Vanessa & Matt are Married!

June 1, 2019

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Vanessa and Matt were married last week in the most beautiful ceremony at The Barn at Cranberry Creek in Boonville, North Carolina. Since the moment I met Vanessa and Matt I’ve been excited for this day. I can’t wait to share a little of their love story and wedding day with you all!

Their story begins in Paris, France. I mean, how adorable is that? They were both students in the MBA program at Appalachian State University. They took the same school trip to Paris and that is where they started to get to know each other. Vanessa said” on the flight back home, Matt switched seats with another student so that he could spend the 9-hour flight with me.”

Their first date is equally sweet. As they got to know each other Vanessa and Matt were talking about nostalgic items from their childhood. They both loved their lava lamps. Vanessa still had hers from elementary school, but Matt didn’t. Matt asked Vanessa if she wanted to go to the mall to look at lava lamps. They ended up spending all day together. They drove to the closet mall (about an hour away from their school) and bought a lava lamp for Matt and ate lunch. They then went back up to the mountains and went shopping some more, watched basketball, and then went out for barbecue for supper.

After dating for 3 years Matt was ready to ask Vanessa to be his wife. On New Years Eve they went to dinner and went back to their house to watch the ball drop on TV. Right before midnight, Matt came into the room carrying a bouquet of flowers and a book. When Vanessa opened the book she saw that Matt had carved out space in the book for a ring box. He pulled the box out of the book and got down on one knee.

Vanessa and Matt are such an amazing couple. They complement each other perfectly. Separately, they each project peace and calm. When they are together this tranquility just increases. If you want to see more of them click here for their engagement session.

Their wedding day started at the gorgeous Barn at Cranberry Creek. Vanessa and her girls were finishing getting ready in the bridal suite and Matt and his guys were hanging out in the silo. Both Vanessa and Matt were smiling all day and so excited to be getting married.

After photographing the gorgeous details they picked out I stayed with Vanessa while her Mom and bridesmaids helped her to get into her dress and get ready. Courtney went to photograph the guys getting ready. Vanessa and Matt both looked absolutely stunning on their wedding day and it was time for their first look.

Their first look was outside under the shade of the trees that surround the property. When Matt turned around to see Vanessa you could the love beaming out of him. They walked towards each other smiling and linked hands. Photographing their first look was one of my favorite parts of their wedding day.

After their first look it was sunny and hot outside but it started gently sprinkling. We hid under the trees to take their first bride and groom photos while the rain passed over. Then we explored some more of the property and took pictures along the way.

Vanessa and Matt’s ceremony was outside overlooking the woods. They were married under an arbor covered with greenery and the most gorgeous shades of pink and white flowers. My favorite part of the ceremony was when their officiant read the blessing of the hands and had them look down at each other’s hands. The poem ends with “And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

After their ceremony Vanessa and Matt went with us down by the creek to take a few more bride and groom photos. The after ceremony pictures are always some of my favorites. Vanessa and Matt had that “just married” glow.

To begin the reception Vanessa and Matt walked out to “Boombastic” by Shaggy. I just love these two! They then had their romantic first dance to “Beyond” by Leon Bridges. One of the lines is “she might just be my everything and beyond.” It’s such a sweet song for an even sweeter couple.

Vanessa and Matt spent their reception dancing, talking and laughing with their closest friends and family. They were surrounded by all the people who love and support them. Everyone was so happy for these two and celebrated their union!

The weather was sunny and warm all day long except for one small bout of rain. During the reception storm clouds started moving in quickly so we transferred everything inside right before the bottom dropped out. It passed as fast and it came and they were back outside having fun in no time!

Vanessa and Matt said goodbye to everyone with a sparkler exit. They got into Matt’s car, which was completely decorated, and drove away as husband and wife.

Vanessa and Matt I feel so honored to have met you both. Thank you for choosing me. I wish you the happiest life filled with love and joy. I hope you are having the most amazing time in Switzerland and Italy!