Jessica and Wes are such a fun couple, and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them through the planning process.  They will be getting married in May at The Biltmore Estate.  Spring weddings are always so beautiful!   Wes owns State Pest Control in Clinton, NC and kills bugs for a living (my hero!), and Jessica is  Pharmacist in Charge at the CVS in Fayetteville.   Oh, I also love that they are NC State fans, since I am an alumni! Please read more about this couple below…

How did you meet each other?
Wes and I met at a bridal shower in St. Louis for my sister in July 2009. Wes had come with his mother Betty to visit for the weekend and to see his aunt, uncle, and cousins. I had come to his aunt’s house to pick up a cardboard cup cake stand I was planning on decorating for my sister’s shower when I was first introduced to Wes. Everyone was calling me “Martha” because I was trying to be crafty with this cupcake stand, so he assumed my name was Martha. It took him until the next day to realize what my actual name was  he was so confused. We talked occasionally on the phone after the shower and finally saw each other again in September in Myrtle Beach, SC where my sister’s wedding was located. We were both a part of the wedding so we were able to see each other throughout the week. After a couple nights of walking on the beach together and long conversations until 4am, we realized we wanted to keep in touch with each other. I was engaged at the time I met Wes, but in an unhappy relationship. Through becoming good friends through long conversations with Wes in person and over the phone I realized that he and I were meant to be together. After ending my previous relationship, Wes and I traveled back and forth from St. Louis to North Carolina to see each other about every 2 weeks. I was known as “the mystery girl” and “Missouri” to all his friends. I was in my final year of pharmacy school in St. Louis and decided that when I graduated in May I would move to North Carolina to be with Wes. I have been here since that day.

How long have you two been together?
We started dating at the end of October 2009 and officially became a couple on March 17th 2010… so about 2 years now.

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
We got engaged April 11th 2010.
Wes and I both go back and forth to St. Louis a couple times a year to see friends and family. Well during a trip at Thanksgiving 2009 Wes had talked to my parents about asking me to marry him, which they approved. He bought the ring around Christmas but hung on to it for a couple months. We both went back again to St. Louis the following April to visit with friends and family. The Sunday morning we were set to leave Wes kept asking me if I wanted to go to downtown, go out to eat, go anywhere before we left for home. I was apparently being very stubborn that day and kept telling him I didn’t want to go anywhere and wanted to just hang out at home with family. He seemed a little frustrated but I didn’t think anything of it. Well, we set off for home on the airplane and Wes kept being weird. He was trying to get the stewardess to tell the captain there was a special announcement and to try to ask me on the airplane. Well they wouldn’t let him do that. So we get in the car and on the way back to the house I could tell something wasn’t right with Wes. I could tell he was frustrated because he kept saying you just need to go along with things… I was pretty confused. When we got to his mom’s house to pick up our kids (our bulldog and cat) he stopped me before we went in and gave me a big hug and kiss and told me he loved me, then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was very surprised and said “shut up” and then yes!

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We enjoy traveling together either for weekend trips or week long vacations such as going to the mountains, St. Louis, or going to the lake. We love spending time with friends and family and attending church together. We both are big NC State fans and at football season attend each home game. We enjoy grilling at home together and going out to eat sushi!

Why did you choose the Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
We both love going to the mountains any weekend we can get away. After we got engaged we knew that we wanted to have our wedding somewhere everyone would enjoy and a place where we could all meet in the middle. Asheville was the perfect place. We visited the Biltmore last May and saw how green and beautiful it was and knew we had to have it there. We also love Asheville for the AMAZING food, outdoor activities, and downtown area which we thought our guests would enjoy as well. We also fell in love with Ashley, our Catering Manager, who we knew would take care of all our needs. And to top it off we have found a great event planner who has given us so many creative ideas and made our lives a lot easier! (Thanks, Jessica and Wes!)

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
We are most excited about having all of our friends and families together from all over the country (and overseas) to be with us and share with us the day we will start our lives together. And Wes is excited about wearing his cowboy boots with his tuxedo.

