Misty Mountain Event Barn   |   McCauley + Ryan   |   Fisher, West Virginia

 

WV Summer Mountain Wedding

 

I spent a mid-July weekend celebrating McCauley + Ryan at their WV summer mountain wedding last year. It was a gorgeously hot day at Misty Mountain Event Barn surrounded by their closest friends and family.

Their wedding was unique in so many ways.

McCauley got ready in an AirBnB appropriately named the “The Hummingbird House”–there were hummingbirds everywhere! One of the most fun parts of the day for me and the videographer, Megan, was off-roading to get to Ryan’s getting-ready location in a log cabin at the top of dirt switchbacks. Megan had rented a jeep, so she was MUCH more equipped than I was bumping up that road in my little Mazda hatchback…I definitely bottomed out a few times! 🙂 McCauley surprised Ryan with a keyboard as his wedding gift, the shape and size of the box had everyone guessing until the last of the wrapping paper was off.

At the venue, tables were covered in wildflower bouquets and guests began to arrive. A large group of McCauley’s closest girl friends wore blue dresses as her “something blue”. I loved that idea, I had never seen it before! Their ceremony took place outdoors under a wooden arch covered in draping greens with cows and the WV mountain range in the background. So many guests were from their church, it felt like I was sitting attending a weekend service with them.

As the reception began, the red barn smelled of local barbecue and twinkled with mood lights lining its many wooden columns. Instead of going from table to table at dinner, McCauley and Ryan handed out each and every plate to their guests as a way to say hello. After dinner and speeches, the couple changed into hand-painted Vans from one of their close friends, and everyone tore up the dance floor. We took true blue-hour portraits (look at those gorgeous cool hues!) as the sun was setting.

Guests enjoyed a s’mores bar toward the end of the evening and Ryan tossed his boutonnière in THE most dramatic fashion, he had myself and the entire dance floor laughing.  The evening ended shortly after with Country Roads and a sparkler sendoff.

I’ve known McCauley since elementary school, so it was extra special for me to document her wedding day. It was even more special for the couple because so many of their vendors were also their close friends. The vendor list is at the bottom of this post, but as McCauley best said herself –

        “These people were our bridesmaids and groomsmen.

        They were my something blue.

        They were our DJ.

        They made our cake pops and cupcakes.

        They did our calligraphy.

        They provided signage, napkins and woodworking.

        They were our coffee cart vendor.

        They were our planners and coordinators.

        They were our wedding singers.

        And most importantly, they were the people who prayed for us…

        our community who walks with us through life and loves us so well on a daily basis.”

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Thies! I was honored to celebrate you on your wedding day…thank you!

 

A HUGE thank you to their vendor team!