North Carolina Wedding by Cunningham Photo Artists
Simply put, this wedding will take your breath away. It’s the incredible fog that rolled in, the total understated beauty, the sophisticated but homegrown style. It’s every insanely elegant detail that went into designing the most beautiful wedding ever. Plus it was photographed to beyond perfection by Casey and Drea Cunningham of Cunningham Photo Artists…so you just KNOW that it’s going to be good. Click here to see even more!
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I never dreamed of the perfect wedding, only the perfect guy. I knew Toby was the one from an early start. Once we were engaged, I began the process of googling venues in the Blowing Rock area. I immediately fell in love with Westglow Resort and Spa from the moment I saw their website and knew it was the one once I had my first in-person visit.
One of my main fears was being trapped inside of a hotel banquet room, with cliché flower arrangements, impersonal touches and really anything overly “wedding.” You won’t believe me when I say that my florist’s name was Fuschia Sky Moss Woods. She married a man whose last name was Woods. I’d say it was meant to be. I searched the SMP website for hours upon hours. I created folders on my computer that were designated for each aspect of my wedding, saving pictures that I liked to keep track of my favorite wedding details. Fuscia took the time to send me individual pictures of each flower I liked to make sure that my standards were met. She went above and beyond to not only find us mason jars for the wedding aisles, but blue tinted mason jars that look more authentic. If I had a vision, Fuschia was there to make it happen.
My something borrowed was from my sister/co-maid of honor. It was my mom’s locket. My mom passed away unexpectedly, Easter 2006, I had just turned 21. The pendant was looped into the twine that held my bridal bouquet together. My blue was my new married monogram stitched into the front underlining of my dress. Tob and I don’t have the best married monogram (I never knew such a thing existed until a close friend pointed out how awful our married monogram was): cAt…that spells CAT folks.
I felt that the personal details that center around the couple and bring the couple’s style out that day are the best and therefore, I tried to incorporate Tob and I into our day any way I could (all of my small detail inspirations came from SMP). I wanted simple, understated elegance and liked the look of a clean cake with pearls on the base. We had 3 different flavors: tiramisu, chocolate, and apple spice (Tob’s favorite is apple pie so this layer was for him; it was also the top tier of our cake, the one we’ll eat on our anniversary).
We didn’t have a cliché first dance or a sappy love song as our first dance…instead we chose to dance to “You Make My Dreams Come True” by the Hall and Oates. It was an upbeat, fun, get the party started kind of first dance AND Tob did make my dreams come true.
One of the 1st things that stood out to me about our photographers, Casey and Drea, was the fact that they wanted us to be comfortable with them so that when it was time to shoot our special day, we weren’t making cheesy, awkward, and unnatural faces because there was a camera there. From learning our wedding party guest’s names to immediate and even extended family, those 2 knew what they were doing and took command. And they didn’t just capture people and details, they captured emotions and feelings from that day, something I will never be able re-create. That is talent. And on the backend, they weren’t a one and done shop. They took the time and energy to make sure that I received the right wedding album for ME, not the one that they sell to everyone.
Wedding Gown: Rivini found at Nitsa’s Apparel in Phillip’s Place, Charlotte, NC / Bridesmaid Dress: Vera Wang / Florists: Fuschia Moss / Caterer: Westglow Chef / Cake Baker: Joanne, Hallmark Cakes / Band or DJ: The Swingin’ Richards / Photographers: Cunningham Photo Artists
30 Comments about “North Carolina Wedding by Cunningham Photo Artists”
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November 23, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Where is the belt from?! Love!
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November 23, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Using an old antique drawer in the décor = genius
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November 23, 2010 at 2:02 pm
The fog is the best part. Beautiful photographs!
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November 23, 2010 at 2:09 pm
the vintage drawers, succulents & wood rounds ~ WOW!! perfection
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November 23, 2010 at 2:27 pm
I just love that the weather took over and added an un-planable element to this day. Gorgeous photos.
