Kelly and Ben, or Benny as he is known to most of his many friends, first met several years ago in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Benny, who is from Melbourne, Australia, first planned on a short stay in Jackson Hole on his way to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Kelly, a North Carolina native who had recently graduated from N.C. State, went to Wyoming for a summer job, loved the area and stayed for two years. Benny, who spent time as a snowboard instructor, returned for four more winters. And while they became friends at that time, their romance wouldn’t hit full stride until they connected again when Benny came to Charlotte for a mate’s wedding. Kelly, now a grad student at UNC Charlotte, contacted Benny when he came to town and their relationship blossomed.
Their beautiful wedding at the Deerpark Restaurant on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate had a decidely international flavor with many guests from Australia, Ireland and even Sweden.
I had the pleasure of working with Kelly, her mother Margot and Ben’s mother Robyn in late May when we did Kelly’s bridal portraits all around the grounds at the Biltmore Estate.
Company photographer Laura Mueller, who once spent a year living in Australia, gave me an assist and did a great job covering the men. She was able to swap some stories of her adventures with the Aussie contingent.
The staff at the Deerpark Restaurant did a great job and the Flower Gallery in Asheville created a fantastic atmosphere with vibrant, colorful florals. Alan Daly of Crown Alley Films captured the moving pictures with help from his assistant Craig Mace.
Thanks to Kelly, Benny and their wonderful families. Cheers!
