A Packs Tavern Wedding Celebration in Asheville, NC
Rose & Reid’s Story of Eloping First, Then Celebrating Big
Some wedding days are quiet and intimate. Others are loud, joyful, and full of clinking glasses and laughter. And sometimes—if you do it your own way—you get both.
Rose and Reid are the perfect example of how no two weddings are ever the same, and how freeing it can be to design a wedding experience that truly fits who you are.
Earlier in the summer of 2025, I photographed Rose and Reid’s elopement along the Blue Ridge Parkway—just the two of them, the mountains, and the kind of stillness that makes time feel slower.
It was intentional, deeply personal, and focused entirely on their connection.
But Rose and Reid also knew how important their people were.
So in October, they invited friends and family to Asheville, North Carolina, for a larger wedding celebration at Pack’s Tavern, one of downtown Asheville’s most iconic gathering spots.
As an Asheville wedding photographer, I love when couples honor both sides of their story—the quiet moments and the communal ones.
Reid comes from a big family, so before the night truly kicked off, everyone gathered outside on the neighboring lawn for group photos. It felt relaxed and natural—less “formal wedding timeline,” more “everyone you love in one place.”
Once photos wrapped up, Rose and Reid grabbed a drink, opened the doors, and welcomed their guests into Pack’s Tavern. From that moment on, the night was about connection.
There were hugs that lingered, conversations that spilled across tables, and a feeling that this wasn’t just a wedding, it was a reunion.
While the emphasis of the evening was clearly on their loved ones, we did steal away for a few quick portraits of just the two of them. Nothing long or posed, just a few quiet moments tucked into a night full of celebration.
Because Rose and Reid had already shared their private vows during their summer elopement, there was no pressure to recreate that intimacy. They’d already had it. This night was about being surrounded by the people who helped shape their lives.
Rose and Reid are a perfect example of how modern couples are redefining what a wedding can look like. By eloping first and then hosting a celebration later, they gave themselves the freedom to fully experience both moments without compromise.
As an Asheville wedding photographer, I see this more and more: couples choosing intention over tradition, experience over expectation.
Whether it’s an elopement on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a laid-back wedding at Pack’s Tavern, or something entirely different, the best weddings are the ones that feel authentically true to the couple.
Rose and Reid, thank you for letting me be a part of both special moments in your life. I am truly honored.
