North Carolina Weddings

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Citrus Orange, Matte Peach, Lemon Yellow, Bright Pink, Spring Green, and a mix of Heather Purple and Delphinium Blue to accent. This bright palette was supported by neutral shades of white and light blush.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Rachel and Keenan have such playful souls and colorful tastes that we knew right away the vision and palette had to represent their vibrant love and personalities! The vibe was “Spirited Spring” and the vision was to reflect their whimsy spirit through bright and playful florals, unexpected textures and patterns, personality driven fashion, topped with modern twists. All we can say is the day certainly looked good on these two![/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]







[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]




[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]





[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]Lana Addison in Cary, NC[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Birdie Grey[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Men’s Wearhouse[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]












[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]




[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Rachel’s grandmother had unfortunately passed not too long before the wedding and the family wanted to keep her a part of the party somehow. She loved her gin + tonic’s so we had a special signature cocktail dedicated to “The Donna” consisting of a speciality gin, tonic water, and a twist of lime. She was definitely there in “spirit”![/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Florals were on the high priority list from the beginning and we intentionally chose a color palette that lent itself to the blooming season and unique floral options. From color blocking florals for more interest in the design to using natural elements such as moss, this floral design was one of our favorites this season! As for decor, there were carefully selected pieces that added either the perfect splash of color or texture to the event’s moments, such as green satin linens that had the florals popping all day and night, oranges at the welcome table for a pop of citrus amongst the green, stone bowl for cards from their own home instead of a card box, and handwritten texts selected from the bride on every piece of signage![/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Rachel and Keenan decided to replace a traditional cake cutting with an espresso martini tower! The photos say it all but it was one for the books! This just proves that you should stick to what you and your partner love. Rachel and Keenan are not sweet lovers and chose to do something that fit their relationship and loves instead![/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]We worked together to decide on a signature scent that represented their relationship and the vibe of the day. This scent burned throughout the wedding from welcoming guests to ending the night at the bar, and now they get to reminisce every time they light the candle in their home.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]Pattern was a highlight for this day and by using certain elements we were able to see it communicated from attire to the bar. The bridesmaids wore a floral dress that represented each color of the palette, holding a bouquet of opposing color to add the unexpected pop of color! The pattern didn’t stop there! The bar had hand-selected wallpaper inserts that were able to bring the palette full circle and add detail to every corner.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Polaroid Party! They had a member from each of their parties responsible for 1 polaroid camera and they did NOT fail! From the morning entrance to the epic dance floor to the ending exit they had so many moments and memories captured without the stress of leaning on their guests to do it all. Highly recommend handing a camera to a “polaroid party” member at your event.
[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]












[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]











[/board_carousel]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Krista Stevens Photography | Event Planning: The Gathering Co | Floral Design: thistle and moon | Catering: Donovan's Dish | DJ: Stylus Weddings | Wedding Venue: The Maxwell | Beauty: Blissful Muse Co. | Rentals: Party Reflections

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

The Maxwell

View Portfolio

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]The bride and groom didn’t hold fast to particular wedding colors, but rather were inspired by wildflowers, which offered a joyous mix of a lot of color. This is also why the bride and groom were set on Arika’s photography style, which they knew would capture the color exquisitely! The bride’s two inspiration photos were from a colorful spring wedding Arika had shot, which Bowerbird Flowers and Apothecary had provided the florals for.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]The couple wanted to make choices that were authentic to them and cultivated a down-to-earth, homestead, garden feeling. This looked like dresses that were all different colors, mix-and-match tablecloths and napkins, varying shapes/sizes/colors of budvases, wildflower seeds as favors, and an outside ceremony. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]We grew up going to church together. Our brothers were best friends! We reconnected at my brother’s wedding, and I asked for a lesson in chicken sitting, as my ECON 101 professor had asked me to chicken sit for her over the summer! The rest was history! He told me there was a ripe watermelon in our garden, so I walked out to check. After a closer inspection, I knew it wasn’t ripe, but when I turned around he was on one knee![/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]





[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]









[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride wore Jenny Yoo’s “Elliot” gown, paired with Made with Love’s pearled veil. She wanted something elegant, timeless, and polished, to stand out among the bursting array of colorful flowers and flowery dresses.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]The bride knew from the start she did not want her girls in typical bridesmaid dresses. She wanted something the girls would wear again on other occasions and that would surprise her guests. Additionally, the bride didn’t want to see herself reflected in the bridesmaids’ dress choice, but rather wanted to see the personality of each individual bridesmaid reflected in the dress they chose. The bride did not specify color, length, or material, but let the girls’ creativity run wild. She did help balance things out to make sure there was a good mix, but that took very little input. The bridesmaids were quite nervous about the whole idea, and kept asking the bride for more guidance, but everyone’s leap of faith played out on the big day. The bride did a reverse first look with her bridesmaids, since she was so excited to see them all together and see how her vision had become a reality.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Like the bride wanting a very sleek, classic look for herself, the guys wearing tuxes was exactly the sharp, suave, elevation needed to balance out the whimsical wildflower dresses. The juxtaposition was marvelous.[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]





















[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]















[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]







