Kristen and Jonathan…Andrews, North Carolina

Jonathan said he knew the first week of dating Kristen that this was it. After receiving tips on how to keep his new wife from getting angry at him about the dishes along with a trip down memory lane with childhood and college friends, he raised his glass and gave a toast to his bride. Everyone who knows Kristen and Jonathan realize what he means when Jonathan says “she makes me better.”

Both the bride and groom grew up in Covington, Louisiana. I remember meeting Kristen last fall and her telling me all about this amazing spot tucked away in North Carolina where she wanted to say “I do.” Andrews, North Carolina was no new point on the map for these two. Jonathan and his friends have spent much time at his parents’ house in Andrews; it’s where he proposed, and it seemed the perfect fit for Kristen and Jonathan to bring South Louisiana to North Carolina.

With a dress in a car on Thursday barely bypassing tornadoes, a cake in a van Friday cruising the streets around the Nantahala River, and countless friends and guests making their way up into the mountains all week, Kristen and Jonathan had what was the ideal destination wedding.

The wedding took place at The Hawkesdene House, a private luxury estate rental in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The experience at the estate was one to remember for the couple and all their guests. Some relaxation mixed with a lot of fun, made for a really incredible wedding weekend.

Kristen, Jonathan, and all the families represented here, thank you so much for such an amazing weekend! You all were so inviting, hospitable, and fun!!

To the bride and groom…

Venue: The Hawkesdene House

Flowers: An English Garden, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Band: Abita Blues

Cake: Zoe’s Bakery, Covington, Louisiana

A special thanks to Rob and Phil at The Hawkesdene House. This wedding had an extra touch of style and warmth to it that you guys were responsible for. Thank you for your hospitality and hard work to make the weekend what it was. It was a joy to be at your place!!

To Kate, thanks for being my car/lens/equipment/navigation buddy…as always you made what I do so easy and enjoyable.

Kristen…thanks for the joy of getting to be there.

~cheers

*Claire