North Carolina Weddings

This is a post that can only be described as a double dose of awesome.  It’s like one moment you’re soaking up a gallery of gorgeous from the lens of Theo Milo and the next you’re re-living every beautiful second as captured by Green Hope Productions (press play below).  A stunningly beautiful day (think rustic garden paradise) and two vendors making sure we can bask in all of the pretty?  Yes, please. 

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From Green Hope Productions… It was a perfect October day at The Atrium by Ligon Flynn- Wilmington’s secret garden, and my first time filming there. It was October 13th, 2013, my lucky number is 13 and the theme was “Lucky in Love” with a rustic chic decor.

The Atrium is a contemporary urban garden that once housed the livery stables for downtown Wilmington. By the 1970’s it had fallen into decay and architect Ligon Flynn purchase it and centered his design on the intersection of people and nature. He passed on in 2010, and in 2011, Jen of Salt Harbor Designs and Millie of Millie Holloman Photography stumbled upon the space, fell in love with it and opened it up for events. Some of the old brick walls remain exposed and others are painted white, beautifully framing the slender maple trees, oleander and other native plants as you walk in off 2nd St. Green ivy starts to crawl up the wall on the left, and then completely covers it as the yellow tin roof opens up to expose raw steel beams. I love the textures there- the greenery of the trees and the ivy, the history and the decay of the old brick walls and floors, the steel beams that reveal the starry sky, and the 20’ tall yellow fluted tin roof that adds to the understated grandeur and the simple elegance of The Atrium. I am especially in love with the tall ivy green wall, which serves as the backdrop for their ceremonies. 

Stephanie & Cory met at the gym. Their first date was on the basketball court and she beat him at hoops. His mom knew Stephanie was probably the one when she heard that a tall, beautiful blonde girl had beat her son at his favorite game. Cory is a Navy Seal, so they knew they would be spending long stretches of time apart, which is one reason why they knew they wanted their day captured on film.

Stephanie rented an apartment for the weekend with beautiful old exposed brick walls in downtown Wilmington and large windows with lots of natural light. She greeted me with a warm smile while her friends got ready around her. She was my second bride this season that was married in TOMS. I love that with every purchase, TOMS will help a person in need. Her colors were yellow ochre and Navy blue. The girls wore long chiffon blue gowns with dark gray TOMS, and the guys wore white shirts with black suspenders, blue lace up TOMS and yellow ochre ties. I adored that the ties not only matched the yellow flowers, but also the yellow tin roof of the Atrium.

It was my first time working with Kickstand Events, and Emily Bell was as sweet as could be! I was never one for working with a blank canvas, so I am always amazed by the artistry that the wedding planners come up with. I toured The Atrium with Stephanie and Emily, and Emily tried explaining what it would all look like from the picture in her head. I was blown away by how Kickstand Events transformed the Atrium from the ceremony to the reception. It was so simple and perfect with yellow and white flowers in simple vases, with candles in between, and a table full of tall metal and glass lanterns along the ivy and brick wall.

I love Mason jars at weddings. Guests were invited to write their names on chalkboard stickers on their mason jars. The beautiful “Lucky In Love” programs came from Wedding Paper Divas. And all the chalkboard art was done by Stephanie.

I was very impressed by the girls from The Butler Did It, as they carried the long heavy, dark wooden benches from the ceremony site to the dining area around the corner. The reception area was assembled behind long beautiful sheer white curtains that blew gently in the late afternoon breeze. The ceremony space became the dance floor for the reception, and the starry night was illuminated by lines of small globe lights- my favorites.

It was my 2nd time working with Photographer Theo Milo. I love how his photography captures light and emotion with a very shallow depth of field. The first time I worked with him, his girlfriend Hannah did the bride’s hair. My second time working with him, she was his wife, and Stephanie’s hair was a soft, beautiful updo with a birdcage veil.

Theo chose a few different backdrops for their photoshoot following the ceremony. I usually follow the photographer’s lead with little input, and film the magic as it reveals itself. While we headed back from the waterfront, a live band played at a nearby bar. Stephanie grabbed Cory’s hand and they began dancing in the middle of Dock St. while their wedding party cheered them on. I adored Stephanie’s spontaneous spirit, and that her impromptu dance epitomized the heart of Green Hope Productions – “Capturing the magic while you’re caught up in the dance.”

Stephanie and Cory’s love of chips and salsa made Flaming Amy’s Burrito Bar the obvious choice to cater a serve yourself burrito bar complete with their delicious offering of salsas. The wooden dessert table from the Hot Pink Cake Stand was just as simple and beloved. A white cake with a simple yellow ochre flower and an off-white chevron design was topped with Mr. & Mrs. in cursive metal. It was surrounded with a few small trays bearing cookies and pink frosted cupcakes.

Four unforgettable toasts were another wonderful reason to have the wedding captured on film. Following the toasts, everyone danced, even the grandmas. There was chair dancing, a dance-off, even an impromptu limbo, thanks to a groomsmen’s belt. The night ended with a sparkler sendoff down 2nd St. where the red British Taxi was waiting for them. Usually this is where the night ends for us, but they drove around the block to Slice of Life pizza, where Cory & Steph started their marriage off with a pizza and beer date.

Photography: Theo Milo Photography | Cinematography: Green Hope Productions | Catering: The Butler Did It | Venue: Atrium by Ligon Flynn | Active Entertainment: Active DJ Entertainment | Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn: Jay Muxworthy | Flowers By Kickstand Events: Kickstand Events | Hair - B3 Beauty Bar: Beauty Bar Boutique | Hot Pink Cake Stand: Hot Pink Cake Stand | Kickstand Events: Kickstand Events | Pastor: Pastor Jamie Barfield | Programs: Wedding Paper Divas | The British Taxi: The British Taxi

Can we talk about this veil for a sec? I’m in love. Not only is it complete lace perfection, but it just so happens to be the Bride’s sweet Grandmother’s veil. Heirloom loveliness. Isn’t it gorg? And the entire day floats on that same elegant, classic style thanks to Salt Harbor Designs. A groom in tailored navy, ivory blooms in every corner and a candlelit reception… Anne Liles is behind every pretty bit—and don’t miss the film from Life Stage Films!

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From Anne Liles Photography… This was a lovely interfaith ceremony. The bride, Addison and the groom, Jason have been sweethearts since high school so combining the two faiths was the perfect way to represent each family. They were a very comfortable group—you could tell that their relationships had been going strong for years. A chuppah of cream linen tied with roses was constructed for them to be married under and a custom calligraphy Ketuba was created for Addison and Jason to sign in joint affirmation.

Addison chose a very crisp cream to accent her day, the tables were draped in cream linens and flowers and the maids wore long and flowing lavender dresses with bouquets made from antique cream roses. Addison carried cream peonies and Jason and his groomsmen wore boutonnieres made of peonies as well.  Addison wore her grandmother’s veil and was married with her ring—a lovely vintage touch.

