So many wonderful people came together to make Kelsey & Ryan’s dream day at The Venue Downtown Asheville, NC a reality! When Covid first shut the wedding industry down at the beginning of Spring 2020 The Ridge and The Venue decided to gift two different couples who were frontline workers a complimentary wedding. I was unavailable for the original date they had picked for those weddings to take place, though I did contribute an engagement session to the giveaway- Kelsey & Ryan were one of the winners! In true Covid fashion the original date for Kelsey & Ryan’s wedding ended up having to be rescheduled and at that point, they decided to reach out to me about photographing their day since the wedding photographer they had won in the giveaway was no longer available for their new wedding date. I photographed their engagement session at Roan Mountain back at the beginning of the year and I knew after the magic we created together that day- that their wedding day would be even dreamier and I was right.
Kelsey and Ryan started out their wedding day getting ready in a beautiful Airbnb right outside of Downtown Asheville and a suite in The Foundry Hotel. Kelsey and her bridal party were fully pampered by Flawless Airbrush with hair and makeup and it was so sweet seeing her friends come together to help her slip into her gown before her and Ryan’s first look. We chose to shoot their first look at the Asheville Botanical Gardens and the forest, covered bridges, and wildflower-filled lanes made for the perfect romantic moment. After that, we went to The Foundry Hotel for bridal party photos! I love the art deco decor in The Foundry and couldn’t help myself when it came to using it to the full advantage in their bridal party photos. Kelsey and Ryan even had their adorable dog Maizy in Asheville for the wedding weekend and we were able to get a few photos with her at their hotel.
Kelsey and Ryan had a very special ceremony where they read each other handwritten personal vows and then after that, we were able to sneak outside for some bridal party photos + couple photos of the two of them with the city as our backdrop. We really were so fortunate on their wedding day- it threatened to rain all day long, but it held off for all their most important moments- first look, bridal party photos, and even their sparkler exit! The Venue really went above and beyond at Kelsey and Ryan’s wedding from the photo booth complete with their name in neon lights, to the cold fountain sparklers for their first dance- it was amazing seeing how the amazing team at The Venue worked so hard to make everything special and unique. I truly can’t think of a couple more deserving of a beautiful wedding than Kelsey and Ryan- they are both incredibly kind, hard-working, giving and thoughtful people and the fact that they are doctors is no surprise because they genuinely care about everyone they meet. Congrats Kelsey and Ryan!
Venue & Caterer >>> The Venue
Groom’s Getting Ready Location >>> The Foundry HotelÂ
Planner >>> The Planning AshevilleÂ
Florals >>> Inspired Design of NC
Cake >>> Cakes by Gray
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist >>> Flawless Airbrush Makeup & Hair Design
Invitation >>> Hand Designed and Letterpressed by the Bride
Wedding Dress Boutiques >>> Wedding Inspirations Bridal Boutique & Elizabeth Johns Bridal CoutureÂ
Wedidng Dress Designers >>> Justin Alexander & Mira Zwillinger
DJ >>> Uptown Entertainment
Tuxes >>> Mitchell’s Tuxedos
Videographer >>> Elope With TKM
Huge thanks to my second shooter Michelle!