Thursday, November 18, 2010

2010 Fall trip to the Biltmore

Ok---not suppose to really be a vacation, but it came at a time when I really needed to get away. So it was a vacation for me! I was actually going to the Biltmore estate to check out photo ops for a wedding that I'm taking pictures of in April. I also took engagement pictures of the happy couple. They are both architects who worked on constructing Antler Hill Village and are very knowledgable about the whole estate. I felt like I had my own personal tour guides.

On Oct. 28th, we (Emily, Brian, Angie, and I) left after they got off work and drove about 7 hours 'til we got somewhere in Tennessee. The next morning we continued our trip and arrived in Asheville, NC, a little after noon. First stop was to talk to the florist. Then we were off to the Biltmore where we met up with Beth who took us to Lioncrest where we checked out the place for the reception and sampled appetizers and cakes.

Then we were off to take some engagement photos.


It was a beautiful afternoon/evening and I had a great time. I made Angie be my 2nd shooter.

Emily and Brian knew all the places to go for fantastic views.

We also spent a little time in Antler Hill Village where they showed off their work. They did a fabulous job as the architects for it.

As the sun was going down, we wandered around the outside of the Biltmore House. The 250 room home opened in 1895 and is quite a sight to see.

I bet there were some grand parties out here on the terraces of the house.
The setting of the estate was gorgeous. Lots of rolling hills in the background and lots of trees.

Another view of the house from the big terrace running from the side of it.

Going back up the great lawn in front of the house, we marveled at the size of the place. Unfortunately, the light was really dipping low and not the best for photography by then.

Next day we headed up to the Blue Ridge mountains to enjoy the colorful leaves on the trees. It was a little past peak season, but still very beautiful.

At least from a distance the mountains appeared colorful.



A picture of my 2nd shooter.

More of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Emily and Brian even knew where to stop to get this great view of the Biltmore house from the mountains.
Of course we weren't going to leave without touring the house! We even were treated to the tickets via Beth---Thanks, Beth! It is definately a place to see!

We parked above and walked down enjoying the midday light on the house.

These italian gardens grace the side front of the house.

Unfortunately pictures weren't allowed inside the house, but I did take a couple looking out at the lawn from inside the house.
After a couple hours enjoying the inside of the house and pondering what it must have been like to live there, we headed back outside to walk around the grounds some more.

A short ways from the house are the estate gardens designed by Frederick Olmsted. There's even a grand Consevatory with free floral demonstrations daily.

In Oct., the mums were the star of the gardens.
Back at Antler Hill Village, we did a personal tour of the wine cellar on our way to the wine tasting.

Decisions, decisions! Which wine to buy!? Between all of us, we ended up with about 5 cases.
Back to the Village to check out the lighting for sunset (where and when their wedding will be).


While we were waiting for our dinner reservations at the restaurant (Cedrics) there in the Village, we had an appetizer of ice cream from the Creamery. Both were great!

As we watched the sunset, we discussed how to run the actual wedding ceremony.


The only bad thing about the trip was that it ended too soon! I can't wait to go back in April to celebrate a very special occassion.

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