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November 23, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Your wedding is gorgeous! This is exactly what I want my wedding to be like and I'm so inspired! Congrats and I'm so loving the fog!
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November 23, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Court you look so amazing and had such a gorgeous wedding! I'm so glad I've gotten to know you and Toby and couldn't be happier for you two!
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November 23, 2010 at 3:28 pm
such a beautiful wedding! love love. also dying to know where that belt is from :) congratulations
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November 23, 2010 at 5:27 pm
I love the simplicity of the cake.. so sweet!
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November 23, 2010 at 8:53 pm
yes, love the belt. would love to know where it's from.
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November 23, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
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November 23, 2010 at 10:00 pm
Thank you all (it's the former bride)!,,,my belt was purchased seperately from my dress. I attended a trunk show for Monique Lullhier at Nitsa's in Charlotte and the belt was one of the things in the show. Hope this help!
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November 23, 2010 at 10:02 pm
And the "drawer" is actually not a drawer...Toby is in the wine distribution industry and was able to snag this wooden crate that carries really nice wine for free...he sanded, stained, and I bought the handles from Anthropologies to make it into a tray
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November 24, 2010 at 3:03 am
Courtney, super random question..I was wondering if you're interested in selling your dress? I've been looking for this Rivini one for so long bc I can't afford it in the stores. Let me know (my email/blog are attached). Thanks :)
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November 24, 2010 at 4:07 am
Beautiful wedding.. where can i find those string lights????? i have looked EVERYHWERE!!
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November 24, 2010 at 6:17 am
Gorgeous Wedding Photographs, Dressing is Very Good. I wish you All the best.
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November 24, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Hi ladies. I don't have details on these particular lights, but you can find similar styles at:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/globe-string-lights/?pkey=cview-all-lighting-outdoor
http://www.napastyle.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1727
http://www.partylights.com/Strings-Bulbs/GlobeLightSets/G50-15-Light-Set-Clear
http://www.sivallighting.com/heavy-duty-commercial-grade-outdoor-light-string.aspx
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November 24, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Who would have prayed for fog on their wedding day?? Now I will, stunning! I love that you searched for hours on the internet for inspiration and had your liitle folders for each wedding topic - Now I know I'm not alone!! Thanks for sharing x
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November 24, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Hi Courtney,
Your wedding is so stunning & you look incredible :)
You also happen to have the exact same bridesmaids dresses that I am looking for! Are you interested in selling these? I am looking for 3 of them. If not can you please let me know where you purchased them from as i'm struggling to find them online.Thanks! x
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November 25, 2010 at 4:12 am
Elaine,
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the links for similar lights... so much appreciated!!! -
November 29, 2010 at 10:55 am
I was deciding between which tent vendor to use and Classic Party Rentals had me sold because they decided to purchase these lights for my wedding and thought it would be a great addition to their inventory to be used for future events. Classic Party Rentals has several locations but I worked with the one in Charlotte, NC. I'm sure they travel.
Fiona, I'm sure my maids would be interested in re-selling. Do you have any ideas on the sizes you'd need? Almost everyone went up a size in this one. It's Vera Wang and they were purchased through Nitsa's in Charlotte.
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December 5, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Hi Courtney,
That would be cool.
I'm not sure how your sizing works as i'm from NZ. Do you have measurements?
In NZ sizes I have 2 x size 8's and 1 x size 16.My email address is tonibrooks83@gmail.com
Toni :)
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January 8, 2011 at 9:08 pm
I was looking for a wedding dress today, and fell in love with this Rivini dress...Did you already sell it? Or are you willing to?? xo
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January 11, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Kimberly,
I'm willing to sell the dress. Email me at courtneyrae116@gmail.com -
January 17, 2011 at 2:49 am
This is just so gorgeous and ethereal! I was wondering if your cake stand was supplied by your caterer? The one for your cake looks less high than most others I have seen and a little less shiny. I would love to buy something similar for my wedding in Australia in February.
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February 3, 2012 at 11:53 am
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