An Elegant Charlotte Wedding Venue Just Outside Uptown

Separk Mansion is just the most beautiful place for a wedding in Charlotte! First of all, this historic home is conveniently located only 20 minutes from Uptown and is full of old world charm. Secondly, you are sure to love the classic checkered tile floors, and the natural light from the sun rooms. The home even has the original hardwoods in the reception area!

Indoor and Outdoor Ceremony Options

Separk Mansion is one of the few wedding venues in the downtown Charlotte area that has room for both an indoor or outdoor wedding ceremony. Most couples choose the outdoor ceremony option here, but it is good to know there is a backup plan. Here, the gardening is formal and timeless, and it’s sure to add an upscale vibe to the event. I just adore the tiled lawn area!

The Reception Space

Wedding receptions here often happen in the downstairs ballroom. As you can see, this spacious area dresses up beautifully for a wedding, especially with the help of a skilled florist and wedding planner. I just love seeing the blend of the historic charm with the opulent florals and candles!

Contact Me: Experienced Separk Mansion Wedding Photographer

If you’d like to see if I am available for your wedding at The Separk Mansion, please contact me. I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions about getting married here as well. For more information about my work, please see my my portfolio. View One of My Full Day Weddings at a similar venue

Thank you for reading and congratulations!

Michelle Elyse 

Michelle Elyse is one of the top rated wedding photographers serving the Charlotte , North Carolina region. She is based in North Carolina, but travels frequently to photograph weddings across the united states as well as internationally. She loves photographing with a fine art documentary style in order to capture elegant candids and real memories.

A beautiful outdoor wedding in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Full of colorful flowers and bohemian vibes.

 

The Vineyards at Betty’s Creek Wedding

A Florida Couple’s Wedding in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains

Priscilla and Tommy traveled up to North Carolina from Florida this past Autumn for a lovely little wedding amongst the colorful leaves. The two of them, along with their amazing planner, WNC weddings, created a rich, vibrant wedding full of rich velvety textures and deep colors at the Vineyards at Betty’s Creek.

It was a super rainy year in 2018, but these two were blessed with the most perfect weather on this day. They hung little bells from their ceremony site. The bells were all over the trees to ring in the blessings from the breeze for this special day. It was a touch that I really enjoyed!

It was a beautiful, emotional ceremony for Priscilla, Tommy, and their families. Priscilla and Tommy describe themselves as twin flames, and I can really see why. Their  chemistry is off the charts and it was effortless to photograph their love. I just adored her Rue De Seine bridal gown and his burgundy velvet suit (my favorite color!). I think its safe to say  that these two thoroughly enjoyed their wedding day- especially on the dance floor!

Thank you both for inviting me to capture this sweet and very special day in your lives. Wishing you two endless happiness! XOXO, Shelley

CONTACT ME:

Please message me  if you are interested in having me photograph your wedding at the beautiful Vineyards at Betty’s Creek. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please message me  if you are interested in having me photograph your wedding at the beautiful Vineyards at Betty’s Creek. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

Raleigh, North Carolina + Destination Wedding Photographer

 

 

Biltmore House and Gardens Wedding Venue 

As a wedding photographer, I love photographing at the Biltmore House and Gardens! No single place on the property is more iconic than the Biltmore House itself! The Biltmore House and its surrounding gardens can be rented out for a wedding ceremony or reception. Celebrities love getting married here. And if you’re having a giant wedding, the Biltmore House and Gardens venue a lot of space. You can host a wedding of up to 600 people here!

Biltmore House and Gardens Wedding Locations 

The most popular spot to get married at the Biltmore House and Gardens is in front of the house itself. Hosting your ceremony with the epic estate as your backdrop certainly makes a glamorous statement. However, there are other locations at the Biltmore House that can be used for weddings too. For example, after having your wedding ceremony on the front lawn, you could hold your cocktail hour among the koi ponds of the Italian Gardens. Then, you could host your reception looking towards the Blue Ridge views on the terrace. The Library Terrace and the South Terrace of the Biltmore House wedding venue both hold amazing scenic vistas. Honestly, how can you go wrong getting married at any spot on the estate?

Contact me to Photograph Your Wedding at Biltmore House and Gardens

The possibilities of beautiful memories and photos are endless at the Biltmore House and Gardens! 

Please message me if you would like me to photograph your wedding at Biltmore, or if you have any questions about getting married at the House and Gardens. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

Here are additional articles as well to guide you in planning your wedding at the Biltmore House & Gardens

Biltmore Conservatory Ceremony Information

Biltmore Conservatory Reception Information

Inn at Biltmore Wedding & Getting Ready Information

Diana at Biltmore Front Lawn Ceremony & Reception Site

Full Biltmore Estate Wedding Day

Thank you and congratulations on your amazing wedding plans!