Many little traditions came together to create one beautiful day. A basket of yamakas was placed with the programs if guests wanted to cover their heads for the ceremony. After the ceremony Jason dug up a bottle of bourbon. This is a southern tradition—the bottle must be full and buried upside down in the location of the ceremony one month before the wedding to ensure beautiful weather on the wedding day. Then the wedding party and family partake of it together. The bride’s grandmother was the first to sip from the bottle after the bride and groom—A lovely Figure 8 Island wedding!

Photography: Anne Liles | Videography: Life Stage Films | Event Design: Salt Harbor Designs | Cake: One Belle Bakery | Ceremony Location: Figure Eight Island Yacht Club Lawn | Ceremony Venue: Figure 8 Island Yacht Club | Bridesmaids Dresses: Donna Morgan | Food: Figure 8 Island Yacht Club | Hair + Makeup: Salon Beyond Basics | Band: EastCoast Entertainment

This wedding had me at craft beer.  Well, actually it had me at craft beer, candlelit reception and two high school sweethearts saying I do, but you get the point… it’s an awesome celebration.  From the breathtaking setting known as the Brooklyn Arts Center At St. Andrew’s to the tables lined with beautiful blooms from Kickstand Events to the awe-inspiring images from Theo Milo.  See them all here.

From Theo Milo Photography… This is a great candlelit wedding with a craft beer and food pairing twist. Dinner was served family style. A wedding planer herself, the bride had great input on the behind the scenes!

From The Bride… Planning our wedding was one of the most fun, challenging, and rewarding things that I’ve ever experienced. As one of the owners and designers of Kickstand Events, I have the privilege of seeing so many beautiful weddings every weekend; however, this was my chance to really reflect on what I wanted to evoke through my own special day! Over the course of my career, I’ve realized that although every wedding has similar elements, each one is so different because of the couple’s story, personalities, and supporters.
 
After eight years of dating through high school, college, and as young adults, Oscar and I knew that we wanted our wedding to reflect our unique journey as a couple and highlight the many things that have made our relationship so much fun over the years. Naturally for us, craft beer became our inspiration.
 
My vendors were relatively easy to select based on my experience as a wedding professional, and it was such a blessing to have them a part of my wedding (as friends and as colleagues). The Brooklyn Arts Center served as the perfect “host” to have our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, all in one beautiful space, which was very important to us. We knew that we wanted a venue that would allow us the option to bring in our own beer, food, and rental items—so this was the perfect “canvas” to make our inspiration come to life! Lighthouse Beer & Wine and Culinary Creations worked with us to create a food and beer pairing throughout cocktail hour and dinner service; while CE Rentals, RentATent, and Party Suppliers encouraged our “beer garden” atmosphere to really shine throughout the decor. My business partners were absolutely amazing in their contribution to my floral design, paper design and signage creation, and overall event production; I couldn’t have done any of this without their support and shared excitement!
 
The little details were the elements that I was most excited about when bringing our vision to life. The gold hops in the boutonnières, the tasting glass escort cards, the “Brewery Tour” inspired table assignments, the homebrewed beer (Hoppily Ever After and I Do Brew) that we served during the ceremony… it was all so much fun to create! However, as a designer, the décor was also equally important. Although Oscar and I are self-proclaimed “foodies” and craft beer enthusiasts, I still splurged on our beautiful chinaware, gold taper candles, lush garlands and draping, and floating candle display that framed our favorite quote from the Avett Brothers song, “Murder in the City”: “Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name.”
 
There was enough opportunity to carry our inspiration throughout the event without losing sight of the classic design that I wanted to achieve.
 
Looking back, it’s amazing to have such fantastic memories from the best day of our lives, especially when the celebration was shared over a nice, cold beer with the people who matter most to us.

Photography: Theo Milo Photography | Coordination: Kickstand Events | Floral Design: Kickstand Events | Cake: Imaginary Cakes | Catering: Culinary Creations | Make Up: Maari Wohlhueter | Hair: Beauty Bar Boutique | Lighting: High Performance Lighting | DJ: Brian Hood | Tuxes: Jos. A. Bank | Ceremony And Reception: Brooklyn Arts Center At St. Andrew's | China And Linnens: CE Rentals | Farm Tables: Rent A Tent | Get Away Car: The British Taxi | Wedding Dress Boutique: Gorgeous Gowns | Wedding Dress Designer: Enzoani | Wine And Beer: Lighthouse Beer and Wine

Add a dash of Alice in Wonderland inspired goodness to any event and, mark my words, you’re in for some serious pretty.  But combine those gorgeous details with a fabulous team of vendors like Mint 102, Fiore Fine Flowers and Social Butterfly Events and that event becomes so much more than pretty… it’s downright amazing.  See every last ounce of awesome captured by Theo Milo in the full gallery.

And a beautiful film from Green Hope Productions…

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From Social Butterfly Events… The exciting element of Courtyards and Cobblestones is that I am able to tap into my own imagination and design an entire room based on my loves. I started with my love for “Alice in Wonderland” but I didn’t want it to be so literal. I described the entire design as taking multiple eclectic elements and making them work cohesively together in one space. I wanted the attendees to walk into the space and be surprised with all of the elements that were used together, yet love it for the final product all working so well together.

Some inspiration pieces that I incorporated were:

– Gold owls, I just find them to be adorable so we used them as accent pieces on tables, on the back of the invitation suite and of course as cake toppers.

– I used a lot of different textured fabrics to showcase how they could all work together. We had faux burlap linen mixed with a sequin table runner. We used gold brickhouse for chair covers that provided movement for the ceremony chairs. I chose a table linen called tulle amazing flowers which was delicate and feminine and paired it with a ghost chair. The feminine feel with the modern chair was a perfect fit!

– I love the texture and look of moss in table centerpieces. I covered floral containers with moss to have another element of texture on the tables as well as incorporating moss covered balls in various sizes. I also had a structure made and covered it with moss to suspend birdcages from it as well. I wanted to have floral centerpieces as well as another décor element that wasn’t floral inspired.

– The backdrop for the ceremony was a way to provide a personalized touch to the space but it was dramatic enough to stand on its own without large floral components. I worked with Melissa from The Pretty Paperie who ran with my inspiration and make it a reality.

– The flowers needed to be rich in color but have a hand-picked loose arrangement feel. The deep colors reminded of “Alice in Wonderland “and the specific flowers that Fiore chose worked so well to make such a gorgeous bouquet and table arrangement.

-Lighting was going to be a huge element for the show so I wanted to make sure we had something custom made that fit the whimsical feel we were going for. Each paper lantern had around 300 cupcake liners attached to it. When we hung these in the space they provided a soft glow that complimented the candle elements on the table.

Bringing all of these elements together along with a gorgeous dress, a well-dressed man and all the little details made for a gorgeous day and a breathtaking photo shoot.

