Author: Hannah Chillag

06 Mar Brandi & Jason {Engagement Session}

Image by C. Elkins Photography

High school sweethearts, Brandi and Jason, had been waiting over ten years to take their engagement pictures together. The lovebirds spent a day in the Blue Ridge mountains with Caitlin of C. Elkins Photography who captured their romantic yet laid back session beautifully! A hike down to a waterfall, a couple costume changes, and even a cozy blanket and coffee mugs made this e-session especially swoon-worthy. Enjoy! 

01 Feb Haley + Sam {Expanded Feature}

Image by Wayfaring Wanderer

Peonies and ruffles and sparklers, oh my! Haley and Sam’s blushing day was one of our all-time favorite Real Weddings from the 2017 High Country Wedding Guide, so naturally, we’re tickled pink to share an expanded feature of it with all of you darlings today. The Big Day, planned by Haley and her mama and flowered by Bouquet Florist + Gifts struck that perfect balance between feminine elegance and rustic charm, a tone certainly set by their picturesque venue, Overlook Barn. After their charming ceremony backdropped by the sweeping valley views, the celebration moved inside the chic barn space where farm tables were topped with soft blush peonies, greenery, hand painted signage, and of course, a knockout ruffle cake by those dolls at Ugga Mugga Bakery! Goodness gracious, we just love every bit… 

Photographer: Wayfaring Wanderer

Venue + Rentals: Overlook Barn

Florals: Bouquet Florist + Gifts 

Catering: Dan’l Boone Inn Catering

Cake: Ugga Mugga Bakery

25 Jan Stacy + Spencer {Elopement at Black Balsam Knob}

Image by Amelia Fletcher Photography

Let’s take a break from all of the beauty of the new issue (I know, don’t panic, we’ll be back) and dive head first into the incredibly romantic mountain elopement by Amelia Fletcher Photography. The moment Stacy and Spencer’s special day popped into our inbox, we knew we just had to share it with all of you! On a perfect September day at Black Balsam Knob, the lovebirds tied the knot in the woods with only their officiant and photographer as witnesses and the result was nothing short of Braveheart-esque magic. And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re also being treated to their newlywed portrait session which took place immediately following their vows on the edge of the mountain as the sun set over the range. Absolutely gorgeous! 

Photographer: Amelia Fletcher Photography

Gown: J.Crew

Bouquet: Carolina Roses

Officiant: Travis Smith

Hair + Makeup: Amanda Scruggs of Fringe Salon + Spa

16 Jan Snow-Kissed Dreams {Expanded Feature}

Image by Austen Taylor Photography

Baby it’s cold outside! If you’ve managed to flip the pages of this year’s High Country Wedding Guide, no doubt you were momentarily breathless when you caught glimpse of “Snow-Kissed Dreams”, a beautiful mini-feature by the talented Austen Taylor Photography. Well today we’re happy to be showing off more stunning images from this amazing styled shoot that prove that you CAN say ‘I do’ in the snow. From the bride’s vintage gown and delicate flower crown to the snow covered portraits outside Banner Elk Winery + Villa, every dreamy moment of this moody session is perfection. 

For more tips on making a Winter wedding work in the High Country, pick up a copy of the 2017 Guide (digital or print) and catch our roundup of fabulous tips and tricks to making the snow work for you… 

Photographer + Stylist + Florals: Austen Taylor Photography

Venue: Banner Elk Winery + Villa

Beauty: Canvas Beauty Bar

Bride’s Coat: Belk 

10 Jan High Country Wedding Guide {2017 Issue!!}

Pop that champagne! The 2017 issue of High Country Wedding Guide has hit stands and, we must say, it’s more gorgeous than ever! This year’s guide is filled to the brim with stunning real High Country weddings, a comprehensive guide to the most stunning venues in the region, and more bridal beauty than our little mountain-lovin’ hearts can handle. 

Get yourself a copy by either picking one up while you’re out and about wedding planning in the High Country or we can even mail you a complimentary copy! Want to soak up all of the beauty right away? Click here to download your own digital copy of the magazine so you can carry it with you wherever you go. 

We can’t wait to share expanded features on this special issue with you throughout the year. So much more beauty in store! Now, go get to planning that beautiful 2017 wedding! 

