1. Real Weddings

A Formal Fall Wedding at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

When Justin Krueger (26 and a student) returned to Savannah, Georgia after a year tour in Iraq, he bumped into Kathryn Peters (24 and in retail) and t

When Justin Krueger (26 and a student) returned to Savannah, Georgia after a year tour in Iraq, he bumped into Kathryn Peters (24 and in retail) and the pair immediately hit it off. Two years later—on the eve of their anniversary to be exact—Justin popped the question after a romantic dinner and movie date. "Justin was very attentive at dinner and even left his phone behind at home but he couldn’t stop talking and was clearly nervous about something," says Kathryn. "It wouldn’t be until several hours later when we got back to the apartment that he would ask me to spend the rest of my life with him—but instead of immediately exclaiming, 'Yes!' I simply laughed because it finally dawned on me why he’d been acting so funny the entire night!" Immediately after getting engaged, the pair booked the Deerpark Restaurant at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. To complement their fall date, they used an orange color palette with navy accents and added a formal feel with cascading flower arrangements. "We wanted the wedding to be dramatic so we went with a full spectrum of orange and used a lot of draping throughout the decor," says Kathryn. After an intimate ceremony in The Lodge Room—complete with a curly willow vine arbor and rose-covered, free standing cross—guests were invited to The Courtyard where they were greeted by the Asheville String Trio. Late night snacks included fired chicken and waffles as well as Tumbleweeds (an after dinner drink that's an old family recipe of the bride's!).

Kathryn carried a textured orange bouquet of garden roses, dahlias, tulips, spray roses, English roses, freesia and ranunculus. "With my color palette consisting of all bright, beautiful colors it was important to me that my bouquet look like I was a part of the same story," says Kathryn.
"My bridesmaids tried on this gorgeous sample dress and how it fit all of them I have no idea considering they're all completely different heights—it was like the sisterhood of the traveling dress," says Kathryn. "We went with the navy blue Monique Lhuillier dress that literally looked dropped dead gorgeous on all of them—I wish I had one myself!"
A garland of flowers and magnolia leaves wrapped around the lampposts and spilled down the front of the stairs on either side of the entrance to Deerpark on Biltmore Estate.
Sophisticated Reception at the Lodge Room at Deerpark
Two ceremony arches were created using curly willow vine and white twinkle lights with a six foot free standing wooden cross covered in orange flowers as the backdrop.
Magnolia garlands were attached to the ceremony chairs with petite orange garden roses and cascaded to the floor.
Timeless Tuxedo with a White Tie and Tails
Kathryn knew she wanted a strapless dress and found the perfect lace Vera Wang gown during her first appointment.
A long orange floral arrangement filled a mirrored glass vase and decorated the contemporary lounge.
Modern Orange Cylinder Centerpieces
The Courtyard at Deerpark on Biltmore Estate Reception
Lush Silver Pedestal Orange Flower Arrangements
Kathryn and Justin's First Dance
"Following my southern heritage, we created keepsake— monogrammed pillows in both orange and navy dupioni fabrics for my bridesmaids and myself to have following the reception," says Kathryn. "Plus, it was a fun way to introduce my new married monogram!"
The impressive cake was decorated with a flowing cascade of orange roses, garden roses and spray roses and was displayed on an elevated glass base.
The chocolate with a peanut butter mousse groom's cake was in the shape of a block of cheese and topped with a Green Bay helmet.
Sol Fusion Reception Entertainment
Kathryn and Justin's Grand Exit