Private weddings at RiverMist

I’m afraid I’ve gotten behind on my wedding blog. With spring weddings and a new grandson on the way… there are just not enough hours in the day. I will try to catch up a little….

St. Patrick's Day can be a fun time to get married. Like many couples Stacy and Justin wanted a very private ceremony. Stacy had already purchased a new green dress for her wedding before they decided on the date. How appropriate to wear green on this day!

Although they did not want an "Irish" wedding we did incorporate a few traditions. I included an Irish wedding blessing in their ceremony and I also had a special surprise gift for Stacy.

There is an Irish tradition that it is good luck for the bride to carry (or wear) a horseshoe on her wedding day. My daughter wanted to wear one on her wedding day, so I ordered an extra one...

The new Mr.and Mrs.   Don't they look happy!

Tina and Chris were also married at RiverMist in March. As part of their ceremony we included a water unity ceremony. Tina had yellow colored water and Chris had blue colored water.

At the appropriate time they poured their water into a single vase, creating the color green. There are so many ways to make a ceremony special (and unique). Don't ever settle for a 'one size fits all'... 'cookie-cutter' ceremony.

When couples get married here I like to give them a little private time immediately following the ceremony. Guy was quick with the camera as Tina and Chris took advantage of their first minutes alone as husband and wife.

Tina and Chris had a few guests and wanted to celebrate after their wedding. Cake and cider receptions are available upon request.

         A toast to many, many years of happiness together!

Jessica and Matt - Family wedding in Asheville

Jessica and Matt had a fun wedding at Matt's parent's home. Home weddings can be very elegant or 'laid-back' and casual. Jessica and Matt chose both! Their wedding took place in a small community park that Matt's parent's maintain for the enjoyment of other residents. The flowers were absolutely gorgeous!

After lots of photographs, Jessica and Matt were happy to change into comfortable clothes and begin their reception 'picnic'.

Doesn't this look like fun! What a great way to have a spring wedding!

Lacie and Jon Marry at Homewood in Asheville

April can be a little early for a mountain wedding. Lacie and Jon were wise to plan an indoor wedding. The weather had been very warm for several days but there was a 'cold snap' on April 9th, the day of their wedding.

Homewood in Asheville, has a beautiful outdoor and indoor location. Lacie and Jon's wedding took place in the Piano Room, in front of a beautiful rock fireplace.

Lacie and Jon included Blessing Stones as part of their ceremony. They had fun shopping for just the right gemstones.

These were placed on the programs. At the beginning of the ceremony I explained the significance of the stones.

We also included an elemental ring blessing (air, earth, fire and water) I have some very special 'props' that I am happy to provide.

Dad signed the marriage license. It' all legal now, 'a done deal'...

                  And here's the newly married couple.
                      So happy to finally be married!

Drew & Kara marry at RiverMist

We have some really special weddings at RiverMist. This past weekend was no exception. Kara and Drew traveled from Tennessee. Well, actually Drew traveled quite a bit farther..(about 7,000 miles) to get married here and spend their honeymoon in Asheville.

I was a little concerned about the weather. Earlier in the week there was no prediction of snow. However, we woke up Saturday morning to 4 inches of snow. The roads were fine and the snow just added to the beauty of the drive. Drew had not seen snow in a while so he was very happy…

Since they were traveling, Drew arranged for flowers, cake, champagne, keepsake glasses, and a ‘take-along’ cheese basket. As always, I had fun shopping for everything and each item was hand selected.

After we talked a little, Drew and Kara changed into their wedding clothes. Keeping with tradition, Kara did not want Drew to see her wedding dress until immediately before the ceremony. As you can see from his face, he was overwhelmed when she walked around the corner.

I think the ceremony was a little more emotional than they expected. They were both happy to sit and 'catch their breath'.

Drew couldn't resist the snow and   had to have a few pictures taken outside. What a gentleman... he didn't want his new bride to ruin her beautiful shoes!

What a lucky couple... their 'first' honeymoon in Asheville... then in April another honeymoon in Greece!

Many, many adventures await these two… (hold on tight, Kara!)

Today (3/1) I received an email that I must share:
Victoria, We cannot begin to express our gratitude to you and Guy for the lovely ceremony you arranged for Kara and me. I never imagined I would marry so I had no idea what my wedding would look like. Our ceremony at Rivermist was all we expected and more.

