North Carolina Weddings

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It’s All About the Dress, But This Groom Brought His Style A-Game

From The Bride…I met my husband while teaching English in France after college. Since then we’ve traveled all over the world; so from the beginning of wedding planning, we knew we wanted the overarching theme to be travel inspired. Leigh Pearce did such a great job creating this for us, without the theme being overwhelming or tacky. The small details made everything so perfect. Our seating chart was a world map, our cocktail napkins read “love knows no borders,” and our guests waved miniature French and American flags for our exit — just to name a few.

I knew from the moment I saw the Belmont Estate that I wanted to be married there. It’s a classic, Southern house set back on a large piece of property in rural North Carolina, and was such a beautiful backdrop to our wedding day. I wanted a fall-like color scheme, but wanted to avoid yellows and orange, so we went with a palette of bordeaux with gold, cream, and blush accents. My bridesmaids were beautiful in their bordeaux dresses!

For the ceremony, the flower girl walked down the aisle with an American flag, while the ring bearer (wearing a beret!), carried a French flag. I walked down the aisle with my dad to a string duet playing my favorite French song “La Vie en Rose.” The pastor said our vows in English, and we repeated in French, so that the Americans and the French in attendance could both understand. My sister-in-law and my husband’s sister did a reading together — alternating in English and French.

Our beautiful day wouldn’t have been possible without our wedding planner, Leigh Pearce, or without my sweet sweet parents. We’re forever grateful.

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Justin Alexander

Spring 2016

Spring 2018

Justin Alexander Fall/Winter

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I love a pretty wedding dress, and this Bride’s lace gown definitely qualifies as pretty. But her handsome Groom ensured he was equally stylish with his unique bow tie made of feathers. And that’s just the start of this stylish day. From the custom family crest featuring the couple’s dogs to the bouquets full of dahlias, garden roses and pieris, this southern affair is as stylish and elegant as they come. See every pretty detail from Allison Kuhn Photography in The Vault!

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She Said Yes to the Dress + I Do to a Glamorous Fall Wedding

From Allison Kuhn Photography… Leah Jane & Dustin were married September 19, 2015 at The Duke Mansion. Their elegant southern affair planned and designed by Katrina Hutchins of Come Together Events. Their wedding incorporated soft tones mixed with some bold colors to create a fresh color palette unique to Leah Jane and Dustin. The stationery included a custom family crest and includes images of Leah-Jane and Dustin’s dogs. The stationery suite designed by Elisabeth Rose was thoughtfully created to include elements of Leah Jane and Dustin’s life. The bouquets were filled with color florals and long, flowy silk ribbons. The bow ties that Dustin and his groomsmen wore are made of feathers. Leah Jane made and jarred her guests wedding favors of different jams which included the recipe and crest on a paper tag. The cake by The Wow Factor Cakes also included the crest and the details of their invitation suite.

Leah Jane and Dustin live in Charlotte, NC , but met in Raleigh. Dustin proposed in Charleston South Carolina while on vacation for the Fourth of July. He hired a horse carriage for a historic tour and they walked around the Waterfront Park, Dustin suggested they take a photo in front of a large pineapple fountain. He asked somebody to take the photo, but he wrote on the screen of his phone asking the man to record the proposal.

Dustin is also a former active-duty Marine.

Together this couple is kind, patient and leave headed and will have a beautiful life together.

If your Friday night routine is anything like mine (read: wine, yoga pants and Say Yes to the Dress), then you may recognize this gorgeous Bride, whose Kleinfeld dress is just the beginning of her beautiful fall day. In a color palette of blush, champagne, gold and marsala accents, Valerie and Bobby’s dream wedding came to life thanks to amazing vendors like Graham Terhune Photography, Twenty One Films, Erin McLean Events, Tre Bella and Ashley Cakes. Get lost in all of the pretty in The Vault!

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May the Fourth Be With You and this Elegant Star Wars-Themed Wedding

From Erin McLean Events…When we initially met with Valerie and Bobby, we knew they were going to be so much fun to work with. Valerie had visions of gold, blush, and sparkle dancing through her head – and we loved it! She came to us with a fall wedding date and a soft take on all things glamorous. Valerie is a natural beauty, so we wanted to create a day that built on her easy elegance and the fading warm glow of a fall afternoon.

Selecting the Pavilions at the Angus Barn fit that vision to a T. We started with a soft color palette of blushes, ivories, and shimmering hints of champagne. To bring an understated but definite pop to the design, we added a deep purple – which was also an ode to the couple’s alma mater, East Carolina University.

Early in the planning process, Valerie and her family hopped a flight to New York City for a trip to famed Kleinfeld’s Bridal to be featured on “Say Yes to the Dress”. She didn’t disappoint, selecting a show stopping Pnina Tornai design with a fitted sheer lace bodice, crystal encrusted neckline, and gorgeous satin bow detail on the back. It was such a delight to see Valerie’s sheer joy on the show when she found the perfect gown.