What do you love about each other?
Jessica: What I love about Wes is…
Wes always puts family first. Seeing the way he cares for and loves his mother, lets me know I will be taken care of the same way. He always thinks of others and gives before he ever thinks of receiving. He works hard in his business because he knows he wants to be able to support a family. He is outgoing, funny, and is a little kid at heart. I know I will always be smiling and laughing.

Wes: What I love about Jessica is…
Jessica from day one has been a bright star in my eyes and a joy to be around. She is willing to join me in all my adventures and keeps a smile on her face. She has goals and determination to achieve more then what is expected. She loves me for me and does not try to change me!

Brittany and Cameron will be getting married this April at the Cliffs Glassy Chapel, with a reception following at Cliffs Valley Country Club.  Such a gorgeous, pristine setting, and I am looking forward to being a part!  Read more about this cute couple below…

How did you meet each other?
Our story began on June 17, 2003, when we were out with our friends like a normal summer night; dancing and having a good time. Cameron saw me and grabbed me by the hand and asked me my name. We talked for a while and danced for hours. After that night we were inseparable for the rest of the summer until I went off to college. Even when I got grounded for a speeding ticket, the only way he could see me was to take Taylor or Ryan with us, so off to Carowinds and basketball games we went!!! Through out the years we had many long phone calls and lots of road trips. Over the years our friendship got stronger. We had our great moments and hard times, but everyone of them we were there for each other. We knew what we had was different than anything else we had ever experienced. About 2 years ago, we both decided to take a trip to Chicago to visit his brother and sister in law and of course to see our beloved BEARS!! Craig and Katie, like everyone else we know, kept saying “You guys are so cute together! Why aren’t you dating?” over and over again!!! HEHE! And from then on we have been inseparable again!!! We have definitely come full circle. Our lives would not be complete without one another (no matter how clique that sounds ) We feel so lucky to have each other.

When did you get engaged?
Monday, June 6, 2011

Tell us about the proposal?
Proposing to Brittany was something I looked forward to and was stressed about. Brittany and I work together, which means we spend 24 hours a day with each other, and its impossible to try to surprise her! I wanted everything to be perfect and special, for it to be a complete surprise. Something she would never forget. The NBA Finals were in Miami (and I know how much her family home in the Keys means to her. We have spent many sunsets on the dock outside there, so i knew that was where I wanted to ask her. )So within a 3 day period I ordered the ring she fell in love with months earlier, planned the trip to Miami for the basketball game (she thought!), and asked her parents if I could marry their daughter. It happened to be her moms birthday dinner, her dad got up from the table to use the restroom and i got up and followed him. It wasn’t the ideal place to ask a father for their daughter’s hand in marriage, he said yes and welcome to the family! We were leaving after dinner that night for the keys and i had to find a way to get her mom alone. Brit’s dad helped me out with that by asking Brit to help him put presents in the car. She was so nice and said yes. We didn’t have much time to talk then because Brit was just steps away, but we text that night and she welcomed me to the family and said so many nice things. I wish i could have sat down with them and asked but I knew the surprise would mean so much to Brit. So after the long day, I drove all night to the Keys while Brit slept (the WHOLE way!!!) I was so excited about asking her, I never got tired on the all night drive.

Sunset was getting close, and I asked Brit to go outside and watch the sunset (she had no idea she was dressed in her PJ’s, hair all a mess, no makeup, just BRIT). Walking to the dock I was so nervous about her finding out, dropping the ring in the ocean, people being out on the dock, and all the other things that could mess up this special moment. Then Brit says “Oh gosh, the sunset isnt even that pretty tonite!” (Brit: I feel sooo awful, but I had NO idea hehe) We get to the end of the dock and Brit says lets sit down and watch it, she sits down and I say wait come here I want to show you this (Brit: I thought he was messing with me and was going to try to push me in the water ), and she had to stand back up again and I quickly got down on one knee. Brit kept trying to help me up, she had no idea, and I pulled out the ring and Brit just kept blinking her eyes (she later told me that she thought she was seeing things when I took out the ring lol), thats when I asked her to spend the rest of our lives together. I had to actually ask her twice because she was so surprised. After she finally said YES, we sat on the dock and watched the rest of the sunset and I had to tell her again how I asked her and the whole story of getting her ring, how I asked her parents, etc. We sat there and laughed and I held her as we watched the sunset. It was such a great night for us. And the beginning of the rest of our lives. I can’t wait until the day she becomes Mrs. Cameron Pace.

