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A Playful and Vibrant Wedding Celebration Filled With Personalized Touches


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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Blue and orange are the bride and groom’s favorite colors, so from the beginning they knew they wanted to incorporate those! Beyond that, they wanted to celebrate their surroundings and bring as much wild and colorful energy as possible to the wedding weekend. [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

For the wedding weekend, “vibrant, personal, and playful” was the couple’s vision. They wanted to create an atmosphere that covered as much of the grand spectrum of life and their relationship as possible! Bright colors, heartfelt details, regal but personalized attire – they aimed to give a little glimpse into who they are as a couple. And the Fearrington Village team, under the guidance of their amazing wedding planner Gilda McDaniel, did a spectacular job bringing the vision to life! They displayed amazing care and effort in every meticulous detail: floral placements, candles, linens, their memorial table, lights – absolutely everything was perfect.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]

The couple met at a fateful New Year’s Eve party thanks to mutual friends, ringing in 2019 – so, they decided to really ring in (pun intended) 2022 with a New Year’s Eve proposal! They designed the ring together at Brillant Earth, and took a trip to Madrid, one of their favorite cities in the world. Even though Liz suspected a proposal was coming, Adam still had one way to surprise her: the timing. He heavily hinted about the importance of their dinner that night but then surprised her with the ring on a casual morning walk through the Retiro park! They did indeed celebrate with the dinner of a lifetime and enjoyed several more days in Spain before returning to NYC for an engagement photoshoot in Central Park, right next to the spot of their first date at The Milling Room three years prior.

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

Liz wasn’t quite sure what she wanted in a wedding gown at first – but she did know she wanted a cape! She’d seen incredible photos of bridal capes and liked them so much more than classic veils. Luckily, Pronovias had her covered! Liz went to their store in New York City with her mother and Adam’s mother and fell in love with the simple elegance and luminous Mikado silk of their Jory dress, which was chosen for her by her excellent stylist. Said stylist then worked even more magic and paired it with a stunning cape that was originally part of a set with a different dress – it looked magical, so they sold her the cape separately so she could have exactly the look she’d dreamed of. It added just the right amount of whimsy and “fancifulness” (in Liz’s mom’s words) while still being classy and timeless.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

Liz chose the Dessy Group for her (six!) Maids of Honor dresses because they have such a range of gorgeous quality gowns in different styles. She wanted everyone to wear the same color (midnight navy), but she wanted the options to be affordable and versatile so everyone could find a style they liked. Navy is one of Liz’s favorite all-purpose, go-to colors generally, so she chose it in the hopes that her Maids of Honor could wear their dresses again sometime!

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

Adam’s very first tuxedo was from ChazMaTazz Tux back when he joined his Princeton acappella group; so when the time came to get suited up for the big wedding day, he knew that Chaz would set him up perfectly! Adam opted for a navy blue Ike Behar tuxedo; for the groomsmen, he got them black Bresciani tuxes to match. He also got matching blue and orange Brooks Brothers socks for himself, the groomsmen, both fathers and the reader!

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[field title=”Food & Drink”]

The couple first discovered the amazing food and wine at Fearrington Village on a date night relatively early in their (at the time, long-distance) relationship. Awestruck by the caliber of their offerings and truly charmed by everything on their grounds, they knew from that day that Fearrington would be a top contender for their eventual wedding (even then, they were confidently optimistic about getting married). And the Fearrington team delivered time and time again! The menus were spectacular, and words can’t truly do the food proper justice: a festive buffet for rehearsal dinner with the signature hot chocolate soufflé; fantastic appetizers, and a signature cocktail (The Cedar Spectacular: gin, honey, lemon juice, rosemary, and sparkling wine) at welcome drinks; fresh hors d’oeuvres and champagne for cocktail hour; a decadent butternut squash soup followed by short rib, seared trout, or mushroom tarts for dinner… they get hungry again just reminiscing! The team did an amazing job catering to various dietary restrictions, maintaining sky-high standards for every single food item, and pairing it all with some truly special bottles of wine. They can’t wait for another Fearrington dinner sometime soon!