Throughout the months of planning, Valerie and Bobby’s main hope was that their guests were treated to an amazing experience from start to finish. They chose a mouth-watering menu – though the Angus Barn doesn’t serve anything but to die for fare and for entertainment, the couple went with a Carolina favorite, the beach music kings themselves, The Embers. Again, did not disappoint. I want to say the icing on the cake was perhaps her bridesmaid gown choice. The girls donned Adrianna Papell numbers in varying styles, and shades of blush, champagne and gold. Each was detailed in shimmering beading and flowing skirts. Paired with lush bouquets of peonies and garden roses and just a pop of marsala, the ensemble was perfection.

On their wedding day, the couple chose the newer tradition of having a first look. Planned for the sweeping front porch of her family’s home, Valerie stepped out to meet her groom. The happiness that was captured in that moment was the sum of the couple’s sweet relationship – their joy was infectious and carried them onto their vows at Valerie’s childhood chapel surrounded by all their friends and loved ones, and then to the glow of their lakeside reception at the Angus Barn just as the warm Fall sunshine was setting on the horizon.

The couple said their goodbyes at the conclusion of a lovely and oh so happy celebration under a shower of rose petals and hopped into Bobby’s pick-up truck and off on their next grand adventure together!

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The phrase “Star Wars wedding” doesn’t exactly evoke an elegant affair, but this beautiful Bride and Groom’s rustic North Carolina wedding is as elegant as they come, even with a Stormtrooper and Boba Fett appearance at cocktail hour. From the Star Wars touches to the heartwarming first look, the Force was clearly with this sweet couple, thanks to Asheville Event Co. See all the special moments captured by Almond Leaf Studios in The Vault!

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The Perfect Accessory for This Southern Bride? A Family Heirloom Veil.

From The Bride…Mike and I started dating in Florida. He was an assistant swim coach for the University of Florida and I had gotten a position as an intern at the School of Veterinary Medicine. For our first date he took me to the butterfly gardens at the UF Natural History museum, then rock climbing and THEN to a fantastic dinner with some live music. I remember texting my mom from the butterfly garden and basically saying “he’s it.” We spent the next six months traveling all over Florida, having all kinds of adventure. We ended up living in Washington, D.C. and are literally in the middle of planning a cross-country road trip as we move our little family of three to San Francisco in May. Writing this now I have to laugh because I knew adventure would be one of the central themes in our marriage. Mike proposed in New York over Christmas in 2014 and from the beginning of planning I knew our big day needed to be somewhere that reflected us as a couple…fun, unpredictable, and definitely outdoors.

We loved Laurel Ridge Country Club for it’s charm and rustic elegance (okay, I loved it for that reason, Mike’s specifications were that the place have four walls and a roof). We wanted a wedding that was beautiful and relaxed with a lot of our personality thrown in the mix! Asheville Event Co. did such a fantastic job of suggesting vendors who were the absolute best. I learned pretty early that I really wanted to just give Missie an idea and have her execute it and handle the details. Which she did. Flawlessly. The team incorporated Star Wars characters for cocktail hour (seriously), created the most stunning ceremony space, and ran back to our family cabin when I realized AT THE RECEPTION we had forgotten the garter. I got to peek at the ceremony space before our first look and I remember thinking “this is it. This is exactly what I saw in my head.” We planned the big day in nine months and seven months later our friends and family still talk about how beautiful and fun our wedding was, which is just incredible. My favorite detail from the whole day had to be my bridesmaids earrings. I am a total history nerd and so I knew I needed to incorporate that into the wedding in some way. I found antique pearl earrings in a vintage shop in Paris, they had been found hidden away after WWII, and I knew right then that was my gift to my girls!

My favorite moment had to be our first look. Initially I was very against a first look thinking it would take something away from the ceremony, but one day during planning I thought “I want a moment that is just ours…that we get to keep forever, just the two of us.” And everything else just fell into place. I loved everything about my dress and could not wait to see his face that day. On the way to where we were meeting, there were a lot of leaves, making it difficult to walk in heels, so, I took them off and walked up to him barefoot in this dream lace dress in the middle of the mountains…and the moment was perfect. Then we met up with our bridal party, who were accompanied by some extra guests (Boba Fett and a Storm Trooper) and Mike’s face when he realized my surprise made every second of extra planning worth it. We had a beautiful, short ceremony and a long awesome reception where we basically didn’t leave the dance floor. A tunnel of sparklers guided us to the antique Rolls Royce that was our getaway car and our driver sped away to the Inn at Biltmore where we stayed for two nights before leaving for a two week honeymoon in Florida and the Caribbean.

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Martina Liana

Fall 2014

Spring 2017

Fall 2017

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This wedding is “Southern classic” in every single way. Beginning with an heirloom veil worn by the bride (her grandfather first bought it for his daughter even before she was engaged!) and ending with a moonshine bar set-up at the reception, the entire affair was a celebration of this couple’s Southern roots. Pop over to The Vault for images by Anna Routh and don’t you dare miss the film below from Blueberry Creative.

