karaoke Dance Lighting Equipment Rentals

“We take your fun seriously�

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the essentials with Microphone, Projector Screens and Complimentary Wireless Internet. We have full ABC permits and there is also a separate lounge available and a tiki bar.

On-Site catering provided by Gadabouts. Our staff is at your service for all your wedding party and celebration needs.

828-898-4571. www.bestwesternbannerelk.com. Ad on page 124 The Fairway Café and Venue located in the Boone Golf Club is under the ownership of Rick and Elizabeth Pedroni. Fairway offers a unique flexibility to allow enjoying an event or celebration in our restaurant and on our patio. Add to that the breathtaking views of the sunset over the sixth hole and it’s truly a remarkable setting. Our lunch menu offers a variety of your everyday favorites with a gourmet twist. The Fairway Café and Venue combines the perfect backdrop, an experienced and professional staff, and an ability to create a menu to satisfy any imagination. Let us plan, serve, and clean up your next event from your wedding to your business luncheon.

828-264-0233. www.crcateringco.com. Ad on page 120

FAIRVIEW CAFE

Miscellaneous

doe ridge pottery

Doe Ridge Pottery offers a personalized, meaningful and artistic option for your wedding registry. Owner and artist Bob Meier specializes in functional and decorative stoneware, dinnerware, commissions and interior décor, and his gallery is also home to 14 other local artists. All works are created in the area and each artist brings their unique voice and perspective to their pottery.

828-264-1127. www.doeridgepottery.com. Ad on page 125

high country ministers

The Rev. Dr. Gregory Possman and the Rev. Sandra Possman are ordained ministers with the Universal Brotherhood Movement, a non-denominational interfaith organization. Their doctrine is unconditional love, non-judgment and tolerance, and they officiate weddings in Boone, West Jefferson, Banner Elk, Linville, Blowing Rock, Valle Crucis and eastern Tennessee.

828-265-3493. www.highcountryministers.com. Ad on page 122

The Best Western Mountain Lodge and Gadabouts Catering would love to host your wedding or your next special event

With three beautiful banquet rooms that can be transformed into a spacious ballroom, we have the flexibility to accommodate up to 200 guests. Gadabouts offers all styles of menus available for catering on or off site and they carry a full ABC permit. We have 100 newly renovated guest rooms with special group rates available throughout the year for your group if you need overnight accommodations.

We would love to host an event for you.

Please give us a call to schedule a meeting to learn more about our services.

(828) 898-4571 | www.bestwesternbannerelk.com | swooten81@gmail.com 124

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Handmade Stoneware Designed For You

Includes casual dinnerware and a full line of accessory pieces and decorator items including lamps

We Do Wedding Registries!

Doe Ridge Pottery and Gallery 585 West St., Suite D • Boone, NC 28607 • (828) 264-1127

Visit our website for a better look at some of our selections DoeRidgePottery.com • meier@doeridgepottery.com

ENTERTAINMENT CONSULTANTS MUSICIANS, BANDS, DJ’S WEDDINGS, PARTIES, CORPORATE EVENTS

Your Vintage Dinnerware Experts

Locally Owned, Nationally Known +*0 0Ĺ? * 5Ĺ? !((5Ĺ?Ä‘Ĺ?'!((5.)Ä…Ä…ÄŽ#) %(Ä‹ +) ÄĄÄ‰Ä‚Ä‰Ä‹ÄŠÄ‡ÄƒÄ‹Ä†Ä‚Ä‰Ä‰Ĺ?Ĺ?ħĹ?Ĺ? ĥĉĂĉĥĂćĉĥąĀćą

828-262-9808 www.missmatchrentals.com 2017

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katie boyette & david brewer June 11, 2016 | brayshaw farm | ellen gwin photographer

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usic, art, light and love were the stars of the show at Katie and Dave’s sweet mountain wedding, which was full of personality, song and dance.

Born and raised in Caldwell County, this mountain girl crossed paths with her music man in the early 2000s when he moved to Boone from his hometown in Clemmons, North Carolina. Their friendship blossomed into romance in 2010, and Dave eventually proposed by pretending to find a diamond ring on a gem-mining trip with Katie and her kids.

