Mr+Mrs Shardo | North Carolina Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography | Wedding Portraits | Destination Wedding

Earlier this month, my (Tessa) sister got married!!
They decided on a small, intimate destination wedding. So, we all packed up and headed for Mars Hill, North Carolina (about a 1/2 hr outside of Ashville).

Steph + Joe’s story starts in high school. Though they never dated, they were close friends. After high school, when life moved them in very different directions and even across the country, they remained in contact. In early 2013, both Steph + Joe found themselves ending long term relationships. The parallels in their lives, had them turning to each other for an understanding shoulder to lean on. And the rest is history.

I could not have been more happy to stand by her side. And to be able to capture the day (with a lot of help from Mara) was an honor.

The rustic details were so much fun to capture throughout the day.

All the bride’s+bridesmaids’ jewelry was vintage AB Crystal, found at the most adorable bridal vintage store in Cleveland, OH. To the woman that helped us (for hours) thank you, each piece was perfectly unique!
See the three rings? The top ring is mine, her matron of honor. It was her something blue. The middle ring, is Stephanie’s paternal grandfather’s wedding ring. The last and final ring, is Stephanie’s maternal grandmother’s engagement ring. Both served as her something borrowed. What an honor to have a piece from each family.
Steph+Joe decided to see one another before their ceremony. Not only did it make the wedding day a little easier for me (to be in and do all my bridesmaids duties, but photograph too), but it allowed Stephanie+Joe to spend their whole wedding day together. To have a moment to say, “Stephanie, you look gorgeous” and share a hug and quick kiss. Something that is not possible when you walk down the aisle and have everyone’s eyes on you. We LOVE when couples decide on a first glance.
Seriously… how beautiful!! 
We are slightly obsessed with all of Joe’s details. Definitely a groom with style.
The wedding venue not only had fantastic cabins and landscape, but cute adorable barns too!
All of the bridesmaids dresses were bought separately from different designers and stores. Not only was it fun to shop for something that you truly felt great in, but it came together BEAUTIFULLY!
Side note – how cute is my daughter+Stephanie’s goddaughter?
Now let’s be honest… what groomsmen wouldn’t want to wear jeans to a wedding?
Love.
Oh… and did a mention there’s a chapel on the property?? The owner, Steve, built it!! If you ever get the chance to meet him, he has many stories to tell. He treats every bride+groom as if they were part of his family.
BUT funniest part of the whole weekend… we momentarily were locked out of the chapel!! Definitely doesn’t happen every wedding day, when at the last minute you are devising a plan B if the owner cannot find the key to unlock the building. Good things come to those who wait (about 20 minutes), Steve found the key and the wedding began.
Joe’s brother-in-law Justin performed the ceremony and did a wonderful job personalizing the wedding to them.
Mr+Mrs SHARDO
Just a short walk to the reception barn.
We could have photographed all day. The details are never-ending.

The cake was a sweet potato spice cake (it was DELICIOUS). Our aunt Joyce made all the pies, which were equally fantastic.
Time to party!!
I cried, go figure. Thankfully Jeremy picked us all back up with a few laughs.
Mara’s dream came true… this bride relaxed, ready to party+in flannel!
This day was perfect. I’m excited to see what the future holds for these two. (Maybe a few little Shardos running around!!)

 

Wedding Dress Designer: Romona Keveza
Wedding Dress Shop: Something White Bridal Boutique (Independence, OH)
Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN + ModCloth + Davids Bridal
Grooms Outfit: Men’s Warehouse
Bride’s Shoes: DSW – Audrey Brooke
Jewelry: Miranda’s Vintage Bridal (Cleveland, OH)
Hair+Makeup: Andrea + Jennifer from Doll Box Productions (Asheville, NC)
Venue: Memory Mountain at Wolf Laurel (Mars Hill, NC)
Florist: The Bloom Room (Asheville, NC)
Photographer: Portrait Identity (Yorkshire,OH)
Cake: Short Street Cakes (Asheville, NC)
Pies: The Flour House Pie Shop (Minster, OH)
Stationary: Portrait Identity (Yorkshire,OH)
Decorations: A collection of new, used + borrowed items