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

The Fearrington Village team has an absolutely stunning array of fresh flowers, so the bride and groom knew they would deliver! But they truly went above and beyond: one of the florists personally grew lantanas (the bride’s favorite flower) in her backyard to ensure the bride would have some in the bouquet! The team did a spectacular job of making every space feel luxurious, natural, and simply stunning.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]

Cakes by Kara Millard delivered the couple’s dream cake! It was a challenge through and through: five tiers, alternating between blackout sponge cake with dark chocolate ganache and orange sponge cake with pumpkin mousse; buttercream frosting, without fondant, in a gradient of blue tones; hand-painted florals, along with a crest design and fresh flowers on top. They recognize and celebrate all of the effort that she put into creating this masterpiece! She and the team also made custom cookies with the silhouette of our puppy, which our guests adored.

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

Adam’s dear friend and college theater mentor, Glen Pannell, delivered an absolutely showstopping rendition of “Balaenoptera” by the endlessly talented Sir Josh Bennett. It’s a poem about the magnitude and expansiveness of love, and the couple has returned to its words many times in special moments. It was a true gift to hear it delivered with such passion, humor, and spirit in the gorgeous Fearrington Village. Arioso Strings delivered exquisite string quintet music for the ceremony and cocktail hour. Their masterful playing elevated the atmosphere; guests especially loved the groom and groomsmen entrance (“Married Life” from Pixar’s “Up”), the bridesmaid’s entrance (“Tales as Old as Time” from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”), the bride’s entrance (“Ave Maria”, a favorite of both our grandmothers when they were alive), and the recessional (an amazing rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Paper Rings” that they put together in just a few weeks). They were spectacular! The festivities continued with DJ Randy Bennett providing an absolutely phenomenal reception experience. Not only did he provide an amazing assortment of songs across a truly staggering array of genres (Cuban classics, Motown, Spanish guitar, pop-punk hits, millennial dance floor jams, vintage polka, romantic jazz, etc.), he tailored his playlist perfectly to the couple’s own favorites and to the energy in the room. They loved the music for their special dances, too: “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” by Ledisi for their first dance, “Tradición” by Gloria Estefan for the father-daughter dance, and “Bella Ciao” by Manu Pilas for the mother-son dance). Randy made for an absolutely amazing dance floor, and everyone had an amazing time together in the Fearrington barn.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

Bekah and Christy of Pineapple Street Designs handcrafted all of the couple’s amazing stationery, including their invitation suites, custom crest, table cards featuring some of their favorite cities around the world, and various signage for the day—including a portrait of their dog, Cedar! They did absolutely phenomenal work, including several custom watercolors, and the couple cannot recommend them highly enough.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

Adam and Leanne of Adam Gilbert Films crafted a divine representation of the wedding weekend, somehow managing to not only capture but also elevate countless special moments. They were a joy to work with, seamlessly integrating into the festivities and pulling together footage that will be cherished forever. Their artistry is truly unparalleled.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

Working with Krystal Kast Photography was an absolute dream! She captured stunning moments from throughout the wedding weekend and also did a phenomenal job at Liz and Adam’s engagement photoshoot in NYC. They felt like supermodels with her, and it was a true treasure to have that experience of feeling so special. They’re having such a hard time choosing which of her photos to hang on their wall that they’ll probably wind up printing an entire coffee table book. Truly, Krystal’s work is magic.

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Photography: Krystal Kast Photography | Photography: Krystal Kast Photography | Cinematography: Adam Gilbert Films | Cinematography: Adam Gilbert Films | Event Planning: The Fearrington House | Floral Design: The Fearrington House | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: The Fearrington House | Invitations: Pineapple Street Designs | Rings: Brilliant Earth | DJ: Joe Bunn | Groom's Attire: Ike Behar | Wedding Venue: The Fearrington House | Beauty: Makeup By Ashley Mooney | Hair piece: Jennifer Behr | Jewlery: Swarovski | PJs: Eberjey | Reception Jumpsuit: SHow Me Your Mumu | Rehearsal Dinner Accessories: Untamed Petals | Rehearsal Dinner dress: Bronx & Banco

