Destination: Asheville. Reason: Romance.

Oh dear.

The wave of gratefulness-celebrating has momentarily receded on the shore of my life -- leaving behind cranberry stains and pie crumbs -- but yet another juggernaut is gathering steam and coming at me like a runaway freight train.

This one will bring a tear to my eye. That will be from the piece of glitter I can't get out. Even for one who loves lives to pawty, it's a bit much.

So before that next frothy thundering excess of energetic celebrating -- of the ultra-Christmasy variety, no less -- hits the beach, let us pause to reflect.

I speak of Brittandrew's engagement shoot, which took place on November eighteenth in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Of which I promised to tell you. Not of the mountains; of the shoot.

It was a gorgeous day in Asheville -- a/k/a New Age Mecca, San Francisco of the East, Best Vegetarian-Friendly Small City, Happiest City (likely due to inhaling), or my personal made-up name for it, simply Hippie Town in the Pines -- cool, breezy, with a dramatic peek-a-boo sunny sky that turned silvery gray as the afternoon waned.

The seat of Buncombe County, in addition to being endlessly visually interesting, offers as many backdrops for fun, romantic shots as your shutter finger and your willing subjects have the time for.

Andrew and his Brittany were an enthusiastic, and engaging, engaged posing team. I love it when people truly enjoy having their picture taken and although these two (or at least one of them, and it wasn't Brittany) confessed to feeling a mite awkward, I couldn't tell and it doesn't show in the finished product.

First we walked in and around the Grove Arcade, a quaint shopping mall (almost everything handmade without violating mother earth, organic, sustainable, antibiotic-free, biodiverse, fair trade, and locally sourced, of course) situated in a historic building. I liked the outside better than the inside.

You've got to love winged lions perched on stone parapets. 

Speaking of pets, Rambo was along for the event. Ever-patient TG kept an eye on him while we worked.

We walked eight blocks from Grove Arcade to Pack Square. Both en route and while there, the kids endured enjoyed my instructions to kiss, hug, and the more generic instruction suggestion: stand there and interact.

Afterwards, and before proceeding to our next location, we went for a late lunch at Tupelo Honey. Their biscuits are really good and yep, there's honey, honey.

The golden hour -- which was actually in this case more like silver but no less ideal for picture-taking -- found us at the exact location where Brittandrew will become Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Brittany Weber next March.

It's a wild and untamed stretch of land on the banks of the French Broad River, with railroad tracks nearby and a pavilion for the reception, and a long narrow island where there's a circle for wedding guest seating, before an arch of branches.

It is under this arch that they will exchange their vows.

A Norfolk Southern locomotive, 250-candela headlamps blazing, lumbered loudly through just as we ran out of light. 

The last picture we took is my favorite. Make sure you click to embiggen these landscape-oriented ones:

If you'd like to see a slide show of the entire romantic-scenic gallery, go here. Click on the white triangle at the top right to view full-screen. Prepare to sigh repeatedly at the wonder which is young hopeful love.

Good times, with even more to come.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Monday

Comments

[Judy]

Isn't it amazing how kids nowadays get engagement photos done. My grandson and his fiancee just had theirs done. Of course, these "kids" aren't kids. In their mid/late twenties. They sure start married life late! How are they going to have their empty nest and still young enough to enjoy it and travel when they'll have young kids when they are in their 50's?

[Jennifer]

@Judy ... I said the same thing about these engagement pictures. I can't imagine having photos like this of me when I got engaged. There isn't a single one; there was no hoopla either, of any kind, haaahaha. I guess nothing is like it used to be. More's the pity. xoxo

[Mari]

The pirate got some grand captures again! I looked through each one and just like last time, found that I would have a terrible time picking. They are a beautiful couple, and I'm glad Rambo got to join them in some of those shots. The venue looks gorgeous too.
Like Judy said, we didn't have engagement photos either - just a head shot of the two of us for the announcement in the paper. But digital photography makes it so much easier and cost effective, especially if your Mom is taking the pics. :) I did them for Laura and Heather also...

[sally]

Awesome photo's, beautiful couple! They're both very photogenic, Jenny. It looks like a lot of fun was had that day! :)

xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... I would love to see the pictures you took of Laura and Aaron and of Heather and her Andrew! Yes, Rambo was having himself a time, especially out by the river. He will be in the wedding, haaahaha xoxo

@Sally ... Aren't they the cutest? xoxo

[Cheryl]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would have done well to have hired you to take their engagement pictures. Your photos are exquisite. The color of Brittany's hair is stunning! She is so tiny and will be a beautiful bride.

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... Yes that hair! We may be destined to have a ginger grandchild -- just like one of Harry's and Meghan's babies, if they have any! xoxo

[Donna (Texas)]

The photo shoot was a clear Success Miss Jenny! They are both SO photogenic!
Cannot WAIT to see the wedding photos...
Love the train track shot...I just like trains...
hughugs