This was our first time photographing a wedding at this Zimmerwald Estate Barn and Grainery. As Asheville wedding photographers we do not get out of Asheville much but this was only about an hour or so away! When we arrived at the location we quickly fell in love with it’s ambiance.

Here are some details from this fabulous day.

Abby and Matt chose to get married back at home so that as many family members and friends could be part of their day as possible. Zimmerwald Estate is owned by some very close family friends of the Hamricks so it was a no-brainer to use their lovely, beautiful space for their wedding. They made everything so easy, and it was perfect!

Abby got ready in the bridal suite with her mom, her gals, and her pup.

Abby is a very goal-oriented, “plans-for-the-future” kind of girl. She likes to know what’s coming next and how to prepare for it. She also loves to laugh and tell stories.

Matt is a spontaneous adventurer who likes to live life without a solid plan. He is totally comfortable rolling with the punches. He appreciates good relationships and spending quality time with the people he loves.

Matt, along with almost everyone else, had no idea how to tie his bowtie! They finally got it on with the help of one of his groomsmen and a band member.

Abby said first look was one of her absolute favorite moments of the day.

Abby and Matt met in high school and fell in love during Matt’s senior and Abby’s junior year. Their love lasted only a few months back then but they reconnected in April of 2018 and fell in love all over again. They have been together officially for [almost] one year. They started talking last April, but Matt asked her to be his girlfriend on May 20, 2018, under the Bell Tower at UNC.

When I asked them to describe their first date this is what they said… “Matt was living in Asheville and Abby in Raleigh at the time of our very top secret first date. They are both from Shelby, NC, so they decided to go home on the same weekend and meet up. Their outing included a nice walk on the Thread Trail, a visit to Joe’s Place for dinner, and conversations in the car in Abby’s parent’s driveway until 1am. We just couldn’t get over how much new stuff there was to learn about one another and all the fun to be had reminiscing.”

Matt popped the question on August 11, 2018 at Twin Falls in Sunset, SC. They went to Georgia for a weekend trip with his parents to hike and see waterfalls. Little did Abby know, Matt had been plotting with her dad to meet them all at one of those waterfalls… but that was nearly an hour from where they were staying! Due to some minor communication issues, Matt’s dad was was whipping around curves and winding all over the road on the way to the waterfall, because Abby’s parents had already arrived. When they got to the platform to see the waterfall, Abby turned to look at Matt to find him on one knee. All he said was, “Will you marry me?” No elaborate speech… he didn’t need that. It was such a special day to have all our parents there to be part of such a huge milestone!

When we asked Matt what adjective best discribed Abby on their wedding day he said “enamoring”

She said Matt was “internally-elated!”

When asked what hobbies and activities they like to do together as a couple they said this… “We LOVE playing with and spoiling our puppy, Lucy. Binge watching shows, hiking and exploring Asheville, trying new restaurants, and spending time with our family. ”

When asked what tangible detail of their wedding day did they love the most? Abby said, ” I LOVED my dress. I was sad to take it off.  But everything was so perfect that it’s hard to say what my favorite part was. The flowers were amazing, the cakes were so cute, the band was incredible, the Italian ice was delicious… it’s so hard to pick just one thing, because it was the best day ever.”

Matt really enjoyed the ceremony. 275 guest attended the wedding which was held in the barn because the weather looked iffy, even though it ended up not raining hardly at all.

“One of the funniest things that happened on our wedding day was that we were supposed to have confetti falling as we had our first kiss. But they didn’t realize that they hadn’t opened the wrapping part of the cannon. Our poor MOH and BM tried so hard to get the confetti to pop but it just didn’t happen. But the first kiss was great, even without the confetti.

Onward to the reception! They wanted their food to capture a Southern theme. For appetizers: chicken and waffle bites, shrimp & grits fritters, pimiento cheese spoons, and black eyed pea salsa. For dinner: buttermilk fried chicken, roasted pork chop, mac&cheese, green beans, and a mashed potato bar. It was YUMMY!

Let there be cake! Their wedding cake was a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing. But the guests had options: Queen Anne’s cake (made by Abby’s grandfather), strawberry, carrot, coconut, and lemon pound cake.

YES to Italian Ice! Straight up from New York City. Provided by Sweet Water Ices (Durham)

Michael happened to go outside when this was happening. These kids were having the time of their lives!

The couple picked “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.” They picked this song because it’s a classic and they were really going for a “classic” vibe with all their music. And they think the words are very romantic.

The best guys love their mamas. (Is that a tear we see rolling down Matt’s cheek?)

This band was amazing and had the dance floor hopping.

We love this moment with the owners of Zimmerwald Estate on the dance floor.

I asked Abby and Matt what stood out to them when they look back on their wedding day and they said, “It was such a beautiful day. The ceremony was incredible, and Jesus-filled. We could feel the love of God in the room, among our guests, through the words that were spoken over us, and from one another. We adamantly believe in the Gospel, and that marriage is God’s closest on-earth depiction of his love for us, so we really feel like the ceremony captured that important part of our lives.”

What’s on their bucket list to do as a couple? “We want to explore some far away places, and we are really excited about the adventure of starting our family (in a few years). “

Congrats Abby and Matt! We wish you all the best as you begin this new chapter in your adventure. Thanks for letting us share in your awesome day.

Shout out to these professionals who helped make this day awesome!

Wedding coordinator – Katie White with Zimmerwald Estate

Venue coordinator – Katie White with Zimmerwald Estate

Dress Designer – Lillian West

Where you purchased your dress – New York Bride and Groom in Charlotte

Makeup artist – Jordan Helms (Raleigh)

Hair designer – Mary Prevost (Salon Palazzo, Shelby)

Floral designer – The Veranda (Shelby)

Caterer – Jo Anthony (Shelby)

DJ or Band – Coming Up Brass (Belmont)

Officiant – Skip Allen of Hope Community Church (Shelby)

Cake designer – Trisha Dennis (our little cake) and Ann Thackerson is doing cake bar (both of Shelby)

Rental company – Gaston Rentals

Videographer – Molly Clay (Durham)

Wedding hashtag- #AbbysMattrimony