The hunt seems to be ever-on for the the most unique wedding venues, from museums and city parks to botanical gardens and tree houses. Grateful to live in such a diverse and beautiful area, we can add one more to that list in Western North Carolina. Highland Brewing Company in Asheville has created another world altogether in their Event Center, Rooftop Bar and Barrel Room. Check out two weddings I shot in their available spaces and prepare to be enamored and enthralled.
Drew and Maria Briggs chose Highland Brewing’s Event Center for their wedding, and it just so happened to be my first shot at this location as well. With a fun and relaxed wedding party, I could tell a great time would be had by all. The day started with drinks and an unexpected surprise for the bride when one of her best friends made it for the wedding after-all!
The day was sunny, bright and clear, allowing a full 360 degree view from the Rooftop where the ceremony was held. Even though the heat was in full swing that June day, canvas canopies provided plenty of shade for guests along with Edison string lights and decking as visual interest for the space. The ceremony went off without a hitch and the bride and groom were announced as Mr. & Mrs.
The reception in the Event Center was full of life and light with soaring ceilings and massive windows. Partygoers quickly switched gears from serious to fun as the beer flowed alongside local catered BBQ and dancing.
One of my favorite things about the Briggs wedding was the fact that Drew and Maria were willing to explore all aspects of the brewery, shooting in and out of every available space to which we had access. We snagged some great shots in so many spaces, all of which provided different types of light, color and atmosphere. This was truly a beautiful and unique wedding.
Venue: Highland Brewing Company
Photographer: Terri Clark Photography
From casual to classic, the second wedding on our list shows even more the diversity of Highland Brewing Companies Event Center and Rooftop.
Michael and Lydia were originally planning a church wedding with a brewery reception in Jackson County, but as we spoke, I casually suggested having both events in one space, offering Highland Brewing as an option. They went to visit the Event Center and jumped that day – taken with the uniqueness and openness of the space in addition to having an on-site planner to help with details specific to having a wedding and reception at that location. The all-encompassing services that Highland Brewing offers takes a massive amount of stress off of the couple marrying and allows their talented staff to take care of all of the little things. In addition to the on-site staff and planner, the couple also brought in wedding planner, Nicole Bloom, to handle the day from start to finish. Nicole and the on-site planner and team worked seamlessly together to make a beautiful event come to fruition.
While the weather started clear that day, a storm moved through early, pouring buckets of rain on the outside spaces. The beauty of the multi-level layering and creative covering offered at Highland Brewing is that though the weather went somewhat south, we were still able to capture “outdoor” images utilizing their covered spaces with an open concept. After photos were captured and the rain slowed to a halt, the Highland Brewery team made quick work of the Rooftop space where the wedding would be held, wielding leaf blowers and drying off every chair and as many other surfaces as possible.
After a beautiful family-oriented ceremony where the bride and groom became husband and wife, we snuck in the rest of the wedding party, group and couple shots.
The reception, held in the Event Center, boasted a fantastic food and desert spread, doughnut bar, and even a food truck out front. Multiple food options were given to guests and the most amazing carrot cake was cut and served. The bride had a dress change between the ceremony and reception, looking just as lovely in both settings. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed, family friendly and fun. Understated yet beautiful would be a perfect way to describe the overall outcome of the Ritchie wedding, and the Highland Brewing Company lent a huge hand in pulling that off.
Venue: Highland Brewing Company
Wedding Coordinator: Nicole at Two Sweet Sparrows
Flowers: Flora
Catering: Smash Events
Cake: 50/fifty
Music: Spintastic Sounds
Hair: Lola Salon
Photography: Terri Clark Photography
Minister: Howard Hanger
As the oldest brewery in Asheville, we think that Highland Brewing Company has hit it out of the park with the spaces that they offer. Their venue is both beautiful and functional with plenty of shelter from heat, cold or rain, with clear attention to detail and phenomenal views. Looking for a unique spot for a wedding or other event? Look no further.
