I’m a big fan of outdoor ceremonies like Erin + Jeff’s…I’d love to be just passing by and happen to see a beautiful couple getting married in a 7-acre park in downtown Asheville, North Carolina! The bride looks beautiful in her Priscilla of Boston dress and sets the perfect tone for their super charming and down-to-earth ceremony and reception. I LOVE the bunches of lavender at the alter; the mix of colorful flowers in tinted glass and mason jars for centerpieces; and oh the baked goods…they look downright delightful in their upside down teacup and saucer stands and vintage dessert platters. Just perfect!
Erin + Jeff | April 30, 2011 | Pack Square Park + Pack’s Tavern, Asheville, North Carolina
The Ceremony
We were married outside in Pack Square Park, a 7-acre public park that sits in the middle of downtown Asheville. We were originally looking for a mountain setting for our ceremony, but couldn’t find anything we could afford, didn’t force the use of porta-potties, or involve an hour-long drive out of town. When we heard you could rent the park, it seemed like the perfect Asheville urban setting. We live here and get to enjoy all that our downtown and city has to offer so to have our wedding downtown where it was convenient for our guests just made sense. (Other than 7 people, everyone was coming from out of town). Our ceremony was something we worked hard with our minister to personalize, with readings from our friends and family and hand-written vows. We wanted everyone to feel God’s love and how blessed we are to have found each other and joined our families.
The Reception
Our reception was held next door at the Century Room at Pack’s Tavern, a loft space that is above the restaurant overlooking the Park. It was a huge space, and we were a little afraid our 70 guests would get lost in the space, but we used long tables to dress it up beautifully. A dear friend of ours, Peggy, played with her jazz band, and we served food grown locally from a green caterer. In lieu of favors, we made a donation to a charity that is close to the hearts of each of our guests, including The Breast Cancer Research Fund, Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains, Multiple Myeloma Foundation, Sweet Relief, and Appalachian Voices, with a special note thanking them for joining us on our special day. It really meant a lot to have the most important people in our lives join us for our special day and we really wanted them to know how much we love them, wouldn’t be who we are without them, and how grateful we are they made the trip.
How Erin Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Classic, Understated Romance. I really wanted a dress that made me feel beautiful, while being something comfortable that worked with my body style and didn’t overwhelm or under whelm our outdoor space, semi-casual feel.
Why Erin Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I am not a sentimental person and want someone else (who maybe can’t afford this dress at a retail price) to be able to wear it.