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
An Enchanting English Garden Wedding in Chapel Hill at The Carolina Inn


[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Deep fiddle green, deep sage, light sage, whites, brushed gold, poetic blush[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]My husband and I first met in college, at UNC. We both love Chapel Hill and knew we wanted to get married where it all began. The vision for the wedding was timeless, classic and elegant. The Carolina Inn, a historic hotel built in the 1920s, offered the perfect backdrop, with lush lawns and old brick courtyards. A black-tie affair in June, it felt like the fancy garden party of our dreams, awash with soft whites, gauzy greens, and lots of love. [/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]After college, Tyler and I dated long distance for almost five years while we were both in medical school. I was in New Orleans at Tulane and he was in Greenville at East Carolina University. We typically only got to see each other once a month so in the spring of 2022, we took a trip to Oregon for a long weekend. The day we hiked Toketee Falls, we made the long drive out into the forest, surrounded by tall pines, no cell service, just the two of us. It was misty, raining on and off but when we got to the trail head, the sun came out and we saw a rainbow. We had the trail all to ourselves as we hiked down to the waterfall. Tyler is really into photography so when we belayed down a steep rock face, he went ahead to set up his tripod. He said he wanted to get a good picture of us in front of the waterfall so he kept climbing back and forth to the tripod to “check” his shot. After the third “check”, when he climbed back to me, he got down on one knee. The tripod captured the moment beautifully. We spent the rest of the weekend driving up the Oregon coast, visiting lighthouses, and admiring the incredible sunsets over the Pacific. [/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]After I got engaged, I made an appointment at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City. Growing up, my mom and I loved watching Say Yes to the Dress together. We couldn’t wait to see it for ourselves, watching a ton of old episodes leading up to the appointment. At Kleinfeld Bridal, I found a beautiful Tony Ward dress that felt both elegant and sexy, with long delicate lace sleeves, a sleek silhouette and an almost architecturally deep v. Tony Ward happened to be in store when I tried it on. He made my day when he declared that I could have modeled it for him! [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]I loved the idea of mix and matched bridesmaids’ dresses. I wanted something that all my bridesmaids felt comfortable in, something within everyone’s budget and, ideally, something they could wear again. We ended up with a variety of dresses in different shades of green, some floral, some solid, from Reformation, Anthropologie, Birdy Grey, and Azazie. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Tyler picked a classic Vera Wang tuxedo for his groomsmen. We had groomsmen living all over the country – Alaska, California, New York, North Carolina – so we decided to use Menswear House rentals, allowing all the groomsmen to coordinate no matter where they lived. We added suspenders as a final flourish, which looked great when the coats came off and they were getting down on the dance floor [/field]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]Our food was catered by our venue, the Carolina Inn. During cocktail hour, we served local artisan cheese and crackers, apple butter, orange blossom honey, and fresh bread. We also served shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, crispy braised pork belly with apple butter and pickled shallots. For dinner, we served filet mignon and scallops with a piquant sauce, whipped Yukon gold potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts and rosemary orange carrots and parsnips. For our midnight snack, we passed out sliders and french fries – a big hit at the end of a long night of dancing. We had three signature drinks: “hers,” an aperol spritz, “his,” an old fashioned, and “ours,” a spicy margarita.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]We really wanted the florals to be a highlight for the wedding. Our florist, Once Gathered, did not disappoint. I opted for a whimsical all-white mixture of full bodied and wispy flowers—sweet peas, white roses, stock, peonies, gardenias, and lilies. My bouquet had a “garden gathered” look. The central feature of our ceremony was a huge arch of English white roses. Draped twinkle light around the reception area made the space feel really romantic and warm. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Our wedding cake was by Cupcake Shoppe-Raleigh. We decided on a white, three-tiered cake. Our flavors were lemon zest and red velvet. The design was textured and topped with white florals.[/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″][/field]
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Photography: Krystal Kast Photography | Event Design: Kast Events | Event Planning: Kast Events | Floral Design: Once Gathered | Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal | Cake: The Cupcake Shoppe | Invitations: Ivy and Linen Design | Catering: Carolina Inn | Band: Heads Up Penny | Ceremony Music: Triangle Strings Quartet | Wedding Venue: Carolina Inn | Beauty: Mena Garcia Beauty | Champagne Cart: Vita Mielie | Classic Car: Carolina Classic Car | Drapping: Party Tables | Paper Goods: Ivy and Linen Design | Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Rentals: Curated Events Raleigh