Photography: Theo Milo Photography | Videography: Green Hope Productions | Design: Social Butterfly Events | Flowers: Fiore Fine Flowers | Wedding Dress: Fountain Bridal | Catering: The Balcony on Dock | Lighting: High Performance Lighting | Tux: Men's Wearhouse | Transportation: The British Taxi | Venue: The Balcony on Dock | Chair Rentals: Eventful Furniture | Hair And Make-Up: Bangz Salon | Lounge Furniture: Pomp Event Furnishings | Paper Products: Mint 102 Wedding + Event Branding | Rentals: CE Rentals | Rentals: Party Suppliers & Rentals

My favorite image from a wedding usually lies in the details. The dress, a bouquet, one killer cake…but this time around my favorite snap from Millie Holloman Photography happens to be the last. The sparkler exit filled with so much joy and emotion, it’s enough to get you welled up in tears. But don’t take my word for it – have a peek at the gallery of these high school sweeties and decide for yourself!

From the Bride… Jerry & I met in our high school chemistry class, and well, our chemistry flourished from there! His interests were soccer & science, mine were show choir & photography, and we both had a huge knack for traveling, none of which has changed as we’ve grown together! He grew up in the small eastern North Carolina town of Goldsboro in southern elegance and I grew up as a hispanic Air Force brat. When we went away to college, he went for science while I went for photography, and I’m pretty sure he concocted some sort of love potion that kept us together! With this said, our cultures, our love for science & photography, and our love for traveling was what we channeled into our wedding.

The inspiration for our wedding was a southern vintage elegance with my Hispanic flair thrown in, something I’m pretty sure none of North Carolina has ever seen. We searched for a venue that fit our personality and ended up traveling to Wilmington, N.C. and falling in love with Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrews. This beautiful historic venue with rustic restored architecture had an air about it that we just couldn’t pass up. From this, we combined antique glass jars and apothecary bottles, knick knacks, vintage cameras, and lots of personal touches from our families to create our perfect day.

The ceremony was our most favorite part of the night, with family and beloved friends performing our ceremony music, which was a combination of Fleetwood Mac, Andrea Bocelli, and traditional Mexican wedding folk music. This was serenaded in both Spanish & English in memoriam of my grandfather would, who passed away about a month before the wedding. In his spot, we left his ranching whip, his class ring, and boutonniere. As we choked through our personal vows and our pastor led us through our unity ceremony, literally, “tying the knot”, we were magically married after almost six years of dreaming about it!

I chose not to view the reception space until we entered as a married couple, but I remember standing in awe as the amazing team from Salt Harbor Designs took my little girl dreams and turned them into an unforgettable night. And with photography being as important in my life as it is, we asked the astounding team of Amanda & Brent from Millie Holloman Photography to create our family heirlooms on our wedding night! Mexican glass star lanterns hung from the balcony, as papel picado and Edison lights draped across the reception space. Tables were decorated with cameras, film, and apothecary jars filled with the daintiest of white flowers. Our heirloom table held newspaper clips from our parents, our mothers’ veils, and our most beloved wedding photos of our grandparents. My mom, mother-in-law and sister-in-law worked on a ton of DIY details from the invitations, to the escort cards and the frames they hung in, to the rose petal cones, and my jewelry and garter. My amazing aunts made our beautiful bird cake topper to match Jerry and I to a tee and heirloom family bibles were wrapped together to be our little ring bearer’s pillow.

As our guests entered, they filled in mad libs for our guest book, and as they left, they grabbed a midnight snack of our favorite key lime pie ice cream sandwiches and bottled cokes. They danced the night away & wished us good luck as we started our new life together. They ate good ol’ southern cookin’ indulged themselves on the tastiest wedding cake and Mexican pan dulce, or sweet bread, throughout the night, and washed it all down with hand-mixed lemonade, beer, wine, & coffee . They have made us who we are as much as our family and cultures have, so we wanted to treat them right!

Jerry & I wanted our wedding to tell the story of us, our families, and our culture, which has made us who we’ve become as a married couple. We are truly blessed to have been able to treat our guests to an amazing night, forever hold each other’s hand in marriage & be best friends for life!

Wedding Photography: Millie Holloman Photography | Dress: Watters & Watters | Cake: Nicki’s Cakes | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: A Southern Thyme | Lighting: High Performance Lighting | DJ: Shag Daddy | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Ceremony Music: Las Flores del Valle | Ceremony + Reception: Brooklyn Arts Center At St. Andrew's | Event, Floral, Paper Goods + Wedding Coordination: Salt Harbor Designs | Pan Dulce: Church Of Evangelical Faith | Rentals: Party Suppliers | Sash: JLM Couture, Inc | Wedding Rings: Blue Nile

If there is something more beautiful than a bride on her wedding day, I’ve never come across it in my 26 years. The joy and elation surrounding her every move is the absolute best and it’s the reason I spend my day in the happiest of tears. This wedding from Scott Piner Photography features one of the most stunning brides I’ve ever seen and her wedding day is a reflection of that. Everything from Fiore Fine Flowers‘ floral design to the gorgeous Southern outdoor locale is happiness embodied. It’s almost all right here… but don’t forget to save a little time for the fab film from Life Stage Films!

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From the Bride – Our love story has proven to be more of a marathon than a sprint. Adam and I met and began dating while at school at the University of Tennessee. After we graduated, it was another three years before we were able to finally live in the same city again. After this period of long distance, we finally were able to move to be together and decided to settle in Raleigh, NC.

During the course of our relationship, we always held the North Carolina coast as a very special place, specifically Oak Island where we have had a family beach house for the past thirty years. In May of 2012, nearly ten years after we met, Adam proposed on the beach there, the very place where I had taken my first steps.

With my family being from Philadelphia, PA and Adam’s from Chattanooga, TN, it made perfect sense to get married at a destination location that is so special to us. Wilmington, NC is just 30 minutes from Oak Island, and is filled with southern charm and history. Adam and I fell in love with the Bellamy Mansion at first sight. Located on a historic, downtown street, filled with live Oaks covered in Spanish Moss, it is an absolutely magical place. It was very important to us that our ceremony and reception were outside. The garden area and grounds at Bellamy were filled with Magnolia trees, their flowers at the peak of bloom in early June. The location provided the perfect backdrop to incorporate natural elements without having to bring much on site.

On the morning of our wedding, I woke up feeling just as relaxed and calm as ever; a disposition that is not typical for me! My intuition proved to be right. The day couldn’t have gone more smoothly – the weather was perfect, our happy guests danced all night, we ate delicious food, and our dog, Cooper, who is very special to us, made an appearance at the end of the night! We celebrated with the bridal party, family and friends from across the country for the rest of the week on Oak Island.

Hands down, my favorite moment of the day was seeing Adam’s eyes well up with tears as I walked down the isle. It was just an absolutely perfect day and we couldn’t have been happier.