[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Over 25% of the guests attending the wedding had some sort of dietary restriction or preference. Food is our love language, and we wanted to love our guests well by providing them with food that they could enjoy. We were able to accomplish this intense goal with Rocky Top Catering. For passed hors d’oeuvres, we chose crispy chickpea & zucchini fritters (V+), caprese skewers (V), bacon wrapped stuffed pimento cheese dates (GF), and vegan portobello flat bread (V+). Dinner began with a plated garden salad. The buffet options included summer squash and cucumber salad (GF, V+), haircot vert amandine (V+), lemon and rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes (GF, V+), vegan paella (V+, GF), and honey brined chicken breast (GF). On My Way Bartending provided the drinks. Our signature cocktails were their Spicy Margarita, Brunch in Manhattan, and Why Not, but we had fun providing our own unique names for these drinks. The liquor behind the bar was Basil Hayden, Botanist, Patron, Tito’s, and Glenmorangie 10 Year. We also had all NC craft beer: Fullsteam’s Biscuit Wheat Beer, Highland Brewing’s Gaelic Ale, and Ponysaurus’s Pilsner. For wine, we offered Kendall Jackson Chardonnay, Guy Mousset Côtes du Rhône, and Bel-Aire Champagne.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]One of the things that made this wedding truly come together was trusting our florist 100%. We told Diane at Bowerbird Flowers and Apothecary that we wanted to support local farmers by sourcing flowers locally. We sent photos of the bridesmaid dresses, linens, and invitations, we picked out the bud vases and yellow taper candles, and then we got to sit back and relax knowing they would curate stunning floral arrangements. We had no idea what it would look like until we saw it on the morning of our wedding, but that’s why we hired a professional – so we didn’t have to think about it! And the photos speak for themselves. Bowerbird has such an artistic eye; their florals were magnificent, and Arika is an artist with her camera, capturing color beautifully. I also had my bouquet preserved with Bonnie’s Blooms, which I’m so happy I did![/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]For dessert, we had the incredible opportunity to support two friends that are currently growing their businesses. Bere’s Pastry provided the main cake, which was vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream and marble cake with caramel buttercream. Wheatless Woosters Bakery provided the chocolate cupcakes, which were our gluten free and vegan option.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Our two scripture passages came from theologian and friend Dr. Ellen F. Davis’s book, Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: Amos 9:14-15 and Hosea 2:16a, 9-22, 23b. We chose classical wedding songs for the ceremony (Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, the Air from Handel’s Water Music, Pachelbel’s Canon in D, and Mendelssohn’s Wedding March), but more personalized songs that meant something special to the us for the reception. We also committed to dancing together during all three of the slow songs played during the reception, in addition to our first dance and private last dance, which enabled us to savor and share in the celebration together. We were married by all four of our siblings, who are part of the North Carolina and Western North Carolina United Methodist Conference.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The bride & grooms big brothers were best friends growing up and to this day! They gave a toast together during the wedding that was incredibly funny & sweet.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″] We had a memento from all our deceased grandparents at our wedding, to honor their love for us and the impact they had on our lives: a three-pearl necklace the mother-of-the-bride wore, which the Bride’s maternal grandfather had given her maternal grandmother; a tie that the father-of-the-bride wore, which belonged to her paternal grandfather; a wheelbarrow from the Groom’s maternal grandfather; and a garden trowel that belonged to his paternal grandmother.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]Amid wedding planning, we also were renovating our entire house, which we wanted to share with our close friends and family. So, we hosted our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner there (catered by Luna’s Rotisserie and Empanadas), which felt like such a blessing poured out onto our newly renovated home as we began married life together.[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]









[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]








[/board_carousel]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Arika Jordan Photography | Event Planning: Sally Oakley Weddings & Events | Floral Design: Bowerbird Flowers | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo | Wedding Dress: Coastal Knot | Cake: Wheatless Wooster | Cake: Bere's Pastries | Invitations: Minted | Catering: Rocky Top Catering | Catering: on my way bartending | Men's Attire: Bernard's Formalwear | Wedding Venue: Walnut Hill | Beauty: ariel k beauty | Beauty: Evanna Coe | Engagement Ring Designer: Jewelsmith | Rentals: Party Reflections

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

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Arika Jordan Photography

View Portfolio

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

The wedding colors were beige, blush pink, burgundy, with dark purple hints.

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Saba & Moein are based in Chicago and absolutely fell in love with The Bradford near Raleigh, where they also have family. The original vision was to marry Persian culture with the bride’s sense of modernity and fashion. That includes lots of jewel tones, gold, and of course the most beautiful array of florals. Fruit is also very symbolic in Persian culture, especially pomegranates. They symbolize fertility, beauty, and eternal life. Saba thought adding fruits to each of the guests table was a fun and unique way to play up the design while incorporating some cultural aspects. When creating the initial design vision, C&D Eventspulled inspiration from ornate palaces and coupled it with mid century furniture and whimsical floral elements.

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]











[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]






[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]








[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”First Look”]


[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

The Wedding Gown by designer Dany Tabet fromWhite Bridal Boutiques was chosen with care due to Saba’s love of fashion. She selected a lace off the shoulder gown that complimented the classic venue style perfectly, a delicate lace fabric with a flattering silhouette that didn’t overpower her floral details and long floor length veil. She paired her gown with timeless pale pink Dior heels.

From the Bride… I didn’t know I wanted a full lace mermaid style gown until I tried on MANY princess cut gown and realized it just wasn’t me. As soon as I saw this gown, I 100% knew it was going to be my wedding dress. The classic lace with the off the shoulder style had me head over heels in love.

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]For the bridesmaids, Saba wanted to give them the chance to let their own personal style shine through their gown choices. She gave them a color palette and let them run with it. It turned out so much better than she could have even expected! What came together was a gorgeous mix of colors and styles that really gave the bridesmaids photos a more editorial, fashion forward feel.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]





[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]


[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]


[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

The couple worked with Rocky Top Catering to create a delicious and seasonal menu customized for their fall wedding. Guests were greeted with passed tuna nachos, hot chicken poppers and creamy tomato shooters with mini cheddar grilled cheese. The colors of the season were present in the plated beet salad featuring roasted red and gold beets and fresh greens. The couple opted for a plated meal with a guest entrée choice of chimichurri grilled flat iron steak, roasted salmon, or sundried tomato & asiago stuffed chicken breast. The Persian sweets provided by the bride and groom were paired with a fresh fruit display and peach streusel cheesecake squares.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Saba and Moein gravitated towards earthy sophistication that Mood Fleuriste executed using accents of rich burgundies and pomegranates against a backdrop of taupes and clays. They wanted the blooms to feel like they were rising out of fruit pilings, so the blooms were arranged in a mounding fashion, with the larger, heavier blooms at the bottom and luxury sweet peas and ranunculus soaring out of the tops. The deep browns were achieved with orchids that had all of the deep burgundies and light taupe accents in the petals to tie it all together.

