Asheville Wedding

Kendra + Tyler - Maternity Session In The Morning Light

in

I drive by places all the time that spark my creativity, yet I rarely get to shoot in them. Well today I crossed one off the list! I got to work with Kendra and Tyler to capture a beautiful maternity session in the misty morning light in Arden, NC. There’s a beautiful field with wispy tall grass and in the distance you can see the mountains. Luckily they were adventurous enough to want to explore it with me!

The colors they chose, autumnal reds and creams and browns, looked gorgeous with the grass in the field. It was the weirdest weather!! The sun was sort of dancing through the clouds, coming in and out, the sky behind them was very stormy and dark at the start, with a little bit of misty rain falling. However, it’s my first photo shoot where there was a rainbow right in the frame of the photo I was already taking. Pretty cool! It was really faint but we got to enjoy it for about 10 minutes before it moved on. Can you spot it in the second photo down?

Wishing Kendra and Tyler all the very best for this special life moment to come. I’m so glad that we got to sneak in a maternity session before he comes. Especially since I think it’s so important to capture this beautiful memory. Can’t wait to meet him and do a newborn session with you all!

Jessica + Brandon Wedding Day- From City Hall to Biltmore With Love

in

It’s amazing how things can happen when true love is involved! I hadn’t see Jessica in a while, after doing some photography for her amazing business Bluebird Designs, and suddenly there she is, on facebook, expecting! I was overjoyed and reached out, only to get a message from her just before mine went through. Love when stuff like that happens. SO…we got together again to capture this amazing life moment with her new hubby, Brandon.

Brandon and her fell madly in love, and hey, why wait! With the blessing of this new little one on the way, they wanted to get married but without all the hubbub that comes with planning a huge event. Asheville courthouse wedding it was! But still wanting to have a special and meaningful moment between them, they planned a photo shoot and vow reading at Blitmore, to capture the beauty of nature as well. After roaming around, and probably taking more pictures than they thought (sorry guys, you were just too magnificent! I couldn’t control myself) we settled on the beautiful bridge leading away from the gardens and around the lake. It was so picturesque. With my amazing hubby capturing with second camera from across the lake, I was close by to capture their very special vow exchange. Weddings are all about celebrating the love between two people in a way that is special and meaningful to them, and that’s exactly what they planned! Loved everything about it.

Baby is due in November of this year!! And who knows, maybe they will have a wedding party next year to cover two amazing things; their blessed union and their new family member! Thank you Jessica and Brandon for bringing me into your special wedding day. I am SO happy for you both and the life you are embarking on together. May you have endless joy, laughter and love through your days together.

Jessica + Derek - Biltmore Engagement and Sunflower Love

in

Jessica and Derek are tying the knot in October this year. We actually did TWO engagement sessions, which I LOVE! It got to show two completely different sides of their love; Love of the Gym and their connection to Biltmore and of course…sunflowers. I love the juxtaposition from the tough and interior gym shots and the bright, sunny, flowery shots at Biltmore.

Here’s the link to the gym blog post - https://www.studiomisha.com/blog/2019/4/21/jessica-derek-tough-love-engagement-session-at-south-slope-crossfit

So our Biltmore destination was a special memory for them, since Derek proposed to Jessica at Chihuly Nights. We actually went back to the exact bench where the magic happened. When I heard the recount of the story I discovered that, since they were already sitting, Derek didn’t go down on one knee. I had to laugh because almost 14 years ago now when my hubby proposed, he didn’t go down on one knee either (We were at a beautiful picnic at a park). So we re-created a proposal on the beautiful lawn by the gardens. Don’t get me wrong, it’s so wonderfully open these days to do whatever is in your heart or what you feel when it comes to a proposal; the beauty is in the meaning and the love behind the actions. But there’s also something nostalgically beautiful about tradition, at least to me.

We had a serious chuckle when we arrived at the sunflower field. For those of you that have been there before when they’re in peak season, it’s magnificent. The sunflowers are like 6 feet tall and the size of a bowling ball! When we got there……they were adolescents LOL. We made the best of it, and had some fun doing it! We were also lucky to find the train exhibit there in the gardens. With all of us being pass holders we had the freedom to go wherever we wanted. And there was an epic recreation of the Biltmore House in natural materials. Like a fairy house you would build in the woods, but on a grande scale!

I’m super excited for their wedding day. The weather is going to be Autumnal and gorgeous and I’m betting on amazing color by then. As their wedding photographer I got to experience it all with them. It’s why weddings are so magical for me, and I’m grateful everyday that I get to make this my career. Make sure to come back and see the wedding photos!

