BLOG

Preparations began at the private cottage on the Biltmore Estate. Katie had help from her mom, bridesmaids and her flower girl, her adorable dog, Lady, the Cavapoo. It was said more than once during the wedding day that Lady knew that John was the one before Katie knew.

John’s watch was a gift from Katie. “Forever 5.11.24” was custom engraved on the back.

John’s cufflinks, displaying the family crest, were a gift from his mom. The groomsmen’s cufflinks were gifts from John.

The Biltmore is an amazing place full of history. George Vanderbilt first visited Asheville, North Carolina, in 1888. Captivated by the area’s natural beauty, he ending up purchasing land for his country estate, which became the Biltmore.

There are over thirty acres of gardens surrounding the Biltmore House, all designed by America’s foremost landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted. He is also known for designing New York City’s Central Park in 1857 and Washington DC’s United States Capitol Grounds in 1874. The landscape design of the Vanderbilt estate in 1895 was Olmsted’s crowning achievement.

The Biltmore is full of many gorgeous photo opportunities. We made the most of the Lower High Lawn, the Rampe Douce, the Front of the House, the Library Terrace and South Terrace, the Gardens and the Conservatory.

This wedding was so incredibly special for two reasons: Katie is like a part of our family and shooting at the Biltmore is a photographer’s dream.

Katie was my son’s babysitter in NYC and we became very close. She has come to visit us in Denver and continually quotes some of Ollie’s crazy toddler sayings! Seeing her find her person and have a perfect wedding day was really exciting!

I have been lucky to photograph some destination weddings, but none at quite such a dramatic and gorgeous location. Photographing a wedding at the Biltmore is a highlight of my career. Katie and John, thank you for trusting me with your memories!

Choosing the Biltmore as their wedding venue was an easy decision. The bride shares, “We love Asheville and the Biltmore! John proposed in Asheville and getting married at the Biltmore was a fairytale dream for both of us that became a reality!”

Katie adds, “We had the most perfect day! We were surrounded by so many people who love us, we had the most beautiful venue, the weather was gorgeous, it could not have gone more perfectly. It was truly magical! We want to give a huge thank you to Jessica and Eric. They made everything run so seamlessly and comfortably. And we had so much fun with them! We love you guys!”

Thank you, Katie and John! We love you back!

Sam did a great job as the ring bearer! Sam’s dad, Ezer, is in residency with John at UNC and he and his wife were Katie and John’s first friends when they moved to North Carolina.

The ceremony and reception took place at the Biltmore’s Deerpark Restaurant.

Katie shares, “Our favorite moment was after we said “I do” and walked down the aisle as husband and wife. We had a moment just the two of us in the bridal suite. We were able to take a breath, take it all in and enjoy those first few moments as a married couple!”

Congratulations Katie and John!

Check out their engagement session at Duke Gardens in North Carolina.

Special thanks to the team:
Venue and Catering: The Biltmore 
Coordinator: Tamara Heston, Belle Soiree
DJ: Mitch Fortune, Remix Weddings 
Music, String Trio: Allegro Music
Florist: Flora Botanical Living
Invitations: Dominique Alba 
Seating Chart: Sierra Hollar, Freckles + Ink
Makeup: Blush Asheville 
Hair: Katie Manselle 
Rings: Raleigh Diamond 
Bride’s Dress: Ines Di Santo, Alexia’s Bridal Boutique 
Bride’s Shoes: Bella Belle 
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids 
Groom’s Suit: Jos A Banks 
Videographer: Timm Young Films 
Photographer: Jessica Schmitt Photography with Eric Swartz

To Asheville couples: All of the vendors were wonderful, but I had the pleasure of working alongside Tamara of Belle Soiree and Timm Young of Timm Young Films. They were fantastic and I highly, highly recommend them!

I met Catherine and Steve and their dog, Bo, back in 2022 for their engagement session and wedding. I love being able to reconnect with my couples and watch their families grow! …especially when they are this adorable!

Congratulations on your beautiful family!

Are you interested in book a family photo session in the Denver area? Contact me today.

Hannah and Sam were married on a warm and windy April day in Littleton, Colorado.

The couple shared a first look out in the fields and then read private vows to each other before the ceremony.

