Vineyard Vows: A Wedding In Highlands, NC

Only an old-fashioned mountain wedding would do for Rachel Miller and Tyler Wavra. The couple first met one summer in the groom’s hometown of Highlands, NC. Tyler worked on his family’s Christmas tree farm, Ty-Lyn Plantation, and Rachel waited tables at Old Edwards Inn. Years later, chef Rachel (formerly garde manger, or “keeper of the food,” at Atlanta’s Restaurant Eugene) and fine carpenter Tyler had taken jobs in South Florida, but they longed to climb back up the mountain to say their vows. The sweeping vistas of The Vineyard at 37 High Holly provided the perfect setting for the marriage of a food and wine enthusiast to a farmer-turned-artisan.

The Vineyard at 37 High Holly opened wide its gates for the joyful celebration day.

Friends and family came together to create homespun charm, “gifting” most of the wedding decorations and details to this much-loved duo, turning the blissful nuptials into a community affair. From the hundreds of flowers plucked from personal gardens to the handmade laurel and grapevine arch built for the ceremony to the dozens of assorted wedding cakes baked for the dessert table — everyone who knew these two clamored for a chance to offer assistance.

The bride selected dove grey, turquoise and bright red as her palette, and bridesmaids selected their dresses from an assortment of styles in those hues. Groomsmen coordinated their ties, and the entire wedding party donned cowboy boots, a welcome accessory for walking through vineyard fields and connecting pastures. The Vineyard venue furnished on-site accommodations to facilitate wedding day preparations — the ladies primped in an adorable two-bedroom shabby-chic cottage, and the gents hung out in a converted barn with loft space and bar area.

A perfect view, a perfect day at The Vineyard at 37 High Holly — A perfect view, a perfect day …

Hundreds of wedding flowers were gifted from the personal gardens of friends in the area, some hand-tied into bouquets for the bride and her bridesmaids.

While dressing in the quant bridal cottage on vineyard property, the ladies enjoyed champagne toasts in flutes personalized with their names and dress. — While dressing in the quaint bridal cottage on the vineyard property, the ladies enjoyed champagne toasts in flutes personalized with their names and dresses.

Sunlight streams in on the beautiful bride getting her buttons fastened.|The Vineyard At High Holly — Sunlight streams in on the beautiful bride getting her buttons fastened.

A bit of help from younger sister Katy and bride, Rachel Miller, will be ready to kick up her heels ... in her Mother-In-Law's bright red boots! — With a bit of help from younger sister Katy, the bride, Rachel Miller, will be ready to kick up her heels … in her mother-in-law’s bright red boots!

Little flower girl, Aly Wiggins, just fit into these tiny boots... which had been the grooms very first pair, carefully saved by his mother. — Little flower girl — and the bride’s niece — Aly Wiggins just fit into these tiny boots, which were the groom’s very first pair.

The bride with all her ladies, trying to keep cool and calm before the ceremony.

The bride's proud parents beamed throughout the day. — The bride’s proud parents beamed throughout the day.

A tender moment between mother and groom

No nerves for this groom! Tyler and his groomsmen wait outside the old barn until time to move down to the ceremony. — No nerves for this groom! Tyler and his groomsmen wait outside the old barn until time to head down to the ceremony.

Rachel and Tyler found a way to exchange small tokens before the ceremony, backing up to a barn door. — Rachel and Tyler found a way to exchange small tokens before the ceremony, backing up to the barn door.

Rachel was shocked to receive this gift! Tyler located an old board in which they'd carved their initials years before. — Rachel was shocked to receive this gift! Tyler located an old board in which they’d carved their initials years before.

A floral arch, handmade by friends, creates the perfect spot to exchange the poignant vows the couple wrote themselves.|The Vineyard At High Holly — A floral arch, handmade by friends, creates the perfect spot to exchange the poignant vows the couple wrote themselves.

Rachel and Tyler kiss under the floral arch before heading back down the aisle as Mr. & Mrs. Wavra!

The couple grabs a few quiet moments prior to the reception.

Rachel and Tyler sitting in a swing, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! — Rachel and Tyler sittin’ in a swing, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

After the ceremony, the whole bridal party poses for a shot in an old 1948 Chevy pick-up once owned by the bride's father. |The Vineyard at High Holly — After the ceremony, the whole bridal party posed for a shot in a 1948 Chevy pickup once owned by the bride’s father.

Yippee! Ceremony's over! Now this cutie is ready for some cake! — Yippee! Ceremony’s over! Now this cutie is ready for some cake!

After the touching ceremony, guests headed up to The Vineyard’s pavillion for a true family-style reception. Placecards seated everyone at long tables decorated with candles, fresh herbs and wildflowers. Dotted about, printed notecards posed assorted questions requesting advice on various marriage and relationship topics — great for keepsakes and table conversation starters! New Mountain Events catered a menu created by the chef-bride, passing platters of fried chicken, braised short ribs, roasted Brussels sprouts, four-cheese macaroni and red potato lyonnaise down the table in Southern Sunday dinner fashion. The dessert “bakery” presented a table laden with homemade pies and cakes baked for the occasion by family and friends; kids gathered around a crackling firepit to roast their marshmallows for s’mores. Champagne toasts and dancing completed the party until the new Mr. and Mrs. Wavra departed with a sparkler send-off.