Mr and Mrs Gellatly | The Mill at Rock Creek

When I think of Hannah and Kyle, I think of intention. When planning their wedding day, Kyle and Hannah knew they wanted an intimate ceremony with friends and family, and that they would want to share vows privately with each other. They also looked forward to candid moments with friends from all over the country, sweet moments with family, and a whole lot of dancing. These ideas all came together last March in Boone, North Carolina. I met Hannah and her bridesmaids at an AirBnb where I took time to photograph her stunning blue and white details, while my second shooter hung with her bridal crew and captured silly moments. Before we knew it, it was time to head down the mountain to their venue: The Mill at Rock Creek.

Being really close with my own dad, I always find first looks with dads particularly heartwarming. Hannah’s dad was all smiles as he got to see her bridal look for the first time and read a hand-written note from the bride. We kept the first look train rolling as we headed upstairs to orchestrate Kyle and Hannah’s first touch. They held hands in their reception hall while exchanging their gifts and hand written vows. Their words were sincere, intentional, and tear filled, and it was a truly beautiful private moment. Shortly after, the couple headed outside to their ceremony. The twenty-five mile per hour winds didn’t stop these two from smiling as they stood before their loved ones to make their life long covenant. Hannah and Kyle walked back up the aisle hand in hand and ready to get the party started.

I tell my couples often: plan for what you can, be at peace with what you can’t. For the Gellatly wedding day, that was mountain chill and gusts of wind up to forty miles per hour. This bridal crew handled it like absolute champs and even through the shivers and the goosebumps, we managed to laugh and have magical moments. After capturing their windswept portraits, Kyle and Hannah shared their first dances before sitting down to dinner and toasts. The cake cutting marked the opening of the dance floor, and these guests knew what to do. The party never dulled and the dance floor was never empty. Hannah and Kyle spent the night always close to each other while walking around hugging all of their friends and being the stars of the dance floor. Their night concluded with a sparkler exit and vintage getaway car. To the Gellatlys, I could not be bigger fans of you if I tried and I’m so grateful to have been part of this day. I can’t wait to continue celebrating you in your newlywed season and beyond!