Katherine + Ian's Leatherwood Wedding Weekend
“Our wedding day was truly perfect. The weather was beautiful, which was so lucky because there had been two hurricanes during the weeks leading up to the big day. We have so many amazing memories, but one still sticks with us and that was our first dance. We chose the song “Swept Away (Sentimental Version)” by the Avett Brothers. We have always loved the Avett Brothers and spent many New Year’s Eves at their concerts. Swept Away has so many meaningful lyrics that we just love and it was the perfect song for us.”
“Ian and I met in September during our sophomore year at Appalachian State. I was on the Appalcart, Boone’s public transportation bus, heading home to my apartment. I had noticed this cute guy sitting across from me when I boarded the bus but he was on his phone (with his mom I came to find out later). Suddenly, the bus made a turn that was unusual for the route and since I was new to App, I was worried I was on the wrong bus. So I turned to Ian and asked, “Is this the Pop 105?” He explained that we were going to the Appalcart fill station. We spent the rest of the ride chatting. Once we got to the apartment complex, we went our separate ways...but Ian did not ask for my number so I was a bit disappointed. We reconnected a few weeks later at a Toga Party, then became facebook friends, and the rest is history!”
“At our rehearsal dinner, I surprised Ian with an Appalcart groom’s cake. It was such a fun surprise and a sweet way to remember how we met 8 years prior during September only a few miles up the mountain.”
“Ian was a bit nervous about dancing so we decided to take private dance lessons to learn choreography for the dance, so that we did not have to wing it on the dance floor! We had taken lessons for about three months leading up to the wedding, which was a fun way for us to connect each week. After the wedding ceremony, Ian and I practiced our dance one last time before we heading into the reception. We ended up doing the dance perfectly! Heather and Jason took the sweetest photo of our families looking on with big smiles on their faces. We will always remember that moment from our special day.”
“We wanted our wedding to reflect us as a couple and tell a story of who we are. We knew we wanted to get married in the mountains of North Carolina close to Boone, NC where we met. We visited multiple venues in the area, trying to find the perfect spot that matched our vision. Once we visited Leatherwood Mountains Resort, we knew it was the place! We instantly fell in love with Leatherwood’s rustic charm and comfortable atmosphere. We were especially excited to share our favorite place in the world, the North Carolina mountains, with our out-of-town guests from across the country.”
“We wanted to incorporate our love of the mountains throughout our wedding. Ian painted a beautiful mountain landscape that we were able to use as the background of our Wedding Suite, which included our invitations and ceremony programs. We were also able to capture the mountain theme in our cake design.
We had other personal touches throughout our wedding to share the story of Ian and Katherine, including a bluegrass band, a Carolina barbecue buffet, and a candy barrel favor station. While our mini dachshund Bailey was not able to join for the wedding ceremony and reception, she was at the cabin while the bridal party got ready and stole the show in so many photos. Bailey was at the wedding in spirit through dachshund images on our candy barrel bags and our wedding guestbook tree illustration.”
Any advice for future brides + grooms?: This may sound cliche, but truly savor every moment of your wedding day. It goes by so fast. Try not to get stressed out by the little things and just enjoy the little moments, even if something does go wrong! Those things normally lead to great stories later on! Take time to stop and look around at your new spouse, and all of your family and friends who are there to support you.
“We were so lucky to be surrounded by so many family and friends on our wedding day. They traveled from near and far to be with us and we felt so loved and supported.”
Leatherwood Mountains Resort // Coordinator: Abbie Hanchey // Floral Design: LeRoy Kennedy // Catering: Gadabouts Catering // Cake: Hallmark Cakes // Makeup & Hair: Beautiful Bride on Location // Rentals: Valley Rentals // Band: Amber Collins & Branch House Pavilion // DJ: Let The Music Play DJ // Videography: Dusty Abernathy // Photography: Revival Photography