What do you two do for a living?
We both own our own business. We do internet sales.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We love the Chicago Bears. We like to go see movies together and play with our dogs.

Why did you choose the Cliffs as your wedding location?
The week after we got engaged (because cameron asked me in the keys) we went up to see the Cliffs (cam grew up about 10 minutes away from there) and when we went up to see the chapel we both fell in love. It has such character and charm and really fits our personalities well!!

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
Im most excited about camerons reaction to me when i walk down the aisle bc he has no idea what my dress or shoes or anything looks like.

What do you love about each other?
Brittany: What I love about Cameron is…He has been my absolute best friend for the past 10 years, he is very romantic and very sweet. He has a giant heart. He would never do anything to hurt me. He couldnt be a more perfect match for me. He knows exactly what to do when im sad or mad. I truely believe that God made cameron just to be with me. I really know he is in love with me and that we will happily spend the rest of our lives together.

Cameron: What I love about Brittany is hard to put in one paragraph. She is the love of my life. No one has ever been there for me like she has. She is my soulmate and best friend. She knows me better then I know myself. Brittany looks out for me and takes care of me like no one ever has or ever would. God blessed me with her and I thank him daily for giving me her. There is not a more genuine, honest, sweeter person on this earth. I look at her every morning and every night and I thank God that he gave me such a beautiful woman to spend my life with.

Anything else you would want people to know?
We met 10 years ago and dated then i left for college and we have stayed best friends ever since. We decided to go to Chicago one weekend and watch a bears game and we have been inseparable ever since. We were the couple who when you went out with us everyone would always say how long have you guys been dating? or for the people that knew us they would say why arent you guys together? and finally we just listened to everyone

I am so excited for this adorable couple!  They will be getting married on New Year’s Eve at the Biltmore Estate, and it is going to be a spectacular event!  Elizabeth and Craig have been dating for 5 years now, so not only are they a great couple, but they are best friends.  Love it!  Read more about these precious people…

How did you meet each other?
We met in middle school. Our first outing was our high school Christmas Banquet. We don’t count it as our first date because we were too shy to really during and we didn’t really hang out after.

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
He proposed June 22, 2011. He had a couple of our good friends fill the old barn at our house with candles and they had the ring on the windowsill surrounded by candles. It was at night so the barn stood out in the darkness and it was beautiful. We walked down to the barn from my house and took me in the barn and proposed. Our friends were still there and took some post pictures and celebrated with us. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

What do you two do for a living?
At the moment we are both still in school but Craig will be an Officer in the Army after we graduate and my plans are still unsure.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
Hiking, trying new restaurants, cooking, watching and going to Clemson football games, reading, going to movies.

Why did you choose the Lioncrest at The Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
A friend showed me some amazing pictures of other weddings there and I was sold. I didn’t want to look anywhere else… thankfully it was available! ☺

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
The shoes I will be wearing and the party/ reception. I love when people get together to eat wonderful food and celebrate good times.

What do you love about each other?
Elizabeth: What I love about Craig is… How dedicated he is to what is important to him, preparing for the Army, how hard he works at school, me ☺. I love his quirky humor and how he loves to teach people random science facts.

Craig: What I love about Elizabeth is… her sense of humor, kind-heartedness towards others, and the way her laughter makes everyone in the room happy. She will make a great mother some day and I can’t see myself raising a family with anyone else. She is also a great cook!

Sara and Ben were married in August after dating for three years.  The wedding took place at The Biltmore Estate at the Deerpark, and everything was beautiful!  Read more about this very special couple…

How did you meet each other?
We met skiing. A mutual friend rented a cabin for the weekend. Unfortunately, it was opening weekend, and the mountain had not accumulated enough snow for us to ski. We spent the weekend at a wonderful cabin playing games and watching movies.

