Just days before Tara and Bryan’s Front Lawn Biltmore wedding, the Carolinas sat on edge. Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda circled each other off the coast, casting uncertainty over the region. Every conversation included a weather update, and backup plans quietly clicked into place.
This was a second marriage for both Tara and Bryan. Their celebration felt grounded, full of intention. The focus was on creating a meaningful weekend with their closest people.
Festivities began with a rehearsal dinner in the Walled Gardens at Biltmore. Rain lingered through the afternoon, but cleared just in time. Guests gathered around warm wood tables, surrounded by vibrant florals and the soft glow of candlelight. Conversation flowed easily, setting the tone for the weekend.
The wedding morning brought brief sunshine, peeking through the windows of Tara’s suite. From there, we watched the clouds gather over the Blue Ridge Mountains. By the time the couple saw each other for their first look, the skies had opened, and it poured. The ceremony was moved from the front lawn to a tented space in the Italian Gardens—a quick decision that required an all-hands effort, but created a cozy and elegant setting.
Their vows were heartfelt and personal. With their children standing beside them, the ceremony felt intimate and sincere. Guests were then treated to a cocktail hour under string lights on the terrace as the sun dipped behind the hills. A surprise fireworks display signaled the transition to dinner, which took place inside a beautifully styled tent with modern black and white decor and lush floral arrangements.
The Downtown Band kept the dance floor full well past midnight. Friends and family toasted and laughed, with Tara and Bryan’s kids offering memorable speeches that blended warmth and wit. The couple also celebrated Jewish traditions, including the hora and the breaking of the glass.
Despite the weather shifts and unexpected changes, the weekend unfolded with ease and celebration. It was a day shaped by togetherness, resilience, and the kind of joy that builds slowly and lingers long after the music ends.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Wedding Planning + Design: Two Sweet Sparrows
Photography: Megan Gielow
Venue + Catering: The Biltmore Estate
Floral Design: Floressence Flowers
Cinematography: Lifestage Films
Officiant: Love and Wisdom Officiants
Ceremony Musicians: Carolina Music Planner
Band: The Downtown Band
Hair: Salon Zhenya
Makeup: Polished and Powdered
Dress: Pronovias
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Groom’s Attire: Tom Ford