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Find Out How These Classmates Went From Hola to I Do

From Anna Routh Photography…. Alden and Kevin’s classic Charlotte wedding was one of the most spectacular events I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing. Alden’s style is spot on, so it’s no surprise her gown was a complete stunner with that amazing back detail. She pulled her look together with an antique veil (a family heirloom), shoes with just the right amount of bling and simple jewels. She was truly the picture of elegance.

Alden and Kevin’s family is incredibly important to then, so keeping the wedding party to family and including very special items from their parents’ marriages was an important decision for them. Alden and Kevin each walked down the aisle with small books that were presented to Alden’s parents on their wedding day in their hands, keeping the love of their families close at all times.

The reception that followed at the modern Mint Museum UPTOWN in Charlotte was nothing short of epic. Utilizing three areas of the museum, Alden’s goal (with the help of her creative and ambitious father’s vision) was to bring a ‘Southern’ scene to life. To say she accomplished that is an understatement. From the giant Magnolia brought in for cocktail hour, to the projections of moving magnolias on the walls and life size photos of iconic southern imagery, to the dining room dripping with neutral florals, and even down to the moonshine bar – it doesn’t get much more southern than that.

Alden and Kevin’s wedding was an absolute blast, and I’m so honored to have been a part of it. Congratulations, you two!

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Want in on a little secret? SMP may have a thing for beautiful blush weddings (and believe me, that’ll never fade) but right now we’re hankering from some solid jewel tones. And Graham Terhune must’ve felt that craving because he delivered with this gem of a winter wedding. From the deep hues to a love story straight out of middle school Spanish class, these pics in our Vault have it all!

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You’ve Got to See This Apple Orchard Wedding

From the Bride… I’m not a writer; more of a DIY crafter at best so humor me as I tell this story… Mike and I met in 7th grade Spanish class. The story goes that on the first day I was already in a desk when Mike walked into the class, he could see the back of my head and bee-lined for the desk behind the short blonde. “¿Cómo te llamas? Me llamo Mike.” We were Spanish partners for the rest of the year.

There was a solid seven years that Mike was regrettably stuck in the “amigo” zone. It wasn’t until college that I saw the romance in being understood and being accepted all in all. We dated junior and senior years before Mike commissioned into the Army following our graduation. And I had it bad for my best friend. But fresh outta school we were too young to get serious. The Army had Mike headed for Afghanistan and I moved to California for a design internship.

We both went our separate ways. And it was five years later that I made my bold move. It was 10:30 AM, I was living in Austin at the time, and I had a wild spontaneous idea, I texted Mike: “I’m single again… and this is your last chance before I get scooped up by a Texan.” Luckily he took me up on that offer; he asked if he could fly out the next weekend and take me out on a date – we were engaged nine months later.

The wedding planning was similar to our story in a sense… it was a slow burn. I fell in love with it over time, and it wasn’t until I finally had all my key vendors on lock that I really started enjoying the process. I had the vision of a moody burgundy mixed with bright whites, live greenery, and vintage brass. It goes without mentioning I also had a field day with the calligraphy brush and India ink and tried to letter anything with a flat surface that would sit still. For as hungry I was for the design details during the planning season, they all were a blurry beautiful haze on the wedding day. I married my forever person/favorite human and was absolutely humbled by all our people in one room that came to celebrate alongside us. And that was more than enough to focus on during our big day. We are stationed on the other side of the country from family and friends so our entire guest list traveled to our new home.

Favorite moments include our photos in the field (for the opportunity to calm down and catch some couple time), our unplanned first dance where I got weird, the time my dad dropped the mic after his toast, and our foursome family sing-along dance to Ray LaMontagne’s “You are the Best Thing.” My cheeks were sore from all the laughing and smiling all day. Having a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime honor and I would highly recommend it.

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More North Carolina nuptials this way!

Literally everything about this wedding is awesome. Think a darling bride and groom, heartwarming speeches by some seriously sweet friends + family (read: the Father of the Groom is hilarious) and a breathtaking Sky Top Orchard setting. And honestly? That’s just the beginning. Press play on the brilliant film from Sixpence Productions, then stay tuned for some beautiful imagery from Realities Photography below. (Oh, and head to THE VAULT for sooo much more.)

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The Prettiest Harry Potter Inspired Wedding We’ve Ever Seen

From Sixpence Productions… Each year we are lucky enough to be invited to North Carolina to film. This year it was a Flat Rock Wedding at the gorgeous Sky Top Orchard which is owned and operated by Katie’s family. Katie and Sean’s family and friends were full of fun and we laughed our way through our entire weekend with them.

There were so many personal touches which absolutely made this wedding. From Katie’s little sister Margaret performing an acoustic version of “The First Day of my Life” for Katie and Sean’s first dance, to the incredible barrel of apples wedding cake designed and created by Katie’s close friend, chef Lindsay Cromartie. As a wedding film maker, one of the things which delighted me was Katie and Sean’s dog Bandit running around through the weekend with a GoPro on his back. We even managed to include some of the “Bandit-cam” footage in their final film as a surprise for them.