Michelle

 

 

 

Please message me  if you are interested in having me photograph your wedding at the beautiful Biltmore Estate. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

Experienced Biltmore Estate Wedding Photographer

Asheville + Luxury Destination Wedding Photographer

Conservatory on Biltmore Estate Wedding Reception 

The Conservatory on Biltmore Estate is one of my very favorite wedding venues in Asheville, NC! I absolutely love photographing weddings here! 

The Conservatory itself is located just past the Biltmore House on the other side of the Italian Gardens. It’s surrounded by Rose Gardens and formal gardens. There is also a lovely trellised walkway from the house to the Conservatory.

Conservatory on Biltmore Estate Wedding Reception Locations 

When it comes to reception locations at the Conservatory at Biltmore Estate, you have several options. Many opt to have their reception in front of the Conservatory main entrance. My personal favorite are the open air receptions outdoors under string lights. Then others choose to have their wedding inside the Conservatory. However, being a greenhouse, I think this would be a bit stuffy if planning a wedding in warm weather. Though it would be cozy in the winter. Just as a heads up. 

The couple in these photos chose to have their reception tented in front of the Conservatory greenhouse. The tent made sense due to shelter them from the cool October weather. And it also protected them from the forecasted rain that weekend. However, they incorporated the greenhouse into their wedding by keeping their bar and cocktail hour inside. They also nestled their cake under a spotlight inside among the tropical greenery. Guests dined and danced in the tent, yet they could still sneak away into the Conservatory to enjoy it. 

Contact me to Photograph Your Wedding at Biltmore Conservatory 

The possibilities of beautiful memories and photos are endless at the Biltmore Conservatory! 

Please message me if you would like me to photograph your wedding at Biltmore, or if you have any questions about getting married at the the Conservatory. Feel free to also have a look at my portfolio. 

Here are additional articles as well to guide you in planning your wedding at the Biltmore House & Gardens

Biltmore Conservatory Ceremony Information

Biltmore Conservatory Reception Information

Inn at Biltmore Wedding & Getting Ready Information

Biltmore House & Gardens Wedding Venue

Diana at Biltmore Front Lawn Ceremony & Reception Site

Full Biltmore Estate Wedding Day

 

Thank you and congratulations!

Michelle

 

 

Experienced Biltmore Estate Wedding Photographer

Asheville + Luxury Destination Wedding Photographer

Wedding Ceremony at the Conservatory on Biltmore Estate House and Gardens

The Conservatory on Biltmore Estate is one of my very favorite wedding venues to photograph at! The Conservatory is in an epic location as well. It’s located just past the Biltmore House on the other side of the manicured gardens.  Then the colorful rose gardens and trellised walkway lead the way to the Conservatory on Biltmore Estate from the house.

Wedding Ceremony Locations at the Conservatory on Biltmore Estate

Your wedding ceremony at the Conservatory on Biltmore Estate can take place in a variety of locations. The wedding here was held on the lawn of the Conservatory. There is plenty of room for a tent here too. Which is good because on this wedding weekend, a hurricane blew through! 

Additionally, A wedding ceremony at the Conservatory at Biltmore Estate can also be held in front of the greenhouse entrance. Or it can be held inside of the Conservatory. Intimate weddings may also be held under the beautiful archways of the rose garden.  For example, This couple chose to take their family photos in front of the rose garden archways as you can see. It is a lovely setting!

Always Color in the Biltmore Estate Gardens

Looking at these photos, you can see that even in autumn, the Biltmore Gardens are still very colorful. The wedding pictured here took place in late October. Though it may be past the usual bloom time, the Biltmore staff keeps tending to the gardens all year-round. So you are always guaranteed to see something beautiful whenever you come!

Plan Your Wedding at the Conservatory on Biltmore Estate House and Gardens

The possibilities of beautiful memories and wedding photos are endless at the Biltmore Conservatory! 

Please message me if you would like me to photograph your wedding at Biltmore, or if you have any questions about getting married at the the Conservatory. Feel free to also have a look at more of my work in my portfolio

Thank you and congratulations!

