Bridal Profile - Reina Branch

Reina Branch married her love Dewey Kilby at 16 Hands Farm in a gloriously rustic country ceremony this passed fall 2017. The bride described it as "mason jars, burlap and lace." It was also incredibly well thought out, as the reception images will prove.

"We had an outdoor wedding with a rustic county look. Our venue was nestled in the
mountains of West Jefferson, NC. We got married with a gorgeous barn behind us and
surrounded by trees filled with fall colors. Our wedding was more beautiful than I could
have ever imagined. There were lots of happy tears and you could feel the love in the air."

"I always knew I wanted a fall wedding. I personally think fall is the most beautiful time of the year and I love the colors. My dad joked about what kind of daughter [of a football coach] would get married on a Saturday during football season?" He also joked that he would be wearing an ear piece during the wedding, but Reina knew better. 

Reina and Dewey's story is sweet, but it also shows fortitude and maturity. It began when they were in middle school. They were good friends, but always said that the friendship was too important to mess up with a serious relationship. That worked for them as adolescents. 
​
​But that ship sailed in high school! During their junior year, they began dating and while both admit that they had their ups and downs at those young ages, all those milestones, struggles and adventures solidified their love and trust in each other and strengthened them as a couple. Reina told us, "there is nobody I would rather be with than my high school sweetheart."

Ready to marry, Reina came to us wanting a gown with sleeves, A-line in shape and without the poofiness of a ball gown. She also didn't want a body-shaped gown and was looking for something classic in ivory or off-white. This won't be the first time you hear us say this: things change when you move from your head to the actual buying stage.

"I never thought I would end up with a strapless dress and it was actually what I fell in love with the most."

"I loved the way the gown looked on me and I felt amazing in it. It was the perfect combination of simple but elegant. I could just see myself walking down the aisle in it. I loved my custom veil with the blusher I added to it. Best decision! I also had these beautiful glitter shoes that were super comfortable.... no heel so I wouldn’t trip and they made me feel like Cinderella."

"I tried on tons of dresses that I thought I wanted and finally Kelly said, "let me
pick something" and it was the dress I ended up purchasing. Kelly knows me best
after all these years shopping at her store.

​Kelly has always been my go to lady for anything and everything I’ve needed a dress for since Junior Prom. I knew I would find something amazing at her store and I knew I wouldn’t be able to trade her genuine passion for helping brides for anything else."

These two adults, now a nurse and police officer, live in Asheville, NC and spend their time making spontaneous weekend trips and hiking in the mountains that surround the city.

I feel as though I have watched Reina and Dewey grow up after the years we have spent with them creating milestone memories. I LOVED working with Reina, I am excited to share her photos and story and I wish her and Dewey nothing but fun, adventure, love and happiness for many, many years!