From the Bride… Sean and I met in Washington, D.C. on a kickball team that played every weekend on the National Mall. I had just started graduate school and we weren’t ready to start dating at that time. But we reconnected a couple years later when I graduated and have been together ever since!

One of our favorite things to do in D.C. is walk the monuments at night with our dog. They are lit up and beautiful and the crowds of the day are gone. Our third date was at the Jefferson Memorial, we sat on the big steps, played cards and drank hot chocolate. Two years later Sean took me back to the same place with our dog and asked me to marry him. That weekend before he proposed he took me to all our favorite first date spots, including the first place we had dinner together at Bonsai Sushi in Arlington. He also put a large white bow on our dog, so I suspected something was happening! We left for vacation to Southeast Asia a few days later and got to celebrate our engagement abroad.

Our wedding style was rustic elegant. Since we planned to have the wedding at Sky Top Orchard, the apple orchard were I grew up, we wanted to implement a lot of farm themes, including an open tent, farm tables, soft colors, and wagon rides for our guests to get from the site of the cocktail hour to the reception.

Some of our favorite things about the wedding include my sister singing our song for the first dance, our choreographed dance (only because we had so much fun at dance class together), our delicious wedding cake made by one of my bridesmaid’s Lindsay Cromartie who is a pastry chef and owns her own bakery, Gateaux in Flat Rock, N.C. and the venue. We also loved our caterer, Flipside catering based out of Charlotte, N.C.! The chef won the N.C. State Competition Dining Series in 2014, and the food did not disappoint! The caterer, Melodie McAbee, created such a beautiful cocktail hour with such an incredible eye to detail and presentation. We had the cocktail hour in the fruit stand. It was completely transformed and beautiful! We later moved to a beautifully decorated tent on top of the mountain for dinner and dancing.

Our wedding favors were cider glasses, with a large apple tree and our names and wedding date. The hard cider we served as a signature drink was made from Sky Top Apples.

Our dog, Bandit, wore a Go-Pro during the wedding. We had so much fun looking back at the footage of him. We forgot to feed him dinner that night, but our guests did not!

One of my favorite moments was first look with Sean. It was located in one of my favorite gardens at my parents house and it was special having a moment with just Sean, Bandit and I before the wedding. Our family along with bridesmaids and groomsmen were nearby too, so it was great having all the people we loved in one place.

I love a good literary inspired wedding but when the book the Bride’s in love with happens to be Harry Potter, I’m absolutely intrigued to see how she infuses that sort of style into an elegant affair. But with the help of OwlMadeCo., this celebration did so quite successfully. From table number “9 3/4” to a book chapter list designed seating chart, the subtle nods are noteworthy but not distracting – aka perfect. Chris Isham captured them all, set among the beauty of Biltmore Estate and it’s these pics that are making my day. See them all in our Vault right here!

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Cozy Rustic Wedding Complete With Giant Dream Catchers

From The Biltmore… Janet and Asad were wed on a beautiful day in October. Their ceremony and reception took place at Biltmore’s Lioncrest venue. Janet used the 2015 Pantone color, Marsala, throughout the entire day and the floral decor was perfect for a fall wedding!

From OwlMadeCo… While Janet was not the type of girl who spent her childhood envisioning her dream wedding, she certainly spent it dreaming. She discovered the magical world of books early on and let them carry her to far off places only her imagination could take her. Naturally, when this leading lady found her beau, he shared her love of written word. Janet and Asad exchanged many handwritten love letters throughout their relationship – lasting proof of a love story for the ages.

Shortly after the pair got engaged, Janet moved to South Carolina to pursue her PhD at Clemson University. Again books, exams, and dissertations – not wedding planning – became her highest priorities. Fatefully, she soon met her wedding planner (also a recent SC transplant) and they became fast friends, bonding over wedding details. When asked their vision for their wedding day, Janet and Asad wanted “simple and enjoyable”, with a few subtle hints at one of Janet’s favorite book series. As an avid Harry Potter fan and collector of signed first edition prints, several of their details were literary references. The bride and groom’s table number was “9 ¾”, their rings were photographed on a book open to the chapter “The Unbreakable Vow”, and their seating chart mimicked a book chapter list. They also exchanged vows under one of their favorite book quotes.

For a wedding planner, these were easy requests. All we had to do was garner the best team of vendors to give this couple a day better than even Janet’s vivid imagination could dream up. A fall wedding at the Biltmore Estate certainly called for rich red tones. As the stars had aligned, Marsala was a Pantone color of the year, so we were right on trend. We asked the florist for romantic, lush, organic centerpieces. When selecting a photographer, we knew just the person to make this couple feel comfortable in from of the lens while capturing the beauty of their day. The results – you can see for yourself. Cheers to Janet and Asad, and to a lifetime of putting pen to paper in the name of love!

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More Marsala inspiration here!

Remember those dream catchers we all loved? Sorry to break it to ya, but these ones ares so. much. cooler. Five giant dream catchers decked out Lake Eden for this fall celebration planned by Weddings with Tara, setting the scene for a rustic wedding to remember. But while I’m totally crushing on the catchers, what I really love is how this cute couple captured their personality and made their wedding so them. Graham Terhune snapped everything and our Vault is all the better for it – more this way!

