On a sunny Saturday in May, we arrived in Highlands, North Carolina for Ricki and Richard’s wedding celebration. Truth be told, this is when I fell in love with this small town located just two hours outside of Asheville. Ricki and Richard decided to tie the knot in a hidden garden on family property and the location surely did not disappoint.
The couple, who was currently residing in Florida, were surrounded by friends and family from DC, Florida, and other neighboring states (and even a guest or two from out of the country!). The way their friends and family showed up for them truly speaks to what wonderful people Ricki and Richard are. Their incredibly talented photographer, Halle Morgan, also made the trip in from Florida to capture this sweet couple’s love story on film.
Pre-Ceremony Fun
While Ricki and her ladies did their hair and makeup in the family lodge, Richard and his groomsmen spent a few hours skeet shooting. Ricki and her bridesmaids opted to do their hair and makeup themselves and we were blown away by the results! Hollywood waves are no easy feat but Ricki’s bridal hair and makeup turned out flawlessly.
A Hidden Garden Ceremony
Ricki and Richard chose to have their ceremony at the neighbors house under a handcrafted wooden arbor. From the road, the location looks like just another patch of woods but after ducking under some gorgeous vining plants, a stunning garden reveals itself. Ricki’s bridesmaids wore mismatched floral sundresses that were complemented nicely by the natural beauty of the garden. After their ceremony, Ricki and Richard made their way to the top of the observation tower and watched as their guests made their way up to the reception.
A Clean and Classic Reception
Once the couple finished up photos with their family and wedding party, the reception kicked off. Ricki’s vision of a clean and classic garden wedding was executed perfectly. From their white flowers mixed in with lush greenery to their compostable bamboo plates, the neutral color palette of their spring wedding coordinated perfectly with the natural beauty of Highlands.
Their guests enjoyed delicious BBQ from On the Side BBQ in Cashiers, North Carolina served by Cordial & Craft. Ricki’s dad made the most delicious cheesecakes, with the couple’s cake topper showing off their love of surfing.
Ricki and Richard flew their entertainer in from Florida and DJ Ben Nigrelli did not disappoint. He had guests of all ages up and dancing. To date, this was the most lively crowd and upbeat reception that we have seen.
Being on private property, the location of Ricki and Richard’s wedding definitely came with its challenges. When it comes to weddings on family land, their day went splendidly. We ran into very few problems that often occur at “backyard weddings”. We definitely recommend that if you opt for a reception on private property, you hire a wedding planner. We’re there to ensure that you have all of the necessities when it comes to infrastructure, plumbing, and power in addition to our normal planning duties. Loving the idea of a backyard celebration with your favorite people? Contact us today to chat more about how we can bring your ideas to life!