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
It was Valentine’s Day weekend and freezing in New York. Ben had dinner reservations at a local restaurant that he kept telling me was at 7:00. We got in the car promptly at 6:47 and Ben put in his iPod. He had made a mix of all of my favorite songs. He planned it so that the songs lasted exactly 13 minutes. At 7 pm we pulled into a parking lot that was not a restaurant. It was the local state park which was also a waterfall. The song “You and Me” came on the speakers. Ben rolled down the windows and asked me to get out and dance in the headlights. I thought he was crazy. It was about to snow and freezing. At the end of the song there was silence. Ben told me to look up at the stars and was holding a diamond ring above my head. I of course said yes. It was a special moment until the Red Hot Chili Peppers came startlingly blaring on the speakers. The silence was caused by a silent song, only the silence tricked the radio into thinking that the iPod had turned off and switch to the radio. And that’s our story!

What do you two do for a living?
Sara is in public relations and Ben is in law school.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We love to travel! We have big plans to spend a month next August backpacking around Australia. We also like to start training for marathons (but rarely follow-through), cooking, and watching movies.

Why did you choose the Deepark at The Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
We needed a destination that was within driving distance for all of our friends and relatives. The grandeur of Biltmore felt right. The Deerpark was perfect for us. The space is enchanting.

When you thought about your wedding, what were you most excited about?
We were excited to see all of our family and friends.

What did you enjoy the most about your wedding? Any special memories?
We have so many special memories! Thank goodness there are pictures so that we can relive those moments. The flowers and décor were spectacular and the band was amazing. The energy of the party was just astounding.

What do you love about each other?
Sara: What I love about Ben is…
Aside from his drive and ambition, I love his optimism. Nothing ever gets Ben down, his glass is always more than half full. He is extremely patient with me and my crazy plans and ideas. I trust Ben with everything because I know with him, everything will be alright. There is never any doubt with Ben.

I also love that he finds humor in ridiculous little things. His laugh is infectious.

Ben: What I love about Sara is…
What I love most about Sara is her ambition. Every goal she sets she achieves. When she wants something, she fashions a creative way to get it—despite any obstacle that might stand in her path. She’s continuously developing clever and original business ventures, and one of them is currently coming to fruition. The combination of her limitless creativity and determined drive is inspiring on so many levels, and it fills every moment we spend together with excitement about what our future holds. For this reason, and countless others, I know I will love Sara for the rest of my life—each day more than the last.

Do you have any advice for newly engaged couples?
Take your time planning! Make sure it’s what you want. There is no need to feel guilty if you don’t make a decision that agrees with your family or friends. It is your day!

Pictures of their wedding to come soon!

Marisa and Brandon will be getting married in September at the Deerpark on The Biltmore Estate. I love September weddings, as the weather is cooling off, and everything is still lush and green. Marisa and Brandon have been together for almost 5 and a half years, and they are both very ready to finally tie the knot. Read more about this adorable couple below and check out their sexy engagement photos…you can tell they have chemistry! 

How did you meet each other?
We worked at the restaurant Carrabba’s together. Although co-workers, we hardly crossed paths and never spoke to one another until one enchanted evening when we encountered one another out in downtown Asheville. Marisa’s best friend and maid of honor Brittney kept pinching Brandon in the rear and pointing at Marisa. We danced the night away, and the rest is history!

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
Brandon rented out the upstairs of a popular Asheville bar and lounge the weekend before my 24th birthday and threw a huge party. On my actual birthday, Brandon took me to Hot Springs. We soaked in a mineral bath and enjoyed champagne and a couples’ massage. Brandon asked me to marry him while in the mineral bath overlooking the French Broad River.

What do you two do for a living?
Marisa is a registered nurse and works in a surgical ICU. Brandon works for the Asheville ABC Board, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and is also a part time student.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We love to vacation to the beach together, cook together and try new recipes, have dinner parties and bar-be-ques with our close friends and family, watch movies, play horseshoes, and work on do it yourself house projects.

Why did you choose the Deepark at The Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
Deerpark is absolutely gorgeous, and encompasses what we both envisioned our wedding venue. The Biltmore Estate is such an important historical landmark in our hometown, and we wanted to share it with our out of town family and friends! Brandon is also an Asheville native.

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
Having all of our close friends and family at one giant celebration, and the Honeymoon!

