Western NC Wedding Photographer

November 15, 2024

Bridget and Cole

Western NC Wedding Photographer … Bridget and Cole’s western, NC wedding started with a plan to take place at Elk River Country Club in Banner Elk, NC. However, that plan changed when hurricane Helene caused massive devastation to the venue and entire area of the mountains of Western, NC. Our hearts are broken seeing the beloved mountains we call home destroyed leaving so many people hurting. While rebuilding and restoring will take a long time to come, love still prevails. It is there in the hard times and deserves to be celebrated. Bridget and Cole’s love was celebrated with a beautiful wedding surrounding by caring friends and family just one week after the hurricane.

Western NC Wedding Photographer

Following the storm, Bridget and Cole decided to move their wedding to Hickory so that the celebration and marriage could still occur. Thanks to their amazing wedding planner, Tabitha Clark, all the details were coordinated and taken care of in record time. Planning a wedding for an extended period of time is an undertaking but re-working everything in a week is complete dedication. I am so glad they chose to keep the original date and had such an awesome support team as well as vendors that went the extra mile.

A little more about the wedding couple …

Every love story has a beginning, Bridget and Cole’s starts in Charleston, SC. Bridget grew up in Charleston and Cole’s family regularly visited the beach in this area during the summer. Bridget and Cole dated for 6 years, falling in love and learning about each other. They navigated distance with living on separate coasts and pursuing dreams that brought them together with a love of the mountains. When they made the decision to live together, they called the Western, NC mountains home and the rest is fate. As they planned to tie the knot the couple decided to make the move Hickory, NC and settled into their new home. With Cole’s family being from the area it made sense to move the wedding to Hickory when their wedding plans changed due to the storm.

Hickory, NC Wedding…

Bridge and Cole had amazing weather for their beautiful wedding and all of the details were taken care of meticulously. They hung out with their friends getting ready off site, and eventually got dressed for the ceremony at First Presbyterian Church while the excitement and emotions built as they prepared to walk down aisle. Bridget had a first look with her Dad and bridesmaids and the tears flowed. She looked divine in her classic off the shoulder wedding gown. Cole and his groomsmen were all laughs and smiles while they got ready at Lake Hickory Country Club. Their classic black tuxes and velvet loafers matched the elegance of Bridget’s dress!

Following the ceremony, the reception and dinner kicked off at Mas Amor in Hickory where guests were treated to outdoor dining under string lights. The atmosphere was completely romantic and the lovely sage and blush of the decor was delightful. Bridget is a teacher and her students wrote definitions of love that were displayed which was such a sweet touch. The Emerald Empire band was awesome at rocking a the dance floor and guests has so much fun with glow light sticks. This family knows how to throw a party and there wasn’t a dull moment during their celebration.

To close out their celebration, Cole surprised Bridget with one last dance after the sax player escorted guests out to “The Saints Came Marching In”. She was all tears and smiles and both of them were full of joy. They were well celebrated and loved on throughout the day. Guests sent them off with Georgia Bulldog and Clemson Tiger pompons to honor their alma maters.

Thank you Bridget and Cole for allowing us to capture your memories! A BIG gratitude also goes out from me to my assistant photographer Courtney Abernathy.