I traveled about 3 hours to Boone North Carolina, and more specifically to Blowing Rock, NC to photograph a wonderfully intimate wedding at The Westglow Resort and Spa. This gorgeous wedding venue has been voted as one of the top ten destination spas in the world and is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Westglow provides a truly unique experience for any wedding ceremony and reception. It’s quite exclusive and I was honored to be asked to document such a wonderfully beautiful wedding.
For anyone that may have an upcoming wedding and may be worrying a bit about the weather for your wedding day… take heart. Although beautiful blue skies and sunshine make for amazing photographs as well… nothing could compare to the moody romance that the rolling fog provided for Darla and David’s wedding. It did get a bit thick at times which made it a bit tricky to achive high contrast photography in certain situations but we worked around it quite well.
As it rained off an on we were concerned that we would probably need to have the wedding inside. As we all contemplated this… honestly… my heart began to sink a bit because I knew that if we were able to have the wedding in front of the manor, that the photographs would be amazing. After talking with Darla I thought it might be nice to use the small size of the wedding to our advantage.
Together we devised a plan to request that the wedding be staged on the front porch. I offered up that it might be the best of both worlds. We would have the cover of the overhang and the beautiful backdrop of the fog. I would also have a chance to photograph from a variety of vantage points without being disruptive in any way. You’ll see in the photographs that this worked out for everyone. Even though an indoor ceremony would have been just as meaningful, I truly feel that I was able to capture a few unique and meaningful photographs that they will treasure for a lifetime due to the location flexibility.
After getting to know Darla and Davids friends and family I found myself with a smile on my face the entire day. I cherish being able to travel to locations that I probably would never get to experience on my own if I were not a wedding photographer. Granted that I AM working as opposed to kicking back and relaxing, but it often makes it more enjoyable for me… As I explore these wedding and reception sites from behind the lens, I often uncover details I may have never found before if I wasn’t actively looking.
Right before the ceremony I took a portrait of David’s mom and thanked her for having me out. She turned to me and said. “I can tell that you really love your job don’t you?” As I replied “I do… I really do!” I saw it as one of the biggest compliments I could get…
Ceremony & Reception: The Westglow Resort – Jennifer Williams
Hair and Makeup: The Westglow Spa
Wedding Musicians: Nancy Bargerstock & Greg Simmons
Wedding Cake: Stick Boy Bread Company – Brandon
Bouquet & Flowers: Park Place Flowers – Blowing Rock, NC
Officiant: Ernie Keck – Mebane, NC
I captured this photograph off of the reflection of a makeup mirror.
There were so many large mirrors that I found myself capturing moments in the mirrors almost more than a straight on approach.
On my way over to see the guys, I was scouting for locations for the couples portraits for later in the day and stumbled onto a patio in the back of the spa. Patrons can sit out here and unwind, but at this moment in time there were a rowdy bunch of girls celebrating their friends bridal shower. Doesn’t this just look like a perfect setting to relax at ladies?
They were all wearing matching wrap around sunglasses and sporting some serious faux bling rings! They also had about a million colored 80′s bracelets on too. I grabbed two really quick shots since I have a soft spot for brides-to-be of course…
I thought this was kind of a funny unplanned juxtaposition.
I snagged a fun moment between the groom, his father and grandfather.
The front lawn of the manor made for some gorgeous wedding gown photographs. The pillar and the fog on the grass just made these shots amazing.
I love the wedding dress details and beading too.
The brides mother adjusts the veil in her hair.
I snuck out for a second with her wedding shoes to photograph them on the stairs rail.
One of her bridemaids had made some little bouquets from the ribbons and gift bows from her rehearsal dinner. Very creative!
Just enough time to spend with the bride and her bridesmaids before the ceremony.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this photograph! It’s probably my favorite of the day.
The bridal bouquet made out of green and white flowers.
These violin and guitar duo gets warmed up for the ceremony. This wedding music duet is made up of Nancy Bargerstock & Greg Simmons.
David’s mom is really excited to see her son get married.
Darla descends the staircase as everyone awaits on the front porch of the manor.
A panoramic shot that I stitched together from 6 photographs. I think it really shows of the beauty and intimacy of the entire wedding.
I knew the ceremony would be pretty short so I quickly went upstairs to capture some unique ring exchange photographs.
I’ve never seen the ring exchange moment documented from above and thought it would add a very unique touch to their wedding album.
I was so glad I could photograph this wedding from the balcony above. This photograph really says a lot about the overall size and intimacy of the wedding too..
I ran back downstairs just in time to catch the officiant lays his hands on the couple during a ceremony prayer.
The couples first kiss as husband and wife.
Ready for takeoff! Congratulations!
A fun family portrait taken on the front steps of the Westglow Resort and Spa.
I REALLY love this photograph as well. The father of the bride is just beaming. There is also a lot of interaction, energy and momentum.
A beautiful black and white photograph taken of the bridal party before the wedding reception. The fog kept getting thicker as the night progressed
This was the gorgeous dining room where the wedding reception was held.
And this was the den just off the entrance. Everyone was able to check in on the sports scores from time to time during the cocktail hour and throughout the day.
So of course… UNC cookies were provided as custom made wedding favors.
The restaurant in the back was called Rowlands Restaurant and had very warm feel to it even on an overcast day.
I had just the right amount of time to spend with the couple during the cocktail hour to take some amazing portraits featuring just the two of them.
Usually you can see the blue ridge parkway mountains in the background but I think these photographs with the fog are a better choice even if I would have been able to control the weather.
My favorite photograph from the front lawn of the manor.
We had a bit of fun with the umbrella for a few of the shots. Is that Gene Kelly “Singing in the Rain?”
With the fog, these scenes are like something right out of Harry Potter… Am I right? This bridal portrait could have totally been taken on Number 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey…
And this one on the other hand is just perfect for framing. Darla’s dad had mentioned that he would love to have an amazing portrait to frame and pass down through the generations. I hope a few of these portraits will stand the test of time. On this one I liked the little borders in the carpet (part of the Westglow’s signature brand) and I thought it would be perfect to tie in.
David shares a wonderful moment with his mother. She has such a beautiful smile and her husband was a kind sole and very helpful to me throughout the day. Thank you to both of you!
I turned the camera on grandpa at one time during the night and said… “Hey grandpa… give the camera some love and work it for me.” I got a huge laugh out of him and his wife. They are some of the cutest grandparents I’ve ever photographed.
I would be remissed if I didn’t mention the AMAZING meal I had at The Westglow. The beef tenderloin AND super flavorful potatoes were to die for… and seriously if I was on my death bed, I wouldn’t mind having this as my last meal. :) I’ve always requested my beef to be “medium well” but after this dinner I’m rethinking my strategy. It was ALL so good. I’m pretty sure they didn’t plan this either but my slice ended up being in the shape of a heart… *cue Twilight Zone music*
Here’s the wedding cake filled with berries. It was provided by Brandon at Stick Boy Bread Company in Boone, NC
Just hanging out as everyone left for the night. It was crazy trying to drive back in the fog. I’m glad the couple were able to just stay their for the night. Thank you to everyone for letting me be a part of this special day!
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