This is the perfect “Man Lean” achieved. I love when a groom rocks his model pose!

Gabi + Trey at Long Leaf Vinyard- Wedding Sneak Peak

in

This was one of the most picturesque weddings of the season! Not only are Gabi and Trey a beautiful and sweet couple, but it seemed that every element of the day came together in a magical way. The weather, although on the hot side, was perfect. Blue sky with white puffy clouds met with green, hillside vineyards to create a stunning view behind the ceremony site. And there were dark clouds peaking up in the distance causing a light sprinkled for about 2 minutes, and then it was clear the rest of the day. Flowers by Blue Ridge Blooms along with NINE beautiful bridesmaids added pops of blush and pink everywhere. Add in a classic and chic reception tent with chandeliers, a rockin’ band, and happy smiling friends and family, and you get an AMAZING wedding day!

I’m so grateful to have been a part of this day! Thank you Gabi and Trey for choosing me to be your videographer. I can’t wait to get it all done for you to enjoy. For now, here’s a little sneak peak to bring back the joyful memories of the day.

Vendors Extraordinaire

Videography- Studio Misha

Venue- Long Leaf Vineyard

Flowers- Blue Ridge Blooms

Caterer and Cake- Verbena Cakes & Catering

Ceremony Music- Ben Phan

Photography- Chelsea Allegra

Reception Music- ECE: Nigel Experience

Hair and Makeup- AnaRie

Signage- Freckles and Ink

Wedding Planner- Carolina Love Events

DOC- Nikki Sciurba

Rebecca + Connor - St. John in the Wilderness & Black Tie Afterparty

in

I would have to say that no two wedding videos are ever the same. There’s no cookie cutter recipe that I use, and from beginning to end it totally depends on the couple and the events that unfold. Nothing could be more true than this one! It was a perfect duo of sentiment and classic beauty mixed with uninhibited joy and fun. So how to tackle the video and make ONE highlight? I decided it simply had to be….both!

They had a beautiful ceremony planned at St. John in the Wilderness, with an impressive bridal party: 10 on the bride side and 13 on the grooms. Each bridesmaid held a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. These flowers were everywhere, bathing the ceremony and reception in beauty and color. Every pew was packed full of elegant wedding guests, laughing and crying along with the ceremony.

Then followed by the reception at Rebecca’s parent’s home in Flat Rock, NC. She had given me a tour of the reception site (her ) many months before her wedding date. She pointed where the white tents were gonna be set up, and described a “ladder dance” of which I had never heard before. How can there be so many people on the dance floor you would need a ladder? Post reception….it became clear. This was a rockin’ party with everyone busting a groove on the dance floor and not stopping until late into the night. Rebecca and her Dad started it off with “Who’s That Lady?”, with Connor and Mom jiving to “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”. Not to be outdone, Rebecca and Connor’s first dance was to “Give It To Me Baby” by Rick James. The AMAZING live band, The Black and Blue Effect, was one of the most talented and spectacular bands I’ve seen at a wedding in my career. The singers, the musicians, the amount of songs they knew, their energy! and an OUTFIT CHANGE halfway through the performance! Never seen that before! Rebecca had requested NO slow songs for the reception, and they kept up the pace keeping everyone partying along with them.

So here is my highlight video for this amazing couple. Thank you for choosing me to be your wedding videographer! Rebecca wrote me after her full wedding video and said, “We quite literally laughed and cried our way through it.” That’s the greatest compliment I could ever receive. May you laugh and cry (tears of joy of course) for many more years to come. And I hope you eel the love, joy and happiness of these moments every time you watch your videos. Many happy wishes to you both!

Amazing Vendors

Ceremony Site- St. John in the Wilderness

Flowers- Bloom Room

Caterer- Colorful Palate

Cake- 50/fifty

Hair/Makeup- Lola salon

Band- Black and Blue Experience with East Coast Entertainment

Classic Event Rentals

Photographer- Jeremy Russell Photography

Event Coordinator/Planner- Katy Nevel

Sarah + Joey in a Misty Mountaintop Wedding at The Cabin Ridge in Hendersonville, NC

in

Sarah and Joseph got married at an amazing hilltop wedding venue, The Cabin Ridge, on a foggy and chilly day in October. This is my second time at this venue and it’s amazing every time. It was beautifully, magical how the mist covered the landscape and hung around like a giddy wedding guest.

