KAYCE & DIVA

Locations:

• Getting ready: Biltmore (bride and groom) in Asheville, NC

• Ceremony and reception: Biltmore in Asheville, NC

 

Wedding photos at Biltmore:

Groom-to-be Diva first contacted me around a year before his wedding day was scheduled at the magnificent Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. He was referred to me by a former portrait session client, Atul, who lives out in Virginia, and I was honored that he considered and hired me as his wedding photographer and Florida engagement photographer, despite having never met in person. He was planning a large-scale multicultural celebration with his fiance Kayce, their family and friends, and I was really excited to meet them and capture this wedding at Biltmore.

The Biltmore Estate extends across around 8,000 acres and includes not only the late-19th century Châteauesque-style mansion, Biltmore House, but also hotels, restaurants, and the Biltmore Winery. The best part about this venue is that everything can happen in the one place, from the getting ready to the wedding ceremony, portraits, and reception party.

Kayce and Diva’s wedding at the Biltmore was a destination wedding for most of their guests, with people flying in from across the United States to celebrate with them. Diva’s family is Indian, so in addition to a classic, western wedding ceremony, they were also having a colorful Hindu ceremony, incorporating all the traditional rites and rituals. The evening before I met up with Kayce, Diva and their family during their rehearsal dinner, and just knew this was going to be a wonderful weekend.

 

Getting ready photos at the Biltmore:

The next day I joined both Kayce and Diva as they were getting ready in separate rooms, capturing candids as the girls finished their hair and makeup and admired Kayce’s ring. I also grabbed a creative silhouette of Diva in his final moments as an unmarried man, overlooking the magnificent grounds of the Biltmore.

 

Ceremony photos at the Biltmore:

The couple had decided against a first look, so when Kayce was escorted down the aisle by her father during their western wedding ceremony on the Biltmore lawns, it was Diva’s first glimpse of his bride. I particularly liked the look exchanged between Kayce and her father-in-law during this moment, which I thought was quite touching. Although the sun was high in the sky and the light quite intense, I managed to document this event from multiple angles and incorporating their gorgeous arch.

After a few bridal party portraits and family formals, the couple then returned to their rooms and changed into their traditional Indian bridal attire. I photographed Kayce as she was being assisted in fitting her sari, as well as a creative one of Diva’s father proudly doing up his shirt. I also grabbed a candid of Diva’s niece Sahana who was incredibly cute peering out the hotel suite window!

Then Kayce was again escorted by her parents to an awaiting Diva, this time sat on a raised mandap platform. There were so many traditional Hindu rites and rituals to capture during this ceremony, with the couple pouring dried rice over one another and exchanging flower garlands, as well as placing their palms on each other’s foreheads. I loved the color and vibrancy of this setting, and captured some creative angles incorporating their golden Hindu statues.

 

Portraits at the Biltmore:

At the end of their Hindu ceremony, I grabbed the couple for a portrait session around the Biltmore gardens, with the red and maroon of their Indian bridal attire standing out beautifully against the green backdrop. I also captured a shot of Diva’s brothers walking across the lawns with

At the end of their Hindu ceremony, I grabbed the couple for a portrait session around the Biltmore gardens, with the red and maroon of their Indian bridal attire standing out beautifully against the green backdrop. I also captured a shot of Diva’s brothers walking across the lawns with Sahana, and appreciated just how welcome they had made me feel during this North Carolina destination wedding.

 

Reception photos at the Biltmore:

The wedding party at the Biltmore then really kicked off as the reception got underway, with lots of dancing and celebration well into the night. Both Kayce and Diva were lifted onto shoulders and paraded above their wedding guests, and you really could feel the love in the room for this new union.

 

Wedding photos at Biltmore:

I can’t thank Kayce and Diva enough for selecting me as their Asheville photographer to capture this multicultural wedding at the Biltmore, and the opportunity to spend the weekend with such warm and friendly people. I wish them a lifetime of happiness and hope we can reconnect again in the near future.