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
An Elegant Affair With a Disco Twist at Fearrington Village


[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]With a Classic White and Black color scheme with greens and whites in our florals to make things pop, the design fit perfectly in with the setting of the Fearrington. On the day of, our ceremony was set just outside of the beautiful gardens and allowed our guests a chance to mingle among the flowers.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]For our wedding, we were really looking for something that was classic, elegant, timeless, and overall FUN! After touring 9 venues in the area, Fearrington felt just right– it felt like we were transported to a beautiful vacation spot, just a short drive from home in Raleigh. Fearrington has the most breathtaking grounds and areas to explore and we were delighted to give our guests a chance to experience that through our wedding. To bring our vision to life, we enlisted the help of our great Planner/Designer Cheryl-Anne of Kast Events. She and her team executed our vision above and beyond what we could have expected.
Guests arrived at the ceremony space and were greeted with Prosecco courtesy of Vita Mielie and were entertained by a Guitar and Violin duo from Arioso Strings. For the ceremony, we processed down the aisle to a rendition of “Make you feel my love” sung by Christian’s Aunt and accompanied by the String Duo. In a departure from tradition, we chose to have our wedding party sit in the second row of chairs so that they could feel more present and in the moment for our ceremony. To personalize the ceremony, we included readings from a Poem we love as well as scripture reading. Our favorite detail was our “UniTEA Ceremony” where we poured two variations of Iced Teas together in a break from tradition. After we were pronounced married and kissed, we recessed to “Accidentally in Love” from one of our favorite movies, Shrek.

Our Cocktail hour was held outside of the barn, Guests were offered drinks and hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Fearrington with the background of the beautiful farmlands and music by City Lights Jazz.

Once Cocktail hour ended, guests were ushered through the “Tunnel of Love” as we called it– The tunnel into the barn. We really wanted to have this be a statement piece for the evening, so with the help of Get Lit lighting, we had the entire tunnel lit up with string lights and also added curtains to add to the overall wow factor.

Upon entering the barn, we wanted guests to feel like they were entering a grand space, but also a fun space. To accomplish this, we had a ceiling installation created by Get Lit of String lights all throughout the barn and an additional mixture of Crystal Ords and Disco balls along with greenery dispersed throughout to add the “fun ” factor! It was incredible and with a large disco ball in the center of the room above a white and black checkered dancefloor, set the tone of the night that we were ready to Party!

For Centerpieces, we alternated between low and lush floral centerpieces with candles and large Treelike Centerpieces of Branches in large Crystal Vases to break up the space.

After a delicious plated dinner courtesy of Fearrington, the dance floor opened with Sleeping Booty, our band, playing the best mix of music that kept guests of all ages on the dance floor ALL NIGHT LONG! They were incredible!

Towards the end of the night, our guests were offered passed trays of mini chicken sliders and garlic parmesan french fries as a late-night snack in between dancing along with a dessert bar for late-night nibbles as well.

For the final song, the guests surrounded us as we danced the night away, and then, courtesy of Ultra Mix, Confetti Cannons shot off and covered us all in confetti. It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful day.