What do you love about each other?
Marisa: What I love about Brandon is…
I adore Brandon’s kind heart, loyalty to his family and friends, and amazing work ethic. Most people who know Brandon well wouldn’t describe him as patient, but when it comes to me, he has all the patience in the world.

Brandon: What I love about Marisa is…
I love Marisa’s drive, motivation, bizarre sense of humor, her confidence, candidness, and straight to the point attitude. She motivates me each day to be a better person.

Anything else you would want people to know?
We are everyone’s favorite couple. . . the bomb.com! We can’t wait to continue building our lives together and explore what the future holds!

Elizabeth and Michael were married this past June in the beautiful mountains of Banner Elk at the Elk River Club.   They were a beautiful couple with equally beautiful hearts.  I am so happy for them, and I want to share a little more about them…(pictures of their wedding to come soon!)

How did you meet each other?
We met at a bar in Manhattan – the Ginger Man.  It is a beer bar and Mike loves his beer!

How long have you two been together?
We have been together for 3 years.

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
We got engaged last March. We were on a ski trip to Whistler Mountain in British Columbia Canada. It was our first run down the mountain and it was a beautiful clear day. We got to the top of the mountain and I was busy looking at the map to plot our way down when Mike called my name and I turned around and there he was with the ring. I have to admit that the first words out of my mouth after “YES” were don’t drop it!!! I did not take my glove off all day as I was so scared to lose the ring on the mountain.

What do you two do for a living?
Mike works in IT as an infrastructure manager and I work in Finance of a large bank.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
Skiing is really one of our favorite activities. In addition to skiing we love to hike, bike and go exploring wherever we go.

Why did you choose the Elk River Club in Banner Elk as your wedding location?
Elk River is where I have spent every summer since I was 8. When I look back on my childhood it is the place I have the fondest memories of my parents and our summers together as a family. It is also the place I learned to ride horses and play golf, two of my favorite hobbies. Elk River holds a special place in my heart that is just hard to explain but if someone said you could go anywhere in the world for a week, I would go to Elk River, it is my most favorite place in the world.

When you thought about your wedding, what were you most excited about?
We were so excited to spend time with our family and friends. It is once in a lifetime that you have everyone you really care about in the same place. We really enjoyed having several days with our family and friends.

What are some of your favorite moments at your wedding?
Waiting with anticipation to walk down the aisle
Seeing Mike for the first time
Having my Dad walk me down the aisle and dance with me
Our time on the golf course taking pictures (we had some time to enjoy our day just the two of us – and the photographer)
Being introduced for the first time as husband and wife
Seeing all our friends and family dancing and having a great time
The band surprising us with the Jefferson’s theme song as our last song and Mike twirling me around on the dance floor! A Social Function was awesome!!!

Where did you go on your honeymoon, and did you love it?
We went to British Virgin Islands for 4 days and Caneel Bay for 5 days. We had an amazing time hiking, hanging out on the beach and snorkling.

Any advice for couples planning their wedding?
I am a planner, I had a list of a few things for us to do every month for the 10 months we really spent planning the wedding. It helped with getting all the tasks done and not being overwhelmed at any of the critical moments. As soon as we arrived in NC and finished all our final meetings, we let it all go, it was now our time to enjoy our family, friends and our wedding. We got to treasure every moment because we had complete trust in all our vendors, especially Tara!

What do you love about each other?
Elizabeth: What I love about Michael is…his smile; it constantly tells me how much he loves me, if he is being mischievous or just happy. Mike has a way to calm me down and remind me about what really matters in life. He is my best friend and knows me better than anyone else.

Michael: What I love about Elizabeth is… her balance of sensibility and adventure. Elizabeth has a true ‘let’s seize the day… but have a plan to do so’ attitude that keeps us going through everything we do. She is a great counterbalance to me and we go everywhere together on our adventures.

Anything else you would want people to know?
We would just like to take a minute and thank Tara for being a wonderful wedding planner. She was truly instrumental in making our day better than we could have ever imagined. From every vendor she recommended to her creative ideas, our day was truly amazing and reflected “us” in every way. Thank you Tara!

