Backyard Wedding, Intimate Wedding, Weddings, West Jefferson

Intimate weddings are seriously so sweet!

Desirae & Whit tied the knot last month on the top of Phoenix Mountain in West Jefferson, NC. They opted for a more intimate gathering with family over a large wedding. However, they didn’t leave out any the details, romance or warmth from their big day! Instead they got ready in their own time, surrounded by their loved ones and devoted their lives to each other in a private, sweet and intimate ceremony on the back porch of Phoenix Mountain Lodge. <3 The fall chill was just starting to set in the morning of their wedding. However, the weather made the warmth of the cabin and the love between everyone even more present. Desirae’s mom is a wedding detail pro, y’all!!! When I arrived, she already had all of Desirae’s details ready for me. There was even a lay flat of her “something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue” already prepared. AND it was gorgeous! I am still just gushing about these details <3

Whit was nearly ready when I arrived and spent his pre-wedding time hanging with this brother-in-laws before having his boutonniere pinned by his mother.

Watching Desirae get ready surrounded by her ladies was UNFORGETTABLE! Each of her female family members helped her put on an accessory to complete her “old, new, borrowed, blue” ensemble. There was so much laughter, tons of smiles and a few tears as Desirae slowly blossomed into a STUNNING bride!

And what a bride she was!!!!

When the time came, Desirae met her father on the front porch of the lodge for a brief first look 🙂 He then escorted her to the side of the lodge where she would make her entrance into the ceremony. Desirae & Whit tied the knot against the backdrop of West Jefferson and the Blue Ridge Mountains — everyone was kept warm by the love between these two sweet souls.

One of the great things about an intimate wedding is that there isn’t the time constraint for family photos or portraits. AND you can get a photo of everyone present!

Despite the chilly, rainy conditions, Desirae & Whit were totally game for photos!

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed warming up to queso and guacamole from Galileo’s in Boone. They also prepared tacos for the newlyweds and their families. Yum!

We took advantage of the lovely staircase in the lodge for several more photos. While Desirae & Whit went nontraditional for their wedding day festivities, they did include two traditions — a father/daughter dance and a cake cutting. Who doesn’t love both of those traditions?! Desirae dance with her father to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole, a song that is so sweet and had everyone in the room in tears. Desirae also had a little fun during her cake cutting 😉 And this crew DANCED in the living room of the lodge — no DJ required!

Desirae is so lucky to have both her mother and grandmother supporting her on her big day. They requested that I take this photo of their three generations of wedding rings <3

I just love intimate weddings!! The stress of the day is lifted and the focus is on family, friends and the love between the new couple. It just warms my heart! Thank you to Desirae & Whit for making me a part of their wedding festivities!

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Vendors:
Venue: Phoenix Mountain Lodge
Catering: Galileo’s of Boone