A Holiday Wonderland Wedding Filled With Christmas Cheer!

The vision was an inviting holiday wonderland that transported guests to a magical evening full of merriment and Christmas cheer. The couple chose December 1st as their date to kick off the month and ring in the holiday season alongside their guests. The foundation of the wedding design included light blue velvet and wintry pearl details. While our goal was to create a festive and cozy ambiance, we aimed to maintain a level of sophistication and formality throughout the event. The wedding will be centered around a cheerful celebration with thoughtful and personal details that reflect the couple and their story.

Justin Alexander Becca Gown from the Poinsett Bride in Greenville, NC. The gown was a long-sleeved stretch crepe fit and flare dress with a shaped cathedral train. Greenville, NC is a meaningful place to Hayley as it was where she and Artimus had their first date and they frequent the town often, so Hayley set out dress shopping there at The Poinsett Bride.

The bridesmaids dresses were an a-line pleated satin floor-length dress with a square neckline in dusty blue. Hayley wanted light blue dresses to complement the blue ribbons used in their ceremony tree in a style that was flattering for all her bridesmaids. The ladies wore white pashminas to keep warm through the outdoor ceremony.

Groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos while Artimus sported a custom blue velvet tuxedo and black velvet loafers, both designed by Robert Jamison Collection.

A North Carolina cheese and charcuterie display in addition to other Southern staples such as chicken and waffle bites and shrimp and grits shooters greeted guests as they arrived to cocktail hour. To lean into comfort food of the winter season, they also offered a creamy tomato soup shooter. The couple opted for a plated meal with a guest entree choice of blue cheese crusted beef tenderloin, sorghum fried chicken, or sesame ginger salmon. Signature cocktails were named after the couple's pets - a "Lucy Goosey" Holiday Old Fashioned and a "Mistletoe Maxus" Cranberry Margarita.

Five trees of alternating heights were positioned at the altar, with the center tree decorated in velvet ribbons, pearl garlands, and white amaryllis blooms. The reception florals included mixed Christmas greenery and predominantly white florals accented by pops of blue and blush blooms to infuse a bit of color into the design. An oversized lit wreath was hung behind the couples' seats at their head table. We also planned for a "wreath" chandelier made of greenery, florals, and lights that was swagged with pearl garlands to carry out the pearl elements and holiday nods over the dance floor. Our use of swagged garlands both in the ceremony and reception were inspired by the venue itself, which features furnishings and decor reminiscent of the Victorian era. The installation over the dance floor in addition to the lighted garland swags in the ceiling infused coziness and holiday warmth into the reception space. Centerpiece designs alternated between tall arrangements, lush compotes, and glass candelabras.

With traditional vintage piping and sugar pearl details, we wanted the cake to be classic in design as it was placed in front of a glimmering Christmas tree backdrop. To incorporate a bit of festive - yet elegant - flair, we used a Christmas tree topper as the cake topper.

It was important to Hayley and Artimus to have a very customized ceremony as they were not only celebrating their wedding day, but also the addition of their daughter Winslet to the family earlier this year. For the unity ceremony, they planted a tree using soil from both of their hometowns. A sweet surprise was in store as they had Winslet dedicated during the ceremony as well - they wanted her dedication date and their wedding date to align to further signify the official start of their family's union. Needless to say, there was not a dry eye amongst the guests! Cocktail hour and dinner music was a mix of holiday classics to keep the joyful spirit going. Later, their band (PUNCH) kicked things up and delivered a lively dance party - the dance floor was packed!

Nutcracker Seating Chart - Hayley wanted to lean into the Christmas theme for the seating chart and when Elizabeth (planner) came across an oversized nutcracker and proposed it as inspiration, Hayley shared that nutcrackers were meaningful to her family as her grandmother had collected them over the years. Plans for the seating chart evolved as Elizabeth worked with a local baker to create nutcracker-shaped gingerbread cookies to be iced with table numbers. Escort cards were attached to the cookies and then hung with ornament hooks to create a wall of gingerbread nutcrackers.

Placesettings - The place settings included a gift-tag inspired place card assembled with a pearl accent, as well as a snowflake shaped pearl napkin ring.

Head Table - To carry through the pearl theme, the florist wove pearl garlands down the head table. We also incorporated gold glass trees in addition to smokey blue votive holders that had Christmas stars etched into the glass.