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UNC College Sweethearts Have More to Celebrate than Just the Final Four

From the Bride and Groom… Our wedding was truly meant to be an expression of our lives together. It was important for us to to have our wedding outdoors and in the mountains, so Lake Eden (just outside of Asheville, NC) was the perfect setting. I grew up in Asheville, and Greg and I met in North Carolina so that meant a lot to us. We now live in Bozeman, Montana and also wanted to bring touches of the West to our wedding decor. We used a moose antler as our guest book and mixed deer antlers in with the gorgeous flowers on the tables. We didn’t want huge flower arrangements so instead had many smaller arrangements in interesting vases with lots of greenery. I also custom designed a Southwestern style fabric that my mom and step-mom made into beautiful table runners that tied into our earthy, natural color palette. One of my absolute favorite things about our wedding were the giant dream catchers. My family and I worked together to make five HUGE dream catchers that were really became the focal point of the decor. An amazing dressmaker in downtown Asheville custom made my absolutely gorgeous wedding gown. The process of designing it was so fun and it perfectly tied in with the overall style of our wedding. When I saw everything come together, it far surpassed my expectations. Although we all got a little soggy in the rain, everyone had a great time celebrating together and I am happy to say our wedding far exceeded our expectations thanks to our amazing vendors and crafty family!

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Peruse more North Carolina beauties here!

When Claire left home to attend her dream university, little did she know she’d also meet then man of her dreams after one month (!!) at said institution. For once these college cuties found commonalities they were inseparable and after a decade long romance they set a date. Yes, THE date with Events By La Fete at the helm. From the decadent Ashley Cakes to their first dance, Graham Terhune Photography captured it all to share and can we just say, #weddinggoals. See it all in The Vault!

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Elegant + Classic Summer Wedding

From The Bride…When I left the mountains of NC at the ripe old age of 18 to attend my dream school, UNC-Chapel Hill, the thought never crossed my mind that within my first month of college I’d have met the man I was going to marry. (Thank goodness that meant I’d end up with a fellow Tar Heel!) What’s more incredible is that I wouldn’t come to that realization for another 10 years. But, once my “lightbulb went off,” as Bill and I like to joke, and I realized Bill was more than just a friend, there was no turning back. It only took 10 months to go from first date to proposal; I had made that poor boy wait long enough.

Once Bill and I started dating, we quickly realized just how much we have in common: we are both North Carolina natives, devoted Tar Heels, and extremely close with our families; we put hot sauce on everything; we could live off hot dogs and ice cream alone and we love the Lord…just to name a few. In coming up with a vision for our big day, we wanted to capture many, if not all, of these similarities and we wanted it to look and feel authentic. We didn’t need a lot of glitz or glamor or over the top “stuff.” Rather, the focus was in the details, in keeping things traditional and in staying true to our Southern roots, all while wanting our guests to feel and sense our love for each other, for Christ and for each of them.

We wanted to keep things classic black tie with neutral hues, soft florals, a lace gown, ivory dinner jackets, engraved invitations and a string quartet. The ceremony was traditional and Christ-centered with scripture readings, familiar hymns and a lot of prayer. But we also added in a few surprise elements in the way of customized wedding maps and gift boxes, a life map serving as our welcome sign, “Jack Frost Diary Bar” ice cream from my hometown of Marion and a Trolley Stop Hot Dog Cart for guests to enjoy as they exited our reception.

In going about tying everything together and bringing our vision to life, the real objective was to keep things meaningful and to incorporate as many family-related elements as possible. This was accomplished with the help of a number of family members: my aunt crafted the ring bearer pillow out of lace from my mother’s wedding gown and adorned it with the lovely broach Bill inherited by way of his paternal grandmother (the very broach from which the diamond in my engagement ring came); additional lace from her gown was wrapped around my exquisite bouquet; my mother-in-law loaned me her beautiful mantilla and the silver coupes Bill and I used during our first toast were wedding gifts my parents received 45 years ago. These details might have been small, and they quite possibly went unnoticed, but they were significant nonetheless.

Given all the conversations that take place and decisions to be made over the course of the wedding planning process, there was one decision that required little to no discussion on our part. In lieu of traditional wedding favors, Bill and I decided to make a donation to the Lung Cancer Initiative of NC in honor Bill’s father and best man, who had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer a month before we were engaged. When we made the decision to forego favors and honor Bill’s dad in this special way, we had no way of knowing that Bill’s dad would never make it to our wedding. He was hospitalized the week leading up to our wedding, watched bits and pieces of the weekend from his hospital bed with the help of technology and passed away two days later. Despite our sadness over his absence from our wedding festivities, his presence was immensely felt and his excitement for us readily apparent.

The strength and courage displayed by family that weekend and the manner in which we were all able to celebrate in the midst of sorrow was a true testament of faith. To God be the glory.