Katie and John are two people that you instantly like as soon as you meet them.  They are so sweet, so genuine, and I love that I have had a chance to get to know them. They will be married at the Basilica St. Lawrence followed by a reception at the Lioncrest on The Biltmore Estate. They have been together for 5 1/2 years, and with every day that passes they get more excited to become husband and wife.  Read a little bit more about them…
How did you meet each other?
We met freshman year, in Sloan dormitory (where my two best friends and Maids of Honor lived) at Elon University. I thought he was a bit obnoxious, but he thought I was cute!

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
We got engaged November 25, 2010. It was Thanksgiving break and I had just finished my preliminary exams for my doctorate and was trying to de-stress after a very high-pressure situation. I was in the midst of catching up on some work when John asked me if I wanted to go on a hike to one of our favorite locations in Pullman, WA where we shared our first home. I remember being slightly annoyed because I had a lot of work to do, but he was persistent and convinced me. We hiked to the top of a butte where there is a beautiful view of Pullman and the surrounding hills. This location had been a very special place for us as we had frequently made trips there when we needed to relax and feel some peace. There, surrounded by pine trees, taking in the bucolic scenery, relaxing with our pup Gus, John got down on one knee and popped the question! After we shared some tears I enthusiastically said yes!

What do you two do for a living?
I am starting as a political science professor at Augusta State University in August. John works in sports and recreation marketing and previously worked for Washington State University’s Recreation Facility; he is currently looking for similar work in our new home of Augusta, GA!

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We love being active and anything outdoors! Also, anyone that knows us knows we love to eat – whether tasting new foods, trying interesting restaurants, or cooking together at home. We also love to travel together and experience new cultures. Part of the reason I love John so much is that he is always up for an adventure!

Why did you choose the Basilica St. Lawrence and the Lioncrest at The Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
My family lives in Asheville and the Biltmore is just an iconic part of Asheville’s history, not to mention gorgeous! John and I have spent many holidays and long weekends in Asheville with my family, and we could not think of a better place to share with our extended family and friends. And the Basilica has been my family’s church for more than 10-years so it holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to marry the love of my life in this historic, and beautiful church!

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
I am just so excited to share this special day with all of my family and friends. John is such an important part of my life, and everything I do is for our little family – I can’t wait to showcase that love and commitment in front of the people that matter most to us.

What do you love about each other?
Katie: What I love about John is…
I love how he can always make me laugh, even when it seems like everything is going wrong! He understands me like no one else – and he loves me with his whole heart despite my many flaws and idiosyncrasies. But more than anything I love his beautiful, generous, and kind heart; he inspires me to be a better person.

John: What I love about Katie is…
I love that Katie is my best friend. Every day I feel lucky to have such a wonderful girl who is compassionate, caring and full of love. She makes me feel special like no one else does. I love that she is an adventurous person and is able to have fun each and every day with a smile. I wouldn’t want to share my life with anyone else.

Anything else you would want people to know?
Tara Jordan is the best wedding planner ever! She is worth every penny and ten times more!
(thank you!!! I will pay you later for this, Katie!)

Michelle and Joe will be getting married in just a few days at the beautiful Deerpark, located on The Biltmore Estate.  They have been engaged for a year now, and I know they are excited to become husband and wife.  I love finding out more about Michelle and Joe through the questions below, and I think you will too!  Such a cute couple!

How long have you two been together?
We will have been together almost 2 years during the “I Do’s”

How did Joe ask you to marry him?
Joe and I were making the “long distance relationship” work until we were engaged. So during one of my trips up to see him, we decided that we were going cook ourselves dinner and go to a movie that night. Earlier that day, I started to get a migraine so after dinner, I suggested that we rent a movie. Joe looked at me and said, “No, I really want to go and see Shrek 4 tonight!” So, not thinking anything other than the fact he definitely wanted to see a movie out, I went with him. When we got back to the apartment, Joe asked me to go in first. The living room was covered in red rose pedals with candles lit on the counter and the table. In the middle of the table was a heart made out of the pedals and a ring box with my ring shining from the candlelight. (Joe had asked one of his friends from PT school to set up the ambiance while we were out.) So, I immediately started crying and Joe had to ask me to pull it together for a minute so he could “ask me a question.” I immediately said yes before the question was asked!