“If anyone knows David Brewer, they know he is a man with a life centered on music. He plays a hand in at least four to five bands on a regular basis while working a bar-tending gig, as well,” said friend and photographer Ellen Gwin. “He is a man of many talents, and it is only natural that he has found a partner for his lifelong duet.”

For this couple, the planning process began with setting priorities to allow their artistic and creative sensibilities to shine throughout the day, as

well as to allow a strong sense of community to be a cornerstone of the wedding.

Their perfect day came to life with elements like a relaxed farm atmosphere, a potluck dinner and lots of music and dancing, complete with an on-stage duet by the bride and groom.

“Their wedding was centered around the musical moments, and they pulled it off without a hitch, leading with a band style processional to the ceremony site, then the groom singing until the bride walked down the aisle,” Ellen said. “It was followed by a full set by the couple, and their first task as a married couple together was to sing to the crowd instead of cut the cake. The night continued with an array of friends and family appearing on stage sharing in the musical camaraderie. It was a beautiful day and a loving event for two amazingly talented people.”

On their honeymoon, Katie and Dave toured coastal Maine and Nova Scotia in a convertible mustang.

“There is seemingly nothing that Katie can’t do.

She loves to laugh and she makes me confident in all I do — and she can cook!” – David Brewer 2017

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FEATURED VENDORS Venue Brayshaw Farm Photography: Ellen Gwin Photographer Officiant: The Rev. Sam Gray and The Rev. Brad Bennett Dress: Did Someone Say Party?

Flowers: Shady Grove Gardens Rentals: Boone Rent-All Cake: Stick Boy Bread Co. Beverages: Happy Trailers Refrigerated Rentals, Peabody’s Wine and Beer Sound Production: Haynes Event Productions 128

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Musicians:

Greg Humphreys Electric Trio, Aaron Balance, Sanders Willis, Jared Church, Nathan Turner, Aaron Burleson, Brad Bennett, The Junaluska Gospel Choir, Jonathan Priest

“Dave has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. He makes me want to be a better person.”

– Katie Boyette Brewer

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Catherine & John

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atherine and John’s High Country wedding was a reflection of their commitment to one another, of their personalities, of their strong love of family and of the bride’s deep personal connections to the community of Valle Crucis.

The two met for lunch on a Thursday afternoon after being set up by a mutual friend, and they tied the knot a little over one year later.

When the planning process began, Catherine looked forward to sharing her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains with traveling wedding guests.

“Because I was born and raised in Valle Crucis, I always knew it was the only place I would consider getting married,” she said. “There is so much history, beauty and so many personal memories that I wanted to share with friends and family who came in from out of town.”

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Their love for each other and the love shared with the people closest to them became focal points of the wedding day arrangements.

“The most important thing for us was for our wedding weekend to be a beautiful reflection of the love we have been given for each other, and how loved we are by our friends and family,” said Catherine. “We wanted our love for music, color, flowers, good food and drink, community, conversation and the mountains to all be celebrated. We are both very creative people and valued being really involved in every aspect of planning and aesthetic of the weekend. It was really important for both of us to feel represented in the details.”

Catherine wore a gown made by her mother and her aunts, as well as pearls that belonged to her grandmother and a veil that was worn by her mother, her aunts, her

sister and her cousins at each of their own weddings. Her mother and sister, Carolyn Clement and Mason Heistand of Millefleurs in Valle Crucis, created the floral arrangements. Her aunt, JoAnn Hallmark of Hallmark Cakes in Blowing Rock, created the perfect cake for Catherine and John.

The Tumminello wedding went off without a hitch, greatly due to the support of talented family members and the rich personal history that was woven into the details. Their focus on family, love and tradition shaped the wedding of their dreams and created a blessed beginning for the bride and groom as they began their journey together as one.

catherine clement & john Tumminello July 2016 | river run farm | matt powell productions

FEATURED VENDORS Venue: River Run Farm Photography: Matt Powell Productions Flowers: Millefleurs Officiant: The Rev. Craig Brown Videography: Mountain Wind Films Dress: Made by the bride’s mother and aunts Jewelry and Veil: Family heirlooms Bridesmaids: Vintage Lily Pulitzer Tent, Chairs, Bars, Tableware: Chair & Equipment Rentals Farm Tables: A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals Church Pews and Farm Tables: Mountain Craft Rentals Catering: Reid’s Catering Cake: Hallmark Cakes Musicians: Humming House, Spirit of Soul

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Kata & Chris

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orever began with a kiss beneath the glowing Northern Lights for these two lovebirds, who met on a mission to change the world.

