Blue Ridge Mountain Engagement Photo Adventure on Tanawha Trail

The majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains captivate a lot of people and these two are no exception. Jess and Mike are both transplants that found their way to the High Country—and haven't wanted to leave—like so many other folks in this region that permanently relocate. This is where they've been building their lives together and it's where they plan to remain for many more years.

It made perfect sense to select an engagement photo location that highlights what they love about living here. Jess and Mike don't have as much time to go on adventures as often as they would like because their home and work lives are so full, which is why we revisited one of their favorite hiking spots to photograph their engagement pictures while also enjoying the second day of summer.

The location for the engagement session that they chose was a section of the Tanawha Trail that's in Foscoe, about a 30 minute drive from the Boone, NC area. After making my way up a windy gravel road, I reached the parking area at the trail head. You used to park on the side of the road but now there's a whole area available that can accommodate a handful of vehicles, it's a great improvement!

As I waited for Jess and Mike to arrive, I chatted up sweat-drenched, red-faced hikers catching their breath in the parking lot. It happened to be one of the hottest days we've had so far here in the mountains, but it still beats being in Florida! A hot summer day in the Blue Ridge Mountains is far different from the sweltering heat experienced further south. They're deal with triple digits down there while we're protesting temperatures that climb to the high 80's! (Mountain folk are spoiled.)

These two enjoy the simple things in life and they share a deep passion for food. Whether they're growing it, cooking it, or eating it, it's an important of Jess and Mike's relationship. When they aren't working at Artisnal—a beautiful, upscale restaurant with five-star food in Banner, Elk—getting their hands dirty in their home garden and greenhouse with their three dogs running around the yard is how they like to spend their downtime.

For the first part of our session, I took them through the hardwood forest so we would have some shade until the sun went down a little more. After hiking for a bit we broke out of the woods into a sun-soaked pasture where the couple cuddled with a blanket of delicate wild daisies surrounding them.

We navigated all of natures wonders with a deep sense of gratitude. I really appreciated the fact that these two didn't mind the bugs swirling around them or the brambles we trekked through or the cow pattie landmines waiting to be squashed under our footsteps. Jess + Mike are a daring pair and they're always up for having an adventure! Definitely my kind of peeps!

It was a lot of fun observing and capturing the playful dynamic they have with one another. The joy they emanate was evident a mile away. I'm so glad we were finally able to get their engagement pictures done because the weather wasn't cooperating with us at first. It was a blast getting to know these two kindred spirits and I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding this August at Camp Sky Ranch.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jess + Mike on your engagement and upcoming marriage! I know you two will have epic adventures, and I hope that your relationship and connection will grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos on the Tanawha Trail. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery.

Are you newly engaged or in the process of planning a wedding? Download a FREE copy of the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist to jump start your planning!

It's a free gift when you sign up for weekly emails from me (your adventurous ally). If you are already part of the tribe and subscribed to the Weekly Wander, you should have already received a download link in a previous newsletter. Let me know if you didn't receive it!

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

{ Featured LINKS }

» Date Night Idea Jar DIY + FREE Printable
» Katelyn + Seth's Blowing Rock Engagement Pictures
» Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure
» Abby + Cameron's Boone Engagement Photos

A North Carolina Backyard Farm Wedding

They love to write and sing silly songs, they go for hikes in the mountains, they absolutely love to eat good food and drink good libations, and on their wedding day in Creston, NC, Katelyn and Seth managed to encapsulate the spirit of what makes their 9 year relationship so enduring and playful.

While Seth is an avid hunter and fisherman that enjoys tying flies and making squirrel foot necklaces, Katelyn is a fashion-forward, Vogue addict that rocks out stilettos any chance she gets. You’d think that they were complete opposites, and in some respects they are, but there’s no denying how perfect Katelyn and Seth are for one another.

They were next door neighbors—separated by no more than a sliver of sheetrock—for about 3 months before the two officially met. Their first date was at a local vegetarian-friendly restaurant because Katelyn hadn't eaten meat since she was 7 yrs old. She's since reverted back to being a full-on carnivore after this chef with awesome culinary skills came into her life. The couple has pretty much been inseparable for the last 9 years. 

I met Katelyn's mom at a wedding I photographed last year. Colinda, who officiated Emma & Alex's wedding, found out I was the "Wayfaring Wanderer" and we instantly hit it off. I'm almost certain that Colinda pretty much handpicked me to be their wedding photographer, and I'm glad because they like to have fun and don't take themselves too seriously. Katelyn & Seth are definitely kindred spirits!

The location that the couple selected for their wedding and reception venue was a no-brainer. There isn't anywhere else that Katelyn would rather say their vows than the Christmas tree farm where she grew up from the time she was 8 yrs old—her parents are still happily settled there, too. It was an idyllic setting hidden in the mountains that allowed their guests from near and far to freely experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge while celebrating their union.

Their ceremony highlighted the couples Celtic roots with a handfasting ceremony and also incorporated a Scottish custom that included drinking from a quaich (loving cup) to solidify their bond and unite them for life. The heartfelt vows that they exchanged were a mix of silly and sweet, and they had guests teary-eyed and cracking up. I was doing the same thing right along with them from behind the camera!