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

The Lambeth cake by Bestow Baked Goods drew on the elegant and classic aesthetic that our bride loves, with more ornate icing details still in white to add a touch of minimalist luxury.

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

It was important to the couple to incorporate personal elements such as their two dogs who were included in their live painting by Art By Kelsey Rae of their Sofreh Ceremony. They also wanted to feature fun elements such as a contemporary DJ, mixing in cultural music while honoring traditions such as the Persian Knife Dance. This dance involves someone “stealing” the knife from the couple and dancing with it, then passing it around until the couple retrieves it again.

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]From the Bride: The sofreh aghd ceremony was of utmost importance to us. The sofreh aghd, or ceremonial table, includes symbolic items ranging from mirrors and fancy candelabras to honey and sugar canes that will be used to bless the bride and groom in a sweet marriage. This was where much of the design energy went towards. Typically, Persians will hire someone to do the entire setup. With there being a smaller Persian community in NC, we had to improvise. Our planner Sterling really helped bring my vision to life. It turned out better than I could have ever imagined and was truly the most beautiful sofreh aghd I had ever seen. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]



[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]















[/board_carousel]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: ZimZoom Photobooth | Photography: Rae Marshall Photography | Cinematography: Betts Photography | Design: Art by Kelsey Rae | Event Planning: C & D Events | Floral Design: Mood Fleuriste | Wedding Dress: Dany Tabet | Wedding Dress: White Bridal Boutiques | Cake: Bestow Baked Goods | Invitations: Theresa Jatko Designs | Ceremony Venue: The Bradford | Catering: Rocky Top Catering | Beauty: Hair by Autumn | Rentals: Curated Events Raleigh | Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Light Blue, White with Gold and Champagne Metallics[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]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.[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”][/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]




[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]





[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]




[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]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.
[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]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.[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos while Artimus sported a custom blue velvet tuxedo and black velvet loafers, both designed by Robert Jamison Collection.[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]






[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]













[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]





[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]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.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]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. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]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.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”] 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!
[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″] 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. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]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. [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]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.
[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]





[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
























[/board_carousel]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Krystal Kast Photography | Event Planning and Design: A Southern Soirée | Floral Design: Once Gathered | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Cake: Around The Table | Stationary: If It's Paper | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Azazie | Catering: Rocky Top Catering | Calligraphy: Yellow House Calligraphy | Band: The Band Punch | Suit: Robert Jamison Collection | Wedding Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Beauty: Wink Hair & Makeup | Lighting and Audio: DJ Rang | Live Painter: Brittany Rawls | Nutcracker Cookies: Sugar Euphoria | Rentals: Curated Events Raleigh | Send off Carriage: J&L Carriage | Wedding Dress Boutique: The Poinsett Bride

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

Krystal Kast Photography

View Portfolio

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]

All shades of Pink, Yellow (The Groom’s Late Mother’s favorite Color), Light Blue, Lilac & all fun summer colors!!

[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

The moto for the wedding was “Whimsical Garden Party”. The Bride, Maddie, works in the Wedding Industry herself and had seen over 200+ so when the planning began she knew exactly what she wanted and most importantly what she didn’t want. Color was SUPER important while also being fun and special to us as it truly is a representation as our lives together and our relationship, which was exactly what the entire day was! The little details were also super important to the couple as the bridal has a degree in Interior Design and also works on graphics. She herself custom designed every detail from the table numbers to the invitation suite, the bar menus and the custom Wedding Crest that featured their pup Sully who also made a special appearance on the Wedding Day!

[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]

Maddie and Will were not High School Sweethearts but instead were middle school sweethearts who started dating in 8th Grade and have been inseparable ever since. Last year in Charleston, SC the two planned a weekend trip after Will got back from a very long and intense internship in Pennsylvania and the two had spent months apart from each other. Maddie had been sending Will pictures of rings and places to go in Charleston, which included a pink house which had been all over TikTok! Little did Maddie know that on the second day in Charleston Will would take Maddie to that same house she was obsessed with on Tik Tok and get down on one knee and propose to her with not a ring that he bought but instead his late Mother’s ring that Will had polished and cleaned just for this moment but never had told Maddie. Let’s just say that Maddie was sobbing so much that a pedestrian walked by and asked if she was okay, we told her and she took a selfie with us to show her friends. The photo was so bad that Maddie refuses to show anyone because she had been crying for so long!

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]








[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]




[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]










[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Going into Wedding Dress shopping I knew exactly what I wanted and had it saved on my Tik Tok for months before getting engaged as I had just seen Bridal capes make an appearance and I was OBSESSED! The next week I had a trip planned to Austin, TX to see my MOH and best friend and she had planned a visit to a bridal shop while I was there so she could be apart of the dress shopping experience. Little did we know that that exact dress I had saved on Tik Tok and the cape was at that store. I had the whole bridal moment, cried and all, but there was on small issue. My mom or grandmas were there to see the dress and feel the emotions and honestly felt like they weren’t able to be apart of the experience. After many weeks crying and trying to get the dress out of my mind we went back shopping with my mom and grandmas in North Carolina and found a dress that I knew I could somehow transform into the dress I fell in love with. I purchased the dress with a complete vision in my head, took it to the sweetest seamstresses in Raleigh and you could see the fear in their eyes but I had trust and faith in them. After many months of honestly stressing those poor ladies out my dream dress came to life and we even were able to take pearls off of my mothers wedding dress and all them onto the sleeves of my cape and scattered them throughout the cape itself. It truly is a one of a find custom dress just for me and I will never ever forget it! Was truly one of my favorite pieces of the day!

[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

I knew I wanted to be different and allow my bridesmaids to select dresses that were not only a representation of them but that they also felt beautiful in, however, I did make sure to give them some parameters just to narrow down their search. These included no strapless necklines because that was my dress neckline, and they all needed to be pink, as the groom is a die-hard NC State Fan, his one request was that there be no light blue, but that didn’t really happen as the linens and florals featured what he calls “Carolina Blue”. All of the dresses were from Revolve but from different brands/designers.

