Ellen and Brad are a wonderful couple that I officially met over Skype because they are both teachers in China!  Instantly I loved them, and I was excited to help with their wedding plans. They have been together for almost seven years now, and will become husband and wife this July at Claxton Farm. Read more about this very handsome couple below…
How did you meet each other?
We met on the very first night we both landed in Dubai, UAE to begin our careers as international teachers. We were strangers in a strange land, and yet being in each others company felt so familiar and comfortable. A few drunken parties later, we were dating 😉
When did you get engaged, and how did he ask?
We got engaged December 25, 2010. It was 10 days after our beautiful son, Beau, was born. I had taken a shower and then came out of the bathroom to find a vase full of flowers and note saying that Beau had a present for me. I went into Beau’s room and found a note in Beau’s crib (written from Beau’s perspective) where he asked me if I would please marry his dad. Brad pulled out a beautiful ring…I cried and said “yes”. It was sweet and perfect!

What do you two do for a living?
We are teachers at an international high school in Beijing, China. Brad teaches IB Math and I teach IB Psychology.
What are some of the activities that you like to do together as a couple?
Theses days, parenting seems to be ONLY activity we do together. However, luckily for us, it is also our most favorite activity! Believe it our not, making pancakes, sipping lattes and dancing with Beau in our living room is pretty much our idea of a perfect day. We also love traveling to new places, riding bikes through the crazy streets of Beijing and sampling various frosty beverages while in the company of great people and/or while overlooking something beautiful, weird, or fascinating .

Why did you choose Claxton Farm as your wedding location?
We toured many different venues in Asheville, and it was the only one that just felt right. We could actually picture ourselves getting married there. After meeting Micah and the owner, our instincts were confirmed…they were so warm and lovely. We were sold!

When you think about your wedding, what are you most excited about?
I think we are both most excited about just looking around and seeing all of the people we love from the various chapters in our lives gathered together in one space and time. With our friends and family literally spread across world, our wedding may be the only opportunity we will have to get everyone together.
What do you love about each other?
Ellen: What I love about Brad is…hard to put into words. It is the way he makes me laugh, the way he treats others, and the way he is obsessed with sports. It is the way he interacts with students, the way he calls me out when I am wrong, the way he takes care of me. It is the way he loves our son and the way he accepts me for who I am. It is his honesty, his character, his Minnesotaness…it is just him….that is what I love!
Brad: There are just so many things to love… here are a few of my favorites:
I love her smile and her laugh. I love how her southern accent returns around old friends. I love how she gets a little crazy after that second glass of Pinot. I love her independence, her dedication and her…what is a better word for stubbornness? I love the way she motivates and connects with our students, especially young women. I love her big family and how all the cousins treat each other with such love and kindness. I love the way she loves our son and our little family. I love that Ellen is the most caring and genuine person I know. I love her so much.
Anything else you would want people to know?
Planning a wedding from China with a one-year old baby tugging on you is CHALLENGING! We could never have done it without Tara’s help, advice and guidance. I cannot speak highly enough about her! If you have the chance to hire her….DO IT! She will ease your worries, calm you nerves and plan a most perfect day for you and your fiancé.