Ashley + Brandon: A Mountain Destination Wedding at The Inn at Crestwood Resort, Blowing Rock, NC
“Brandon and I met in 2011 when we both decided to spend a winter as ski instructors in Vail, Colorado while we were applying to grad schools. We had both only been in Vail for two weeks and only knew a handful of people at the time. I went with some girlfriends to a bar one night to meet up with a group of guys, and Brandon was with his guys going to a bar to meet up with some girls. We ended up meeting that night and became pretty inseparable as friends from that point on. As time time passed, people started asking if we were together, which of course we denied until we went on our first date on New Years Day.”
“After the honeymoon phase was over, reality set in as Brandon began dental school and I stayed in Vail another year and then began physical therapy school at a different school than Brandon. People always say not to do the long distance thing and it obviously wasn’t our first choice, but we know several couples who have done it and made it through to the lighter side. It surely wasn’t easy and we absolutely don’t want to do it again, but we whole-heartedly believe that it can be done and that we are stronger as a couple because of it. ”
“Brandon and I talked a lot about marriage and I knew he was making a ring for me. We were spending Christmas together in Vail, which will always hold a special place in our hearts. It seemed like the perfect setting and timing for a proposal, however, Brandon convinced me that the engagement ring he was making for me wasn’t ready yet. It’s a miracle he was able to pull that over on me because he’s by far the worst liar and he probably died a little inside having to lie to me that day, but it paid off in the end. The whole trip, I had talked about wanting to go up the mountain at night and take photos of the town and mountain. In his head, this was the perfect opportunity to propose. As the week went on, it snowed so much each night and the temps were so cold that we kept bailing on the idea. It was two nights before we were leaving and he had to seal the deal because he told all his friends he was going to propose that trip! That night, we went on a date to a restaurant on the mountain and he knew this was it. We had the most perfect meal and enjoyed each others’ company. After dinner, he wanted to go outside, take some night photos as planned and then work in a proposal. I, however, stepped one foot outside in the -15 degree temps and had other plans to go down the mountain where it was warmer. Another opportunity ruined as I ran towards the gondola. We made it down the mountain and before I knew what had happened, Brandon pulled me off to the side and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. We celebrated that night at the bar where we first met and it truly was perfect in all of its little mishaps.”
“When Brandon and I pictured our perfect wedding, we always talked about it in terms of people, and our friends and family are truly who made this day absolutely perfect for us. We felt the type of endless love and support that can only be felt when you are in the same place with all the people who mean the world to you. Seeing all of your friends from different parts of your life come together, make friends with each other, and have a great time is priceless. After the wedding festivities were over, my mom made a point to tell me how great it makes her feel, as a mom, to know that her daughter (and now son!) are supported by the strong, wonderful friendships we have made through the years. ”
“For the both of us, one of the most precious moments of the whole day was the first look. We were kind of undecided on whether or not to do a first look, and it’s funny how it turned into our favorite moments. Those were moments that were just ours, absolutely nothing mattered except the person standing with you. Both of us admitted that our nerves built leading to that moment, but when the time actually came, a calm settled in and a clarity swept over us knowing that this was the beginning of the rest of our lives together. ”
“Brandon and I talked about writing our own vows pretty much from the moment we got engaged. I was always a little apprehensive about saying them in front of so many people, but he was so excited and it was so important to him that I knew I could make it through, as long as I went first. About three weeks before our wedding, we went to see two friends get married and teary-eyed Brandon decided at that point that there was absolutely no way he could read his own vows. We ultimately decided to write our vows together. This made reading our vows to each other even more special for us. ”
Wedding Pros:
Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Inn at Crestwood Resort // Wedding Planner: The Whole Shebang // Beauty: Canvas Beauty Bar // Floral Designer: Root and Vine Design // Cake: Ugga Mugga Bakery // Dress: Maggie Louise Bridal // DJ: Split Second Sound // Photography: Revival Photography, Jason + Heather Barr