[/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

I wanted the Groom to stand out just slightly from everyone else so we chose a “blue” that was slightly lighter than the groomsmen attire so that he would stand out just enough to have his own moment and honestly everyone loved it, even the groom. I also wanted the “blue” to have some texture and also be more of a chambray color to really give off the summer wedding feel and match the color palette!

[/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]










[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]















[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]




[/board_carousel]
[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

As a big foodie couple we wanted to feature a variety of food stations that were interactive for our guests and we truly had so many compliments!! It featured 3 interactive food stations that showcased a variety of tacos and nachos with endless toppings, mini chicken and beef slides with dips and toppings and last but not least, out favorite, the mashed potato and tater tot bar, which was a HIT! After dinner we then allowed guests to join us for our favorite Raleigh sweet treat, Two Roosters Ice Cream and small desserts from our caterer.

[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

Throughout the entire wedding planning process the bride had a ranking of importance of vendors and items, and florals was always the number one priority, which the brides father though was just insane, but he just went along with it. The first thing the brides dad mentioned to her after the ceremony was “okay you were right, the flowers do look fabulous and they make it!”. AT that moment I knew it was worth it because the man who never ever is worried or thinks about the way things look actually complimented and noticed the flowers. Ever since that day every single person or guest who sees a photo will tell you that they are obsessed with the florals and that they have never seen so many flowers in their life and that it just made the event and I couldn’t agree more!

[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Instead of cake, which the couple doesn’t really like, they chose to have their favorite ice cream in Raleigh and ever, at their wedding. The couple is just slightly obsessed with their icecream and you can even find their engagement photos at the Two Roosters Ice Cream storefront on their website, instagram, page and even their newsletters as they were the first to take engagement pictures at Two Roosters. Let’s just saw the workers always know their orders when they walk in! They chose to have their vintage icecream bus and even had custom spoons made for their guests that had their initials on them!!

[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

The song my parents walked down the aisle to was their wedding song which they did not know about and was a little sweet surprise for them! The bride and her dad also have a unique and goofy relationship in which they did a choreographed upbeat dance instead of a traditional slow father daughter dance like most and then at the end allowed the crowd to join in the fun and opened up the dancefloor for the night!

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

We incorporated yellow roses throughout the entire floral decor and design as a nod to the groom’s late mother as it was her favorite flower!

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

The bride surprised the groom with a live painting from Jill Danville but little did he know that there were a few surprises hidden in the image as a symbol/to recognize his late mother. Lets just say tears were shed but not only him but the entire family!

[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

The Bride and her grandpa handmade all of the lattice pieces together that were used for ceremony backdrop and the seating chart. They spent a weekend together bonding and creating them together and it was so special to see all of the hard work actually on the day of the wedding![/field]
[/section]
[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]







[/board_carousel]
[board_carousel title=”Reception”]












[/board_carousel]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Tanika Jane Photography | Coordination: The Merrimon Wynne House | Design: Bride | Floral Design: Once Gathered | Wedding Dress: Gilded Bridal | Invitations: Bride | Catering: Rocky Top Catering | DJ: DJ Harlem Entertainment Services | Groom's Attire: Generation Tux | Groomsmen's Attire: Generation Tux | Officiant: Kevin Holland | Wedding Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Beauty: Meredith Miller | Dessert: Two Roosters Ice Cream Truck | Engagement Ring Designer: Groom's Late Mother's | Rentals: Curated Events Raleigh | Wedding Dress Alterations & Design: Becoming Bridal Alterations | Weddings Rings: Marrow Fine

When it comes to your wedding day, rain and an outdoor ceremony tend not to mix, but for this lucky couple, the rain only lasted through the morning AND they had Rebecca Rose Events who not only planned the entire soiree but knew how badly the bride wanted that outdoor ceremony and ensured that it happened! Once the clouds parted, Rebecca and her team were able to create stunning florals from ceremony to reception which all took place at The Merrimon-Wynne House. Photographed by Ally and Bobby Photography, every moment was beautifully captured from a greenery draped staircase to the bride’s stunning attire! Take a look below and be sure to watch their heartfelt video by Muddy Trails Film Co.

From Rebecca Rose Events…Becky and Nick desired a joyful day of celebration and that’s just what they had. Their outdoor ceremony was a dream come true, even after heavy rains hit just a few hours before the start time. From the earliest stages of the planning process, Becky felt strongly about having their ceremony in the garden outside their venue. She loved the crisp white exterior of the house, with its exquisite trim and detail, set against the contrast of the green garden area.

The original plan for inclement weather was to hold the ceremony inside the carriage house and flip that space for the reception while guests enjoyed cocktail hour inside the main house. The more we pondered that idea, the more we felt it wasn’t the right call.

Thank goodness for clear top tents! It poured and drenched us the morning of the wedding, but everything under that tent was dry and gorgeous! We were able to create a beautiful flower-filled ceremony setting with abundant natural light, set against the background of the historic house structure, just like Becky had always envisioned, and it was so lovely.

One favorite detail… Becky has an extensive personal collection of antique milk glasses vases and vessels that she wanted to incorporate. We used over 100 of her vases and mixed them with delicate clear glass bud vases to give meaningful character to the dinner tables. It was such a special touch.

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/340300692 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Ally and Bobby | Videography: Muddy Trails Videography | Wedding Cake: Ashley Cakes | Catering: Rocky Top Catering | Hair and Makeup: Tease And Blush | Calligraphy: Carole Murray | Lighting: Sound Illusions | Band: Souljam | Ceremony Music: Allegro Music | Cake Table Linen: BBJ La Tavola | Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Linens: Party Reflections | Planning, Design, and Production (including Floral Design, Graph: Rebecca Rose Events | Rentals: Party Reflections | Stationery & Gift Boxes: Rebecca Rose Events

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

Rebecca Rose Events

View Portfolio

When it comes to Southern garden weddings—this one my friends, is your blueprint. Set at the ever-charming Merrimone-Wynne House, and dressed to the nines thanks to A Southern Soiree and Specialties Florals & Events, it’s the kind of soiree that will never go out of style. You can be sure every single capture from Caroline Lima will stand the test of time.

