JUST MARRIED ASHLEIGH AND JONATHAN - Sophie Magazine →
Planning a wedding from 2,000 miles away and not being able to meet any vendors in person before your big day is full of uncertainty. What will my venue really look like…..How will the food actually taste…..a bride could go on and on, but I have to thank the “wedding Gods” for bringing Mary Bell, our bridal consultant and wedding planner, in to my life!
My wedding day began with ordering a room service breakfast at the Biltmore Inn. It smelled and looked so delicious, but I think I only ate a strawberry before my nerves kicked in. Once my hair and make-up were complete and my dress was on (which had a full button up back that was painstakingly buttoned one by one by my sister) I was lead to the lawn of the Biltmore Inn by our photographer, Corey Cagle, to have our first look as soon to be husband and wife. After taking our first look photos overlooking Antler Hill Village, we were taken to the grounds of the beautiful Biltmore House where we took more photos before the ceremony.
While waiting to walk down the hallway into the Biltmore Champagne Cellar for our ceremony, my heart was pounding. Once I saw the Cellar and the beautiful details of the ceremony decor it took my breath away! Our ceremony was officiated by the wonderful Tim Lolley, who worked with us on completely personalizing the vows for our intimate ceremony. After saying “I Do” my husband and I, along with our guests, were led on a tour of the wine cellar so that the Flower Gallery and Mary Bell could transform our ceremony space into our reception space.
Walking into our reception I was in awe. No words could describe the feeling that we felt and no pictures could fully capture how beautiful the venue was. I was speechless then just as I am speechless now. Through the reception we were waited on by the pleasing staff and ate a delicious 5 course dinner that was prepared by the Biltmore, we took in a heartfelt toast from my brother (who shed a few tears) and simply enjoyed the family that surrounded us during the celebration of our wedding.
Every moment of our big day would not have been possible without our wedding planner, Mary Bell. Mary Bell, Corey Cagle, the Biltmore Estate and every vendor turned our wedding into my fairy tale!!
Our Top 5 Moments
1 Having my brother walk me down the aisle. It meant everything to me to have my brother by my side and hand me off to my husband on my wedding day.
2 Saying “I Do” to the man of my dreams and my best friend while surrounded by our family in an intimate and stunning venue.
3 Our first look photographs and the preceding photographs taken around the grounds in front of the Biltmore Estate taken by our photographer, Corey Cagle. She captured moments and memories that we will cherish forever!
4 Walking in and seeing the Champagne Cellar beautifully decorated by the Flower Gallery of Asheville for our ceremony and then seeing the transformation for our reception. Words cannot fully express how breathtaking it was!
5 The delicious food that was prepared by the Biltmore for our reception and the beautiful cake that not only looked picture-perfect, but was the best wedding cake I have ever had!
Bride: ASHLEIGH REEVES
Groom: JONATHAN DAVIS
wedding dress: Alfred Angelo
Groom’s tux: Men’s Wearhouse
hair: Rebecca Biggers (of Lola Salon & Gallery)
make-up: Melissa Deboer (Pop of Color)
Venue: Biltmore Estate Champagne Cellar
Bridal Consultant & Wedding Planner: Mary Bell
Photography: Corey Cagle
Flowers: Flower Gallery of Asheville
Officiant: Tim Lolley
Musicians: Braidstream