Ryan and Jenn’s wedding was the last of the year and also my most challenging yet emotionally full yet.  The weather turned from sunny and warm the day before to freezing with sleet and snow at the last minute.  The ceremony was moved indoors from outside and the reception took place in the same venue.  That venue, though, could have fallen to the ground and it wouldn’t have stopped the emotions flowing throughout the day.  Their wedding took place at The Apple Barn in Banner Elk, North Carolina which was so quaint and beautiful and perfect.

Jenn and Ryan have this way about them that makes everyone, family and friends, stop and be.  Stop and love.  Stop and share.  Everyone that day seemed to appreciate one another and reassure one another.  The sudden change of weather was no match for the love and friendship that these two brought together and shared amongst family and friends.

The morning of the wedding I met the girls and Jenn’s family and at a beautiful cabin in the mountains of Banner Elk.  Breakfast was cooking, the bridemaids were stepping out of the shower and while one did hair for all of the girls another friend did their makeup.  The beautiful bouquets they made the day before were in water and everyone sat around painting their nails.  Jenn’s family went out into the surrounding woods and gathered bits of nature to make the boutonniere and her father helped her sew together the handmade guestbook.  The videographers soon came in, introduced themselves and asked if I needed anything and I just felt like although the weather had changed at the last minute that everything would work out perfectly.  And it did.  From the small personalized touches to the beautiful vows and poems at the ceremony, it was all perfect.  I had a total of about 15 minutes in which to shoot their formal photos and even during those it was below freezing and sleeting yet no one complained for a second.

Jenn and Ryan, thank you so much for allowing me to capture the beauty that was your wedding.  I really wish for the essence of the emotions for that day to be shown through your images as I know every single person there felt them that day.  You two are so amazing in love and friendship and your wedding was uniquely about you and your love.  Words cannot do it justice – so I leave you with the images that I hope you cherish forever.