From the bride… Around Christmas of 2011, MG and I met through mutual friends. I was drawn in by his generosity and his long-lasting relationships with those he loved. After almost six years of cherished time together, MG proposed in the fall of 2017. We were with friends in Asheville, NC, and it was exactly one year from our Wedding date. Even with me being from New York, we knew we wanted an intimate gathering of our closest family and friends, and at no better place then where it all started- Raleigh, North Carolina.

While planning our wedding, I knew that I wanted it to feel like a romantic garden party. We wanted lots of greenery, and cascading flowers while adding in lots of personal, custom details, most of which we could use again in our home. We centered a lot of our reception around our Custom Crest that was made by Simply Jessica Marie. It has a lot of details embedded in it that were very personal to us, and that told our love story.

On the day of the wedding we were fortunate to have a beautiful and sunny, yet crisp, late fall day. We had a wedding for 120 of our closest friends & family, with a ceremony in front of a beautiful floral and greenery arch. I wore an Enzoani gown, paired with one of my favorite details of the wedding, my cathedral length veil and hair combs by Cheryl King Couture, along with my “something borrowed”, which were 2 hair clips that my sister wore in her wedding. These pieces were very special to me, not only because I was wearing something of my sisters, but I knew that this would be something that I could pass down to my children for generations to come.

We chose black tuxes for the men, with MG wearing a Navy tux to stand out, while the girls wore Aidan and Mira Jenny Yoo dresses in Whipped Apricot in the style of their choice.

The venue, The Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh, alone was stunning, but we chose to accent it with loose, organic florals using soft jewel tones, with pops of plum and burgundy. The bouquets were hand tied with a mix of silk and velvet ribbons. We continued our floral aesthetic with a floral chandelier in the carriage house, centered on the dance floor. With its cascading florals and greenery, it was the focus of the reception creating a romantic, garden party feel. There were also four greenery balls that cascaded down in the corners of the room.

We tried to not leave any detail out, with using the most of our Custom Crest by Simply Jessica Marie. We incorporated it into our napkins, cups, programs, and pillow cases. I also had one of my favorite artists, BECCA, paint a watercolor of the Merrimon-Wynne House to use as a guest book. I know we will always cherish this as it holds a reminder of one of our favorite days, and we will have it hanging in our house for years to come.

With my Mother being Italian, we couldn’t have desserts without Italian cookies and Jordan almonds being present. Along with our gorgeous wedding cake by the The Cupcake Shoppe, we had additional cakes for our guests from the amazing Hayes Barton Café & Dessertery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Caroline Lima Photography | Florist: Specialties Florals & Events | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Donovan's Dish | Hair & Makeup: Ashley Mooney | Hair & Makeup: Ron Carlos Salon | Ceremony music: Arioso Strings | Bar Hashtag: Happily Ever Etched | Cake Artist: The Cupcake Shoppe | Cards Against the Davises and Bar Signage: Chelsea Celeste Design & Photography | Cups and Napkins: Sip Hip Hooray | Day of Calligrapher: Mason Dixon Design | Embroidered Napkins: Lumina Embroidery | Event venue: Merrimon-Wynne House | Furniture Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Groom and Groomsmen's attire: The Black Tux | Guest Book Painting: BECCA | Invitations, Acrylic Signage, and Programs: Haley Michelle Designs | Ornaments: Coton Colors | Other Cakes: Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery | Planning and styling: A Southern Soirée | Reception music: Bunn DJ Company | Rentals: CE Rentals | Veil: Cheryl King Couture | Wedding Crest and Pillows: Simply Jessica Marie | Wedding Dress Designer : Enzoani | Wedding dress boutique: Divas Boutique and Bride

Wanting to introduce their friends and family to the State they now call home, this couple – originally from New York City – chose the Merrimon-Wynne House for their North Carolina garden wedding. With the help of A Southern Soiree, they put on a truly beautiful, Southern affair. Both Twenty-One Films and Theo Milo Photography were there to capture the pretty as a peach day, so scroll on and then press play!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/229762410 600 338]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From A Southern Soiree… Having recently moved to North Carolina from New York City, this sweet couple dreamed of a wedding day where their family and friends could enjoy a taste of the place they now call home and have grown to love. In search of southern history and charm, the Merrimon Wynne House proved to be the perfect location for Blair and Danny’s southern, garden chic vision to come to life. Beautiful blooms in a palette of dusty blue, peach, and ivory paired with luxurious furniture and linens enhanced the beauty of the Merrimon Wynne House, creating an intimately warm space for loved ones to celebrate. A custom removable sheer train enhanced the bride’s stunning Vera Wang gown and added the perfect amount of fluttering romance to a magical affair. A Chilean three legged pig, a sweet gesture of love and friendship, welcomed guests to their seats as they dined a la fresco under a sea of greenery and market lights. A locally inspired and sourced meal from the amazing team of Snap Pea Underground and Catering followed by an evening of live music and even more delicious treats left guests departing a night to remember with their stomachs and hearts full.

Photography: Theo Milo Photography | Cinematography: Twenty One Films | Event Planning + Design: A Southern Soirée | Floral Design: Meristem Floral | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Cinda's Creative Cakes | Invitations: Maria Scheel Invitations & More | Stationery: Paper Buzz | Ceremony Venue: Market hall | Reception Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Shoes: Gucci | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Snap Pea Catering | Hair + Makeup: The Makeup Culture | Band: The Voltage Brothers | Officiant: Perry Hardison | Ceremony Music: Triangle Strings Quartet | Transportation: Royal Parking | Transportation: Eco-Style Transportation | Bridesmaid Dress Boutique: Alexia's Bridal | Cocktail Hour Music: Gigmaster | Furniture, Chargers, Bars: Cottage Luxe | Linens, Chairs, Napkins: CE Rentals | Tent, Lighting, Staging: Party Reflections

When I heard this couple met and fell for each other while tango dancing, I couldn’t wait to browse the gallery of their love-filled wedding day! Located in the backyard of the bride’s childhood home, this gorgeous garden wedding included elegant white details and a tented reception with pops of vibrant florals designed by Erin McLean Events. The intimate celebration ended the only way it should have, with a tango performance by the bride and groom of course! Browse the entire collection all captured by the talented Anagram Photo.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

With this beautiful, quintessential home as the backdrop surrounded by friends and family from all over the world the 2 cultures came together in their appreciation for family, love, and amazing good. Dinner was served under a billowing white tent family style, with the hum of laughter and love floating through the April evening. The party, which was in the midst of Elise’s mother’s meticulously manicured garden, was designed to seamlessly flow with its surrounding. The tent was filled with greenery draped chandeliers and blooms dripping with colors of spring. The poppy was the catalyst for the bright color infusion, which can be found covering the fields of Marco’s home country but can also be found in a painting in the living room of the home Elise and her father before her grew up in.

