I had been wanting to visit the Biltmore for a while. So when the opportunity presented itself for me to visit the Biltmore AND photograph a gorgeous couple there, of course I grabbed it up! Allie and Travis will soon be celebrating their third year of marriage and are so much fun to be around. Not to mention, Allie and I have been friends since college, so catching up with her just filled my heart! I love seeing my friends so happy and thriving, and Travis absolutely compliments her in every way. I had the privilege of photographing their engagement session a few years back and remember thinking how thankful I was that he found Allie. I knew they were perfect for each other!

The day started out fairly gloomy with lots of clouds. However, by the time we had completed our tour of the house, the sun had come out and we had the most beautiful weather for their session! (In all seriousness though, the weather could have done pretty much anything and it would have been gorgeous. I mean have you SEEN the Biltmore? The whole estate is immaculate!)

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Allie and Travis’s anniversary session, which I shot almost entirely on 35mm film. (You’re also going to see some of my most favorite spots at the Biltmore!)

 

Favorite spot #1 – just to the left of the front doors to the house. I’m a sucker for architecture and could have looked at this place for hours!

Favorite spot #2 – the garden. Put me in a garden, I’m a happy girl. Put me in a rose garden and I’ll never leave!

I LOVE this photo of Allie and Travis! There’s so much personality here. This is what happens when my couples just let loose and enjoy their sessions!

A staple for me at all of my sessions is making sure I get individual photos, too. I knew Travis would love to have a few updated photos of just his beautiful bride. And I knew Allie would want the same of her sweet groom. We just happened to be in the prettiest location at the time!

Gahhhhh Allie you are STUNNING!

Travis’s constellation tie was seriously one of the coolest I’ve seen.

Favorite spot #3 – the stairs leading up to the courtyard are beautiful, and just out of the way of crowds.

Not only did we have amazing weather, we had to compete with BARELY any tourists! I highly recommend visiting the Biltmore on a Wednesday in mid-October. The garden is still in bloom, the weather is nice, and the crowds are low. (They had even started decorating for Christmas so we got a little glimpse at what the house looks like in the holidays!)

Favorite spot #4 – THIS VIEW. Can this be my backyard? Please? I also adore this precious image of Allie and Travis looking out over the mountains.

Favorite spot #5 – last, but not least, overlooking the estate. It’s the perfect place to end the evening as the sun starts to go down.

Allie and Travis, thank you for trusting me yet again to document your love story. I love you both and can’t wait to celebrate with another session in a few years!

All film images were shot on Fuji 400H + scanned by the FIND lab

 

Millie Hayes is a portrait and wedding photographer based in Jackson, Tennessee. She is also a middle school vocal music teacher and is married to Josh Hayes. She loves to shoot real film, travel, eat ice cream and laugh a lot.