Welcome to my blog! I'm thrilled to be able to share with you my favorite images from weddings, engagements, maternity, and more! Grab a cup of coffee and get snuggly cuz this blog will give you all the feels!
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I know the title of this blog post sounds a little silly. I mean, it’s your wedding OF COURSE it’s about you…right? Sure, Mom is going to invite her 3rd cousin once removed but it’s still all about your everlasting love. And his best man keeps talking about how at HIS wedding they had a cigar station and an open bar and that he EXPECTS to see the same as yours…but it’s totally there celebrating the two of you becoming one. Oh and great grandma Louise is expecting to have several portraits done of all of her great grandbabies…but it’s still all about your love story…right?
I may be going a bit overboard here, but I’m hopefully striking a chord. I’ve shot over 120 weddings now and I’ve seen a lot of wonderful couples have weddings that really don’t have much to do with them other than being the guests of honor. Please take all of these tips with a grain of salt. Every couple is different and they’re each going to have a very different view of their wedding day. Some couples want a huge over-the-top wedding while to others the thought of a large event makes them want to run away and elope! Take what applies to you and then let your wedding fly!
#1 – What are your priorities? – When Daniel & I were planning our wedding we had 3 months to make it happen, which is completely overwhelming! We got a great tip from my good friend Katie Lemos Brown of Lovewell Celebration Design. Plan your priorities first. We each took some time and thought about the most important things to us on our wedding day and then came back together and combined our lists. We actually held most of the same things as important: #1 was the guest experience, we wanted our guests to feel special and pampered in an incredible atmosphere. #2 was the photography, not surprisingly, but what was surprising is how my taste of photographer changed based on our #1 priority and picking Megan was the perfect decision! #3 was the honeymoon…and though it was only a mini excursion to Asheville, it was perfect for US in every detail.
#2 – What is your purpose? – One of the other things we talked about going into our wedding planning was creating a purpose and not doing things just because they were “tradition.” In place of having a large traditional wedding where Daniel & I didn’t see each other till I walked down the isle, we opted to have an incredibly small (30 people) wedding where Daniel & I got everything done ahead of the ceremony so we could just celebrate with our guests. There were some other weird things too, but I’ll elaborate on that down the road. By cutting out the “fluff” Daniel & I loved our wedding experience and still have family & friends talking about how different it was and how they loved it too!
#3 – What details can you incorporate? – One of the easiest ways to infuse your personality into your wedding day is simply by adding personal details. I knew a couple who had met in Colorado working as rafting instructors and they used a canoe as their drink holder. I’ve also known couples who love their dogs to walk them down the isle or have “doggie” themed wedding favors. Daniel & I are giant geeks so with Star Wars about to be released, we entered our reception with masks & light sabers! Instant wedding win!
Whether you choose to completely change your wedding day to reflect your personalities OR you just add in a detail or two I hope this post has been helpful in your planning process. No matter what remember that it’s about the union of two unique personalities that deserve to be celebrated. Enjoy that celebration!
XOXOXO,
Mabyn
We all know I’m a sucker for a mountain view and Asheville’s Crest Center & Pavilion provided an epic backdrop for Lindsey & Mark’s incredibly romantic wedding day! This wedding is one for the books folks, between the epic mountain views as far as the eye can see & Lindsey’s flawless taste their wedding day was just perfect!
It’s amazing to me how impeccable their wedding was when you take into account the giant mountain that they had to climb! You see, Lindsey & Mark experienced something no couple should have to deal with in planning a wedding. Their original wedding venue had an electrical fire about a month prior to their wedding and they were left without a venue for their very special day. However Asheville’s wedding community is AMAZING! They went to bat for Lindsey & Mark and found several venues that they could host their wedding. One stood out among the rest, Crest Pavilion. If I wasn’t already in love with Crest Pavilion due to it’s beauty, I quickly fell MORE in love with them after their generosity towards Lindsey & Mark. Truly everything worked out better than expected!
When their wedding day finally came, the vendors did an incredible job decorating Crest Pavilion with flowers by Karen Brown’s Floral Design, the cutest little cake by Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe, and an a rockin’ party hosted by Craig of Mitch Fortune Productions all of the details flowed beautifully in this dream like day! Then add in all of Lindsey & Mark’s beautiful family & friends. I normally have a great relationship with my couples, but it’s even more exciting for me when I bond with their family as well. From the moment I got to Crest Pavilion I felt like I was part of the family. It warmed my heart so very much!
I am so honored to not only have documented Lindsey & Mark’s beyond incredible wedding day but call them my friends…hopefully for many years to come!
XOXOXO,
Mabyn
Not a thing! We would do it over again just because it was amazing and didn’t last long enough!
Hair:Adorn Salon (in Asheville) Emily Rexford did mine // Makeup Artist: Joanna Ferree (powder me pretty) // Dress Designer & Store Location: Dress by Pronovias, Wedding Inspirations Bridal Boutique in Asheville // Jewelry: Olive & Piper // Veil or Hair accessories:Wedding Inspirations Bridal Boutique // Shoes:Blue by Betsey Johnson // Bridesmaids Dresses: Anthropologie // Grooms Attire: Christophers Formal Wear // Ceremony Venue: Crest Pavilion // Reception Venue: Crest Pavilion // Florist: Karen Brown’s Floral Design in Weaverville,NC // DJ: Mitch Fortune Productions–Craig was our DJ // Caterer: Corner Kitchen // Cake: Coconut Cream by Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe // Wedding Coordinator: Amy Lasher (event Sales Manager) Lauren Miles (sales assistant) she helped coordinate things. I can’t remember who the day of person was –oops! The bridal attendant was an unhelpful idiot (sorry, but she was!) you had to do the crowd control that day (thank you!) // Lighting: most of the lanterns came from pier1 and anthropologie, the twinkle lights were part of the venue // Invitations & Stationary: We got our invites from groupon-Zazzle I think?? and skipped any paper at the wedding bc all in one location.
