DIY Down-Home Backyard Wedding: Emma + Alex | Boone, North Carolina Photographer

Emma’s dreamed of getting married at her childhood home her entire life. The memories she holds of the homestead where she grew up are magical and it was her wish to share the beauty of this secluded sanctuary with her friends and family from near and far.

This down-to-earth couple also had a desire to get married in an intimate, alfresco setting because they both have an extremely close relationship with nature as environmental scientists. They were looking to incorporate that deep appreciation and connection to the outdoors into their ceremony and wedding photos.

The delicate, handmade crown Emma is wearing was decorated with aromatic rosemary. Isn't it lovely?! She didn't seem to think it was too weird when I asked to take a whiff of her head! I could have sniffed her scalp endlessly! hahaha

Emma & Alex's first look took place in the surrounding woods where she spent many summer days having barefoot adventures in the forest. 

Emma and Alex were married on the back deck of her parents’ home surrounded by sunshine and people who love them. Since the couple now lives in Colorado, they don’t get to see many of the people that they hold close to their hearts very often. 

At the end of their heartfelt ceremony, folks gleefully blew bubbles to celebrate the newlyweds as they walked around basking in the effervescent love. 

Having the reception at the family home would have caused too much stress on the property so they took the second half of the wedding festivities to the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis. It’s also a special place because Emma grew up going to contra dances there with her parents. 

The bride had a team of family and friends to help make the whole thing come together. There were a ton of awesome DIY decorations that the bride and mother made collectively. The various signs they had scattered throughout were thoughtful, and, of course, you can’t go wrong with fabric-topped mason jars for a rustic touch!

Seed to Plate Catering was there feeding everyone yummy farm-to-table food using locally sourced organic ingredients. The chicken was incredibly juicy and so flavorful! I also loved the garlic-lemon asparagus! Mmmmmmmm! They did a wonderful job catering this event. Working with Seed to Plate was a special treat, indeed! 

The main concern for Emma and Alex was to have fun and enjoy themselves in the most laid-back environment possible. From what I experienced, everyone seemed to be having a grand ol’ time fooling around while also facilitating when needed. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with such a friendly and festive bunch! 

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Emma & Alex! You're officially HITCHED! YAYAYAYAYAY! I wish you two lovebirds the most epic adventures that life has to offer and I truly hope that your union will endure the test of time! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your down-home DIY backyard wedding, it was a blast! 

Family & Friends: to be notified when all of Emma & Alex's wedding photos are ready to be viewed, please sign up here » http://bit.ly/emma-alex-wedding 

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

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Weekend & Winter

Autumn is about to come to a screeching halt here in the mountains.
Tomorrow is predicted to be unseasonably cold with a chance of snow flurries!
I'm not ready for a high of 35. Guess it doesn't really matter if I'm prepared or not, it's coming.

Our weekend was a great mix of spending time outdoors, as well as, at home.
Saturday we went to the 35th annual Balloonfest,
which you'll hear/see more about this week.

Today, we stayed within the confines of our home.
The early part of the day was spent re-watching some old movies,
and the rest of the afternoon was spent cleaning up the dining room & kitchen.
Afterwards, we played a game of Scrabble on the table we cleared off while cleaning.
I was even able to cook dinner while we were playing our game - Cody helped too.

This weekend definitely went by way too quickly........
then again, I say that every weekend!

Posted in Today's Flowers

~ E N I G M A ~

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.
~Henry Miller~

Ever since my new photoshop layer obsession began a few short weeks ago,
I have gained a keener eye.
I have been on an endless hunt for textures, and have been pleasantly surprised with what I have found.


After Cody and I left the ASU library yesterday, to get some photoshop books (I know, it's bad),
I found myself looking at the seemingly unsightly concrete walls for the uneven crackles and colored splotches peppered throughout.
Heck, I was even taking photos of the rust, and drippy juice lines on the dumpster near by. Ewe, gross.....haha


On a regular basis I stop and take the time to see that which would normally go unnoticed.
But my newfangled fascination has me delving that much deeper.
I really needed this boost in creativity.
I hate to say it but I was beginning to get a little bored with what I was producing,
which might explain why my posts were getting a little sparse?!
I'm glad that I am more excited to share what I've been doing with my free time :o)

Dreamworld

Reality is too much to take in heapfuls, but sprinkle it sparingly upon life's path and most can tread it lightly.

~Astrid Alauda




I have felt somewhat negligent in terms of the blog world. My negligence doesn't always mean that I don't post, but I have felt almost like I haven't really been here. And I don't have anything interesting or profound to share with you today, because I'm still not really here. I just hate to think that my pictures go to waste, sitting in their little folders on my hard drive. I have so much to share, yet I don't.........doesn't make any sense to me either, but humor me. I guess the best way to describe what I've been going through would be to say that, I've been in lala land........sort of doing my own thing - creating.

Creating what? Well, stuff............I started making these little artcards from misc. things I cut out of magazines and have laying around for my scrap booking. I've made one almost every night this week. I'm not sure I'm ready to share them since they look pretty rough, and my eye is way to critical.........but it's fun and it takes my mind off of other things. I really want to buy some paints to incorporate in the mixture, but I don't have any idea as to what kind. I have no experience whatsoever with paint, complete novice. I'm thinking maybe acrylics, which is what Cody also suggested. Maybe a trip to Cheap Joe's is in order this weekend?!

Cody has been working on a dining room table for the house, made from scraps he's picked up here and there. For starters, I'm super excited that he is motivated and working in his shop like he's been planning to do. And secondly, I'm happy that I will finally have a place to spread out all my junk, instead of all over the floor, couch, and coffee table, when I'm working on something. Oh and lastly, I'll just be happy to have dinner at a table for once........It's been a while since we've eaten dinner at a table. Having meals while sitting on the couch sort of degrades the work you put in to preparing a meal, you know?!

My plan this weekend is to, well, make plans.........a vacation for Cody's birthday this year. I think we've selected the perfect place for some amazing adventures, somewhere I've wanted to go ever since I saw this fashion spread in a magazine, I didn't care about the clothes, I just feel in love with the scenery! I won't tell you where yet, but once we've set it in motion, and I receive my guidebooks, I will fill you in. If you don't already know, and can guess.......then you're real good.......I'll give you a hint, it's somewhere out west again. If you remember, we went to Las Vegas for my birthday last year. Oh boy, I can't wait!!!