Nikki + Ryan: A Vintage-Bohemian Wedding at River Run Farm, Valle Crucis, NC
Nikki + Ryan said their vows in late summertime at River Run Farm in Valle Crucis, NC. They had a beautiful outdoor ceremony along the banks of the Watauga River. The reception was in the barn, with live bluegrass music and a vintage-bohemian feel.
“It started in 2004 when after growing up in the same town our paths finally crossed in high school. Nikki and Ryan spent a year apart while in college until Ryan transferred to Clemson their sophomore year. Whether it be Nikki or the College Football Scene that brought him there, we will never know ;)
They split ways again after graduation; Nikki moved to the Florida Keys to teach marine biology, and Ryan moved to Colorado to manage youth snowboarding programs. Such different paths seemed unlikely to converge again. But, after a reunion over the holidays in NC, Nikki ditched her mask, fins, and snorkel and donned her winter jacket, snowboard, 4 wheel drive vehicle, and drove west with Ryan.
From Vail, CO they moved to Asheville, NC, and then to Burlington, VT. They met a lot of people along the way taking similar routes between the 3. Something about NC kept bringing them back. On the very last day in Vermont, Ryan and Nikki took one more hike up to the lookout tower in the neighborhood park to take one last look at the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondacks. Ryan proposed that night and they moved to Boone, NC the next day, where a year from then they were officially married on the banks of the Watauga River.”
“Our wedding ceremony was really meaningful. Ryan, Tamara, and I worked together to write a ceremony that really described who we are, our beliefs, and our passions. The setting was under two trees by the Watauga River. It included quotes by John Muir, and Abigail Hasting’s poem “for thousands of years.” It emphasized on how being connected to our natural surroundings ultimately makes us more connected as husband and wife.”
“Another fun thing we did was attach a Go Pro to our dog’s harness and let him roam around the reception. He got a LOT of attention and it captured how much fun everyone was having. We also did this with a bottle of champagne, it was also a hit and captured great footage!”
Any advice for future brides + grooms?:
“Since most of our guests (we had about 160) were from out of town, we added Friday activities to spend more time with people. Friday morning we took 30 people tubing down the New River and had a blast. After the rehearsal dinner that night, we had everyone not in the wedding party join us at the farm for dessert, drinks, and yard games.”
“Another epic memory was dancing in the rain at the end of the night. After a day of the most gorgeous weather you could ask for, the skies opened up and poured rain for the last 10 minutes of the reception. Since the dance floor was not covered, I thought everyone would run to the shelter of the barn. Instead, everyone stayed out on the dance floor and we had an epic dance party in the rain to end the night. You could not have planned a more perfect “exit”.”
“It is such an incredible experience to have all of your family and friends in one place, together, celebrating and supporting who you have become.”
Featured Wedding Pros:
Wedding Venue: River Run Farm // Coordinator: Events by Elizabeth Ashley // Catering: Reid's Catering // Floral Designer: Shady Grove Gardens // Rentals: Miss Match Rentals // Hair/ Make-up: Canvas Beauty Bar // Dress Designer: Lillian West // Officiant: Tamara Franks // Musicians: Underhill Rose // Tap Trailer: Happy Trailers Refrigerated Rentals // Transportation: High Country Transportation // Honeymoon Destination: Banff, Canada // Photography: Jason + Heather Barr, Revival Photography