Hey, hey, heyyyyy! My name is Jessica (aka Wayfaring Wanderer) and I am a free-spirited photographer who loves working with couples, individuals, and families who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. I've lived in the Boone, NC area since 2005 and I'm known for capturing the spirit of the folks I photograph—the expressions, gestures, and details that are outward expressions of our innermost selves. While I'm primarily a wedding + elopement photographer, I also love working w/ individuals/couples/families that are traveling to the High Country area to getaway to the mountains. I absolutely love what I do and am so grateful to work with some of the most amazing people in one of the most beautiful places EVAR. Let’s go on an adventure!
Not all girls grow up fantasizing about having the perfect wedding, getting married, and living happily ever after. However, there are still a great deal of ladies who dream of having that fairy-tale wedding where they get to play the princess.
On Monday, at the ACES (Association of Consultants and Event Services) meeting at Smithmore Castle down in Spruce Pine, NC, I ended up spending a lot more time photographing models wearing dresses than I did socializing with other wedding vendors.
That definitely wasn’t my intention, but I got a little carried away because I was having so much fun! Brides in wedding dresses is something I am a complete sucker for! They’re positively glowing and look so gorgeous!
There’s a reason why I stopped carrying my professional camera equipment with me on a regular basis. It’s because I turn into a full-on paparazzi when I get going. I can’t just take a handful of pictures and put it away. It’s not that easy for me to be done with it once I get started. That’s why leave it at home or else I’m in danger of getting photo tunnel vision!
While there are so many different bridal gown styles available, the types of dresses these models happened to be wearing were befitting of the fancy venue we were at. The girls were modeling mostly princess ball gown wedding dresses as well as a few other wedding gown styles. South’s chose some dresses that I thought would be absolutely perfect for a castle wedding!
The Smithmore Castle is a private estate in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. It has been restored to surpass its former glory and is one of the newest wedding venues in the western North Carolina area. As I mentioned earlier in this post, I was there for a meeting along with other local wedding vendors who are members of ACES.
It was such a beautiful house, so opulent and grandiose. One of my favorite features was definitely the incredible panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains from the verandas and patios. The majestic range made for a perfect backdrop to use for the bridal portraits.
It’s another reason why I stuck around for so long capturing the girls in their dresses because it was so breathtaking!
Tia (pictured above and below) is actually getting married next year in Boone, NC! Isn’t she gorgeous?!
The intricate bead work on some of the dresses was extremely delicate and detailed. The dazzling brides looked so glamorous in their glitzy gowns.
It was a complete surprise to see Heather (pictured below) at the ACES event. We used to work together at my old office job. She’s already married to a wonderful fella, but she makes a beautiful bride!
South’s Specialty Clothier also showcased a few mother of the bride dresses. They can easily accommodate parents and guests looking for unique attire for weddings, too! The ladies they had modeling the dresses looked simply stunning in their ensembles.
One woman was actually wearing the exact outfit that she wore to her sons wedding. That’s how she ended up modeling for the event!
I really didn’t mean to spend almost the entire evening photographing the models wearing wedding dresses; however, I had a ton of fun hanging out with these ladies and working with Laurie (from South’s) and I look forward to the opportunity to do so again in the future!
South’s Specialty Clothiers is a local family owned business located in the Boone Mall. For over 30 years it has been the High Country’s premier one stop shop for bridal, formal-wear, and casual clothing. South’s can fulfill your wedding dreams by working with each bride one on one to provide the perfect wedding gown. They have trained formal-wear consultants with expertise in helping you choose the style that compliments your look for any occasion.
Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I’m a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com
My name is Jessica and I’m a wedding, engagement and lifestyle photographer based in Boone, NC. I’m known for capturing the spirit of the folks I photograph–the expressions, gestures, and details that are outward expressions of our innermost selves. I love working with couples, individuals and families who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to connect with me!
I can't wait TO CONNECT WITH YOU ANd hear more about your special day!
the mountains are calling...
Thank you so much for taking the time to contact me. I'm truly grateful to do what I love and I appreciate your time and consideration in advance! My response time is 24-hours for all wedding, engagement, and family photography inquiries. I look forward to connecting with you soon! In the meantime, let's be friends on Instagram. I love sharing a behind-the-scenes look at life in Boone, NC as a wedding photographer!