Weekend in Asheville...and Meet Our Photographers!

We had a wonderful weekend in the mountains. The leaves have been slow to turn this year, but once we got up over about 3,000 feet (bite me; the Appalachians are the oldest mountains in the world and have slowly been worn down) the colors were beautiful! On Saturday we got a wild hair to go to Grandfather Mountain, but at that elevation the cloud cover moved in thick as night, it was sleeting, and freezing! The winds were already up to 70mph! We couldn’t go up to the Mile High Swinging Bridge like we really wanted to. Oh well. We went back down the mountain and made our way to Blowing Rock, NC. A really quaint, swanky mountain town with lots of shopping and dining. J was able to introduce me to the estate jewelers responsible for hand-crafting my engagement ring, and they were thrilled to meet me. It was so much fun talking with them. We discussed a wedding band for J, as well as an appropriate band for my ring. Also learned that the best solution for cleaning my ring is Windex & a baby toothbrush!

We had a most delightful meal at Storie Street Grille (I had Ravioli with Herbed Walnuts and Jay had Bacon-wrapped Pork Tenderloin).

On Sunday, we took the Blue Ridge Parkway into Asheville, stopping at overlooks along the way. Truly the way to go; that the trees had not shaken their leaves yet made for some beautiful views.

We met with our final photographer selection. Her stuff, her color especially, (she shoots completely film) was outstanding. We were so torn on whom to go with: the photographers we met with in Raleigh last weekend, or this one from Asheville. It was such a toss up; we knew we’d be satisfied with either. I made a Comparison List on the way home. They were similar in many ways, and super positives on each side. I won’t bore you with the list, but we eventually decided to go with:

The Riersons They are a young (I’m estimating early 30s) couple. We hired both of them to document the wedding, which will give us approximately 700-900 proofs. As I mentioned in a previous post, they are both techno-geek and old-fashioned developers. They shoot unlimited (no time or film limit). They’ll attend the rehearsal just to get to know the bridal party and get a feel for the venue. They’ll take pictures at my bridal luncheon. They were excited about my outdoor shot ideas (more on that later). A real artist’s vision. And their personalities, which truly clinched it for me, are wonderful. Warm. Eager. I feel like I can suggest things and it will be well-received. Just so together on the business and creative fronts. Felt like the best of everything that we want.

When you go to their site, be sure to click on “Show Me Pictures”. Regan & Geoff and Kristie & Keith – those are my favorites.