Blue Crush

Virginia Mary Chesnut Smith & William Hagna
July 20, 2024 • Overlook Barn, Banner Elk

From ocean swells to mountain summits, East Coast to West, Chestnut Smith and Will Hagna appreciate life on the edge. The Banner Elk natives first met through her brother while on a hike up Grandfather Mountain. And though they lived on opposite sides of the country then, the two found themselves on the same wavelength and began dating long-distance. Six years and one relocation to San Francisco later, when he popped the question during a surfing trip to Baja California Sur, they decided to take the plunge into marriage. 

“We love our hometown, so we decided on a wedding during our favorite season in the place nearest our hearts,” says Chesnut. With a short engagement, she and Will were stoked to find the gorgeous Overlook Barn had availability in July. And the surfers loved the playful notion of being wed atop Beech Mountain against a backdrop of Blue Ridge mountain waves. 

In true bohemian style, the bride and groom opted to design their own celebration, with help from loved ones and a month-of coordinator for the big day. “We wanted our wedding to have a taste of us and show our friends the place we love so dearly,” says the bride, who decorated the rustic wooden tables with Indian block-print fabric, blue taper candles, floating tea lights, and thrifted brass figurines. Brianna Strange of Aster Breeze Designs “shopped the fields” at Goldenrod Gardens with a swatch of the day’s signature fabric to find coordinating dahlias. “The bride wanted color, which fits their personalities,” says the friend and florist, who completed the arrangements using zinnias, scabiosas, hydrangeas, ranunculi, and forget-me-nots (a nod to the bride’s grandmother). 

Though pouring rain threatened a wedding wipeout, the skies cleared just in time for Chesnut and Will to exchange vows in the meadow overlooking the layered horizon. The laid-back party then shifted inside for cocktails, dinner, and dancing in the barn beneath the warm glow of string lights. With Navy Grog flowing from the tiki bar and light-up leis brightening the night, the blithe newlyweds stood for a moment, in the place they’d always call home, on the crest of a lifetime together.  

Details
Photographer Brett & Jessica
Venue Overlook Barn
Florals Aster Breeze Designs
Coordinator The Elegant Event
Catering & Cake Frugal Gourmet Catering Co.
Bar Service Carolina Crafts on Tap
Linens Yashodhara Textiles, Etsy
Entertainment Rebecca Witt (ceremony bagpipes); Loose Roosters (cocktail hour); Mixology DJs (reception)
Hair & Makeup Canvas Beauty Bar
Bridal Attire Lovely Bride Charlotte (boutique); Texas Paris (shoes)
Groom’s Attire J. Crew (suit), R.M.Williams (boots); DesignsByMaral-Etsy (bolo tie) 
Transportation Edge of the World