As guests sent us off in a sparkler exit, we were taken away in a golf cart, courtesy of Fearrington.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]I (Christian) proposed to Alex with an emerald cut diamond eternity band that was purchased from Diamonds Direct in Raleigh. I am super proud that I kept such a good secret of when the proposal was happening- I told Alex that we had a work dinner to attend for our engagement day, and he had no clue, especially when we were running late, that it was really his engagement. I enlisted the help of some great friends to scope out the rooftop of Barcelona wine Bar in Raleigh NC to set up the perfect display. The rooftop there has sweeping views of Raleigh, which we love, and was a great backdrop for our engagement. The set up for the rooftop was simple but elegant– A table with pictures of us along with some flowers, confetti, and candles around as well. When Alex and I got to the restaurant, we took the elevator up to the rooftop and he saw the display and immediately started crying. After some tears on my part and some sweet words, I got down on one knee, he said yes and we popped some Champagne to celebrate!

After that, I had a surprise dinner set up with our best friends and parents at Taverna Agora down the road from where we were and that was awesome to celebrate with our nearest and dearest too!
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[field title=”Grooms Attire”]We worked with stylist and good friend, Gemma Gooddall at Alton Lane Raleigh, to design custom tuxedos for our wedding. We opted for classic black tuxes for the ceremony with a fun outfit change to cream dinner jackets for the reception. We love how the dinner jackets looked against the backdrop of disco ball ceiling installation!
We chose to go look for suits together but chose separately what fabrics to use for our custom tuxes as a fun surprise to each other.
My tuxedo was black but up close had a speckled dot pattern throughout. Inside of the tuxedo, I chose to add gold as a fun accent color and to make it pop! There also is my initials CAK stitched inside. I also have my initials stitched on the left sleeve of my dress shirt. ( so does Alex!!)

Alexs tuxedo is stark black and compliments mine well to give a classic contest! The inside of his jacket has a cream color to be an accent. And his initials are also stitched inside the jacket along with our wedding date 05.06.2023

For our Cream Dinner Jackets, we both opted to have our initials also added in the lining inside of the jacket to add to the custom nature of it all! [/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”][/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”][/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]Christian and Alex’s wedding was not just a celebration of love and togetherness but also a tribute to the vibrant local food and beverage scene. With a vision to highlight the essence of their community, they curated a culinary experience that incorporated fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a modern twist. From artisanal craft cocktails to delectable dishes, their wedding became a delightful celebration of local flavors. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the unforgettable culinary journey that Christian and Alex embarked on for their special day.

Vita Mielie bubbly cart added a touch of elegance and whimsy to the festivities. The cart offered a selection of exquisite prosecco, creating a sophisticated atmosphere for toasting and celebration. With attention to detail and a commitment to quality, Christian and Alex ensured that their guests had the opportunity to savor the finest bubbles, further enhancing the joyous ambiance of their wedding.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]Christian and Alex’s wedding was a perfect blend of timeless elegance and playful charm. They envisioned a celebration that would enchant their guests with its classic beauty while infusing unexpected elements of fun and excitement. From the elegant ceremony adorned with wispy white and green florals to the dazzling disco ball-covered dance floor, every detail was carefully crafted to create a unique and unforgettable experience.

The couple’s commitment to timeless elegance was evident in their ceremony décor. The custom black wood aisles lined with wispy white and green florals created a romantic and ethereal ambiance. The simplicity of the color palette and the natural elements added a touch of sophistication, ensuring that the ceremony exuded an atmosphere of understated elegance.

Transitioning from the elegant ceremony to the reception, Christian and Alex introduced a playful twist. Guests were greeted with a bubbly cart, offering a sparkling welcome that set the tone for the evening. The dramatic black draping and twinkle lights added an air of mystery and excitement, while the black and white dance floor became the centerpiece of the festivities. The disco ball-covered ceiling added a touch of whimsy and ensured that the dance floor would be the ultimate party destination.

