It was a beautiful day for April and Pete’s 10th anniversary. To celebrate, they chose to renew their vows in Asheville, near the Grove Park Inn. I was honored to be a part of this important time, as their love and commitment to each other was so sweet and strong. Thanks to Jesse Kitt for sharing the images that captured the romance!
Officiant Darr Conradson, joyful as ever!
Raspberry Almond cake from Short Street Cakes! In a word…delicious!
I loved how these welcome bags turned out, filled with local goods like hand crafted French Broad Chocolate truffles, pink lady apples from Hendersonville (my personal favorite), bottled water from Blue Moon, and tons of info guiding out of town guests to local Asheville activities. I found the wine bags at World Market, and hand stamped them with a tree stamp that I purchased at Michael’s, to go along with the couple’s theme for the wedding.
photos courtesy of Mike Belleme Photography
Come as You Will Be in 2016 party! Everyone really had a good time with this…
Uplevel Academy Gold
The conference was held at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, NC
Jakub Holy with Bright Light Entertainment at the reception preceding the conference
Balloon Fairy Magic wowed attendees with a life size vet performing surgery
dogs and cats complete with scars and tatoos decorated the meal tables, and were "adopted" on the final day of the conference
i couldn't resist snapping this photo...
attendees were given a guided tour of the Humane Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic in Asheville
A group shot from mentor and coach Christine Kane’s Uplevel Your Success event last week at The Renaissance. This is one amazing group of entrepreneurs! It was really powerful to see the extraordinary things that can happen in a supportive and super positively charged group setting. Christine has a true talent for guiding people down the path to achieving their business goals.
Thanks to Camilla Calnan for the group shot, and Chris Bolm with WNC Video Productions for filming the program!
I love working with Sara Brennan-Harrell from Whitebox Weddings…she did an amazing job photographing Melisa and Matheus’ celebration. Since they had guests fly in from all over the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, and Ecuador, it was really important to them that every beautiful moment be captured. Sara makes it look effortless.
Sara took Melisa and Matheus downtown for a few urban shots before heading to Coleman Place to join guests for the reception. You’d never know we had snow flurries that day!
Caroline Allured designed the perfect menu for the group…and the cake was gorgeous! Trees became increasingly important to the bride in the year leading up to her wedding day, while living in Afghanistan. Guest favors were a tree in a box, personalized with the couple’s portrait taken the previous fall.
Melisa and Matheus wanted guests to know that they were there to celebrate, so they invited both a band and a DJ to set the tone. Reinaldo Brahn’s band honored the groom’s family with Brazilian Jazz, Samba and Bossa Nova during the cocktail hour and dinner, while Split Second Sound did an excellent job keeping it festive, inspiring movement, and filling the dance floor late into the night!
What a pleasure it was for me to help Marty and Amanda with their wedding at the Arboretum. Not only do I adore them both individually, but they are so well matched that it all just makes perfect sense! Congratulations you two!!
I enjoyed working with Mike Belleme once again…thanks for sharing the images.
I loved the mix of color that the bridal party wore!
Sweet Earth Flower Farm created the perfect bouquets and boutonnieres.
The weather was perfect, so we had cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, catered by Caroline Allured, outside the Baker Building in the garden. We moved inside for cake and dancing after the sun went down…it flowed brilliantly!
DJ Rob Castillo on the turn tables. Many of you may know him from 80’s night at Broadways or Prom at the Grey Eagle. He was awesome!
I have to say…I rather enjoy the role of MC 
It means so much to me when I am able to coordinate a wedding for friends! I met Amy and Andy when they were on their first date in Atlanta in early 2009, and spent a week with them the following April at a wedding in Costa Rica. I was thrilled when I learned that they were engaged and having their wedding here in Asheville, and honored when they asked me to help in the planning.
The flowers were just gorgeous! By working closely with the bride and groom, The Flower Gallery did an excellent job of creating exactly the look and feel that they had envisioned!
The bridal party got ready at The Grand Bohemian, and Craig Carpenter of Luster Studios got some amazing shots throughout the hotel before the wedding. This photo of was taken in the ballroom on the fourth floor.
The bride’s hair and make up was perfect, thanks to Rebecca Biggers of Lola Salon.
The wedding ceremony and reception were held at Deerpark at The Biltmore Estate.
The ceremony music was performed by Ron Clearfield and The Asheville String Trio.
Dr. C. Fred Werhan officiated.
If you’re looking for a rockin’ 80s band to keep the party going, check out Bueller! They were a blast!!
Thanks to Ashley Felkel Photography for capturing these moments!
All of the flowers were grown and arranged by Sweet Earth Flower Farm. Meredith McKissick continues to impress me with her blooms!
The ceremony took place at Faith Memorial Chapel in Cedar Mountain. I loved this open air, stone and log chapel built in 1938!!!
The groom and his friends treated us to a few tunes before the bride made her entrance…she walked down the isle, escorted by her father, while the groom led the guests in a song. It was one of the most touching and celebratory ceremonies I’ve witnessed.
Guests knew where to sit by finding their names on the basket of peaches on the table. Peach season was especially good this year!!
A scrumptious buffet and dessert bar by Laurey’s Catering
Vollie McKenzie and his band played some good ol’ honky-tonk…and there were plenty of folks on the dance floor after their two step lesson!