What do you two do for a living?
Joe and I are both Physical Therapists. I work with sports medicine and Joe works in skilled nursing rehabilitation.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
Joe and I love to ballroom dance. Since I have been a ballerina for 25 years, this was a fun new way for me to keep up my dancing passion. Never ever did I imagine I would find a husband who I didn’t have to drag to dance class.

We love to watch The Office with a glass of wine in hand.

We also enjoy a good game of Canasta or Rook.

Cookouts and Get togethers with our family are a must and always seem to end with plenty of laughing and sarcasm.

Why did you choose the Deerpark on The Biltmore Estate as your wedding location?
We choose the Deerpark restaurant because my hometown has only two places that most everyone gets married. I wanted to add something special to my big day. I wanted a place that speaks romance and a getaway without all the travel. I wanted my guests to walk away with love in their hearts and knowing that I just married my best friend.

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
I am most excited about seeing Joe for the first time when I have my wedding dress on and he is in his tuxedo. I think it will definitely set in that I am getting married today and how blessed we truly are to have on another.

Tell us what you love about each other.
Michelle: What I love about Joe is…
I love Joe’s smile that makes me forget about the 12 hour work day.
I love Joe’s compassion for family, charity, and church.
I love knowing I that I will always have a hug waiting for me for good times and bad.

Joe: What I love about Michelle is…
I love her passion for life and for helping people.
I love that she found a way to combine her gift of dance with helping other performers get back to the stage.
I love that Michelle has a very glass half full mentality.

Anything else you would want people to know?
We want everyone to know that there is no “perfect age, time, or place” for someone to get married. Follow your heart and God will lead you in the right direction every time.

I am so happy for Cheryl and Steve and their upcoming June wedding!  Every time I met them, they were so respectful and loving to each other…this is always so nice to see.  I asked Steve and Cheryl and few questions about their life together and their June wedding, so read below to learn more!

Thank you to Getz Creative for the incredible pictures!  Wowsers…I loved them!

How did you meet each other?
Through family – Cheryl lived with Steve’s sister when she was in college and became great friends with the Kraus family, spending Christmas and family vacations with them.

How long have you two been together?
Two years in June.

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
Thanksgiving 2010. Steve traveled to SC from St Louis for the holiday and got down on one knee before our family’s Thanksgiving dinner so that I could rejoice with all of my loved ones. It was super sweet, and took lots of patience on his part, because I kept spoiling his plans by making plans of my own… I didn’t see the proposal coming!

What do you two do for a living?
Steve is a graphic and furniture artist who opened his own design firm in 2010 – prior to opening SKPDesigns, he spent more than five years designing men’s shoes for Elon Polo International in St Louis MO. So he is an artist by trade and has a special talent for adding perspective and beauty to design, and just generally making things look cool ☺ Also, he is a small town Colorado pool champ, DIY project guy and plays the guitar. Cheryl is a Verizon Wireless Retailer GM, with a passion for cooking, playing the trumpet and playing board games.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
Discover ways to make our community a better place, like starting a community garden in our neighborhood, to share veggies with our neighbors. Travel travel and more travel – we have traveled to Australia, San Fran and the Island of St George a couple times, and love every minute of it, well, except jet lag. Watching movies and keeping up with Mad Men – it’s our date night show.

Why did you choose the Cliffs Glassy as your wedding location and the Wyche Pavilion as your reception location? We both adore great views, mountains and water. This arrangement gives all three… it’s a win-win-win!

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
Having all of our nearest and dearest standing with us to celebrate our decision, and helping us prepare by hiking, biking and camping the week prior. We love our families! Also, Cheryl loves to give gifts and is thrilled to give her bridesmaids their fun gift baskets that reflect their personality!

What do you love about each other?
Cheryl: What I love about Steve is… he is such a gift! He became my closest friend in such a short time. With me and all of the children in our lives he is both energetic and patient simultaneously, always ready to jump in and work together and have a good laugh. He is utterly unaware of his greatness!
I don’t know why he loves me so much, but he sure does. He left his hometown of St Louis MO, his friends and his family to build a life with me in South Carolina, which is no small sacrifice. Oh, and since I am allergic to everything, including dogs, Steve had to find a new home for his sweet dog. It means a lot to replace man’s best friend.

