Blackmon-Friedman Wedding-Lauren and Traci

Traci Here! My fellow associate Lauren and I had the amazing privilege of shooting the Biltmore Estate's first ever gay commitment ceremony this past Saturday, Oct. 17th. Wow! What a fantastic celebration of love and joy! Bob and Randy are both incredibly sweet guys were are clearly very much in love, and are surrounded by wonderful and supportive friends and family. They were a blast to hang out with all day, especially exploring the gorgeous grounds of the Biltmore Estate! The beautiful fall colors were at their peak last weekend and it was almost unreal how perfect everything was! Bobby and Mark from Bobbymark designs coordinated the event seamlessly! Congratulations and Mazeltov to Bob and Randy, and thank you SO MUCH for letting us share in your wedding day. Below are some photographic highlights by both myself and Lauren from Bob and Randy's celebration. The Asheville Citizens times is also going to write a story about Bob and Randy's momentous day, so look out for it! 

Matching Armani shirts hand in the window of the guys' hotel room at the Biltmore Inn (below)

Randy and Bob's sweet dog, Flo, a schnoodle, dances for a treat before the ceremony (below).

Bridal Schmridal! (below)

The Wedding circle and family dance into the Lioncrest to the theme song of "The Love Boat" amid streamers and high fives! Quite a processional!! (below)

Randy and Bob dancing down the aisle to Culture Club's "I'll Tumble For Ya" (Below and Above)

Randy tears up as he listens to Bob's sweet and candid vows.

Randy gives the crowd a mischievous look just before taking a second extra-long sip of wine during the ceremony! (below).

We had fun running around the Biltmore Estate for portraits, but it was C-C-COLD!! 

Isn't it great when the person you love makes you laugh like this!? (below)

Randy and Bob share their first dance to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" (above and below)

Two chocolate groom cake toppers made by the Chocolate Fetish here in Asheville! (below)

One of the couple's friends and a member of their wedding circle gives a tearful toast (below). Ten people stood up to toast Randy and Bob, which is a testament to how loved (and how amazing) they are! 

The Hura! (below) Bob and Randy are hoisted into the air during the traditional Jewish wedding chair dance! 

The guys share a dance with their mothers (below)

Fun with drag shutter and multiples strobes on the dance floor!! (below)

The partying went on all night, with an private after-party at Scandals bar downtown. Once again, thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your celebration!! You guys are awesome! 

Thiel-Fairchild Wedding

This past Saturday, I spent the day with Telana Thiel and Jacob Fairchild at The Fields at Blackberry Cove in Weaverville, NC on their nine year anniversary of meeting each other. The two met in high school in Wilkes County and have been in love since.

The day started with happy tears and ended with happy tears, with many smiles and hugs in between. Before putting on any makeup (as to not ruin it), Telana and her mother exchange gifts and heartfelt cards (below)

Mother of the Groom (below) shares in the moment with a few tears of her own!

After wiping away the tears, Telana proceeds to get ready for the big day and puts on her make up.

While getting her hair done (by the fabulous Cody Louise Pettry) Telana helps her mother with her makeup.

Telana gets the special "borrowed" gift of a rosary from her bridesmaid and friend (below)

Telana holds tight to her something old, new and borrowed (I was told the blue was hidden!) (below). The Old is her baby bonnet, the new is a monogrammed hanky given to her by one of her bridesmaids, and the borrowed is the rosary in her hand-given to Telana by another of her bridesmaids.

Making sure the rings get to the right place! (below)

Jacob helps Telana's stepfather get ready (below)

Then, The favor is returned.

Jacob writes Telana a note before the two officially tie the knot. (below)

Ring bearer, JT, shows off his gift to my assistant, Giedre (below)

The flowers on Saturday were artfully done by the fabulous Mark and Bobby of BobbyMarkDesigns.

Jacob shares a moment with the minister before the processional begins (below)

Telana's younger brother watches as she arrives to the ceremony (below)

Telana is escorted down the aisle by her mother and stepfather (below)

Giedre did a great job catching this moment of a proud mother watching her daughter's excitement before walking down the aisle (below)

Telana made these special hankies for her bridesmaids (below) and they definitely came in handy for wiping tears.

We did it!

JT pets the horse (below)

The wedding party!!

While taking the above photo, I was walking backwards with my camera and my left foot fell into a 2 foot deep hole!! See the damage below!! Note to Self: before walking backwards be sure to make sure there aren't any gigantic holes behind you!!

This moment below was fabulous!! Jacob and Telana shared a private moment before entering the reception. The two had no idea I was watching! (below)

Telana put a lot of work into making the gifts and other decorations for the wedding.

Ring bearer, JT, brands himself with a "Fairchild" sticker (below)

There were many heartfelt speeches at the reception--it was obvious that Telana and Jacob are loved very much by their friends and family!

The speech by Telana's younger brother (below) was especially moving in my opinion.

The First Dance

There were lots of hugs at the end of the night!

A special thank to my assistant, G! (below)