Elise and Marco surprised their guests with a fantastic tango dance under the stars, complete with a custom made “bridal inspired” tango dress Elise donned. They even had a custom logo created inspired by photo of the two of them dancing tango. The evening was the perfect marriage of not only a much in love couple but also their two world intertwining much like one of their favorite tango moves.

Photography: Anagram Photo | Event Design: Erin McLean Events | Event Planning: Erin McLean Events | Floral Design: Artfully Arranged | Wedding Dress: Alexia's Bridal | Ceremony Venue: White Memorial Presbyterian Church | Catering: The Catering Company of Chapel Hill | Hair and Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Band: Klaxton Brown Band | Transportation: Eco-Style Transportation | Artwork: Lynn Tichenor | Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier | Linens: Party Tables | Paper : Wiregrass Weddings | Private Home: Family's Private Home | Rentals: Party Reflections

Backless gowns are best kept for indoor attire but with this gorgeous engagement, the Bride-to-be had her love to keep her warm. And it’s all set against a magical winter wonderland captured by Forage + Film. Get inspired to dress to the nines and romp in the snow with even more gorgeous imagery right here in the vault.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

We loved shooting this winter wonderland session with this sweet couple! The soft falling snowflakes, and the beautiful white historic estate made for such dreamy setting. Paired with this couples fabulous style, serious guts ( hello backless dress in freezing temperatures!) and tangible love, we walked away knowing it was a special day. This was the kind of session that can’t ever be recreated and is just as unique and special as this couple is, and that is the kind of experience we live for! We loved that this couple got to cuddle into each other for warmth as the snow rested on their hair and laugh with each other in these extraordinary circumstances! While we sometimes wish it snowed more often here in Raleigh, its rarity truly does make it that much more special when it does!

Photography: Forage + Film | Historic House: Merrimon-Wynne House

This wedding…where do I even begin? The dress from Fabulous Frocks Bridal, the epic floral wall designed by Tre Bella Florist, the pros of Gather Together who flawlessly moved the ceremony indoors when rain hit the scene. And of course, Rachel Red Photography who captured the entire affair from beginning to end. Go see why we can’t get enough of the details behind this incredible day.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride…

The invitations |  I’ve been designing invitations as a creative outlet and knew I wanted to incorporate a custom set into the wedding design. Jon wanted a modern font and I fell in love with the blush watercolor florals.

The ceremony |  Our ceremony was one of the best parts of the day. I knew once we were together at the end of that aisle that we would keep each other calm no matter how big the storm was outside. Instead of being stressful, it was a beautiful reminder of why we fell for each other; we just have a knack for keeping each other happy when life gets crazy.

The floral wall | We wanted something that would blend seamlessly with the outdoor environment we had anticipated getting married in. Little did we know it would become the star of the night after being moved indoors. I will never forget the moment I walked into the carriage house and saw the way he was looking at me, standing amidst all the candles and our floral backdrop; it was pure magic.

The dress |  The light taupe tulle was such a pretty color and made it feel unique. I felt like something straight out of a fairytale in the long train, intricate beading, and chiffon flowers. It was the princess dress every girl dreams of.

The guestbook |  Our trips usually consist of the two of us jumping in the car and exploring, so we collected vintage postcards leading up to the wedding and asked our guests to help us make a road trip guide. They wrote on the card that reminded them of a place they loved and now we have a collection of travel tips and lovely notes to flip through!

Photography: Rachel Red Photography | Event Planning: Gather Together | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Cake: Sugarland | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Alfred Sung | Catering: Eschelon | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Officiant: Rev Barbara Lodge | Ceremony Music: Arioso Strings | Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Bridal Boutique: Fabulous Frocks Bridal | Rentals: Party Reflections | Rentals: Themeworks Creative

This wedding is beautiful. Insanely beautiful… and filled with those crazy cool details we sooo love here at SMP.  But beyond all of the gorgeous + intricately planned moments is the story of Claire and Alex, two people whose immense love for one another goes beyond those lush florals and stunning blue hues.  It’s a “loyalty” that shines through each and every moment captured by the talented Caroline Lima, and will warm your hearts just the way it should. See what marriage is all about in THE VAULT right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Caroline Lima Photography… As I’m getting to know my couples, I usually ask them to put pen to paper and answer a few questions about themselves and their relationship. Their answers are always interesting, and quite often inspiring and intensely personal. When I asked Claire what made her fall in love with Alex, her first response was ‘his loyalty’. When I asked Alex the same question, his first response was…can you guess? ‘Her loyalty’. This couple has truly stood by each other’s sides. They’ve faced several of Life’s curve balls together, with their families close at hand. Claire’s dad (with whom she was very close) passed away last August, and when Alex proposed, he chose to do so in the place where he felt most connected to the man who had raised the love of his life…on the golf course just outside Claire’s parents’ home.

Claire and Alex have been writing their story together for 8 years now, since meeting at a party in college. With so much shared history, it seemed perfect that they were married at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, which has its own amazing and storied past. The deep emotion and meaning of the day was present in every detail. Claire was radiant beneath her mother’s veil! As her brother walked her down the aisle, I found myself moved to the core.