Photography: Scott Piner Photography | Cinematography: Life Stage Films | Wedding Planning and Design: Social Butterfly Events | Flowers: Fiore Fine Flowers | Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani | Wedding Cake: Imaginary Friends Bakery | Invitations: The Paper Butterfly | Ceremony Venue: Bellamy Mansion | Reception Venue: Bellamy Mansion | Shoes: Sam Edelman | Bridesmaids: Bari Jay | Catering: Pine Valley Market | Hair & Makeup: Bangz Salon | Lighting: High Performance Lighting | DJ: Active DJ Entertainment

Southern weddings have this certain je ne sais quoi that I could stare at all live long day. It’s a good mash-up of classic beauty, romance and a penchant for monograms. Oh do they know their way around a good monogram and this particular affair is ripe with details baring those adorable initials as well as pretty in pink florals by Salt Harbor Designs and a whole boat load of great images snapped by Abby Jiu. Have a look here for even more!

From Abby Jiu…Parlett had just moved to the DC area and her friend wanted to set her up.  She was at first reluctant to her friend’s idea of a blind date, but she agreed.  It was arranged that she would go as this guy’s date to an upcoming wedding.  Parlett started the day off with hesitancy, but the moment she answered the door to meet her date, she knew she had made a good decision.  She didn’t know anyone at the wedding that day, but Greg was super attentive and never let her side. She enjoyed being around his friends too! The couple later married in Wilmington, the hometown of where the bride.  

Inspiration for the wedding: Their mutual friend, who works for Lilly Pulitzer, designed their wedding logo and from there Parlett found the inspiration for her Southern wedding.  Putting it on pillows that lined the tented cabanas.  And serving as inspiration for the invitations too.  Parlett and greg chose the venue, City Club, because the tiered garden and grand porch reminded her of the quintessential Southern home.  

From the Bride, her favorite moment of the day – “Seeing Greg for the first time was also such a special moment. My dress had been in a bag in our living room for a month leading up to the wedding and I couldn’t wait for him to see me in it. It was one of the hardest things not to show him the dress. When I turned around to see him I remember thinking that he had never looked so handsome!”

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Photography: Abby Jiu | Floral Design: Salt Harbor Designs | Ceremony: The Atrium | Catering + Reception Location: The City Club | Invitations: J Pink and Co | Band: Groovetown | Wedding Cake: One Belle Bakery | Linens: La Tavola Linen | Make up and Hair: Blush Hause of Beaute | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Anytime a Carolina wedding comes our way, we know it’s going to be an instant charmer. And with all that southern charm alongside a sense of easy elegance, it’s not hard to see why this bash set at The Balcony on Dock was a complete and total hit. Salt Harbor Designs put together all the beautiful blooms and Theo Milo Photography caught every last chevron-inspired detail. It’s a wedding we just know you’ll want more of, and you can find it right here.

From the Bride…My husband and I met and fell in love in Wilmington, North Carolina, and when he proposed we both immediately knew that’s where we wanted to get married.  We wanted our wedding to reflect our love for this beautiful coastal community.  We started the planning process by selecting our ceremony and reception venues.  For our ceremony we chose The Little Chapel on the Boardwalk, a church located across the street from the ocean.   At first we had a difficult time settling on a reception venue because Wilmington offers so many wonderful locations, but when we saw The Balcony on Dock, in downtown Wilmington, it instantly became the obvious choice.  The building dated back to the 1840s, and we loved the historical feel of the exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and large windows overlooking downtown.  We chose a gray and white color scheme, and incorporated chevron print throughout our design.  Our invitations from Bon Bini Print and Design featured a rendering of Wilmington’s historic riverfront drawn by my dad.
 
I originally wanted an all lace dress, so when I chose a ruched dress by Romona Keveza, I decided to incorporate lace into my veil instead.  I wanted to honor the memory of my grandfathers, who both passed away, by stitching fabric from an old pajama shirt and necktie into the lining of my dress.  The bridesmaids wore JCrew dresses in aged driftwood, sandals from Fibi and Clo, and handmade necklaces. Our pictures were very important to us, so we decided to do a “first look,” which allowed us to spend plenty of time before the ceremony getting great shots, and plenty of time afterwards mingling with our guests.  Our photographer, Theo Milo Photography, suggested the NC Arboretum as a spot for pre-wedding photos.  It was one of our favorite parts of the day!  The weather was beautiful and the gardens were gorgeous.
 
After our ceremony, our wedding party made the 8 mile trip from the beach to downtown in a restored trolley.  We enjoyed horderves and cocktails under edison lights on The Balcony’s patio.  At some point, I saw a youtube video of a ukulele player covering Billy Jean, by Micheal Jackson, and thought that live ukulele covers would make for a pretty cool cocktail atmosphere. After cocktail hour we made our way to The Balcony’s third floor dining room.  Salt Harbor Designs decorated the space beautifully with large lanterns and floral centerpieces that included hydrangeas, brazilla berries, and lambs ear.  A few of my favorite touches were our “cupcake in a jar” wedding favors, a made-to-order mashed potato station and a signature key lime martini cocktail.  We ended the night by making a grand exit in a vintage British Taxi.

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Wedding Photography: Theo Milo Photography | Ceremony Venue: Little Chapel on the Boardwalk  | Reception Venue: The Balcony on Dock | Floral Design: Salt Harbor Designs |  Cake: Nickis Cakes | DJ: Active DJ Entertainment | Invitations and Welcome Bags: Bon Bini Print and Design | Ukulele Player: Kent Knorr  | Guest Favors: Perfectly Frosted | End of Reception Transportation: The British Taxi | Rentals: Party Suppliers | Lighting: High Performance Lighting | Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza via Traditions by Anna | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew in “Aged Driftwood” | Bridesmaids’ Necklaces: Handmade | Bridesmaids’ Sandals: fibi and clo

Nothing says I am a bright and fabulous Southern shindig quite like chevron lounge furniture. It makes for really pretty photo-ops by Jen + Ashley Photography and an all around crazy adorable wedding. One that we encourage you to check out in its entirety right here because there is so much more chevron, a crazy in love Bride and Groom and maybe a striped pouf or two just waiting to be pinned.

From Jen + Ashley Photography… Olivia and Jon’s wedding was designed entirely by the bride and her brother! They wanted to create a sweet, low-key wedding with plenty of southern charm! Approaching the wedding as more of a backyard dinner party than a grand affair, they chose details that reflected Olivia and Jon’s low-key and easy lifestyle. Simple details like a custom bean bag chair “lounge,” natural florals and a playful navy and yellow color palette tied the whole event together perfectly. Olivia sourced many of her details from family, friends and T.J.Maxx, and she purchased her gorgeous lace gown from a boutique in her hometown of Washington, North Carolina. Serving good, southern food, the buffet, which included ham biscuits, fried chicken and pimento sandwiches, went perfectly with the amazing southern pound cake served with homemade vanilla ice cream and fresh peaches. Wanting a wedding that would keep all their guests entertained, they included bocce ball, cornhole and ladder ball on the plantation lawn and served homemade, fresh-squeezed lemonade and apricot peach tea. All of the place cards for the food and drink, along with the invitations, were created and printed by the bride and her brother. Choosing unfussy, simple yet beautiful details kept the wedding true to the vibe Olivia and Jon had imagined!

