As an Asheville wedding photographer, some years stay with you long after they end. 2025 was one of those years. Not because of how many weddings I photographed, but because of what those weddings represented during a season of change and healing.
This year was about showing up when things felt uncertain. It was about finding beauty again and documenting love stories that reminded me why this work matters so deeply. This recap is not just a look back at the weddings of 2025. It is a reflection on trust, resilience, and the couples who made this year meaningful.
If I am being completely honest, 2025 was a rollercoaster of a year.
Coming out of the fall and winter of 2024 and the devastation left behind by Helene felt incredibly heavy. I remember stepping into the new year hoping it had to be better because it truly did not feel like it could get worse. Our little town had been deeply impacted, and at the same time my personal life felt like it had fallen apart.
Photographing Weddings in Asheville After a Season of Loss
Western North Carolina felt different as 2025 began. The effects of Hurricane Helene were still visible throughout the area. Places that once felt familiar now carried signs of damage and loss. As an Asheville native, that weight was impossible to ignore.
Many favorite photo locations were no longer accessible. Wedding plans had to change. Budgets looked different for many families. Still, love found a way to take center stage. Couples showed incredible grace and chose to focus on what mattered most. They wanted to get married and be surrounded by the people they love.
These weddings became less about perfection and more about presence. They were rooted in meaning instead of details.
At the beginning of 2025, I truly did not know when or if I would be able to take photos again. Weddings were being canceled. Locations I loved were damaged or gone. Many people simply could not prioritize photography during such an uncertain time. Everything felt fragile both personally and professionally.
And somehow, this year surprised me in the most beautiful way.
The Kind of Couples Who Made 2025 So Special
2025 was filled with some of the most incredible brides I have ever worked with. They were calm and joyful. They were grounded in what mattered most. Their focus was simple. They wanted to marry their person. As an Asheville wedding photographer, being trusted with such meaningful days is something I will always hold close.
There was a peaceful energy on these wedding days even when my personal life felt overwhelming. As an Asheville wedding photographer, working with couples who trust the process changes everything. These couples allowed me the freedom to lead when needed and observe when moments unfolded naturally.
That trust created space for meaningful storytelling.
I cried at every single wedding. I know that for a fact. I was surrounded by love and family and genuine joy. I felt hopeful again. These couples trusted me fully and gave me room to be creative. From that trust came images that felt honest and friendships I will always cherish.
Why Trust Matters
Wedding days move quickly. Emotions run high. Plans shift without warning. When couples trust their photographer, it allows space for real moments to unfold.
Some of my favorite images from 2025 came from quiet moments. A deep breath before the ceremony. A hand squeeze during vows. A parent watching from the back row with tears in their eyes. These moments tell the full story of a wedding day.
Being a wedding photographer means way more than showing up with a camera. It means paying attention. It means understanding emotion. It means knowing when to guide and when to step back.
It is always an honor to be trusted as a wedding photographer. I truly believe that when couples allow their photographer the space to do their work, the images become even more meaningful.
What 2025 Taught Me as an Asheville Wedding Photographer
This year reminded me that wedding photography begins with connection. It is rooted in empathy and presence. It requires showing up fully even when life feels heavy behind the scenes.
I was reminded that creativity grows when trust is present. Meaningful images come from emotional safety for both the couple and the photographer. The most powerful weddings are not defined by size or scale. They are defined by intention and love.
2025 reshaped the way I approach my work, and I carry those lessons into every wedding moving forward.
To every couple and client who trusted me to capture their memories in 2025, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I am ending 2025 with a full heart. I am experiencing joy again. I am finding happiness in the small moments. I am deeply thankful.
Looking Ahead to 2026 Weddings in Asheville and Beyond
I am booking weddings for all of 2026 and cannot wait to take so many more beautiful photos.
As I move into the next year, I am doing so with renewed gratitude and excitement. I will continue photographing weddings throughout Asheville, Western North Carolina, and destination locations. I look forward to telling love stories that feel honest and deeply personal.
If you are planning a wedding and looking for an Asheville wedding photographer who values connection and trust, I would love to connect with you.
I cannot think of a better way to recap this year than by sharing a glimpse into these beautiful wedding days and the incredible couples who made them so special.
Thank You for Being Part of This Year
Below is a small glimpse into the weddings that shaped this season. These images represent resilience and love. They reflect the beauty that can exist even after difficult chapters.