Christian and Alex aimed to keep the tabletop design simple, clean, and modern. The focus was on creating an atmosphere where the elegance of the surroundings could shine through. Elegant green and white florals adorned the tables, bringing freshness and sophistication to each setting. The addition of large tree arrangements added a touch of the outdoors, creating a harmonious blend between nature and the refined ambiance of the reception.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]We had a five-tiered cake with a Boston Creme Pie cake topper (to save for 1 year anniversary), royal lemon wedding cake, another layer of Boston creme, chocolate cake with strawberry, and strawberry shortcake. We wanted the cake design to be simple and match the timeless. classic vibe of our wedding. To emulate some of the wispy greenery featured throughout the wedding, we included a cascading vine adorning the scope of the cake.
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #1″]Christian and Alex’s wedding day was a tapestry of special details, each weaving together to create a truly magical experience. Among the many highlights that filled their celebration, one standout moment was the captivating entrance adorned with twinkling lights and dramatic black draping. Additionally, the grand finale of the evening, marked by a confetti cannon, added a touch of whimsy and joy.[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″][/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″][/field]
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Photography: Krystal Kast Photography | Cinematography: Paros Films | Event Design: Kast Events | Event Planning: Kast Events | Floral Design: The Fearrington House | Cake: The Fearrington House | Invitations: Papertree Studio | Invitations: Papertree Studio | Rings: Diamonds Direct | Catering: The Fearrington House | Catering: The Fearrington House | Lighting: Get Lit Special Event Lighting | Band: Sleeping Booty Band | Officiant: Rev Pia Diggs | Ceremony Music: Arioso Strings | Wedding Venue: The Fearrington House | Beauty: Maria Don | Bubbly Cart: Vita Mielie | Confetti: Ultra Mix Events | Jazz Band: City Lights Jazz | Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Rentals: Party Tables | Rentals: Curated Events | Signage: Revel NC | Signage: Revel NC | Tuses: Alton Lane

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here
Bohemian Country Wedding with a Touch of Whimsy at Barn of Chapel Hill

A white barn, the goodness of Chapel Hill and boho details… this is the beautiful combo that makes up today’s Southern fete planned by Kast Events. We’re getting to know these two Bride babes—from the thoughtful proposal to their favorite memories of their celebration—dive into the interview below and make sure to soak up the full day documented by Krystal Kast.

1. How did you meet?

We met in high school, East Chapel Hill High School, where we played soccer together. We grew up less than a mile apart on the greenway in Chapel Hill but didn’t know each other until I was a junior at East and she and her twin sister, Leigh, were on the soccer team. We came back together when I moved from Atlanta to Chapel Hill for medical school and Paige moved back from Boone when her dad was diagnosed with cancer so she could be with her family. We saw each other again at our yearly East reunion at TOPO the Friday after Thanksgiving (We never actually have real reunions because we have them yearly at TOPO—it’s bizarre). We have known each other for 15 or so years but started dating about 6 months to a year after she moved back to CH.

2. How did the proposal happen?

It happened on Christmas Day at our house in Chapel Hill. I had a book made for her—its a hard cover book made by LoveBook—with stick figures of the two of us and it’s called, “I love you – My reasons why” and I gave it to her on Christmas. Her family was in town and staying with us for Christmas so the whole clan was there and knew what was about to happen. I asked them to stay inside so I could give her the book and ring but slowly, one by one, everyone somehow made it out to the patio where we were sitting and wanted her to show them every SINGLE PAGE of the book. I literally couldn’t get on one knee because her mom was nearly on top of me it was ridiculous! But also sweet and cute. The last page of the book asked, “Will you marry me?” To which she replied, “Of course!”- it was awesome.

3. When did you know she/she was “the one?”

I knew she was the one a few years before we even moved in together… to me Paige is a no-brainer, but I think she needed to think about whether or not I was worthy of being her wife. So I waited… and waited… and waiteeedddd… and it was completely worth it.

4. Tell us about your wedding inspiration:

Boho, country barn style, pintrested to the max. Cheryl-Anne’s style was exactly what we were looking for. Greenery, flowers, rustic.

5. Any special details or fun memories from wedding day you’d like to share?

Paige wrote me the sweetest card I’ve ever received – it was actually perfect because not only was it the most thoughtful and loving writing I could imagine, it was specifically meant to keep me from crying during the ceremony, and it did!

I thought having our family members be such a big part of the wedding was really special – our brothers played the music, brother and sister did the readings – Alex and Cliff who are as much brothers as anyone, wrote us a freaking poem and then read it and it was adorable! And John, my younger bro, officiated and crushed it! The selfie guestbook has some real winners in it – as the book progresses you can tell people are getting drunker and the pictures are absolute gems!