Michelle

 

 

Here are additional articles as well to guide you in planning your wedding at the Biltmore House & Gardens

Biltmore Conservatory Reception Information

Inn at Biltmore Wedding & Getting Ready Information

Biltmore House & Gardens Wedding Venue

Diana at Biltmore Front Lawn Ceremony & Reception Site

Full Biltmore Estate Wedding Day

 

Experienced Biltmore Estate Wedding Photographer

Asheville + Luxury Destination Wedding Photographer

The Inn on Biltmore Estate Wedding Venue

I love photographing weddings at the Inn on Biltmore Estate! The Inn on Biltmore Estate is an amazing wedding venue within the Biltmore Estate House and Gardens. If you haven’t been yet, The Inn on Biltmore Estate is a stately castle. It’s set atop a hill overlooking the Biltmore Vineyards and the pristine scenery of Asheville, North Carolina. A lovely sight to see!

The Vista Ceremony and Reception Venue at the Inn on Biltmore Estate

The large lawn beside of the Inn on Biltmore Estate is a beautiful place for an outdoor ceremony overlooking a gorgeous vista. Meanwhile, inside, the rooms are light and luxurious enough to get ready for your wedding. The wedding I photographed for this post got ready at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. This is also where the couple did their first look. Afterward,  we did their initial pre-wedding portraits here as well. We then headed over to the Biltmore House and Gardens for the rest. The Inn at Biltmore was a very convenient location to get ready before their wedding ceremony and reception at the Conservatory at Biltmore. 

The moody and exciting mountain weather of Asheville brought some smokey fog to the mountaintops on this wedding day. Of all the many incredible areas to photograph on the Biltmore Estate property, I think this venue gave us the highest viewpoint to incorporate the surrounding natural scenery. The Estate certainly deserves all the credit that it is due, but the Inn on Biltmore Estate certainly is a hidden gem on the property for its own scenic views of the incredible mountain valleys and rolling vineyards. 

Just Imagine the Delight of Your Guests

Imagine saying your vows on the lawn of the Inn at Biltmore Estate with the smoky mountains and Biltmore Vineyards as your backdrop. Then, imagine your guests dining outside by candlelight as the sun sets behind the surrounding mountains. On top of that, while sipping champagne made from those very grapes on the vines. Feels like perfection!

Please message me if you would like me to photograph your wedding at Biltmore, or if you have any questions about getting married at the Inn on Biltmore Estate. Feel free to also have a look at my portfolio. 

And please don’t forget to email me asap if you would like me to photograph your beautiful wedding memories on Biltmore Estate. 🙂

Congratulations!

Michelle

Asheville + Destination Wedding Photographer

 

Here are additional articles as well to guide you in planning your wedding at the Biltmore House & Gardens

Biltmore Conservatory Ceremony Information

Biltmore Conservatory Reception Information

Biltmore House & Gardens Wedding Venue

Diana at Biltmore Front Lawn Ceremony & Reception Site

Full Biltmore Estate Wedding Day 

 

 

Michelle Elyse Photography

Experienced Biltmore Estate Wedding Photographer

Luxurious Richmond Wedding Venue

The Estate at River Run is a fantastic wedding venue located just outside the Richmond city limits. The Estate itself is 22,000 square feet interior and the exterior holds 62 acres of gorgeous Virginia countryside. Its elegant georgian construction overlooking the James River makes it an exquisite location for a luxury wedding. Whether you’re coming from Washington D.C. or Richmond, or planning this as a destination wedding for all of your guests to spend a magnificent weekend in the idyllic and bucolic lands of Virginia, this is the wedding venue for you! 

The Estate at River Run Wedding Venue Spaces

The Estate at River Run sits proudly atop the hillside, looking over the river. With the back patio facing towards the sunset, it is perfectly situated for a scenic outdoor wedding. The two terraces at the Estate at River Run make for the perfect variety of locations for an outdoor ceremony , cocktail hour, and reception. The upper terrace of the Estate at River Run would be perfect for an intimate wedding ceremony , reception, or elopement. Or it would work as a very classical location for a high end cocktail hour for your many guests before they dine on the lower terrace patio. The upper terrace of the Estate at River Run is more narrow, but boasts lovely concrete framing and an elevated view of the surroundings. The lower level patio terrace at the Estate at River Run is perfect for a reception for a larger wedding. There is plenty of room for dining tables and a dance floor as your wedding guests enjoy the magnificent scenery of this incredible wedding venue. 

Additionally, the Pool House at the Estate at River Run makes for a fun area for a cocktail hour, or even for a rehearsal dinner, pre-wedding, or post-wedding party. The pool house is just a short walk from the estate down a magical path of lush flowering trees. The Pool House at the Estate at River Run also boasts those same epic views over the James River and the surrounding central Virginia scenery for you and your guests to enjoy. 