17 Nov Emily & Jack {Engagement Session}

Image by Joy Davis Photography

This week’s dose of romance comes to us from the lens of Joy Davis Photography. Emily and Jack’s High Country engagement session took place at (or in, we should say) a babbling brook in Lenoir, NC, and goodness, was it ever gorgeous! We love how this fearless couple just said “Yes!” to getting in the water for some of their shots. Always be open to your photographer recommending a unique series of poses and locales during your engagement session… You never know how unique and amazing they could turn out! 

Photographer: Joy Davis Photography

Hair + Makeup: Smith & Co. 

25 Oct Fall Dinner Soirée {Styled Shoot}

Image by Paul Sherar Photography 

When we first laid eyes on these dreamy Paul Sherar Photography images, we were so excited to share them with you! This bespoke styled shoot, creatively designed, styled and flowered by The Laurel Collective, speaks to sweetly to our Autumn-obsessed hearts. Whether you take the beauty you see here today and apply it to a fall-time bridesmaids luncheon, an engagement celebration or even just an artfully planned dinner for you and your love, every moment from this al fresco dinner scene is worth a Pin! So open the windows for some cool High Country air, light that pumpkin scented candle and breath in this thoughtful feature. 

Photographer: Paul Sherar Photography

Venue: The Treehouse in Deep Gap, NC

Planning + Design + Styling + Flowers: The Laurel Collective

Catering: Reid’s Café + Catering

Dishes: Miss Match Rentals 

12 Oct Stunning Styled Shoot {SkyRetreat}

Image by Danielle Flake Photography 

Have you missed us? Sorry for the blog hiatus, but we’ve been busy cooking up a stunning new issue of High Country Wedding Guide. Trust us, y’all, this 2017 Guide is going to make your hearts skip beats all year long. In the meantime, we have some b-e-a-utiful blog features lined up over the next several months to keep you and your Pinterest boards busy until the new issue hits stands at the end of the year. Today’s feature comes to us from the creative mind and lens of Danielle Flake Photography. The dapper bride and groom are, in fact, real life husband and wife who work at Sky Retreat, the incredible venue where this was shot. From the amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the elegant vintage tablescape by City Florist and A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals, every bit of this styled shoot has us swooning. Enjoy, dears! 

Photographer: Danielle Flake Photography

Venue: Sky Retreat

Rentals: A Bushel and a Peck Vintage Rentals

Florals: City Florist

Hair + Makeup: Face Forward

Attire: Bridal Traditions

20 Jul Meet Our Editor! {Hannah Chillag}

We are pinching ourselves in excitement! Today, we want to introduce our fabulous new High Country Wedding Guide editor, Hannah Chillag. Sweet Hannah will be working with our team to put together what is surely to be the most beautiful and comprehensive edition of the guide yet and we just can’t wait to see her work her magic. 

Here are some words from the editor herself… 

“Hi everyone! My name is Hannah and I am excited to takeover as the new editor of the inspiring High Country Wedding Guide.  As a lover of all things outdoors, there is nothing I find more attractive then a wedding amidst falling leaves, crisp clean air, and natural surroundings. I cannot wait for the new adventures this wedding guide leads me on and the beauty I am about to discover along the way. Email me at editor@highcountryweddingguide to strike up a conversation.”

Everyone join us in welcoming Hannah to the team! 

06 Jul Christina & David {Mast Farm Inn}

Image by Revival Photography

What better way to enjoy this Summer afternoon than pouring over the Revival Photography images from Christina and David’s High Country wedding at The Mast Farm Inn! We were so head over heels for this wedding (featured in our 2016 print guide) that we just had to share more. From the natural florals to grapefruit cocktails to a pony petting portrait session, this orange-kissed celebration has everything our wedding-loving hearts could want. Enjoy!

Photographer:   Revival Photography 

Venue: The Mast Farm Inn  

Coordination + Décor + Design: Danielle Deschamps Stabler 

Catering + Cake: Simplicity at The Mast Farm Inn

Beauty: Shear Shakti

Florals: Pearl’s Garden 

Music: WestWend 

Officiant: High Country Ministers