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

Crest Pavilion Ashevill, NC Wedding Photographer Mabyn Ludke Photography

– Tell me a bit about the planning process for your wedding

WELL… we had been on vacation with my parents in Asheville at the end of September, 2014. Being that we both love the mountains and my parents were in town we decided to go venue hunting . We found the Wysteria Inn and fell in love with it’s enchanting, secret garden feel. We spent almost a year planning and envisioning our wedding there and had all but a few loose ends planned down to the smallest detail. On September 3rd, 2015 (37 days before our original wedding date) I was at my hair trial and got a call from the wedding coordinator at the Wysteria that there had been an electrical fire the night before and the venue was no longer in working condition…!!!!! I tried to keep it together because my dress fitting appointment was immediately after my hair trial. As soon as I walked into the boutique I sobbed like a baby. Those poor ladies at Wedding inspirations had to deal with an emotional train wreck of a bride!

The story has a happy ending, I promise! The wedding planner from the Wysteria, Alex Love, sat me down in Well-Bred bakery and started looking up other venues close to Weaverville that were available on 10.10.15. There was NOTHING. The location was a big deal because all of our family is from Michigan and Illinois and they had all reserved B&B’s in Weaverville. We didn’t want them to have to drive another hour or two to get to a venue! We quickly realized that 10.10.15 wasn’t going to be an option anymore so…10.9.15 became the date of our big day. The first person I called was YOU (Mabyn) I had to make sure that you were available, if not I was probably going to have to cancel the wedding. I wasn’t thinking completely rational at that point… Anyway we drove around and looked at some terrible venues, but met some really nice people along the way. The last stop of the day was at the Crest Center & Pavilion. It was breathtakingly gorgeous, with views of the mountains that would make anyone melt! I got really excited and knew Mark would love it! AAAANNND they had 10.9.15 available!!!!! Two days later Mark and I headed back to Asheville so he could see the venue. It was love at first sight! We signed the contract that day and we were off to the races to plan another wedding in 35 days! With the help of the amazingly organized people at the Crest and flexibility of all the vendors we had a wedding day we’ll never forget!

– What was the most memorable moment(s) of your day?

Our first look. Neither of us are overly emotional people and so we weren’t prepared for the emotion that was going to ensue! Mark had his back to me as I walked up to him and my stomach was doing back flips, I felt like we were going on a first date but waaaaay better! I was SO nervous/excited I had to remind myself to walk, not run to see him! I remember biting my cheeks so I wouldn’t start crying, and telling myself not to be silly! As soon as he turned around we were both speechless! It was a magical moment where two stoics became puddles. We were so overcome with love and emotion, it was beautiful! I would love to relive it!

– Funniest memory from your wedding day?

There were lots of funny moments, which helped make our day amazing, but I think one of our favorite moments was when you stole us away for one last shot of just two of us… We had been tearing up the dance floor all night and when we went outside for some “serious, lovie dovie” pics neither of us could keep it together. And it started to sprinkle which added to the moment. We would try to be serious and snuggle and then we would burst into laughter. The pictures turned out a lot more whimsical then we looked!

– If you had to do it all over again would you change anything?

Not a thing! We would do it over again just because it was amazing and didn’t last long enough!

– Any advice for future bride & grooms?

Try not to get overwhelmed or too stressed. I spent MONTHS planning the aesthetic details of the ceremony and I honestly don’t remember a thing! Remember that the day is about you and your future Mr./Mrs. not about who you are inviting and what they’ll think. Who cares if people sit with someone they don’t know or if you’re hair isn’t perfect. You’re going to start a new chapter with your happily ever after, that should be your focus!

– What was your biggest fear before hiring me? Did it come true, and if not, what happened instead?

I wasn’t afraid. Well, I guess I was afraid you weren’t going to be available on my wedding day! I knew you were going to be awesome before I met you! You’re website/blog really let your personality shine and I knew I wanted YOU to be our photographer!

– What, specifically, was your favorite part of working with Mabyn Ludke Photography and why?

You’re creative eye. Your talent is limitless and you really know how to tap into the raw emotion of each moment. I can’t stand overly posed photography, it’s cheesy and no one wants to hang it on their wall. Each picture you take captures the eye of everyone who sees it and draws them in, making them feel the emotion of that very moment, in a realistic, fairytale way-if that makes sense!

– If you were to recommend Mabyn Ludke Photography to your best friend, what would you say?

It would be the best decision you made besides choosing to marry your best friend! Mabyn is a rare find, she’s truly one of the most genuine, fun loving and humble people I’ve ever met. Her energy and joy is contagious! These are the qualities you want in someone who’s going to help you relax and really enjoy you’re day, all the while capturing all the priceless moments. Aside from when she gives you advice or ideas, you don’t even know she’s taking pictures! Every single person who has seen our engagement/wedding pictures are blown away by them! I can’t count how many people have told us our pictures belong in a magazine!

If you’re looking for a photographer and a friend, Mabyn is an easy decision. The hard part is trying to figure out which pictures you like the best!

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.

The Crest Center & Pavilion Wedding Asheville, NC – Lindsey & Mark

Morgan Williams says:

January 27, 2016 at 1:50 pm

Gorgeous wedding and photos!! How stressful for your venue to catch fire a month before your wedding!! I honestly can’t imagine. It looks like they pulled everything off beautifully at the new venue though 🙂
Kayla Yestal says:

January 27, 2016 at 1:54 pm

That bride is just so stunning! I love these!

@Mabynludkephotography

The Crest Center & Pavilion Wedding Asheville, NC – Lindsey & Mark

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