A Stately First Impression from the Outside

Making the most of this gorgeous Estate at River Run wedding venue, we must also make sure not to ignore the stately impression that the front of the mansion gives. I think that the grand front lawn would make an excellent location for a wedding ceremony as well. Perhaps walking down the center aisle and standing in front of the gorgeous front doors of the Estate at River Run would make for a grand and luxurious backdrop for your wedding photos. And it would maximize every gorgeous angle of this incredible Richmond wedding venue for all of your wedding photography and guest enjoyment! 

One more great thing to mention about the Estate at River Run, is that the use of this wedding venue comes with the expertise of the talented Kim Moody Design – an experienced wedding planner based out of Richmond, Virginia.

Contact me- Estate at River Run Wedding Photographer

If you have any questions about the Estate at River Run, please do feel free to email me! 

And if you are planning to get married here at this gorgeous Richmond wedding venue, I am your girl! I can’t wait to hear all about your plans and capture your manificent memories here at this gorgeous estate!!!

Michelle

Michelle Elyse Photography 

Richmond, Virginia + Destination Wedding Photographer 

Washington D.C. + Destination Wedding Photographer 

Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

 

Tips for officiating a wedding ceremony

 

Congratulations! Your friends are getting married and they have given you the distinct honor of being their officiant! Truly, what a joy to have such an important role in this special day. 

So, in preparing for the wedding ceremony, you applied to get ordained through the Universal Life Church and you start to wonder… “What am I going to say?” and “How does an officiant even act?”

Well don’t worry because I have a few very simple tips to guide you and make you look like a pro!

Many of my weddings are officiated by a friend or family member, and it is a wonderful way to go. I love when I see this because it is so personal to be joined together in marriage by someone that you know. 

Below are some great tips to help you officiate your first wedding ceremony like a pro! The things to do are actually extremely simple but make a BIG difference in the flow of the ceremony and the everyone’s comfort. 

 

 

1.Lead with a little story about the couple and your relation to them

 Whether you’re the humorous type or the sentimental type, a little story is always a fun intro into the ceremony before starting the formalities. Make sure you welcome the guests and introduce yourself and how you know the couple. You can tell a funny story about how they met, how each knew they were “the one”, and/or how YOU knew they were meant for each other. You can even ask them these questions separately and read their responses aloud for each other to hear the first time as a fun little suprise. Whether your story makes people laugh or cry some happy tears, that emotional connection will warm everyone up for the very special vows they are making next. 

 

 

2. Hide your notes within a book

In this day and age, we are so used to smart phones. But on the wedding day, it looks much better to leave phones stowed away. What looks really nice is to print out your ceremony notes and place them in a book that you can hold them in and read out of. It could be a leather journal, a religious text, or whatever you think suits the couple and the ceremony that you have planned. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a book ringing or losing charge. 😉

 

 

3. Say “Please be Seated” to guests once couple is united at the ceremony site

This one is really simple, but as a first time officiant, it’s easy to miss. Guests will appreciate your guidance when you tell them to “Please Rise” or simply gesture your hands up to signal that its time to stand when the bride/ final partner/ or both partners walk down the aisle. 

Most people know to stand once they see that person coming down the aisle, but even more important is telling everyone when they can sit down again. Usually this is said right after they walk down the aisle or after parents give away the partners and go back to their seats. At this point, just before you begin your intro story, simply say “ You may be seated”. I have seen countless times where officiating friends forgot to say this and guests stood halfway through the ceremony, looking around to each other wondering when it was appropriate to sit again. So guiding them in this way will just make this smooth for the guests and make you look more professional. 

 

 

4. Tell the Couple to Hold Hands

Again, a super simple tip, but really it makes a world of difference in the comfort of the couple. I think its nice to simply say “ Please join your hands together” right after you’ve instructed guests to “please be seated.” and the parents have left the alter. This way, the couple can connect and hold each other’s hands as you tell their story. Not only is this more romantic, but it soothes any nerves that may occur due to being in front of crowds, and it looks much better in pictures. It also prevents them from accidentally standing the whole time with their backs to their guests. 

 

 

5. Stand in Front of the Arbor- Not Underneath it

Speaking of looking better in pictures, if there is a ceremony arbor, it usually looks much better for you to stand centered in front of the arbor, rather than underneath it. In the past, I have seen first time officiants stand underneath the arbor, leading the bride and groom to stand under the arbor as well. While this may seem like a good option, the couple’s faces are blocked on either side by the arbor/flowers which can make it very difficult to get pictures of their reactions as they read their vows and exchange rings. Standing in front of the arbor, allows it to be your beautiful backdrop and allows me and all your guests to be able to see and enjoy each partner’s expression during the emotional parts of the wedding. 