Steve: What I love about Cheryl is…everything. It would be too much to put into words.

I love May weddings (I was married in May!), and so I think that Melissa and Casey chose the perfect time of year for their ceremony and reception at the Grove Park Inn.  Melissa and Casey have been together for almost 6 years now, and it has been so wonderful getting to know them.  Now it is time for you to get to know them!

How did you meet each other?
We went to the same high school but managed to pass each other in the halls without ever meeting. It wasn’t until my freshman year of college that we started hanging out together with our mutual friends. I lived in an apartment complex with a basketball court and all of our friends would play every afternoon. Casey started playing with the guys more and more and it wasn’t long until we hit it off and started spending everyday together!

When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
Casey and I had discussed that we wanted to spend our future with each other, so it wasn’t if he was going to do propose, but when he would do it. We were both working at the same restaurant at the time and we had a very stressful Saturday. It was a very busy day and we both knew we were going to have to work the next day as well, which was Valentine’s Day. It was going to be our 5th Valentine’s Day together so I wasn’t expecting much this year especially with our work schedules being so hectic. We both got off work at 5 and drove separately home. On his way home, he called me and told me to go to the back room and watch a movie for 2 hours or so, while he could make dinner for me and set up a surprise. The whole time I was just thinking, “Wow, this is going to turn out to be a great Valentine’s Day!” When he was done cooking and decorating, I walked into our living room and I could smell the wonderful dinner he had made, candles spread out all over the house and rose petals leading me to the candle lit table. He had Valentines decorations everywhere and it was beautiful! He had a card sitting next to my plate but told me not to read it until we were finished eating. I still had no idea that a proposal was coming. During dinner, Casey told me how happy he was with me in his life and how far we had come from 5 years prior. We now lived in a brand new town, shared a home and had a great job together. When it was time for me to open his card, I didn’t even notice him get up from the table. I started reading the card and at the very bottom he wrote in small letters…. “Hopefully you are no longer just my girlfriend, soul mate and best friend. But my……….?” And when I looked up he was down on one knee with the ring!!!!

What do you two do for a living?
Casey and Melissa both work for Zaxby’s in Asheville. Casey is the District Manager over three locations. Melissa is the Training Manager for all three stores and is also a Licensee in one location. They are working to have 4 stores in Asheville within the next year.

What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
We love to take our two boxers, Rooney and Chloe, on walks by our neighborhood lake. Our favorite time of the year is spent in the summer at my family lake house in Hartwell, Georgia where we wake board, tube and cook out! We just bought a new home and we love spending time outside working on our yard. We love watching ESPN together and supporting all Georgia Bulldog sports!

Why did you choose the Grove Park Inn as your wedding location?
This will be a destination wedding for the majority of our guests and we wanted our family and friends to see the beauty of Asheville that we get to see every day! What better way to show them the mountains than the view from the Sammon’s Balcony? We only live 5 minutes from the Grove Park Inn and have dined at the beautiful Sunset Terrace Cafe before. After seeing the Sammon’s Balcony and the Sunset Terrace I knew I couldn’t find a location any more gorgeous to represent Asheville. I love that the ceremony site has a covered roof for a more romantic feel and that the reception will be both indoors and outdoors for the guests.

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
We are most excited about marrying each other, then dancing the night away with our friends and family!

What do you love about each other?
Melissa: What I love about Casey is… how thoughtful and caring he is. When it comes to my fiancé, he always makes the little things in life count. Not one morning goes by where he doesn’t make me a cup of coffee. He is amazing at everything he tries. He is a hard worker, very kind to people, an outstanding athlete, and my best friend. Casey has an extraordinary outlook on life and he inspires me to be a better person every day!

Casey: What I love about Melissa is…how she can always make me smile when she walks in a room. She lifts me up if I get down. She is one of the most kind and understanding person you could ever meet. Melissa was an awesome soft ball player in her day and she absolutely loves sports I could not have gotten any luckier. Melissa is truly my best friend I trust in her, believe in her and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with the woman of my dreams.