Wedding Photography: Jen + Ashley Photography / Wedding Venue: Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington, North Carolina / Floral Design: Fiore Fine Flowers / Event Design: The Bride + The Bride’s Brother / Catering + Wedding Cake: Scarborough Fare / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride + The Bride’s Brother / Musician: Matthew Kanon / Vintage Mason Jars: From the Bride’s Grandfather / Wooden Boxes: T.J.Maxx / Mercury Glass: Target / Vintage Frames: From Family / Wedding Dress: Forever Yours International via Ava Formal Wear / Bride’s Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Hair: Brush Salon

A day focused around food, family and wine? Sign us up! And when that day is designed from soup to nuts by Salt Harbor Designs, it’s sure to be a pretty party. One boasting chalkboard art, gorgeous family style tablescapes and french fries with dinner. Again, sign us up. The next best thing to being a guest at this lovely shindig is watching the loveliness unfold at the hands of Brent + Amanda of Millie Holloman Photography. You can do so right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Millie Holloman Photography… Jamie and Emory wanted a day that was focused on food, family and wine. They were married at a historic Catholic church in Wilmington, and the reception was held in a restored church that now houses a venue and arts center. Cocktail hour was a wine tasting where guests could sample some of the couple’s favorite wines and nibble on lots of breads and cheeses. The reception was designed around long family-style tables filled with flowers, olives, breads, and bottles of wine. The couple also wanted an eco-friendly reception, so many local herbs, greens, and foods were incorporated. The result was a lovely evening where the food and wine were plentiful, and the dancing did not cease. 

Wedding Photography: Brent + Amanda of Millie Holloman Photography / Ceremony: St. Mary Catholic Church in Wilmington, North Carolina / Cocktails + Reception: Brooklyn Arts Center at St. Andrew’s in Wilmington, North Carolina / Floral + Event Design, Paper Goods + Wedding Coordination: Salt Harbor Designs / Catering: A Southern Thyme Catering / Wedding Cake: Nicki’s Cakes / Rentals: Party Suppliers / Specialty Rentals: Harborside Event Rentals / Band: Fantasy Band / Lighting: High Performance Lighting

Get out your pencils and get ready to take some furious notes because this idea needs to be tucked away and recreated for many an Anniversary. It’s just too perfect not to. A scavenger hunt turned surprise romantic rooftop dinner designed by Salt Harbor Designs that ended with another surprise party for this lovely couple feted on their first anniversary by all their friends and family. Phew, that’s a lot of surprises. But the result, captured by Millie Holloman Photography, is nothing short of fabulous. See it all unfold in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL day!

From Jennifer of Salt Harbor Designs… Designing weddings has one big drawback — because most people only do it once, we rarely get repeat clients. But this spring, we were given the chance to design a party for one of our most favorite couples. Sarah and Nate were married in 2010 and in 2011, for their first anniversary, Sarah called me with an idea. She wanted to plan a surprise anniversary party for Nate, but she wanted it to be somewhat of a surprise for herself as well. She told me to handle all of the details and just tell her where to be and when. She sent me the guest list and we took it from there.

We worked with Millie Holloman Photography to brainstorm a scavenger hunt that would take the couple through downtown Wilmington to revisit the significant places in their history together. We picked them up at their house, and they were ready for the adventure! After a series of clues, the final one led them down an alley and onto the rooftop overlooking the city, where a table for two was waiting for them. 

While Sarah and Nate were having dinner, all of their guests were arriving in the courtyard below. Nate had no idea that the night was actually just beginning. After they finished dessert, we prompted everyone to yell from below. Sarah and Nate looked down to discover all of their guests, donning geeky glasses from their wedding the year before. They and their guests danced the night away in the courtyard of The Atrium. 

Photography: Millie of Millie Holloman Photography / Venue: The Atrium by Ligon Flynn in Wilmington, North Carolina / Planning + Decor: Salt Harbor Designs / Food: Milner’s Cafe & Catering / Cake: Flower and Flour

This Bride had a vision for her Big Day, one that we can so get behind: a wedding built around love. Simple as that.  An easy concept that became a gorgeous reality at the hands of Kickstand Events. It’s vintage charm powered by love, love and more love all captured by KMI Photography. See the full day right here.

And now a moving recap of the day as seen through the lens of Inkspot Crow Films…

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I was never the girl I was always hearing about, the one who dreamed about her wedding from the time she was three. However, I have always been a girl who appreciates things done with love. So when the love of my life proposed to me in December 2011, I was so excited to be in love, to start planning an event about love and sharing a lot of love with all of our friends and family!

As the wedding planning started, it became clear to us that we wanted our day to be small and intimate and that we wanted to incorporate all things old. The vintage style really started to emerge the more we thought about and planned our special day. Once we had the size and style down, we began location scouting. We picked an out-of-town location because we wanted a little getaway for our guests. Wilmington’s beautiful waterfront and quaint downtown provided the perfect weekend getaway for all! When we found that sweet little chapel on one of our scouting adventures, we knew it was perfect. We loved the way the light poured through the open windows, the beautiful red doors and the way the Spanish moss dripped from the tall cedar trees surrounding the chapel. Our reception venue also had that same vintage vibe that we loved with hard wood floors, exposed brick and lovely chandeliers.

I was so blessed to have a groom who helped with everything. From the location scouting, to favors and more; he was there to help, which was wonderful because we incorporated quite a few DIY projects. We wanted our wedding to incorporate our love for each other and things we love as a couple. I had a vintage frame collection and found free wallpaper swatches to frame and added song lyrics from some of our favorite songs to use as centerpieces. Our first date was over coffee, so for favors, we found mini bail jars that we filled with coffee beans. We loved what keys represent: home. We knew home was with each other, and we wanted this represented in our wedding. We incorporated a vintage key on our invitations, placed vintage keys on our cake and made key tags for our favors with a rubber stamp. To represent our families and loved ones who couldn’t be with us, we printed off black and white photos of our great-grandparents, grandparents and parents. We spray painted some frames we found at Goodwill, strung twine in the middle and added the photos with clothespins, which were displayed on the walls. For our guest book, we found an old suitcase record player on eBay, made some custom labels for records and had all of our guests sign them at the reception. We both have a deep love and appreciation for music, so this fit us well. Each detail was chosen with much thought and love, and in the end, they helped make our wedding a wonderful representation of what we found in each other. 