“Chris and I met while serving in AmeriCorps in Fairbanks, Alaska in 2012. Due to the sub-zero temperatures outside (-40 degrees!), we spent a lot of time playing board games, watching movies and hunting for the northern lights,” said Kata Dungan. “Throughout our year there, we formed a lasting friendship and fell in love. We’ve been together ever since.”

After a few years of blissful adventuring, Chris Cioffi popped the question on a snowy day high atop Centennial Mountain in Missoula, Montana after the couple shared a day of hiking together.

In all of their travels across the country, Kata, a Boone native, says she’s yet to find mountains more beautiful than those here in North Carolina’s High Country, and she knew immediately that she wanted to 132

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be married right at home.

Loved ones surrounded them at the bride’s family home when Kata and Chris said “I do” on a perfect summer day in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“We loved that our family and friends were able to play such key roles in helping our day come together.

Every tiny detail was done to perfection and it couldn’t have been done without them,” she said. “It was such a joyous place, with the people we love the most.”

A team of great folks helped the couple pull off their fun and unique ideas for the wedding.

“Meris Gantt with The Whole Shebang and Andi Gelsthorpe from Miss Match Rentals played such a key role in making the day go off without a hitch, making it extra special. They took our wacky ideas and made them all into a beautiful reality,” said Kata.

“We used Meris as a month-of wedding coordinator and felt she did a wonderful job. She was great

at troubleshooting and anticipating any problems or breakdowns and putting mechanisms in place to stop them from happening.

“She had a great sense of humor and made us feel at ease throughout the weeks and days leading up to our big day. We would recommend her to anyone, and, if you’re planning a wedding at a nontraditional venue, she is the person you MUST have on your team.”

As graduate students, the new Mr. and Mrs. Cioffi look forward to honeymooning once their degree programs have been completed.

“We honestly can’t pick out a single moment of the day as our favorite. Getting to see everyone have so much fun made the day complete,” they agreed. “However, we did get to sneak away for a photo shoot at one of the vistas on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was our first time as husband and wife and was so nice to get to be in the moment with such beautiful scenery.”

katA dungan & CHRIS cioffi June 11, 2016 | photography by andi peters

FEATURED VENDORS The Whole Shebang Paper Goods: Abby Suggs Officiant: The Rev. Cyndi Banks, Flowers: The Pearl and The Petal Hair & Makeup: Shear Shakti Rentals: Boone Rent-All Décor & Tableware: Miss Match Rentals Catering: Frugal Gourmet Pies: Ugga Mugga Bakery Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Happy Trailers Refrigerated Rentals Ceremony Music: Dave the Ukulele Player Reception Music: Will Beasley & Friends

“We wanted to make sure that all of our family members’ voices were heard and that our guests had the best experience. We wanted the day to be fun for everyone involved,” she said. “We could not have had our day be so perfect without the love and support of our families. That was what made it so special, in the end.”

– KatA Dungan Cioffi 2017

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VENDOR DIRECTORY Accommodations Best Western Banner Elk.......................................... 78 828-898-4571 • www.bestwesternbannerelk.com Courtyard Marriott................................................... 79 828-265-7676 • www.marriott.com/HKYBN.com Foscoe Rentals..........................................................80 828-723-7341 • www.foscoerentals.com Inn at Glen Alpine.....................................................80 828-584-9264 • www.innatglenalpine.com Resort Real Estate & Rentals................................... 79 828-898-9746 • www.staysugarmountain.com

ATTIRE Did Someone Say Party?..........................................103 828-264-7307• www.didsomeonesayparty.com South's Specialty Clothiers.....................................107 828-264-8977 • www.southsclothiers.com

BANQUET FACILITIES Best Western Banner Elk.........................................124 828-898-4571 • www.bestwesternbannerelk.com Courtyard Marriott................................................... 79 828-265-7676 • www.marriott.com/HKYBN.com Fairway Cafe at Boone Golf Club............................120 828-264-0233 • www.crcateringco.com