The ceremony took place inside, in front of a warm and cozy fireplace decorated with flowers and lights. The bride and groom were the warmest in the room for sure, from standing right in front of the fire, and I think by their undying love for each other. Exchanging of letters and personalize wedding vows made the ceremony feel special and touched the hearts of everyone attending. After family photos, where everyone DID brave the cold and wind for one large group photo outside, it was dinner and speeches. The bride and groom greeted each table, which I always think is so wonderful, and then first dances began.

Sarah and Joey started at opposite sides of the venue, and met in the middle for a super sweet choreographed dance. Not to be outdone, the love that beamed during the Father/Daughter dance brought a tear to my eye for sure. It always gets me. I think of my dance at my wedding more than 11 years ago now. Gosh I JUST LOVE WEDDINGS!

The sparkler exit was particularly magical with all the mist and fog accumulating in the night air. This amazing couple took their first steps towards a new life of love, commitment and devotion to each other.

Thank you to Sarah and Joey for choosing me to be your wedding videographer! And for choosing me and Myriah to do both photo and video for your special day! May you smile and laugh for many years to come watching your memories unfold again and again.

Vendor Love

Wedding Venue - The Cabin Ridge
Hair and Make-up- Marie Churilla
Flowers- Choy’s Flowers & Ikebana
Bridal Dress or details- The Lily Rose Bridal Shop, dress is Heather by Watters
Groom’s Attire and/or Groomsmen-  Men’s Warehouse
Catering- Hubba Hubba Smokehouse
DJ- Pol VanRhee
Day of Coordinator- Andy Owensby
Photographer- Myriah Wood

Cake- Sweets of Lake Lure - Ennis Julian

Anna + George - A Backyard Wedding of Blooms, Family and True Love

in

A backyard wedding is such a wonderful way to celebrate the sanctity of Marriage. Especially when the mother of the groom is a master gardener and flower arranger! It was so beautiful! Hydrangeas were hung in great bunches over the arch, white folding chairs were laid out with a little aisle in the middle, and a harpist play softly off the side, all awaiting the happy couple.

Purple dresses of varying shades and flower crowns made these already beautiful girls of the family look like woodland princesses. They joy of getting ready in the bridal suite was palpable. Hugs flowed warmly all around as the beautiful bride put on the final touches to her look. With nothing but close family in attendance it was really all about the family photos! When do you get everyone together dressed nicely and all photo ready? We took great advantage and had fun doing it.

George watched Anna come down the aisle with a glowing smile on his face. The ceremony was full of loving words from everyone, talking about how much they all meant to each other, and what this life held for them moving forward. For me, this is what a wedding ceremony is all about! I feel so privileged to be a witness to true honest love in this world, and not only to witness, but capture it for them to cherish forever. It just fills a special place in my heart.

After many a tear and laughing through tears (my favorite emotion!), smiles and hugs, and vows that sealed their lives together in this life, cheers and hugs abounded. Champagne was popped and of course, I had to break up the party to get more family photos LOL. The photographer has to be the buzz kill sometimes to get the photos, right?

Congrats to George and Anna, and the loving families that will be there for them on this journey. I am so happy that you asked me to be your wedding photographer. May the love and happiness you feel today shine through the years.

Happy Anniversary to Noelle + Ben - Your Wedding Story Memories

in

A year of wedding bliss flies by quick! Only one year ago I was the Wedding Photographer sneaking photos with the girls at the salon while they got their hair done and popped champagne. The guys were drinking beer and getting ready over at the wedding venue, having fun and awaiting the days festivites. Then we were rushing off to the ceremony site at the Asheville Outdoor Center where they joined hands and professed their love in front of family and friends while Tess Darling, a local artist and painter, did a portrait of the scene on site. Quickly followed by the reception right in the same spot with a lively dance floor , two food trucks serving tacos and pizza, (You can’t go wrong with that mix!) and finally…a canoe/sparkler send off! It was a night to remember. I was so happy to be their wedding photographer and help to capture the fun, touching, and beautiful parts of their day.

May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy. May you both grow and forever cultivate a healthy and prospering love with one another. Congratulations and happy marriage!

Vendor Love

Venue- Asheville Outdoor Center

Hair and Makeup - Beauty Parade

Catering- Amazing Pizza Company and Tia B’s Mexican Comfort Food

Second Shooter- Gabe Swinney

_L6A8447_sm.jpg
_L6A8360Getting ReadyBLOG.JPG
_L6A9648reception_reeditBLOG.JPG