When I reflect back on our wedding and scroll through gorgeous photo after gorgeous, each so sweetly and genuinely capturing all the various emotions of the day, I’m reminded that this vision of mine, of ours – which was carried out by so many gifted and talented wedding vendors who are the very best of the best at what they do – far exceeded all expectations. It is a day Bill and I will forever cherish and hold dear. It is a day Bill’s dad hated to miss but one he hung on just long enough to know took place. And that’s the greatest gift and blessing we could have ever received.

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Romona Keveza

Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal

Romona Keveza Luxe Bridal Fall 2016

Romona Keveza Bridal Fall 2017

Romona Keveza Collection Bridal Spring 2017

Romona Keveza Collection Bridal Fall 2019

ROMONA New York

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Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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When a wedding this pretty is shot by someone as talented as Caroline Lima, we stop and take notice. And trust us, it’s a stop worth taking. With classic charm and one seriously adorable couple (their proposal story is just the sweetest), it’s easy to see why we are head over heels in love with every single image sitting pretty in this gallery. See even more in the VAULT.

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Romantic Garden-Inspired Castle Wedding Editorial Session

From Caroline Lima Photography…Your family decides to take a trip to Ireland. In short order, you’re dreaming of the verdant countryside, the quaint cottages, the rich history. It’s sure to be an amazing experience! The only problem? Your honey can’t come along…he has to work. But you board the plane anyway, and soon you’re strolling over a bridge in Dublin. It’s picturesque. It’s incredible. The one thing missing is your main squeeze…until he shows up by surprise and asks you the question of a lifetime!That’s how I picture Jessie and Alston’s engagement (based on what I heard from the bride herself…oh how I love that story!). Jessie herself is just the best mix of fun and elegance. When she married Alston at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, she wore a stunning custom made Monique Lhuillier dress and veil…and Manolos! Yes! She was absolutely magnetic when she walked down the aisle! This wedding saw me working with Lily Greenthumb’s for the first time. Their florals are always exquisite, and the pieces they provided for Jessie and Alston’s celebration were no exception. The couple enjoyed their guests to the fullest at the Myers Park Country Club, and the dance floor was packed. Such a joy to be a part of this day! Jessie also mentioned to me that she and Alston are dog lovers (they grew up with golden retrievers and blue heelers, respectively) and plan to welcome a furry friend into their family soon. It always warms my heart to work with people who love pups as much as I do! I wish this beautiful couple all the best as they take on the new adventures life has to offer!

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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Abby Capalbo

Design, Styling, Parties

Abby Capalbo Styling

I think this wedding inspiration photo shoot from Holeigh V Photography must have escaped from a children’s storybook because it’s an absolute fairytale. From the frame-worthy stationery by Plume Calligraphy to the gorgeous overflowing blossoms, every inch of this editorial is fit for the 21st Century Princess. Soak up all the pretty in The Vault!

From Holeigh V Photography… This intimate wedding inspiration shoot took place in the heart of the North Carolina mountains at Castle Ladyhawke. Using the surroundings of the castle as inspiration, our bride wandered the grounds and foraged ivy, ferns and creeping vine to incorporate into her design by Springvine Design. It covered their table, the cake and everything in between so that nature was at the forefront rather than decor. A color palette of Ivory, Gold, Peach and Grey tones balanced the warmth of their summer day with the castle’s cool stone. To her surprise, she found sweet little pears with speckled blush waiting to be picked on a nearby tree. She picked them and placed them upon each plate, knowing they were the perfect addition that would greet their parents happily at their table. They read their vows and married under an arch of florals and greenery, with the view of the Appalachian mountains in the background.

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Henri Daussi

Signature Engagement Collection 2014

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Romantic Anniversary Session With Gorgeous Traditional Korean Gown

I declare myself an anniversary shoot aficionado; I never get sick of them, so filled with love. With our crazy busy lives, we need these reminders to step back and reflect on the goodness before us. This couple did just that in honor of their one year wedding anniversary, at the photogenic Bald Head Island and Faith Teasley was there to capture the magic – fall in love with these cuties in our Vault right this way…

From Faith Teasley… Justine and Dan celebrated their first anniversary by having an adventure on Bald Head Island. Together, we rode a ferry and rented a golf cart to wander all around the island. From the Old Baldy Lighthouse to the marsh, to the ocean and Spanish moss trees… Bald Head Island is truly a magical place. Dan brought his violin to the beach to serenade his beautiful bride. Justine wore a gorgeous Hanbok dress to embrace tradition. The combination of winter light, songs by the sea, the salty air, and a couple madly in love made for one perfect anniversary session.
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Peruse more anniversary inspiration here!

