Willow House & Social Barn Wedding

This venue is only 20 minutes from my house - and I had no idea. It was a super cute barn venue with a house a few yards away for the wedding party to get ready in (a huge, very photogenic house). As far as venues go it's one I would consider for myself. Especially since even though it was hot outside the inside of the barn was still cool. I actually thought they might have AC, nope - just super insulated.

The prettiest mountain views are just behind it (and behind the ceremony spot).

See. Look how pretty.

Georgi picked a color palette that I absolutely adore. I'm all for fall colors - but I do truly love bright shades of pink all year. Her florist did an amazing job.

Her lace dress was stunning. & the trees were starting to change color (the day before I had noticed things weren't quite as green and it's like as soon as October rolled around the trees decided it was time for fall).

Just look how pretty the details are.

& how pretty she is.

Georgi could be a model, truly. & she's even sweeter than she is gorgeous if you can imagine that.

One of my favorite parts of the venue is this little courtyard behind the house. It was private, perfectly landscaped, and a great place to snap a few bridal portraits out of view from guests.

Seriously. How cute is she?! I don't think I've ever seen her NOT smiling.

This photo of her florals is one of my favorite "flower" pictures ever. I love the texture, the colors, the bridesmaids dresses... everything.

Georgi had a first look with both sets of her parents and they were all so sweet. Even when couples don't want to see each other beforehand there's always the option of first looks with parents and with wedding party members. Personally, I'm always a fan of parent-first looks and would absolutely have one with my dad and it was so cute seeing her dad's reaction (and everyone else's, too).

Their faces. So cute.

& then these two almost made me cry.

So. Georgi told him she wanted a first look. & had his DAD dress up in a wedding dress. Hilarity ensued. He was so nervous he was tearing up thinking about seeing her the first time, turns around, and all he sees is chest hair (Georgi is teensy so he was looking down where her face would be and instead... man chest).

I don't "reel" often - but the music on this one was perfect for the moment. Seriously. click that link.

His dad was such a good sport. Just look at that smile. Meanwhile, Robert is slowly getting more nervous.

& his dad is getting more and more amused with himself.

I'm glad he was a good sport. The whole day was full of laughs, love, good weather, falling leaves, and so much fun. I'm so thankful I got to be there for them (and that it didn't rain). I actually have a wedding at this venue next year already and wouldn't be sad to book more there.

The owner was so nice. & their planner had everything running SO smoothly (so I wouldn't be sad to work with HER again, either).

Can we appreciate this little waterfall and deck? I imagine in peak season this corner of the world is absolutely gorgeous. The leaves had JUST started to change but it was still really pretty.

Other photographers will understand this but I was really proud of myself for actually getting them in focus as far away as I was with an 85mm lens and all of the things around them. Yesterday (October 9th) I tested out a mirrorless camera with a touchscreen and now I'm like - "How did I EVER get things in focus without a touch screen??" (ha).

Robert & Georgi really are just the cutest.

Oh, hello, little falling leaf.

Her planner is one of her friends - and I'll be honest I only have like two friends I would trust to plan my wedding. Hers? Hers nailed it.

Please notice the teensy, tiny bit of frosting she was going to "boop" onto his nose.

& then his reaction to that, ha! She's so small he just grabbed her with one hand and held her in place.

Look how proud he is of himself. Everyone was laughing so hard because truly, she was stuck there and at his mercy she's lucky he didn't just smear it everywhere and went for the nose.

PS; Dear Future Husband, aka Nick, I will NOT think this is as funny as Georgi did and this will be our first fight as husband and wife.

Bouquet tosses at weddings are hit or miss. If you're planning to do one make sure that you have friends who will actually participate - like this girl in the orange dress. Who jumped into the air, one hand on her hip, and SNATCHED IT right out of the air!!! As this was happening I could hear, "Snatched you, right out of, the airrrr," in a very specific voice but couldn't place it. I got home and then remembered THIS movie scene. & it's the perfect sound effect for this whole bouquet toss.

As this was happening I could hear, "Snatched you, right out of, the airrrr," in a very specific voice but couldn't place it.

I got home and then remembered THIS movie scene. & it's the perfect sound effect for this whole bouquet toss.

If you've seen this movie - you can hear this GIF.

The whole day was truly great. That I know of, there wasn't a single hiccup and nothing stressed the couple out. Which is how I wish every single wedding could be.

Team of Vendors:

Venue II Willhouse Social Barn & Events

Planner II Lemons & Willows Events

Hair Stylist II Shawna Boone

Makeup II Shay Hooper

Officiant II Sandee Wright

Florals II Little Spot of Blooms

Catering II [coming soon]

Her dress II David's Bridal

Music II Music Explosion Sound

PS; On a related note. Georgi manages the Blimpie in Waynesville (right next to the old KMart) and her sister owns it. During the flood these two made sure first responders and victims were taken care of - for over a week. They've donated to causes. They've cooked food for people who need it. They've raised money for the family of an employee (and a dear friend - one whom they had a picture of honoring at the wedding as a missed guest) who tragically passed away at far too young of an age. They've reacted to any and every need the town of Waynesville has.

They have worked around the clock during the pandemic (and are still often short staffed) but have done it with smiles. Today, my Nick is doing a "tag dump" for Haywood Disc Golf and had tags made up (honestly, if you play DG you get this and if not it's kind of like driver's license sized ranking cards you play against each other for and the winner gets the lowest number - goal is #1). When Nick asked if I knew of any businesses who would maybe want to sponsor the tag I reached out to Georgi's sister (who is also a friend/client of mine) and even though she didn't understand 100% what a disc golf tag is she basically just asked, "Where do I send the money?"

Right now (Saturday morning) Nick is handing out those tags to people who are playing for first dibs, basically & he said yesterday someone was like, "There's a Blimpie here?" So I felt like 1. That's good the tags will send people that way but that 2. The tags aren't enough and their little business deserves a shout out here, too. So the next time you are in Waynesville and aren't sure what to eat - head there.

You'll get to see the sweetest girls, get good food, and know that you're supporting a business that supports Waynesville & Haywood County, often. PS - we have the 99 card set aside for them I just need to run it by Sunday <3