Meagan & Mike are Married!

November 1, 2019

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Meagan and Mike were married at The Crest Center and Pavilion in Asheville, NC last week. The clouds and rain couldn’t put a damper on this wonderful day! I can’t wait to share their amazing love story.

Meagan and Mike met while they were students at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. They became best friends and ran the Nerf gun club at their school called Battle for Bast. Meagan actually included a Nerf gun during their first look. More on that later!

After being friends for two years Mike worked up the nerve to ask her out. Right before Roanoke’s annual President’s Ball, the biggest dance of the year, she told Mike that she decided to go with a friend because she thought he wouldn’t want to be her date. The next day he asked to speak to her and he admitted that he had a crush on her. She said she was very surprised and very happy.

Their first date took place several weeks after President’s Ball. They decided to go for a drive. Meagan tells an amazing story about it. “With the Eagles blasting the whole way—the whole 3 hours we got lost trying to reach the Blue Ridge Parkway—but according to Mike, the no trespassing and shoot-to-kill signs mean you’re heading in the right direction. On dirt roads. Up the side of a mountain. Luckily, I LOVE to drive, so this quickly became the best first date ever; no, seriously, my car is my first born. We did eventually make it to the Parkway, and once we did, we arrived at the top of the mountain just in time to see the sun set. And as if on cue, the CD player changed discs and started playing “Danger Zone” from the Top Gun soundtrack. It was pretty awesome. We then drove back to the Roanoke Star. Mike swears this is where we had our first kiss, but I don’t remember it that way. I don’t think I’d kiss on the first date. Granted, he does have a better memory than I do. We did however turn into five-year olds and take advantage of the empty playground for a few minutes before we became painfully aware that we were both starving. And the only place open was O’Charley’s. It was terrible. WORST. BURGER. EVER. But all of it was memorable. And even now, living together at the opposite end of the Parkway in Asheville, driving around with Mike, often heading for some hiking trail, is still a slice of heaven to me.”

Mike and Meagan have been dating for almost 7 years now. Their proposal story was supposed to take place on a mountain. Mike really wanted to take Meagan on her favorite hike, Craggy Pinnacle, but the Parkway was closed! They got lost, which she says “was actually very memorable since it was similar to our first date.” They ended up at the Switzerland Inn, one of their favorite restaurants. Mike thought he’d ask at dinner but the restaurant was closed for the season until April. They ended up hiking but Mike waited until they got home later to pop the question.

The engagement ring has an amazing story attached to it. It is Mike’s maternal great-aunt’s ring. It’s been in their family for at least 100 years and came over on the boat from Ireland when they immigrated in the early 1900’s. If you want to see more of these two and the beautiful ring, click here for their Craggy Gardens engagement session.

Their wedding day began at the Hotel Indigo in Asheville. Jamie Lynn and I met Meagan and her girls while they were finishing getting ready. The penthouse suite had the most gorgeous view of the mountains and Meagan was so calm and happy!

When Meagan was finished getting ready we headed to Pack Square in Asheville. Meagan had a touching first look with her Dad, including a few happy tears. Then she prepared herself to see Mike. This is where the Nerf gun comes in! Meagan surprised Mike by shooting him with a Nerf gun to get him to turn around. I love that she added this special touch to their day.

We wandered around Pack Square taking pictures and found a few perfect autumn trees as a backdrop! The rain held off long enough for some amazing photos and I’m so glad it did. Then we headed to the Crest Center to meet their bridal party.

The rain was falling on and off so we got tons of pictures quickly and headed inside for their ceremony. Their ceremony and reception space was absolutely gorgeous. The inside of the Crest Pavilion is covered with white lights. Meagan and Mike chose the most beautiful decorations to make the space come alive.

They were married in front of a wooden cross covered with greenery. One of Meagan’s bridesmaids and her brother sang a duet to them. Then they exchanged handwritten vows and were pronounced husband and wife.

The rain was coming down hard by then and we ran outside to take advantage of a few umbrella pictures. Meagan and Mike were the best couple. They never once complained about the weather. They were just so grateful to be getting married to their best friend!

Their reception was filled with hilarious speeches, lots of dancing and Dunkin Donuts! All of the people that love them celebrated their union. Before we left we snuck them outside for a final picture in the rain.

Meagan and Mike thank you so much for trusting me to capture your memories. I had the best time getting to know you two and hear all about your epic love story. I wish you a lifetime of love and happiness and I hope that you are having the best time at Disney World!