Wedding Photography: Kevin & Lauren Millard of KMI Photography / Ceremony: Mt. Lebanon Chapel at Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina / Reception + Catering: The Balcony on Dock Street in Wilmington, North Carolina / Event Planning + Floral Design: Kickstand Events / Wedding Cinematography: Philip & MacKenzie Henry of  Inkspot Crow Films / Officiant: Sid Bradsher / Wedding Cake: Kim Mills / Rentals: Party Suppliers & Rentals / Napkins: Connie Duglin Linen / Ceremony Musician: Jack Rodriguez-Dougherty / DJ: Brian Hood / Western Union Telegram Design: Chad & Meredith Martin of Martin Design Agency / Pedicab: Wilmington Pedicab / Wedding Dress: Galina for David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Nina / Hair: Sarah Schroko of Schroko’s Hair Studio / Makeup: Kelly McLaurin of KeBu Salon / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various via Belk, JCPenney, Kohl’s + Forever 21

Good Morning, SMPers and welcome back to another fabulous week filled with inspiration and pretty galore! We are kick starting your morning, sans caffeine, with this fun and spunky North Carolina fete. We totally love the crisp and fresh color palette of green, orange, and white and think the oh-so-fun pattern of the table runners and bouquet wraps lend such a whimsical and festive tone to the day. And how cute are those little flower girls with their tot sized fists of florals? I know, absolutely adorable! Kickstand Events crafted the entire amazing day and florals while Theo Milo Photography snapped each and every detail to perfection and we seriously can’t get enough. Neither can you? Well, just click here for more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…When Chris and I got engaged on my birthday in April we knew we wanted a Fall wedding and we knew we wanted to have it outside. We both were raised in South Eastern NC and we love the beauty of the outdoors here in the Fall. When we were dating we spent a lot of time taking beach walks and spending time at local parks feeding the geese or turtles. One of these parks, which is near our home is Autumn Hall. It really caught our eye and we decided to pursue the location for our ceremony. To our delight, were blessed with the approval from the HOA to hold the wedding there. Then we had the difficult task of choosing a reception location. Wilmington is rich with beautiful venues for wedding receptions and after looking at several different locations we choose the Bellamy Mansion- a historic home now converted into a museum.

Next on our check list was a photographer. Chris and I both knew of Theo Milo Photography and his photography talents and style were in just the right vein for our wedding! We also knew that choosing the right event planners was a high priority and having been introduced to Kickstand Events through Theo, we went directly to them. The Kickstand girls were exactly who we knew we wanted and with the blessing of my parents (who paid for the wedding) we choose them. They handled all of our Day-of Prep and vendor managing as well as all the decor and flowers for both the ceremony and reception! They were super helpful and very easy to work with and with them taking over most of the planning parts of the wedding, Chris and I were able to focus on developing our soon-to-be marriage.

When it came to stylizing the wedding we both knew I would be making the magic of designing the wedding invitation set  happen (considering that I work full-time as a graphic designer and my freelance work consists of wedding invitation design). We liked a more whimsical theme which sat well with Kickstand’s versatile style. We’re not a very traditional couple and we knew that would come out in our styling decisions. I’ve had a lot of people tell me that they could see “me” in all the little touches-the small choices we made-at the wedding. Everything from doing “Coke and Cookies” for our favors to the groom and groomsmen wearing Chucks to the dinner choices, everything was a reflection of our personal styles and our upbringing.

All in all I can honestly say that our wedding day vision came to reality with a huge hand from Kickstand Events. Courtney and Kate helped in every way from designing the table set up to managing the vendors to suggesting guests throw leaves instead of birdseed (which Bellamy wouldn’t allow). Each element we thew at them they were able to pick up and run with! They were probably the linchpin of the entire event! We had such a spectacular time at our wedding and are so thankful to our parents who really made the entire event possible!

Wedding Photography: Theo Milo Photography / Event,  Floral Design + Planning: Kickstand Events / Rentals: Party Suppliers & Rentals / Lighting: High Performance Lighting / Ceremony Venue: Arbor Park at Autumn Hall / Reception Venue: Bellamy Mansion / Catering: Thyme Savor / Wedding Cake: Debbie Kinsey, Friend of the Bride / Groom’s Cake: Carolina Cakes & Confections / Desserts: Shore Shack + Sully’s Grille / Custom Hair Pieces: Friend of the Bride, Carter Rhae / Custom Guestbook: Bleu de tio / DJ: DJ Eyecon, Charles Seaton / Officiant: Mark Foland

When Matt and Melissa from Life Stage Films say that this adorable couple are the cutest people they ever filmed – they aren’t kidding. This couple could be the cutest couple ever filmed. Just take a look at her adorable smile (and GORG dress) and his dapper self, and you will be singing the same tune. Their wedding looks like one their guests will never forget, and their video Life Stage Films is a timeless keepsake we now get to enjoy! So sit back, get your awww’s ready and enjoy all the cuteness!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/23057678 600 338]

From Matt and Melissa of Life Stage Films…Gabe and Mary Elizabeth are two of the cutest people we have ever filmed.  They are both quiet and shy but very wonderful to work with and just very genuine kind people. Gabe & M.E. live in NYC but decided to return to where they got engaged to have their lovely wedding with all their family and friends.

Here is what they had to say about getting engaged at Figure 8 Island: “We went for a walk on the beach with some drinks in dixie cups before “dinner with friends”…We were chatting & drinking our wine, and Gabe got down on one knee & proposed. Mary Elizabeth was insanely shocked & started crying! We went back to the house & ME’s parents & siblings were waiting with champagne and appetizers. Then a driver came & picked us up & we went to dinner out on the town. Then later that night we met up with some close friends at Fig8 Yacht Club to share the news!” We loved seeing these college sweethearts (Go Tarheels!) tie the knot and we are so honored that we got to make their wedding films.

Location: Figure 8 Island Yacht Club / Ceremony Coordinator: Courtney Arnold of Stellar Events / Photographer: Rachel Barker of Millie Holloman Photography / Caterer: Figure 8 Island Yacht Club / Flowers: Island’s Florals by Roxanne / Band: Party On The Moon / Cake & Pastries: Flour & Flower / Videography: Life Stage Films

I’ve fallen hard for this wedding and it all started with the dress (both of them actually), moved on to the yummy Vivienne Westwood shoes and found a happy spot among all the gorgeous details crafted by Salt Harbor Designs. This wedding is one of those numbers that is almost too good to be true. So pretty it hurts. Heart-palpatatingly perfect in every way. Are we driving home the point that it’s really, really good? Thought so.  Veil and Bow was there to photograph all the awesomeness and there was a lot of awesomeness so a trip to the gallery is a total must. See it all here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…The most important thing to us when planning our wedding was that we put together a very intimate event where everything – every last thing – had a significant meaning for us. Everything from my grandparent’s cake topper to a dear friend joining in the officiating to our choice of music and dishes prepared for our guests was completely personal to Amir and I. Everything had a meaning and it made it that much more special to us.

I really wanted to put together an event that was unique with eclectic design and that was very vintage-inspired. I love vintage everything – clothing, jewelry, homes, furniture, etc., so I definitely wanted to include lots of vintage aspects in the wedding. We used my mother and grandmother’s vases, tea cups and serving pieces as centerpieces and all of the table overlays were either salvaged from vintage malls across NC or from my mother’s cabinet. There were also a lot of handmade items crafted my mother, sisters and myself – monogrammed pillows, throw pillows and the book bundles on the tables to name a few.

Another important thing – throwing a great party for our friends and family! Amir and I built corn hole boards for the yard and even threw in a bocce ball set for our guests enjoyment. As the night progressed we had a killer dance party and Amir and I had an amazing evening. The night capped off with a late night snack from my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE place in the world – Trolly Stop Hot Dogs. Heaven. It was everything we hoped for and we’ll forever be wishing we could go back and relive it just one more time – it goes by so fast!

