Sarah + Austin’s Asheville Homewood Wedding

Asheville-Homewood-Wedding-Ceremony_Asheville-Event-Co_The-Schultzes-Photography.jpeg

It was my absolute pleasure to work with Sarah and Austin on their stunning wedding weekend. From the first time I met with Sarah, it was evident that she was a bride after my own heart: totally focused on the little details and the small personal touches throughout that take a wedding from pretty to spectacular! Sarah and Austin created an event that was so personal to their vision, so special and meaningful, and so thoughtful when it came to their guests’ experience. They pulled together an amazing team of vendors and Homewood was the perfect choice for the intimate, Great Gatsby-esque look they had in mind. The amazing photographic talent of the Schultzes behind the camera ensured the images would be to-die-for, and Stacey and her team at the Bloom Room created gorgeous tablescapes mixing deep reds, shades of pink, white and black with metallics, featuring elegant taper candles in candelabras and a collection of Sarah’s own silver accenting the feasting table.

Sarah honored her Indian heritage by incorporating lots of special family traditions into the evening; she wore a beautiful traditional red 2-piece gown for the ceremony, traditional Indian jewels, and she included a Hindu blessing from her sweet grandmother, Nanny, to complete the ceremony. She and Austin also participated in the Var Mala – the exchange of Indian flower garlands (which Sarah made herself out of ombre shades of carnations) – which in the Hindu tradition, symbolize the mutual acceptance and welcome of the bride and groom into each other’s lives as they promise to make life together as pleasant as the flowers, full of fragrance of love and mutual faith.

Sarah and Austin’s family and friends were so sweet and so much fun to work with – I felt like part of the family by the end of the weekend! Austin’s brother and parents were so kind and loving, and it was a joy watching Sarah with her aunties, mom, grandmother and cousins as they celebrated their families’ long-standing wedding traditions. Sarah’s mom, Aminie, and Austin’s dad, John, gave a joint welcome to kick off the reception which brought tears to everyone’s eyes. There was so much love evident between not just the bride and groom, but between the 2 families now joined by the marriage.

When the couple asked me for DJ advice, I didn’t hesitate to recommend Mitch Fortune, and he was a total pro, keeping the party going until past midnight. He played a great mix of soul music, lots of traditional Indian dance music, and of course this spring’s best club songs. The crowd didn’t want him to leave when the clock struck 12!

From the gorgeous, art deco bejeweled cake provided by Karen Donatelli Bakery, to the cigar bar accented with Austin’s father’s vintage eagles, to the gorgeous signature cocktails, to the Bubble Bar complete with coupe glass tower before kicking off the introduction of the bride and groom with a big group toast, Sarah and Austin’s was one of the most unique and beautiful weddings I’ve had the honor to work on. Loved this couple and I wish them a lifetime of happiness!