Photography: Faith Teasley Photography | Film Processing: Indie Film Lab

You’ll Never Guess Where This Reception Took Place

I’ve always known the designers behind Easton Events are amazing, but when they transformed a downtown Raleigh parking garage into a reception venue that stopped me dead in my tracks? Well, I think they officially earned a standing ovation. They designed a space to accommodate the couple’s 450 guests, that still managed to feel every bit as inviting and special as the most intimate of celebrations. Do yourself a favor and head to the gallery captured by Corbin Gurkin, and don’t miss the film by Blueberry Creative below!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/149882667 600 338]

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You’ll Never Believe This Wedding Reception Took Place on a Parking Garage

From Easton Events…Where to begin with this wonderful Raleigh, NC wedding? First, we should note that the tented reception took place on a parking deck. A privately owned portion of the parking garage in downtown Raleigh opened up to the outside and ended up being the perfect size to accommodate a frame tent that was large enough to accommodate 450 guests. The tent nestled in perfectly within the deck that was one story above ground; therefore, when the infrastructure began, the tent materials and restroom trailers had to be crane-lifted onto the deck.

The Sky Line team had a full week to install the structure with weather unfortunately not on their side, before Blossoms Events came in to start in on the draping and laydown the custom laminate gold and ivory marbled dancefloor. The tent was draped in beautiful shades of neutral silk dupioni with two ceiling medallions that added depth and texture as well as helped break up the tent into two areas: one for dancing and the other to showcase the bar.

Our custom made 20’ oval shaped bar was one of the central focal points of the space. For a guest count of 450 guests, we knew a large, prominent bar with access points on all sides was going to be the key for a successful event. Touches of lush garland and washed out mirrors were incorporated as a design element and barstools were added which made it even more inviting.

Custom tablecloths adorned the bar height tables with the addition of La Tavola linens for the high/low cocktail tables. A side lounge tent provided an area for guests to kick back their heals and enjoy their surroundings with lounge vignettes from Snyder Events. The florals selected had an English garden feel with bright greenery, touches of blush pinks, and magnolia leaves.

One of the biggest hurdles, in addition to the fact we were one story above ground, was what to do with the 3 cement bases that were left from dismantling the parking lot light fixtures – one of which was directly in the middle of the tent. Our solution was naturally, to cover them! Two were utilized as bar height food stations and the one in the middle of the room was covered with a tufted, round banquette. We placed another on the other side to create symmetry, and then mirrored this look in the side lounge tent. This then led to providing an amazing base for very large, prominent floral arrangements in custom painted urns, which created both height and depth within the space.

A draped and chandelier lined marquee acted as the main entrance and exit for the event and was utilized for the special confetti getaway. The bride, in her Monique Lhuillier gown and the groom, in his custom tux departed at the end of the evening and spent their night together in a suite at the Renaissance Hotel and as guests departed, they were handed leftover slices of wedding cake as an end of the night treat.

Love a parking garage reception? Check out this gorgeous day!

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Event Planning

Easton Events

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Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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I’ve always known the designers behind Easton Events are amazing, but when they transformed a downtown Raleigh parking garage into a reception venue that stopped me dead in my tracks? Well, I think they officially earned a standing ovation. They designed a space to accommodate the couple’s 450 guests, that still managed to feel every bit as inviting and special as the most intimate of celebrations. Do yourself a favor and head to the gallery captured by Corbin Gurkin, and don’t miss the film by Blueberry Creative below!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/149882667 600 338]

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Classic Winter Wedding During a Major Snowstorm

From Easton Events…Where to begin with this wonderful Raleigh, NC wedding? First, we should note that the tented reception took place on a parking deck. A privately owned portion of the parking garage in downtown Raleigh opened up to the outside and ended up being the perfect size to accommodate a frame tent that was large enough to accommodate 450 guests. The tent nestled in perfectly within the deck that was one story above ground; therefore, when the infrastructure began, the tent materials and restroom trailers had to be crane-lifted onto the deck.

The Sky Line team had a full week to install the structure with weather unfortunately not on their side, before Blossoms Events came in to start in on the draping and laydown the custom laminate gold and ivory marbled dancefloor. The tent was draped in beautiful shades of neutral silk dupioni with two ceiling medallions that added depth and texture as well as helped break up the tent into two areas: one for dancing and the other to showcase the bar.

Our custom made 20’ oval shaped bar was one of the central focal points of the space. For a guest count of 450 guests, we knew a large, prominent bar with access points on all sides was going to be the key for a successful event. Touches of lush garland and washed out mirrors were incorporated as a design element and barstools were added which made it even more inviting.

Custom tablecloths adorned the bar height tables with the addition of La Tavola linens for the high/low cocktail tables. A side lounge tent provided an area for guests to kick back their heals and enjoy their surroundings with lounge vignettes from Snyder Events. The florals selected had an English garden feel with bright greenery, touches of blush pinks, and magnolia leaves.

One of the biggest hurdles, in addition to the fact we were one story above ground, was what to do with the 3 cement bases that were left from dismantling the parking lot light fixtures – one of which was directly in the middle of the tent. Our solution was naturally, to cover them! Two were utilized as bar height food stations and the one in the middle of the room was covered with a tufted, round banquette. We placed another on the other side to create symmetry, and then mirrored this look in the side lounge tent. This then led to providing an amazing base for very large, prominent floral arrangements in custom painted urns, which created both height and depth within the space.

