Mariah + Garrett: A Wedding Weekend Celebration at Leatherwood Mountain Resort
This wedding will go down as one of the most wonderful weddings we've ever photographed. We spent the whole weekend at Leatherwood Mountain Resort photographing and celebrating with Mariah + Garrett and their loved ones, and it was such an incredible blessing and honor to be there.
We asked Mariah + Garrett what they've learned so far in marriage, and what some of their most favorite and cherished wedding advice given to them has been...
“Practice patience on a daily basis. Always put each others needs first. I know that those are both the typical things but they are so crucial! Alway trust one another and keep your word, you should always have one another’s back! Keep life fun! If its going on adventures or staying in, do things that keep life fun and interesting. Talk through everything! Talk through problems, through joy, through every day plans. Talking and communicating with one another keeps everything in the open and keeps strife at bay! Never go to bed upset at one another and always argue naked!”
The weekend started with a rehearsal and dinner, followed by a bonfire... Check out this awesome Jeep cake, made by the Mother of the Groom, and ring box/book made by Morgan, the Maid of Honor...
“We actually decided to have breakfast alone together to see one another the day of and just talk, which was really nice and helped me stay calm for the most part. It wasn’t until we were heading down the mountain that I got nervous and that was just because I had to be in front of everyone. Once everyone was lined up behind one side of the double doors and I was on the other side, I could peek through the cracks, and when I saw Garrett standing up there I was good. All of my nerves went away and all I could do was smile... ”
The guys got ready in a separate cabin, down the mountain and then headed down to the Hendrix cabin to share a prayer before the ceremony...
We loved the rustic elements that were incorporated, and we were super excited about the reception being out in the open, and Leatherwood has such a great location for that!
“...Once I got closer I could see that not only had Garrett teared up, but my brother just broke down.. which was just another example of pure love. Everything about the wedding was intended to just show love and that was exactly what we both felt. We also had amazing photographers! :) ”
“The foot washing ceremony is something that I have always wanted to do. We both have a Christian faith, and one of my favorite passages is the one where Jesus washes the disciple’s feet. To me there is nothing more honoring than serving one another in love. The foot washing ceremony represents Garrett and I serving one another from the very beginning and putting the other before ourselves.”
“ In regards to the guest board, I thought a really long time about what type of guest signing activity we should do. Garrett loves surfing, he basically has salt water running through his veins. So I though, why not get a mini surf board and go with that! So we asked Kenny Briel, the gentleman who made the board Garrett surfs on, if he could make a 3 foot board and he could! He made a mini version of Garrett’s actual surf board and it turned out so amazing! My mom actually made the fin for it. So it just tied in to the love and inclusion that we wanted our wedding to portray.”
The celebration continued the next morning at Sunday brunch...
Mariah + Garrett, and to all of your family and friends - thank you for being so warm and welcoming to us, and allowing us to be there to celebrate this weekend with you!
xoxo
Jason + Heather
Wedding Pros:
Venue: Leatherwood Mountain Resort, Ferguson, NC
Coordinator - Abbie Hanchey
Bridal Attire - "The dress was "Candice" designed by Lea-Ann Belter in Ivory! It was made-to-fit when we ordered it from Traditions by Anna in Raleigh, NC. Marie Cordella did my alterations. I couldn't have been happier with the results!" - Mariah
Bridesmaid Attire - "My bridesmaid dresses varied, I very much wanted my bridesmaids and maid of honor to love the dress they wore as well as want to wear it over and over." - Mariah
Robes - "The bridesmaid robes actually came from India! There is an Etsy store called SunsetToSunrise who hand makes all the robes in 100% cotton and they turned out wonderful! I got pockets added to them all because my girls love when things have pockets!" - Mariah
Groom Attire - Belk
Invitations - Minted.
Officiant - Lane Wood
Catering/Cake - Gadabouts, Boone, NC
"The reception cake was an apple cake with a bourbon glaze. Neither Garrett nor I are the biggest cake fans, and he doesn't like buttercream frosting. But this cake was amazing! It was so yummy!" - Mariah
Rehearsal Cake - Mother of the Groom
Floral Designer - DeAnna Reid, Eden House, Wilkesboro, NC
Musicians - Deans' Duets
Surf Board Guest Book - "In regards to the guest board, I thought a really long time about what type of guest signing activity we should do. Garrett loves surfing, he basically has salt water running through his veins. So I though, why not get a mini surf board and go with that! So we asked Kenny Briel, the gentleman who made the board Garrett surfs on, if he could make a 3 foot board and he could! He made a mini version of Garrett's actual surf board and it turned out so amazing! My mom actually made the fin for it. So it just tied in to the love and inclusion that we wanted our wedding to portray." - Mariah
Book to hold the Rings: "I love books. I can't get enough of them. So when it came to the ring "pillow" my Maid of Honor, Morgan, said she wanted to make a ring book! She found a small, red, hardback version of Pride and Prejudice. She and I love the story and she took so much time to cut the center out for the rings." - Mariah
Rentals - A&J Rental, Wilkesboro, NC
DJ - On Target DJ
Lodging: Leatherwood Mountain Resort, Ferguson, NC
Videographer - Divine Treasures Cinematography
Photography - Jason and Heather Barr, Revival Photography
P.S. A little update on married life...Mariah + Garrett sent over these photos of their new puppy, Chloe!