The most overwhelming part was trying to narrow down all the options you provided us. I had seen my siblings go through the whole church/wedding/guest nightmare and was so thrilled that all I had to concentrate on that day was how lucky I was to be marrying the most wonderful woman in the world.

You were able to assimilate and accommodate requests from both of us while managing to create a sense of peace, serenity, and flow to the ceremony. Everything was absolutely perfect, I would only have asked for more snow (not your department)!
For couples who desire a quiet, intimate ceremony where the main focus is each other, I would highly recommend looking into Rivermist. It was undoubtedly the single most wonderful day of our lives to date.  Sincerely and with best regards,
Kara and Drew Clippard

Private weddings in North Carolina

Well yesterday was a very memorable day for me and for a newly married couple who are now honeymooning at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

Sue and Steve were scheduled to have a private wedding at RiverMist on January 30th. When I heard the weather forecast on Thursday I contacted Steve. Since they were traveling from Charlotte I suggested they get married on the way to Asheville. Weather predictions can be wrong and he and Sue decided to stick with the original plans.

Yesterday morning around 11:00 I received a call from Steve. Heavy snowfall was predicted, particularly in the mountain areas. Because of this, Steve asked they could get married on Friay. Since I have witnesses nearby I told him that it wouldn’t be a problem at all. We had already built a roaring fire in anticipation of the snow… (I did have to hurry around and tidy up our house a little.)

It was great meeting Steve and Sue. We chatted a little before they changed into their wedding attire. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to give them their ‘surprise’.

After the ceremony I suggested they go outside for a few photos by the creek.As we were walking back to the house I noticed fog through the trees. Not unusual in the morning, thus the name RiverMist, but it was unusual in the afternoon. As soon as I mentioned it, we understood. The snow began pouring down on us as if someone had turned on a switch. It was wonderful and I clapped my hands like a small child. What a wedding memory!

After Sue went to ‘visit’ our goats (in the snow), we headed back inside the house. We talked a little more while the photos were downloaded onto a CD. After we watched the slide show it was time for the ‘surprise’. Ellen and Mike from Nashville, Tennessee had contacted me earlier in the week and asked if I would prepare a ‘goody’ basket for the newlyweds. Sue and Steve were completely surprised and couldn’t imagine how the arrangements were made. After hugs and ‘motherly words of caution concerning slippery roads, Sue and Steve drove away as the snow was starting to cover the ground.

And now…. the newlyweds are in Asheville celebrating the beginning of their new life together.

Unique Wedding - Bost Grist Mill - Concord, North Carolina

Mike never had any doubts about where he would marry Cindy. Since he's close friends with the owners, Bost Grist Mill would be the location.

And the date... Nov. 19th. The same as his parent's and his sister. Who could forget an aniversary in that family!

Mike designed the double heart symbol that was used on their flag and engraved on a crystal cake topper.

What a lucky couple! Two honeymoons. They celebrated at the coast immediately following their wedding. And in a few weeks will be heading west for a snowmobile adventure..

And look at this... how many couples have their picture taken on a shiny John Deere tractor?

Remember....have fun on your wedding day!

Beautiful Mountain Wedding at Leatherwood Mountains

Leatherwood has become very popular for destination weddings. Couples can choose a private 'couples only' wedding in one of the 40 privately owned luxuary cabins. Several other locations are available for ceremonies that include family and friends. And since Leatherwood is known as 'horse country' couples can actually marry on horseback.

Jody and Joe, chose Leatherwood Mountains for their family wedding. They had never visited Leatherwood and made all the arrangements through email and phone conversations. Abbie, the event coordinator, is a pleasure to work with helps couples plan their perfect wedding.

Jody and Joe had children (ages 6 - 15) from previous marriages and it was very important to involve their children in their wedding ceremony. Each child read a portion of a reading entitled 'The Keys to Love"

The key to love is understanding....the ability to comprehend not only the spoken word, but also those unspoken gestures, the little things that say so much by themselves. etc....
Once the ceremony was over, the children were very interested in cutting the beautiful cake that Leatherwood provided. Unfortunately, they had to wait for photos and a trip to Boone for dinner.

Don't they look relaxed! What a great way to get married....