And then during the ceremony there were the shotguns that were going off the entire time – what the hell was that? I thought it was funny, a “shotgun wedding” perhaps? The bug that crawled up John’s neck that I had to save him from.

We had an absolute blast! There are so many wonderful memories from that weekend that I can’t even really begin.

Photography: Krystal Kast Photography | Event planning and design: Kast Events | Floral Design: The Barn of Chapel Hill | Dress: BHLDN | Cake: Whole Foods Market | Invitations: Indigo Envelope | Catering: Beau Catering | Hair and makeup: Salon 135 | Makeup and Hair: Wink Hair & Makeup | DJ: DJ Joe Bunn | Favors: Extraordinary Adventures | Ceremony and Reception: The Barn of Chapel Hill | Custom made rings: William Travis Jewelry | Dress designer: Claire Pettibone | Dress designer: Eddy K | Dress store: Gilded Bridal | Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters | Rentals: CE Rentals

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Quaint Chapel Hill Wedding at The Parlour at Mann’s Chapel

As hard as it can be to cull down a guest list, intimate weddings are sooo worth it if you want to truly interact with every guest celebrating your Big Day with you. Call me biased (I had less than 80!), but I think today’s Bride & Groom, Heather & Michael, have the right idea. With Kast Events & Company to help plan every cherished moment, they were able create a beautiful experience for their friends and family. Photographers, Ally and Bobby were also on the guest list and we’ve got the pretty documentation right here.

From the photographers, Ally and BobbyHeather and Michael were married in a quaint white chapel tucked away in the countryside of North Carolina. The joy in the air was tangible on that summer day! With less than 75 guests, they had an intimate celebration with their closest friends and family.

From the Bride… Michael and I both wanted to keep our wedding smaller and intimate with a meaningful venue that also incorporated the outdoors. We booked the sweet vintage chapel which was originally built in the 1800’s and renovated a couple of years before our wedding. It was just the right size, allowing less than 100 guests and incorporating a beautiful outdoor space. Additionally, the women who restored the chapel maintained many original details from the original church, including the pews and signage, which was special to see displayed. Since the space is so gorgeous, we wanted to incorporate greenery, and a classic color palette to highlight the natural beauty of the space.

We wanted our guests to feel loved and taken care of, much like they have loved and taken care of us, so we prioritized good food, drinks, and a fun ambiance. Choosing a fun and entertaining dj coupled with an interactive photo booth during the reception were additions that guests commented on how much they enjoyed all night. Almost 80% of our guests were traveling from out of town, so we wanted them to be able to enjoy themselves as we said I do!

From our venue, down to the florals, we chose to support mostly small local vendors with big hearts and personalities. We love supporting local businesses and wanted to continue that trend for our wedding as well. We also wanted to include as many friends as possible into our wedding day. One of our dearest friends officiated the wedding, another serenaded us as we walked down the aisle, and two of the bride’s former students were her flower girls. Our bridal party was intentionally small as well to include our most loved best friends and siblings. Heather wanted each bridesmaids to choose their own dress to complement their individual style and personality. While staying within a shades of blush color palate, their choices complemented one another and turned out better than she could have imagined.

The day was a whirlwind, so we were glad that we chose to have a first look and take a moment to see each other, calm some nerves, and be together without all of our guests, to share a quiet moment before the ceremony started. After much debate we decided to write our own vows to be read to one another during the ceremony, which was our favorite part of the entire day. Being able to use our own words to express our love to one another in the presence of our family and loved ones was such a special moment.

From our appetizers that paid homage to Michael’s southern heritage, to the florists incorporating all the bride’s favorite florals into her bouquet, everything felt like us. We included portraits of our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days and used the bride’s late grandmother’s chalkboard to highlight how important our families are to us. The bride’s father even brought their beloved 12-year-old lab, Madison, to take pictures and enjoy an al fresco dinner under the market lights. The forecast leading up to the wedding was a downpour all day, so we were immensely grateful when the day was filled with sunshine and warmth. Our wedding will forever be a favorite memory of ours and we are so grateful to everyone who was a part of our day.

