I met Katie and Matt at Molly and John’s wedding and was so excited when they hired me for their Wintergreen Resort destination weddingt!  I arrived a day early so that I could scope out the resort and find all the good spots for their wedding and fell in love with the resort with every curve I took.  It is SUCH a beautiful place and if anyone is thinking of doing a destination wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains, I highly recommend Wintergreen Resort!  It really is a perfect spot for a wedding!  Heck, I’d also recommend it just to visit.  My husband and I aren’t skiiers (and I’m allergic to the cold so going outside in the winter isn’t my thing) but we both want to return again someday because we enjoyed it so much.

Now, onto the wedding day!!

When we arrived at Wintergreen Resort, I was kind of bummed that the leaves weren’t really changing yet.  The leaves last fall were a bit behind and so there wasn’t a ton of color that I saw when we were wandering around on Friday night.  Overnight though they suddenly popped and Saturday we were greeted with a sea of color that wasn’t there the day before.  It’s almost magical how quickly the leaves change in the mountains!  Luckily for Katie and Matt, it was perfectly timed!  On top of that it was really the perfect fall day.  Slightly overcast skies (which is what you want for light during an outdoor wedding so no one is squinty!) and perfect temps.  Not a drop of rain!

The ceremony took place at the Blue Ridge Overlook and it was absolute perfection.  I already knew from photographing their rehearsal that it was beautiful but the day of the wedding it was even more perfect.  The reception took place back at the Wintergreen Resort Lodge and I can’t tell you how stunning the ballroom was – you’ll have to see it for yourself!  It looked like a fairytale forest!

The best part about the whole weekend wasn’t the beautiful scenery or even the perfect weather.  It was these two lovely people saying I Do and getting to document their love story.  They are just so absolutely sweet and perfect together.  All day they only had heart eyes for each other and that’s what made the day perfect.

Thank you both so much for trusting me with your day!

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Wintergreen Resort / Bridal Gown: Sottero & Midgley via One Enchanted Evening / DJ: 20 South Productions / Florist: Couture Design / Pies: The Pie Chest

My husband was with me for the trip (yay!) and he started his day with the guys at one of the homes they had rented for the wedding.

He took Matt outside to read his letter from Katie and it was a beautiful spot!

I was over with the girls while they were getting ready at the spa.

I loved the cozy robes that Katie had for herself and her ladies!

Luckily it was a quiet morning at the spa and Katie was able to read her letter from Matt in private before getting dressed.  It was quite a lovely moment and Katie is the prettiest crier!

The final touches were placed and Katie was ready to go!

Before she headed off to see Matt, we did a quick first look with her Dad outside of the spa.  So many smiles!

We had done a few swoops around the resort trying to find places for their first look.  Katie had suggested the Wintergreen Overlook which was beautiful but since it was on the route from the lodge to the Blue Ridge Overlook where the ceremony was being held we decided to go for the Three Ridges Overlook instead as it was a bit more out of the way and not as busy.

Needless to say, it was a perfect spot!

How cute are they??

Look at all the color!

While their bridal party waited in the bus we did a few photos with them before asking everyone to come out.

I LOVED this look so much.  From Matt’s beautiful suit to Katie’s GORGEOUS lace gown = perfection!

I also loved her side ponytail!

The bridal party came out and I really loved the look of the navy suits and dresses with the pop of the cranberry red wraps the ladies had with the red ties!  Such a perfect look for a fall wedding!

Such a fun fun fun group!

How pretty are these ladies?!

Katie, you are GORGEOUS!

Guys, you didn’t look too shabby yourselves.

Matt was quite the dapper groom!

I loved the light in this little nook of the overlook and I’m glad they humored me for a photo here before we headed on!

This is what greeted me when I arrived at the Blue Ridge Overlook for the wedding ceremony!  Do you see the sun dogs (rainbows to the left and right of the sun)?  SO cool!

These dahlias were so pretty!

I really loved the simple but elegant setup for their wedding ceremony!

A friend of theirs played guitar for the ceremony and every time I see this photo of him I smile.  So funny!

Before long it was time for the ceremony and Katie’s Dad escorted her up the aisle.

I mean, come on.  This is such a perfect spot for a ceremony!

They did a wine ceremony and it was perfection!

Katie’s smile here is everything!  Yay!

They did!

The new Mr. & Mrs.!

It was a beautiful sunset that just kept getting more and more beautiful.

I mean, come on.  Needless to say, Virginia was showing off for Katie and Matt.

I can’t believe we got TWO gorgeous sunsets in a row here!

It was the kind of sunset you have to take in for a bit.

This is why you take the chance and plan an outdoor ceremony at a spot like this on the side of a mountain!  Amazing views and amazing sunsets are worth the risk.

If you haven’t guessed, I’m a sunset lover.

While Katie and Matt greeted everyone at the cocktail hour outside on the patio I ran around the reception and photographed the details before everyone moved into the ballroom at Wintergreen Resort for the wedding reception.

Couture Design had turned it into a forest and it was so beautiful!  I loved the mix of trees and high centerpieces!  However I must admit the amber glass goblets are what won my heart.  They are so fun!

What a perfect fall centerpiece right?

Yes, he’s in the air.  What a way to make an entrance!

Katie and Matt had an elegant and perfect entrance that went straight into their first dance.

After their first dance Katie danced with her Dad, who was so excited about it.  How cute is he?

Matt then danced with his Mom and it was lovely.

Next it was time for the toasts and they were equally funny, lovely and a wee bit embarrassing – as all toasts should be.

After dinner they cut the pie.  Yep, pie.  I love that they eschewed the cake tradition and went for pies!

After the pie cutting the dance floor was open and everyone immediately packed the dance floor and it full for the entire evening!

If you can dance with your grandparents I HIGHLY recommend it.

Not long after Katie sneaked off for a quick change and slipped into a gown that was a bit easier to dance in.  SO SMART!  I can’t tell you how many brides are just OVER their dresses by this point in the evening.  Someone’s inevitably stepped on the gown about 10 times, the bustle often has broken and all of that tulle does not make for easy dancing!  Katie’s gown was GORGEOUS but I love that she changed into something that she could enjoy the evening in once the formalities are done.  Future brides, take note!

I love how Molly and John formed a heart when they were dancing towards the end of the night.