Ceremony + Reception Venue: Airlie Gardens / Wedding Planning + Floral: Salt Harbor Designs / Catering: A Southern Thyme / DJ: Active Entertainment / Wedding Photography: Veil and Bow / Wedding Cake: Imaginary Friends Bakery / Rentals: Party Suppliers / Officiating: The Reverand Sarah Hollar + Stuart Frazier / Invitations, Calligraphy + Heart Design (on napkin and program): Blue Eye Brown Eye / Bride’s Ceremony Dress + Belt: Vera Wang from Alexia’s Bridal Boutique / Veil: Nitsa’s (a handmade bow added by the Mother of the Bride) / Bride’s Reception Dress: Juicy Couture / Bride’s Ceremony Shoes: Vivienne Westwood / Bride’s Reception Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bride’s Ceremony Jewelry: Family Heirlooms / Bride’s Reception Jewelry: BHLDN / Groom + Groomsmen Suits: J.Crew / Groom + Groomsmen Ties: The Tie Bar / Groom’s Boots: Handmade Roma’s / Maid of Honor Dresses: Anthropologie / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / MOH + Bridesmaid Jewelry: Vintage / Flower Girl Dresses: J.Crew / Flower Girl Shoes: Jack Rogers / Ring Bearer Bow Ties: The Belle and The Beau / Garter: Lola In Lace / Mother of the Bride Dress: Kay Unger / Hair: Lavish Salon / Make Up: Jessica Easler / Beer + Wine: Lighthouse Beer and Wine / Late Night Eats: Trolly Stop Hot Dogs / Transportation for Guests: Wilmington Trolley Company / Exit Transportation for Bride + Groom: Wilmington Pedicab / Ceremony Beverages: Mountain Valley Spring Water / Programs: Blue Eye Brown Eye (heart design) +  HandFansonSale (printing) / Jam Favors: The Groom / Guestbook: Anthropologie

Welcome back to another fabulous week here at SMP! Kicking off the day is this super sweet North Carolina fete complete with men in tuxes on the beach, a classic Rolls Royce, a pretty petal strewn aisle, a seriously fabulous cake, the biggest and best smiles, and beyond gorgeous images by Millie Holloman Photography. Stellar Events planned this pretty, pretty day, and if you ask me, I think they knocked it out of the park! Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From …Jennie and Craig’s wedding was a sweet, classic wedding that took place on the coast of North Carolina. The ceremony was held on private property that overlooked the ocean. A bed of rose petals filled the aisle as Jenny and her father walked to the end where Craig was waiting to greet her with a big smile.

The reception was held in a tent on the grounds of Figure 8 Island Yacht Club. Guests enjoyed a variety of international cuisine including sushi, southern favorites, and yummy lo mien dishes. The cigar bar was popular with the gentleman who enjoy an evening light, and  guests sampled the tasty selection of desserts, provided by Flower & Flour. The band, “Simply Irresistible” was a huge hit with the crowd and kept everyone hopping the entire night. Jennie and Craig even made a little appearance on the stage!

Everything was beautiful and a complete success, thanks to Courtney Arnold and her staff from Stellar Events as well as Jen Mitchell who runs the events at Figure 8 Island Yacht Club. Jennie and Craig said their farewells to their family and friends as confetti was tossed. The day was wonderful and the night was filled with fun!

Ceremony Location: Private Property / Reception Location: Figure 8 Island Yacht Club / Venue Coordinatior: Jen Mitchel / Event Planning + Design: Courtney Arnold + Team at Stellar Events / Flowers: Sam Haddock / Lighting: Steve Peterson of High Performance Lighting / Wedding Photography: Amanda + Brent Holloman of Millie Holloman Photography / Wedding Videography: Life Stage Films / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Flower & Flour / Band: Simply Irresistible / Hair + Make-up: Elisha Wendt + Lindsey Bush of Lavish Salon / Rentals: Party Suppliers

I do believe this seaside chic soiree by Jacobus Photography is what dreams are made of. Specifically, my dreams. Bursting at the seams with blush hues, my new favorite hue mind you, and vintage southern touches – I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone whose dreams weren’t made of this wedding. You have the entire weekend to soak up each and every image in the full gallery, and I wouldn’t blame you one little bit if you tucked this pretty party away to pull out on a rainy day…because that’s exactly what I am doing.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Jacobus Photography…The little chapel was just that, little. The four walls you saw was the entire building. There was no room for Joanna to hide away from her guests and future hubby before it started. So she hid in the glamorous out house behind the chapel. When it came time to walk down the aisle many bridesmaids, planners and family held umbrellas to try and keep Joanna dry.

The airplane pin you see Jesse wearing is from his Grandfather. Here is that story: “The pin I am wearing is of a WWII era plane, the Lockheed P-38.  My grandfather, Lt Col Edward Wayne Doering, was a lifetime US Air Force pilot who flew in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.  He was also a Prisoner of War (POW) for the last 9 months of WWII in Germany after being shot down over the North Sea. The P-38 was one of many planes that my grandfather flew over the years; but this one in particular was his favorite–he always said he never would have been a POW if he had been flying it instead of the P-51, as he could have made it back to England with only 1 of the 2 engines running  [the P-38 has 2 engines on either side of the fuselage while the P-51 only has 1 engine on the front of the fuselage]. He often wore this exact pin when he would dress up for church and other special events.  He also was part of a P-38 reunion group and my parents and I attended several reunion events with he and my grandmother over the years.  My grandfather died in February of 2006 and was interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.  The whole family gathered in Arlington for the internment and my grandmother wore this pin to the service.  Before the family parted ways, my grandmother gave me this pin to keep as a remembrance of my grandfather.  This was the last time that I saw my grandmother before she passed.”

The ceremony was short, sweet and to the point and very personal. We then started with portraits inside the chapel until the rain let up. Just as it did we popped outside VERY quickly for a few more and then headed to 128 South events in downtown Wilmington to celebrate their reception. A Shindig Southern Event planning did a wonderful job creating the Eclectic, Anthropologie, Southern Vintage style theme. Everything was flawless and the entire night ran smoothly. Jesse and Joanna did a fabulous exit while their guest held long sparklers and cheered them on as they hopped into the vintage get away car.

Wedding Photography: Jacobus Photography / Floral Design: Fiore Florist / Event Design + Planning: A Shindig Southern Event Planning / Ceremony Location: Lebanon Chapel in Airlie Gardens / Reception Location: 128 South / Bride’s Shoes: Ivanka Trump / Wedding Dress: Romona Keveza / Suits: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor / Hair Accessories: Etsy / Socks: Happy Socks / Wedding Cake: Hot Pink Cake Stand / Ice Cream Sandwiches: Nye’s Ice Cream Sandwiches / Tent: A Tent Event

When we first spied this wedding, our first thoughts were … “They’re so pretty … oh so pretty!” All the pretty maids gathering before the momentous occasion of their best friend’s wedding ~ the makeup, the jewelry, the pretty dresses …

… and the bride … oh-so-gorgeous!

images courtesy of DeShelia Spann Photography

Philippe & Emily currently live in San Francisco. He was born and raised there, and she grew up in Indiana. When they chose North Carolina as their wedding destination, a lot of people were asking why. “I grew up going on family vacations to North Carolina to visit my grandparents. I’ve always loved it there, so it made perfect sense to have our wedding there after we decided San Fran was too expensive and Indiana didn’t seem unique enough for the kind of day we wanted to create. The realization that we had guests and family coming from all over the country was the design inspiration for our special day.”