Hannah shares, “Where to begin! Our day was everything we ever dreamed it would be. The Manor House was the perfect venue and we got so lucky with a beautiful spring day. It was amazing to be in the mountains to celebrate our love in the sunshine with all of our favorite people!

All of our vendors made the day seamless, so we were able to truly sit back and enjoy.

Our favorite part was probably our first look; we had wavered on doing one, but having that time together before the crazy began was so special and gave us a chance to read some private vows. The happy tears started then and didn’t seem to stop until dancing commenced! We truly had the best day of our lives and couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who made it possible – especially Jess!”

Hannah’s two uncles performed the ceremony. They did an amazing job making the ceremony unique and special for the couple.

We had some gorgeous golden hour light seeping into the valley.

Hannah and Sam’s dog, Palmer, couldn’t be there on the day, but he was certainly there in spirit. He got a very special place, on top of the cake!

Hannah and Sam shared their first dance to Beyond by Leon Bridges.

Congratulations Hannah and Sam! What a gorgeous wedding. Thank you for making me a part of your day!
Check out their Mount Falcon engagement session here.

Special thanks to the team:
Venue: The Manor House, Littleton, Colorado
Floral: Abloom Florals, Linda Glover
Hair and Makeup: Divine Beauty Artists
Band: Homeslice
Cake: Happy Bakeshop
Dress: Wtoo by Watters
Program: Etsy, MeggieCraftastic
Photo Booth: Modern Focus Experience
Videographer: Eivans, Ralph J.
Photography: Jessica Schmitt Photography with Eric Swartz

Every engagement shoot is special, but this one was extra special. I have known Jennie since we were in first grade. We have shared so many of life’s ups and downs together and I have had a front seat to her journey–all that led her to find her person. I was thrilled to photograph her and CJ’s engagement photos and celebrate this time with them. 

Jennie works in music and they both love the outdoors. Red Rocks was the perfect location to celebrate Colorado and the place where they met. I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS! 

Jennie shares the sweet proposal story, “In D.UM.B.O, Brooklyn, staring at the Brooklyn Bridge, the man of my dreams had pre-arranged for a street performer to be waiting there to play our song. As my jaw dropped, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Crying, I helped him up and said “YES!”

I knew from the moment I saw his angel face that all I wanted was him + a life together forever. I love him with all my heart! How did him and I get so lucky?! 

I am so thankful for CJ to invite me to join his family, letting me love his amazing kids and opening his beautiful heart to my family, as well. I cannot wait to continue our story of growth, love and adventures!”

Congratulations Jennie and CJ! The couple will be married this summer in Virginia.

Thanks for stopping by! Check out more of my work on my website.

I met Clarie and Troy at Mount Falcon West on a snowy, beautiful winter day to celebrate their engagement.

Troy shares, “Our story began during the spring of 2016 during our junior year while we were both attending Texas A&M University. We met at a scholarship banquet where we both had the same donor for our Fightin’ Texas Aggie rings. The Aggie Ring is a coveted symbol of camaraderie, commitment, and loyalty when students complete 90 credit hours. After hitting it off at the banquet, I asked Claire for her number. Less than a week later, we met for coffee in between our classes on campus. After a few more amazing dates, and returning from summer break, we began our senior year as an official couple.

Upon graduation in 2017, our long distance portion of our relationship began. Claire pursued a year of service with AmeriCorps before attending law school at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, while I stayed in College Station, Texas, for an extra year to complete my Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering. It was during this time that we often took weekend trips to visit one another, and our relationship continued to grow. Through this experience, we fell more deeply in love—leaning strongly on our communication, trust in God, and the joy of being each other’s best friend.

After six years (yes, six years) of dating long distance, our prayers were answered when Claire moved to Colorado and we never had to live in a separate state ever again. It wasn’t too long after that when I proposed to Claire in November of 2023 while on a trip back to where it all began: Aggieland. I got down on one knee under the time-honored tradition of the Century Tree. Tradition says that when you walk under the Century Tree, it means you’ll be together forever. A proposal under the Century Tree takes that tradition a step further by resulting in a lifetime of happy marriage.

We are both so excited for our wedding this October and for a lifetime of silly, sweet, and significant moments and adventures with our doggy daughter, Aria, right by our side.

Our families and faith are so important to us, so we look forward to joining two families together and sharing the beauty of God’s hand in every step of our relationship that has forever changed our lives.”

Congratulations Claire and Troy!