Katelyn wore a strapless Maggie Sottero wedding gown with a chapel length train that had champagne-colored fabric underneath with an ivory lace overlay. There were a dozen or more crystal buttons that went down the back, and it also had a delicate bolero jacket with crystals and bead work to wear over the gown. It was AH-MAZING! Katelyn was a stunning bride and she looked positively radiant on her wedding day!

Shear Shakti was responsible for the brides super cool updo, and a close friend from Atlanta did Katelyn's make-up. The shoes were these fantastical sparkly wedges by Benjamin Adams that she loved almost more than her dress. Park Place Florist took care of the bouquets, boutonnieres, and floral arrangements.

Katelyn and Seth envisioned a wedding where they both had a blast, enjoyed lots of dancing, eating, drinking, and shenanigans. From my perspective, I'd say that they accomplished that and then some because a good time was had by all!

A big shout out to the AWESOMAZING and hardworking crew at The Whole Shebang for helping to plan and coordinate Katelyn & Seth's wedding day, everything ran so smoothly thanks to their team of professional wedding planners!  

Katelyn has the most calming presence which carried throughout the whole day, while Seth's silly side kept things light and laid-back. Together, these two make an incredibly awesome pair, that's for sure! And the fantastic community of family and friends that surrounded them on this day was a direct reflection of how kind and caring these two lovely folks are. It was a truly amazing event and I hope that it was everything they dreamed it would be!

CONGRATULATIONS to KATELYN + SETH! 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 so much for choosing Wayfaring Wanderer + my trusty sidekick (Cody/hubby) to photograph your North Carolina wedding. It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of your special day! I hope you enjoy these highlights while I finish up your full gallery! :-)

{ Featured VENDORS }

» Ceremony & Reception Venue | Private Christmas Tree Farm

» Wedding Planner | The Whole Shebang
» Catering | Reid's Catering
» Hair | Shear Shakti Salon
» Photo Booth | Boone Photo Booth

» DJ | Split Second Sounds
» Floral Designer | Park Place Florist & Gifts

» Rentals | Miss Match Rentals / Happy Trailers / A & J Rentals

Are you newly engaged and/or planning a wedding? Get a FREE 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist HERE: http://bit.ly/weekly-wander

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

{ GET CONNECTED }

» WEBSITE: wayfaringwanderer.com
» BLOG: blog.wayfaringwanderer.com
» FACEBOOK: facebook.com/wayfaringwanderer
» INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/wayfarinwanderer
» WEEKLY WANDER: http://bit.ly/weekly-wander

{ Featured LINKS }

» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» Brit + Blake's Rustic Mast Farm Inn Wedding in Valle Crucis
» Allyson + Younes' Westglow Mansioin Wedding in Blowing Rock
» Kari + Chad's Mountaintop Destination Wedding at Kilkelly's

Gideon Ridge Inn Engagement Pictures in Blowing Rock, NC

After having to reschedule several times due to the unpredictable mountain weather, we finally managed to squeeze in Katelyn & Seth's engagement shoot last week. Initially, they were hoping to do a snowy engagement session but Mother Nature didn't cooperate with us this winter, so we waited.

I checked the forecast, as usual, and it wasn't looking so favorable for later that afternoon so we bumped up the time in hopes of avoiding the storms. And because these two are getting married in just 2 days we had to get their engagement photos done, RAIN or SHINE, this time around!

While on my way to the shoot it was apparent that the rain wasn't going anywhere, but we were determined to make do with whatever we were given despite the less than desirable weather.

The Gideon Ridge Inn had a porch, thankfully, that no one was interested in using because of the showers. We didn't mind having the place to ourselves!

Anytime during the shoot when I noticed that the rain had subsided, we would run out to grab a few quick photos before we had to retreat back to the shelter of the stone porch. We only had about 5-10 minutes each time until the rain started up again, but it was better than nothing!



I'm pretty thankful that we did get to spend some time doing their engagement pictures out in the open with the mountain view because those are my favorite photos from their shoot. After all, the amazing views are the main reason why Katelyn and Seth chose Gideon Ridge for their engagement photo location.

I loved the location because I had a lot of interesting areas that we could use even though the rain posed some challenges. We gained permission to use this lovely venue for their engagement pictures because Seth was in cahoots with the head chef at Gideon Ridge. It's one of Bistro Roca's sister properties which is where Seth works as a chef.

The couple decided to have engagement photos taken because they don't have very many "nice" photos of them together as a couple where they're not making goofy faces or flipping off the camera. ;-)

Katelyn and Seth were super sweet, and they didn't seem to have a problem with all the cheesy things I did and said to get them to laugh. It wasn't so bad dodging the rain with these two either, it was actually fun. They were troopers, though, that's for sure!

CONGRATULATIONS to Katelyn + Seth on your engagement and upcoming marriage! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos in Blowing Rock, NC.  I can't wait to photograph your wedding this weekend! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery.



Are you newly engaged or in the process of planning a wedding? Download a FREE copy of the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist to jump start your planning!

It's a free gift when you sign up for weekly emails from me (your adventurous ally). If you are already part of the tribe and subscribed to the Weekly Wander, you should have already received a download link in a previous newsletter. Let me know if you don't receive it!

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