As a graphic designer, Emily has spent the last 7 years designing invitations for other brides. She wanted her invitations to be simple, clean, & fun but also convey a touch of elegance. The charm of the invitations came from the combination of printing techniques that were used. The words in script were printed in metallic foil – silver, gold, and rose gold – while all other words were letterpressed into the different fine colored papers from Crane’s Palette Collection.

The wedding ceremony was held at St. Andrew’s-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmintgon, NC. The reception took place at the Dudley Mansion, located on the Cape Fear River and only a few blocks from the church. Besides being a historical gem, the Dudley has recently been completely refurbished and redecorated. It is a feast for the eyes and could easily serve as the setting for the O’Hara mansion in Gone with the Wind. Guests were able to experience that Southern sophistication while inside the mansion. Philippe & Emily created a fun, relaxed, family-style barbeque atmosphere in the backyard where family and friends relaxed and celebrated.

The reception decor was simply fabulous, designed with beautifully lit tents and cozy furniture. The floor plan showcased the left side for cocktail hour, lawn games, and umbrella tables, the back left for dancing and lounge areas, and the front and back right side for the dinner tent, bar, and additional lounge seating. {See more images in the Style Me Pretty Gallery!} Seafoam bottles were filled with the couple’s signature cocktail and displayed with the straws on a table so that guests could grab one when they first arrived. Edison lights hung over the dance floor and throughout the tent. As a graphic designer, Emily loves all things paper, so she picked out some of her favorite wallpaper patterns and incorporated them into coasters, photo backdrops, favors, & lampshades. Table centerpieces incorporated antique turquoise bottles and candles.

Food stations were set up around the yard: Antipasto Station with cured meats, olives, cheeses, breads, dips, and fruit ~ A deconstructed salad bar where people can create a salad with fresh toppings ~ A starch station with chipotle sweet potato fries, breadsticks, garlic & bacon mashed potatoes, and hush puppies. The chef manned a large outdoor grill where he prepared Grouper, Shrimp and Grits as well as other southern fares for guests. A dessert table showcased the families favorite cakes and pieces as well as the couple wedding cake, a San Francisco Giant’s inspired cake.

The night ended with Emily and Philippe headed off to sparklers and a Rolls Royce. As guests left the venue they were greeted with Light Night Snack filled with two old school Coke bottles, a beef sandwich and potato fries. It was a celebration filled with great family and friends, good food and great decor.

Photography: DeShelia Spann Photography/ Flowers: Jennifer Rose-Sandy, Salt Harbor Designs/ Event Planning and Design: Salt Harbor Designs/ Cater: Marcus, Culinary Creations/ Ceremony Location: St. Andrews Covenant, Wilmington, NC/ Reception Location: The Governor Dudley Mansion, Wilmington, NC/ Invitations: Emily Larson Designs/ Reception music: Brian Hood, Active DJ / Lighting & Power: High Performance, Steve Peterson/ Shoes: Rachel Roy/ Dress: Carolina Herrera Fall 2007 Collection / Bridesmaid’s Dresses: J Crew / Bridesmaid’s Belt: Emily’s mother.

Genius photographers, Brent and Amanda of Millie Holloman Photography, and design mavens, Salt Harbor, are a powerhouse wedding combo.  Their events are always so thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed.  Take the next wedding, a personal, intimate affair with so many details that you might just overdose on inspiration. Salt Harbor, inspired by the bride’s lovely lace dress, took the eyelet detail and just ran with it from the stationery to the gorgeous cake to the lace hankies where guests could pen their well wishes.  Keeping the guest list small leaves room to reach beyond the typical wedding decor and bring in tons of unique elements like the old painted tables.  Each and every photo is just beyond beautiful and there is so much more in the full gallery so get clicking!

There is even more sweet, southern charm in the full gallery!

From Jennifer of Salt Harbor Designs –

“Katherine began her wedding planning by choosing her own church as the ceremony location, an adorable historic chapel in the center of a garden.  When she hired us, she wanted to know if there might be a way to have the reception immediately following on the grounds of the chapel.  As soon as I saw the spot, I knew we had to have the reception there!  Katherine chose to only invite their closest family and friends, a head count of 25, and to have the wedding on a Monday morning.  As we discussed the atmosphere she wanted to capture, we decided to design the day as though it was an old-fashioned southern Sunday service with lunch on the grounds afterwards.

To create an old-fashioned feel, we painted several old wooden tables white and brought in front porch rocking chairs.  A Southern Thyme Catering created a great menu of southern fried chicken and served barbeque sundays (barbeque, baked beans, slaw, and cornbread) in mason jars.  Flowers were a combination of hydrangea, scabiosa, garden roses, and stock in old porcelain pictures.  It was the heat of August in North Carolina, so we chose a color palette that felt cool with whites and yellows and served lots of lemonade and ice cream.  We wanted to incorporate lace into the design, similar to Katherine’s dress, so we chose a cake covered in eyelet lace, used Battenberg napkins, punched the program edges with eyelet patterns, and created a guest book of old handkerchiefs.  Favors were personalized picnic baskets for guests to enjoy on the drive home.  The day could not have been any more perfect as Katherine’s nieces and nephews ran around the gardens eating ice cream, men sat talking and chewing on fried chicken, and the older folks enjoyed the rocking chairs while chatting about the ceremony.”

Ceremony and Reception: Lebanon Chapel and Grounds / Photography: Brent and Amanda from Millie Holloman Photography / Event Design, Florals, Paper: Salt Harbor Designs / Coordinator: Sara of Salt Harbor Designs / Catering: Lottie from A Southern Thyme / Cake: Nicki from Nicki’s Cakes / Tent and Glassware: Party Suppliers

Earlier today, Abby featured another of Millie Holloman Photography’s sensational weddings at Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina ~ shot by the oh-so-very talented Rebecca + Amanda second-shooting. The day after the wedding, they got together again for a few after-wedding photos of the couple.

Here’s what lead photographer Rebecca had to say about the day …
Since Justin & Katy are from Texas, we didn’t get to do an engagement shoot. So … the day after the wedding, we met for a few engagement-style images. The day was cloudy and threatening rain, but, thankfully it held off just long enough for us to finish the shoot.

They started out downtown, then headed over to the river …

and ended up at the beach…

These images are just so romantic and dreamy!

Wow! Thanks to team millie for sharing everything with us today!! And Congrats to Katy and Justin from all of us here at SMP!!