The celebration continued at the Carolina Country Club. The shared joy of everyone in attendance was evidenced in the smiles, the tears, the laughter throughout the day. Like many weddings, there was sunlight, music, dancing…But as I watched Claire and Alex through my lens, I kept seeing the loyalty that they spoke of when I first met them. To know someone…to truly know them over many years, to love them for who they are…and to choose loyalty again and again… That is what marriage is really about.

Photography: Caroline Lima Photography | Floral Design: Artfully Arranged | Wedding Dress: Alexia's Bridal | Cake: Macy Cakes | Stationery: Reaves Engraving | Ceremony Venue: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church | Reception Venue: Carolina Country Club | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Hair + Makeup: Onloktion Makeup Artistry | Band: EastCoast Entertainment

Can we all agree that more color is needed everywhere and always!? Unsure about that? Look no further than this beauty right here. Bursting with blush, oranges and a delightful teal this Southern celebration is giving us life this Monday morning. This Vault gallery, captured by Forage and Film, is my new happy place and rightfully so – get your own mood boost right this way!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From forage and film… This sweet summer event was full of the most gorgeous details that were not only so beautiful, but also very meaningful!

The day started with friends, family and loved ones, including their sweet dog, sipping mimosas and enjoying the moment. After getting into that gorgeous dress, we were all blown away by the amazing florals. While stunning in their own right, what made the bridal bouquet even more special was that it was a replica of her grandmother’s arrangement from her wedding! The sweet reminder was extra special.

The couple chose to say their vows in a Catholic Church, but returned to the historic mansion for the party, where you could see the groom’s heritage in the Canadian flags placed around on pillows, and corn hole boards. But you also got to see some more of the bride’s heritage, like the stunning blue sweetheart table chairs with their new initials. The chairs were actually the bride’s grandmother’s chairs! They fit with the day just perfectly. But one element we really loved was the lack of cake! In its place was a gourmet ice cream bar! Instead of cutting the cate this amazing couple scooped some ice cream!

We loved the simple yet romantic eucalyptus strung banquet tables which let the beautiful bouquets really shine.

We adored this sweet couple and all the time we got to spend with them and know their marriage will be 10x more beautiful than their perfect day.

Photography: Forage + Film | Floral Design: Meristem Floral | Wedding Dress: Lillian West | Reception Venue: Merrimon-Wynne House | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Beau Catering | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Ice Cream Bar: The Freezing Pointe | Rentals: CE Rental

Hi SMP brides! Shelby here from Pretty in the Pines and today I’m sharing all the details of how I asked my bridesmaids and flower girls to be a part of our wedding day! Since it had been several months since the engagement, I had quite some time to think of ideas of how I would ask all of my best friends and family to be in our wedding party.

I thought about giving gifts and asking separately, or even sending surprise packages and letters in the mail, but I knew that deep down, my best case scenario would be if I could somehow get all of my favorite girls together at the same place at the same time. I not only hoped to pull-off a mini party for all of them, but I wanted to make the occasion as much of a surprise as possible! Once I decided on having a surprise bridesmaid brunch at my favorite venue in Raleigh, Merrimon Wynne, I asked my wedding planner, Stephanie Scholl Events, if she could help with the planning and design of it all!

[dotted]

“I envisioned a berry-themed brunch because, after all,

it was a party thrown for all of the ‘sweetest’ ladies in my life.”

[dotted]

As soon as I could coordinate the same date for everyone, I met with Stephanie Scholl Events and told her about the theme and vision I had in mind. I envisioned a berry themed brunch because, after all, it was a party thrown for all of the ‘sweetest’ ladies in my life. I also have a love for all things blue and it was the perfect opportunity to incorporate my favorite color and to use these teal berry baskets to fill up with small gifts for the girls. Luckily, Raleigh has some pretty talented vendors for occasions like these and Stephanie Scholl Events was able to bring the vision to life so perfectly! I sent out an invitation that invited them to a “summer brunch” (and made sure not to make it too obvious) that later followed with a lot of “what should I wear?” texts.

At 11:00 on the morning of the brunch, each bridesmaid and flower girl arrived to the house (by this time, some of them were pretty suspicious of why they were there) and I could hardly contain my excitement! This was one of the first times where I had all of my closest women in my life in one spot and the feeling was indescribable! We sipped on delicious drinks made at a mimosa and berry bar while catching up with each other as we waited for the rest of the girls to arrive. As soon as everyone arrived to the house, we sat down at the table and I gave each girl their gift, a watercolor “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?” print by Sage Paper Co., and a handwritten note complete with all the feels! I gave a toast about why we were all there and it didn’t take long before the room was filled with tears. Some of these girls I had known since college, high school, and some my entire life, but I couldn’t get over how wonderful it felt to have them all there together.

The baskets for each bridesmaid were filled with cookies by Oak City Cookies decorated with our wedding date, a bottle of Speak Wines, and a bridesmaid emergency kit from Pinch Provisions! It also included a pair of Moon and Lola earrings, a favorite candle of mine (hello, CCapri Blue Candles), and a cosmetic pouch from Paper Source! My two flower girls felt like princesses in their flower crowns and they were too cute exploring the house in their matching outfits they showed up in that morning! One of them asked why there weren’t any boys invited to this wedding, thinking that was the actual wedding, haha!

We ate the most delicious brunch by Belle’s Catering, complete with a biscuit bar, mini chicken and waffles, berry parfaits, and mini quiches. We finished off the meal with dessert by one of my all-time favorite Raleigh bakeries, The Cupcake Shoppe. I’m talking lavender French macarons, mini blackberry chocolate mousse tarts, vanilla bean cheesecake pops, and mini blackberry cupcakes. It was berry dessert heaven! The room was absolutely magical and even more beautiful than I envisioned it would be. The style had a simplistic but elegant feel with neutral and classic furniture rentals by Cottage Luxe and berry branches intertwined with gorgeous florals by Serendipity Designs. Although the décor was beautiful and just my style, the house was filled with SO much love and that made it so special. In fact, each aspect of the entire day was so special and it got me very excited for the next 10 months leading up to the wedding. Thankfully, I have a pretty amazing photographer friend and sorority sister, Megan Kerns Photography, who was there to capture the entire morning! Next step: find bridesmaid dresses!