A draped and chandelier lined marquee acted as the main entrance and exit for the event and was utilized for the special confetti getaway. The bride, in her Monique Lhuillier gown and the groom, in his custom tux departed at the end of the evening and spent their night together in a suite at the Renaissance Hotel and as guests departed, they were handed leftover slices of wedding cake as an end of the night treat.

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Event Planning

Easton Events

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These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

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You’d never guess this stunning winter wedding took place the same weekend of the East Coast’s largest snowstorm. Even without the string trio for the ceremony, the getaway car or all the flowers, this day came together beautifully with the help of the incredible Rebecca Rose Events. From the gorgeous flowers to the sweet cake, we’re ready to say “I do” to this whole affair. See it all from Marcie Meredith Photography in The Vault!

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Winter Weddings

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Romantic Beach Club Wedding

From Rebecca Rose Events…Kyndal and Isaac were married in late January in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Their wedding weekend just so happened to coincide with the East coast’s largest winter snowstorm of the year. Ever the joyful optimists, these two decided to look past the stress of inclement weather (and shipping delays, vendor cancellations, and numerous other issues) and enjoy every single moment of their wedding weekend with the family, friends and loved ones who braved the elements to celebrate with them!

A few meaningful details and tidbits:

The groom is a tobacco farmer and as such, we worked to incorporate a little hint of his family’s history in their paper elements with the inclusion of tobacco leaf artwork.

The bride wanted to include the bright, cheerful coral pink color but was worried it might look too much like it was meant for a spring or summer wedding. Once we added burgundy, golds, greens, and plenty of ivory to the mix, the coral blended right in to create a vibrant winter color palette. It all pops so beautifully against the clean white snow too!

Kyndal’s walk down the aisle was so sweet because she was escorted by her two younger brothers. Having lost her dad at a young age, she has always been so close to her brothers and it was so beautiful to see them step into such a special role for her on her wedding day… both in escorting her down the aisle and also in taking turns sharing a dance with her during the traditional “father/daughter” dance time at the reception.

Readjustments had to be made on the wedding day when the string trio wasn’t able to make it for the ceremony, the getaway car couldn’t make it to the venue to pick them up, and delivery problems meant that not all the flowers arrived. We used recorded music for the ceremony, had a groomsman serve as the chauffeur at the end of the evening, and changed the design plans for the flowers at the last minute to make the very best use of what we had! Given the dangerous conditions that weekend, and the potential for so much more to have gone wrong, these adjustments were relatively easy. One thing was very evident though: the level of commitment that each vendor and creative partner displayed that weekend was inspiring. Our planning/design team, the DJ, and the photographer all arrived in town two nights early ahead of the storm and worked from a hotel to be sure they could perform all their services and be present on the wedding weekend. The bakery delivered the cake two days early to avoid a scenario where any safety issues could prevent a wedding day delivery in their truck. Fresh cake was refrigerated in the kitchen at the venue, and the displayed wedding cake itself was made out of styrofoam (a last minute decision to ensure that everything would look and taste perfect despite an early delivery)! The lighting crew, hair and makeup team, and rental company went out of their way to make things happen for this special couple. We are so grateful to get to work with such dedicated professionals who cared so deeply about ensuring that Kyndal and Isaac had the wedding they wanted!

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Event Planning

Rebecca Rose Events

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Wedding Dresses

Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

2014 Bridesmaids

Spring 2014 Accessories

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Alfred Sung

2014

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

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This is one of those beyond beautiful weddings. The sort of wedding that starts and ends with gorgeous details and is filled to the brim with moments that will make you smile. But beyond the lush blooms, breathtaking backdrop and stunning gown is the inspiring story of love, loss, hope and happiness… and family coming together to celebrate what marriage is really all about. See it all captured brilliantly by Julia Wade in THE VAULT.

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Spring Weddings

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Rustic and Cultural Wedding in North Carolina

From Julia Wade… I will never forget this day. It truly was the highlight of my 2015, so I’m really grateful to see it on the pages of SMP. My sweet bride Catherine had lost her mother Summer 2014 to cancer, and had a quiet wedding weeks before she passed. Their original wedding date of 5/2/15 affectionately became their “renup”. The bond between Catherine and Brooks was tangible and Bald Head Island shined for them. I will always cherish the photographs we made at the shoals at sunset.. something incredible happened with the light and the birds and between to the two of them. It was a gift to photograph..I am so grateful for clients that will let me in and truly tell their story. Enjoy.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2017 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2017 Accessories Collection

Fall 2016 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Lingerie Collection

Spring 2017 Separates Collection

Spring 2017 Bridesmaids Collection

Spring 2018 Bridal Collection

Spring 2018 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2018 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2018 Bridesmaid Collection

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Modern Trousseau

Spring & Fall Classics

Spring 2015

Fall 2015

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I can’t help but smile when looking at this gorgeous celebration of love hosted at non other than a goat farm. Yes, you read that right. A goat farm. And it’s basically the best. Planned to perfection by Gather Together Events with stunning florals from Lindsay Rae Design, every image from Amber Gress Photography makes me wish I pulled the invite to this love-filled day. See it all in the VAULT.

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Rustic Weddings

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