 

 

6. Step to the Side Just before the Kiss

This one can sometimes be tricky to remember when getting caught up in the excitement of the moment, but if you can remember to simply step aside before you tell the newlyweds to kiss for the first time. It makes for much better pictures. Looking back at their photos, your friends will definitely appreciate it!

Anyways, I hope these tips help you feel confident in your role as Officiant. They will certainly make you look like an experienced pro and help their ceremony pictures turn out great! 

XO, Shelley Hartman

 

Tips for Officiating a Wedding Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by 🌜 Shelley Hartman 🌛 (@michelleelysephoto)

Chicago outdoor engagement session. Photos in a wildflower field at sunset in Illinois.

 

CONTACT ME:

Please message me  if you are interested in having me photograph your wedding or engagement in Chicago. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

Chicago outdoor engagement session

I photographed this session earlier this summer in beautiful breezy chicago. I’ve grown up in Chicago, and all my family live there so I typically go up a few times a year to enjoy time with them and experience the various seasons (yes…. even winter!). 

This summer while I was up there, I met up with Sarah and Luke to photograph their engagement session. Sarah and Luke live in downtown Chicago, but are getting married in North Carolina next year, so it was great to be able to meet them and photograph them before their wedding day. 

For their session, we chose a beautiful park outside Chicago to photograph. We met up in the evening to capture the sunset, and enjoyed the peaceful lake views and open grassy prairies. I especially love all of the wildflowers that grow around Illinois and Wisconsin, and so that was a massive inspiration to me as we were photographing. During our sessoin, we found some beautiful patches of Queen Anne’s Lace that we were able to photograph in. 

People usually think of Chicago as a bustling city- which it is- but I love it for all its peaceful outdoor areas. Whether on the lakefront downtown, or along the Chicago River, or out in one of the natural parks and forest preserves, there is so much wildlife and beautiful plant life to see in this open landscape. 

Sarah and Luke, thank you so much for taking the time to check out this new spot with me. I can’t wait to see you again next year!

Shelley Hartman

Michelle Elyse Photography

Location: Mallard Lake 

 

 

Chicago + Destination Wedding Photographer

Angus Barn Pavilion Wedding in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Outdoor Ceremony with lush florals and indoor ceremony full of twinkling lights.

 

Angus Barn Pavilion Wedding.

Christie and Chris had the most gorgeous wedding this spring at the Angus Barn Pavilion in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their wedding was full of lush, colorful, floral arrangements and twinkly lights. 

I had actually met Christie several years ago in Umstead State Park while walking around. We got to talking about things, and somehow it came up that I was a wedding photographer, and that she was a nurse. Before I went full time in my business, I actually worked as a nurse, so we connected on that. Then, after all these years, Christie still remembered me and followed my Instagram, which is how she contacted me to photograph her wedding!

The day that Christie and Chris got married was the most beautiful and idyllic spring day. The sun was warm. There was a cool breeze. All the leaves on the trees had just grown back. I love the Angus Barn Pavilion because it is actually so surrounded by lush natural areas, which you might not expect given its location in Raleigh. Walking along the pond behind the wedding venue I found a beautiful grove of trees and tall wispy grasses filled with wildflowers. We definitely made the most of this scenic area with their outdoor wedding ceremony as well. 

After a lovely, and touching outdoor wedding ceremony, Christie and Chris rode off in a horse drawn carriage – a little surprise to Christie from her mom. Then, after taking pictures as the sun set, we went inside the pavilion for the reception. They hired a Magician to entertain during dinner until the band came out and it was time to dance! Truly, this was such a lovely evening full of great family and friends. 

Thank you so much Christie and Chris for asking me to be there to document these amazing memories for you. I will you endless years of happiness!

Shelley Hartman

Michelle Elyse Photography

CONTACT ME:

Please message me  if you are interested in having me photograph your wedding at the beautiful Angus Barn Pavilion. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

 

Please message me  if you are interested in having me photograph your wedding at the beautiful Angus Barn Pavilion. Feel free to also have a look at my reviews page or view more of my work on my blog, portfolio, or Instagram. 

 

Vendor Credits

Venue Angus Barn Pavilion
Planner A Southern Soiree
Florist Embellished Blooms
Makeup Wedded Kiss
Band @irresistiblegroove
Magician @joshualozoff
Cake publix
Photo @michelleelysephoto

 

 

Raleigh + Destination Wedding Photographer