BEAUTY Canvas Beauty Bar...................................................104 828-355-9688 • www.canvasboone.com Haircut 101................................................................ 101 828-262-3324 • www.haircut101.com Mountain Mystic Spray Tanning.............................106 828-773-1162 • www.mountainmysticspraytanning.com

Consultants The Wedding Resource Center................................ 29 828-386-1444 • www.weddingresourcenc.com The Whole Shebang.................................................. 29 828-719-9171 • www.highcountryweddingplanner.com

ENTERTAINMENT Boone Photo Booth................................................. 123 828-278-9436 • www.boonephotobooth.com Dean's Duets............................................................ 123 828-308-1477 • www.deansduets.com

DJ Grooves............................................................... 123 828-773-6960 • www.djgroovesentertainment.com The Lucky Strikes..................................................... 125 828-719-6437 • www.luckystrikesjazz.com Randy Kelly Entertainment..................................... 125 800-268-4064 or 828-963-5288

Sound Technique Mobile DJ Service...................... 123 800-370-3475• www.soundtechnique.net Tin Can Event Co......................................................120 800-773-6423• www.tincaneventco.com

FOOD & BEVERAGE C.R. Catering.............................................................. 92 828-406-7721 • www.crcateringco.com Eat Crow.................................................................... 93 828-963-8228 • www.eatcrownc.com Earthworks Catering................................................94 828-773-4318 • www.earthworkscatering.com Gadabouts Catering...................................................91 828-297-7886 • www.gadabouts.com Gamekeeper.............................................................. 93 828-963-7400• www.gamekeeper-nc.com Hallmark Cakes.........................................................90 828-295-3738 • www.hallmarkcakes.com Peabody's Beer & Wine............................................90 828-264-9476 • www.peabodyswineandbeer.com Proper Southern Food..............................................90 828-865-5000 • www.propermeal.com Reid’s Café & Catering..............................................89 828-268-9600 • www.reidscateringco.com Stick Boy Bread Co............................................91 & 94 828-268-9900 • www.stickboybread.com Ugga Mugga Bakery.................................................89 724-799-1334 • www.uggamuggabakery.com Woodland’s Barbecue.............................................. 92 828-295-3651 • www.woodlandsbbq.com

FLORISTS Callista Designs........................................................ 101 828-260-6149 • www.callista-designs.com Fuschia Moss Floral Design.....................................102 828-260-2978 • www.fuschiamoss.com Millefleurs................................................................103 828-773-6012 • www.ncmountainflowers.com Shady Grove Gardens..............................................107 828-297-4098 • www.shady-grove-gardens.com

JEWELRY Blowing Rock Estate Jewelers................................102 828-295-4500

The Stone Jewelers..................................................105 828-264-2000 • www.thestonejewelers.com Village Jewelry......................................................... 101 828-264-6559 • www.oldworldgalleries.com

officiants High Country Ministers........................................... 122 828-265-3493 • www.highcountryministers.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Burton Photography................................................ 39 828-266-9889 • www.ncphotographer.com Ellen Gwin Photographer..........................................41 336-978-2613 • www.ellengwin.com Jean Moreé Photography......................................... 45 828-278-8228 • www.jeanmoree.com Joy Davis Photography............................................. 43 828-729-3046 • www.joydavisphotography.com Matt Powell Productions..........................................41 828-773-1311 • www.mattpowellproductions.com Michelle Hrin Photography.......................................41 828-302-7572 • www.michellehrinphotography.com Michelle Lyerly Photography................................... 42 www.michellrlyerly.com Pixels on Paper......................................................... 42 336-990-0080• www.pixelsonpaper.biz Tracy Brewer Photography...................................... 42 828-260-1984• www.tracybrewer.com Wayfaring Wanderer................................................ 42 828-773-8767• www.wayfaringwanderer.com

RENTALS Boone Rent-All..........................................................117 828-264-5000 • www.boonerent-all.com A Bushel & A Peck Vintage Rentals........................ 118 828-773-0354 • www.abushelandapeckrentals.com Miss Match Rentals.................................................. 125 828-262-9808 • www.missmatchrentals.com

Stationery & Wedding Registries Boone Drug..............................................................106 828-264-9144 • www.boonedrug.com Doe Ridge Pottery...................................................106 828-264-1127 • www.doeridgepottery.com

COMPLETE LISTINGS AVAILABLE AT HIGHSOUTHWEDDINGS.COM 134

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SPECIAL THANKS A

to the professionals behind our featured shoots

s soon as our magazine made it to the racks last year, we began work on the 2017 edition. Throughout the season, we worked side-by-side with a lot of talented people to brainstorm four featured styled photo shoots designed to show you new ways to look at the wedding world.