[dotted]

Follow Shelby’s Journey Down the Aisle! 

Meet the Bride + Engagement Session

Photography: Megan Kerns Photography | Event Design: Shelby Vanhoy | Floral Design: Serendipity Designs | Catering: Belle's Catering | Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Berry Baskets: Amazon | Blogger Bride: Shelby Vanhoy | Bride's Dress: Rent The Runway | Bridesmaid Emergency Kit: Pinch Provisions | Cake + Dessert Bar: The Cupcake Shoppe | Candles for Bridesmaids: Capri Blue Candles | Cookies: Oak City Cookies | Cosmetic Pouch: Paper Source | Earrings: Moon and Lola | Invitations + Paper Goods + Signage: Sage Paper Co. | Planning + Design + Styling: Stephanie Scholl Events | Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Wine Bottles: Speak Wines

I have a theory and it goes a little something like this: dessert calories don’t count. That is, so long as said dessert calories are served suspended in the air. Which is exactly the type of guilt free indulgence you’ll find in The Vault courtesy of this stunner of a celebration. Filled with so yummy sweets and delightful details, Michael And Carina Photography snapped every blissful moment to share!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Michael And Carina Photography…The pastel color palette and elegant setting made for a beautiful wedding to document. Due to rain on their wedding day, the ceremony was moved to the tent, which was styled so beautifully by C&D events and transformed into an intimate and romantic setting.

Photography: Michael And Carina Photography | Wedding Dress: Savvi Formalwear | Invitations: Minted | Bride's Shoes: Nina | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Durham Catering Company | Hair + Makeup: Perfection By Patricia | DJ: DJ Spin | Groom's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Event Planning + Floral Design: C & D Events | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Reception Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Rentals: CE Rentals

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!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Colors

Seasons

Fall Weddings

Settings

Religious InstitutionRustic Weddings

Styles

Classic Weddings

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!

Photography: Anagram Photo | Cinematography: Twenty One Films | Event Planning: Erin McLean Events | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: Pnina Tornai | Cake: Ashley Cakes | Invitations: Purple Puddle | Ceremony Venue: Orange United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: The Pavilions At The Angus Barn | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Adrianna Papell | Catering: Angus Barn | Hair + Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Calligraphy: Well Addressed Calligraphy | Band: The Embers | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Ceremony Music: Elegant Ensembles | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Rentals: CE Rentals | Signage: AB Chalk Designs

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!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

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.

Photography: Anagram Photo | Event Planning: Events by La Fete | Floral Design: Kelly Odom | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza | Cake: Ashley Cakes | Ceremony Venue: St. David's | Reception Venue: Carolina Country Club | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Joanna August | Catering: Carolina Country Club | Makeup: Onloktion Makeup Artistry | Hair: Studio Hair | Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carrie | Lighting: Total Production Services | Band: The Adrian Duke Project | Groomsmen Attire: VIP Formal Wear | Rentals: CE Rentals | Suspenders: High Cotton Ties | Wedding Map + Life Map: Emily Brooks Designs | Welcome Boxes: A Signature Welcome

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]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

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!

[dotted]

Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography | Cinematography: Blueberry Creative | Floral Design:Blossoms Events | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Mitchell’s Catering | Invitations: Charlotte’s| Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Makeup: Makeup for Your Day | Hair: Salon 21 | Lighting:Technical Event Company | Band: Liquid Pleasure | Ceremony Music: NC Symphony | Venue:Renaissance Hotel Raleigh | Catering: Mitchell’s Catering | Custom Linen Rentals: Designing Linens | Dance Floor + Draping: Blossoms Events | Event Styling + Production: Easton Events | Linen Rentals: La Tavola Linen | Paper Goods: Charlotte’s | Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals | Rentals: CE Rental| Tent Rentals: Skyline Tent Company | Welcome Bags: A Signature Welcome

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

Event Planning

Easton Events

View Portfolio

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]

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

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.

Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography | Cinematography: Blueberry Creative | Floral Design: Blossoms Events | Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier | Cake: Mitchell’s Catering & Events | Invitations: Charlottes | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Monique Lhuillier | Catering: Mitchell’s Catering & Events | Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Hair: Salon 21 | Lighting: Technical Event Company | Band: Liquid Pleasure | Ceremony Music: NC Symphony | Venue: The Aspen Institute At Wye River | Custom Linen Rentals: Designing Linens | Dance Floor + Draping: Blossoms Events | Event Styling + Production: Easton Events | Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola | Paper Goods: Charlottes | Rentals: CE Rentals | Rentals: Snyder | Tent Rentals: Skyline Tent Company | Welcome Bags: A Signature Welcome

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

Event Planning

Easton Events

View Portfolio

There’s happily ever after, and then there’s the happily ever after that these two sweeties share.  A union so incredibly awesome, it calls for a surprise anniversary session, complete with beautiful florals and traditional Indian attire.  All captured in breathtaking images by Casey Rose Photography, this is a celebration of marriage that reminds us that LOVE is what it’s all about.  Head to THE VAULT to soak in every inspiring moment, then share your very own fairytale using #SMPShareYourStory.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Casey Rose Photography… Natalie wanted to surprise Raj with a romantic garden photography session to celebrate their two-year anniversary. She told him what to wear – but otherwise – he was not in on the details. We even photographed a First-Glimpse. It brought back all the memories of their wedding day when he saw her for the first time, dressed in a soft lace dress and wearing the same accessories from her wedding day. It’s exactly why anniversary sessions are so lovely. They absolutely bring back the romance!

After a champagne toast, Natalie and Raj changed into traditional Indian outfits. Natalie’s dress was gifted to her by Raj’s family on their wedding day so it holds special meaning to them both.

[dotted]

See more Anniversary Sessions in THE VAULT!

Photography: Casey Rose Photography | Floral Design: Casey Rose Photography | Dress: Rent The Runway | Hair And Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Venue: The Raleigh Trolley | Ribbon: Frou Frou Chic