Emily and Chad’s wedding at Overlook Barn located at the top of Beech Mountain, North Carolina this past weekend was an absolute blast. It was a day filled with joy and overflowing with love. The couple was surrounded by friends and family that traveled from near and far to celebrate and witness the commitment they were making to one another. This is the fourth time that I’ve had the privilege of photographing an Overlook Barn wedding at this gorgeous mountain venue. It’s one of my favorite places to shoot at and it gets better and better every time!

Their love story began while they were both attending Appalachian State University here in Boone, North Carolina. She was in grad school. He was an undergrad. Chad boldly approached Emily one night at a bar downtown called Murphy’s and asked her on a date. He sealed the deal by cooking her dinner (stuffed chicken and asparagus) and then they played in the snow on their first date. They’ve been together almost 3 1/2 years now and the NC mountains are special to them, not just because they met here, but because they consider this magical place home. 

A RUSTIC OVERLOOK BARN WEDDING

On Christmas in 2015, Chad surprised Emily with a trip to San Francisco for a week over Valentine’s Day in 2016. With the golden gate bridge in the background, he proposed to her on bended knee at Baker Beach. An innocent bystander photographed the proposal for Chad to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Prior to the wedding day, I had the opportunity to meet Chad and Emily for their fall engagement photos on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Moses Cone near Blowing Rock, NC. I had such a great time getting to know the fun-loving couple and the fall weather was perfection. 

The wedding day started with the girls in the bridal suite getting hair and makeup done in matching mint robes with monograms while the fellas hung out in the groom’s suite nearby. The soon-to-be newlyweds were showered with love and support from their closest family and friends. There was laughter, tears, and maybe some tequila shots being shared along the way.

Emotions ran high once she slipped into her wedding dress. That’s when it all felt real. Emily was a super laid-back bride. She savored every second with her loved ones, there was no stress that I saw all day. The Whole Shebang kept everything on track so she didn’t have to worry one bit, it was so seamless.

The lovely bride wore a beautiful mermaid style gown with a fitted bodice that was designed by Pronovias. It had an all-over lace overlay that added a vintage touch to the gown. She purchased the dress from Lily Rose Bridal Boutique in Cornelius, NC. It was originally a strapless gown but they ordered extra lace and added straps. The bride chose a blingy pair of Badgley Mischka shoes to complete her chic look. I loved the coral colored bridesmaids dresses that Emily’s lovely laydehs wore from Jasmine Bridal. 

The ceremony overlooked the Blue Ridge Mountains on a day with nothing but blue skies and sunshine for their nuptials. The weather was a perfect 77° with a cool breeze which was welcomed since most guests were coming from much hotter climates like Charlotte & Asheville. It was Emily’s dream come true to get married in the mountains. She chose Overlook Barn for their wedding because she fell in love with the venue at first sight. 

After the ceremony, we completed the wedding party pictures and family photos before I spent some time doing portraits with the couple. Emily was an absolute rock star hiking through the woods in heels when we got a little adventurous to find a secluded spot. And Chad, the caring and sweet guy he is, snapped into action and caught his new wife when she lost her footing and slipped on a boulder. He’s definitely husband material!

At one point, Emily said, “I hope we’re fun to work with?!“ I loved working with these two because of their playful nature and laid-back vibe. There were countless fits of laughter between these two, they could barely contain themselves during their bride and groom photos. We were all cracking up like crazy, we had soooooo much fun with them!

To add to the romance of the day, the rustic elements of the barn were complemented with various details such as gold geometric vases filled with candles, pops of mint, flowers in bud vases, and colorful centerpieces on wooden pedastals. The bright and beautiful florals were supplied by Mason from Millefleurs. The wedding cake and dessert bar were made by Ugga Mugga Bakery located in the Blowing Rock, NC area. To top it off, the couple had Reid’s Cafe & Catering take care of the delicious food that was served. These are all some of my favorite wedding vendors in the High Country!

The reception started with the newlyweds first dance as a married couple. Back Porch Orchestra, the band that Chad picked out for the reception, played the song “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young. It was really cute watching Emily sing along and serenade her new hubby. The dance floor was pretty much hopping all night long once the party got started. Live bands at weddings are the best! Everyone was having such a great time and I was so happy to be the one to document this part of their journey. 

CONGRATULATIONS, Emily + Chad! You’re MARRIED! YAYAYAYAYAYAY! I wish you two newlyweds a lifetime of epic adventures and I hope that your marriage will only grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you for being so awesome to work with. Wishing you both the best of luck as you begin this new adventure. Hope you’re having a blast on your honeymoon in Italy!

Thank you so much for choosing Wayfaring Wanderer + my trusty sidekick (Cody/hubby) to photograph your destination wedding in the mountains at Overlook Barn. It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of your special day! I hope you enjoy these sneak peeks while I finish up your full gallery! ?

[WEDDING VENDOR LIST]

Wedding Venue: Overlook Barn Banner Elk, NC

Wedding Planner: The Whole Shebang

Wedding Flowers: Millefleurs

Wedding Cake: Ugga Mugga Bakery

Transportation: Air Haven Limousine

Catering: Reid’s Cafe & Catering

Tap Trailer: Happy Trailers Refrigerated Rentals

Band: Back Porch Orchestra

Hair & Makeup: Katie Werner

Dress Designer: Pronovias

Dress Shop: Lily Rose Bridal Boutique in Cornelius, NC

Bridesmaids Dresses: Jasmine Bridal

Groom & Groomsmen Attire: South’s Clothiers

Stationery: The Buttercup Gifts & Stationery