Kristiana Wade + Teno Benitez

Kristiana Wade and Teno Benitez grew up in Moore County and met in high school theater class in 2015. Six years later, Teno asked Kristiana to marry him while touring the sprawling grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

“It was just the two of us surrounded by the beautiful garden,” Kristiana says.

Gardens, flowers, and the outdoors are a throughline in Kristiana and Teno’s love story. Besides their engagement on the Biltmore’s grounds, the couple designed their entire wedding day around the first bouquet Teno gave to his bride.

Hollyfield Design took that inspiration and ran with it, creating oversized arrangements of ivory, soft pink, and purple blooms, accented by trailing greenery. The floral displays, plus the lavender and gray color scheme, gave the June nuptials a fairy-tale vibe.

“Our ceremony was held at the Pinehurst Arboretum,” Kristiana says. “We chose this location because we both wanted a beautiful outdoor ceremony.”

The bride and groom exchanged vows under a flower arch before heading to the Fair Barn for dinner catered by Elliotts on Linden and a storybook evening with family and friends.

photographer: Jennifer B. Photography
ceremony: The Village Arboretum
reception: The Fair Barn
dress: Gilded Bridal
hair & makeup: Merlot Beauty Bar
bridesmaids: David’s Bridal
groom & groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse
cake: C.Cups Cupcakery
catering: Elliotts on Linden
flowers: Hollyfield Design Inc.
rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters
transportation: A Ride Transportation