In each shoot, we teamed up with local folks and shared ideas to develop a common goal for the project, narrowing and fine-tuning the story we wanted to tell and the elements we thought would inspire you to get creative on your own. From there, carefully selected details came together to bring it all to life.

To pull it off, we relied on the expertise of photographers, bridal shops, coordinators, florists, stylists, jewelers, cake makers, caterers and other vendors. They, along with patient models, took time out of their busy routines to invest in a collaboration, and the end result was magic on every occasion.

“When we show up to photograph a wedding, it’s 90 miles an hour from the moment we arrive,” said Bonnie Burton of Burton

Photography. “Working on a styled shoot gives us the priceless gift of time — time to adjust, perfect, go in a different direction if we choose.

There’s time to discuss and breathe! Time to create!

“We have such talented professionals in the High Country and we always love the opportunity to rub elbows with them. Working events together doesn’t necessarily mean that we have time to discuss ideas and get to know each other as artists, but a styled shoot is the perfect chance to combine ideas and talents to create something really unique.”

Styled shoots give these vendors a chance to let their imaginations run wild, as well as the opportunity for us to share the finished product with thousands of you who are planning a wedding or are part of the growing industry.

“A styled shoot allows me to try new shapes or design techniques. It’s a very controlled environment, so I can adjust a stem or twist a ribbon in a direction at any given moment, or pause and wait while a cloud passes,” said Fuschia Moss of Fuschia Moss Floral Design. “Mostly,

I just love the experience. It’s bringing together artists of a different kind to create a scene or story.”

So, to all of you who were part of our styled shoots this year, thank you for the investment you have made and continue to make in our publication. Thank you for your trust, your encouragement and your friendship. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do!

Vendors who made our 2017 projects possible include: Burton Photography | Joy Davis Photography | Matt Powell | Fuschia Moss | Shady Grove Gardens | Millefleurs | Events by Elizabeth Ashley | The Whole Shebang | Banner Elk Winery | The Green Park Inn Leatherwood Mountains Resort | Did Someone Say Party? | South’s Specialty Clothiers | The Pink Hanger (Charlotte) | Lucky Penny Boutique | The Formal Showcase (Valdese) | A Bushel & a Peck Vintage Rentals Miss Match Rentals | Blowing Rock Antique Center | Ugga Mugga Bakery | Hallmark Cakes | Reid’s Catering | Eat Crow | Appalachian Mountain Brewery | Village Jewelers | Canvas Beauty Bar Amber Moretz, Serendipity Hair Studio | Debbie Isaacs, Serendipity Hair Studio | Courtney McLain Makeup | Handlebar Betty | Mike Wiseniewski

TRANSPORTATION Air Haven Limousine................................................ 119 828-265-2504 • www.airhavenlimo.com High Country Transportation...................................121 828-898-9595 • www.HighCountryLimo.com

VENUES 16 Hands Farm...........................................................66 336-877-0945 • www.16handsfarm.com Appalachian Ski Mtn................................................. 57 828-295-7828 • www.appskimtn.com Banner Elk Winery & Villa........................................ 65 828-898-9090 • www.bannerelkwinery.com Beech Mountain Resort............................................60 800-438-2093• www.beechmountainresort.com

Blue Ridge Mountain Club.......................................69 828-295-8667 • www.blueridgemountainclub.com Chetola Resort..........................................................68 828-295-5500 • www.chetola.com Grandfather Vineyard & Winery.............................. 70 828-963-2400 • www.grandfathervineyard.com Green Park Inn.......................................................... 59 828-414-9230 • www.greenparkinn.com Hound Ears Club.......................................... back cover 828-963-4321 • www.houndears.com La Quinta................................................................... 59 828-963-4321 • www.houndears.com Leatherwood Mountains...........................................61 336-973-5044• www.leatherwoodmountains.com Lily Patch Farm..........................................................64 828-297-5459• www.thelilypatchfarm.com

Linville Falls Winery.................................................. 62 828-765-1400• www.linvillefallswinery.com Overlook Barn........................................................... 63 828-414-1156• www.overlookbarn.com Sky Retreat.................................................................72 336-973-0444 • www.theskyretreat.com Valle Crucis Vineyard................................................ 58 828-406-3135 • www.vallecrucisvineyard.com Villa Nove Vineyard................................................... 67 423-768-3633 • www.villanovevineyards.com Whispering Waters Farm......................................... 56 828-773-8431 • www.whisperingwatersevents.com White Fence Farm..................................................... 56 828-964-6767 • www.whitefencefarmrentals.com 2017

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PARTING SHOT Matt Powell Productions

W

edding days are always full of precious, heartwarming, laughable moments. Moments of pure happiness and joy. Moments that photographers like Matt Powell live for and work hard to preserve. Every now and then, however, God's creation takes those little moments from sweet and pretty to monumental and out of this world. That's exactly what happened when Matt saw a colossal double rainbow spreading high across the valley at this rustic wedding.

Catherine Clement and John Tumminello tied the 136

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knot on the pristine acreage of River Run Farm on a warm summer afternoon in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, a community the bride holds dear to her heart in many ways. Surrounded by loved ones and all of their favorite things, they said "I do" and shared a blissful evening with their friends and family as the breathtaking double rainbow filled the sky. This added blessing caught Matt's attention, along with that of everyone else on the farm, who quickly captured and preserved its whimsical glow for the couple to enjoy forever.

This incredible image is proof that no matter how much time you spend planning out the details of your wedding day, it's often the spontaneous moments that create the most memorable experiences. “We were very fortunate to have perfect weather for the backdrop of the farm," Catherine said. "It rained just for a minute, long enough to give us the most beautiful double rainbow across the entire valley. It was an amazing gift from God.�

See more of Catherine and John's wedding on page 130.

Let’s keep in touch!

Get Year-Round Information on the Local Events Industry

There’s so much more to the High South wedding industry than we could pack into these pages, and, although it’s an annual publication, we work year-round to cover what’s going on in weddings and special events around here. Connect with us online through our publication’s companion website to stay in the loop on what’s happening!

highsouthweddings.com DIRECTORY — A comprehensive list of local vendors and venues, including contact information, background on their businesses and other important details.

DIGITAL FORMAT — A complete digital copy of this publication that’s easy to access and read. Like the print edition, the digital copy is free to enjoy.

THE BLOG — Your one-stop shop for what’s new in the local industry, including more real weddings, styled shoots, inspiration and updates on the High South Event Professionals network.

connect

@highsouthweddings @highsouthweddings @highsouthwed @highsouthwed Our Award-Winning 2016 Issue

REQUEST A COPY

Need another print copy of High South Weddings 2017? To receive one by mail, call us at 28-264-2262 or send your request by email to jessica@highcountrypress.com.

If you’re local, swing by our office at 1600 N.C. Highway 105 in Boone — we’d love to say hello!

And For More Up-To-Date Information On The High Country's News and Events, Visit These Sites

www.HCPress.com

DAILY NEWS SITE FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY

BooneNCinfo.com ONLINE VISITOR GUIDE 2017

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HOUND EARS CLUB

Established in 1964, Hound Ears Club sets the High Count�� standard for war�, r�stic mountain char� within an at�osphere of fine cuisine and ser�ice excellence.

Here at Hound Ears, wedding events are our specialty, ranging from intimate bridal luncheons to memorable rehearsal dinners and grand wedding receptions.

With our experienced staff, Hound Ears Club takes all the guesswork out of that special day with coordination of multiple vendors providing a single step of planning. Your vision of a once-in-a-lifetime event becomes a reality in an organized and stress-free environment.

Your complete satisfaction is our highest mission.

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828.963.4321 | info@houndears.com | www.houndearscom