Photography: Ally and Bobby | Florals: Serendipity Designs | Cake: Simply Cakes | Catering: Durham Catering Company | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Ceremony and Reception: The Parlour Chapel | Guestbook: Sage Paper Co. | Hair and Make-up: Radiant hair + makeup | Photo Booth: ZimZoom Photobooth | Planning: Kast Events | Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters | Rentals: CE Rentals | Signage : Oaks + Gray Paper

A Southern Soiree That Checks Off All Our Boxes

Things we love: high school sweethearts, vintage cars, southern traditions, and couples whose love for each other and for their families is the most memorable part of their special day. Check, check, check, and a big ol’ check — this sweet day planned by Stephanie Shaul Events has it all. So if you need us, we’ll be right here looking at all the pretty captured by Anagram Photo.

From Stephanie of Stephanie Shaul Events… Megan and Evan, the bride and groom, are that couple that every wedding planner dreams of working with — incredibly excited about their wedding day and marriage; so totally in-love; focused on their family, friends, and community that have shaped them; and bursting to have a gorgeous, fresh, stylish wedding day that represents their love story and is filled with thoughtful touches. We worked tirelessly over their year-long engagement to plan and design this stunning, heartfelt wedding at the quintessentially Southern Carolina Inn — a historic inn with sentimental meaning to the couple. We designed a stunning palette of cranberry, cinnamon, rose, greys, a mixture of gold and brass, plenty of rich textures, and organic elements and greenery. There were so many beautiful, cohesive elements and details that we incorporated throughout their wedding to showcase their love story as best as possible.

As a wedding photographer herself, the bride was already deeply immersed in the wedding industry, which made choosing vendors and the design a cinch. We worked with incredible vendors to bring this vision and design to fruition, perfectly and exquisitely captured on film and brought to life through the lens of Graham Terhune. Alexa from Sage Paper Co. designed bespoke wedding invitations with an ombre painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop (a place the bride and groom love and visit often), and Wylde Flowers created the most breathtaking, bold, lush bouquets in the perfect color palette and design. We affixed Megan’s grandmothers’ pins to the bouquet, and it was so special to think of all of these loving, thoughtful touches scattered throughout wedding. The bride’s great-grandfather’s vintage car was adorned with a custom “Just Married!” sign with calligraphy by honorary bridesmaid, Meredith of Oaks and Gray, and it was also decked out with a lush greenery garland. The vintage car was the perfect finishing touch on the wedding day, especially as the couple jubilantly exited their wedding as husband and wife under a joyful sparkler send-off and into the awaiting car.

But above any other details, thoughtful and stunning as they were, what stood out to me the most is Megan and Evan’s inspiring, genuine, deeply rooted love. What matters the most to them: generously loving and celebrating their family, friends, and community and thoughtfully planning for and focusing on their new marriage.

These moments are etched in my memory. Their intimate first look, which was filled with sheer joy, nerves, excitement, and a lot of laughter and happy tears. Their outdoor ceremony, which was set amongst the oak trees, was truly special as they pledged their lives to one another, prayed with their families and wedding party during the ceremony, and recited the most memorable vows. As their wedding planner and friend, it was also a highlight to privately share their reception ballroom with them, and to see our vision come to life so exquisitely was a moment I’ll never forget.

The graciousness and joy of the bride and groom, along with all of their family and friends, was truly memorable and unique, and this wedding simply beautiful and love-filled in every way.

From the bride, Megan Kerns Foote-Hudson… Evan and I met in high school in our hometown, Durham, North Carolina. Shortly thereafter, we started dating and have been inseparable ever since. Last year, we planned a weekend getaway to Evan’s collegetown and one of our most beloved cities, Asheville, North Carolina. On the way to Asheville, Evan’s secret proposal quickly unfolded. After popping the question, Evan and I celebrated our engagement at the historic and renowned Omni Grove Park Inn where we were surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. It was the most perfect and thoughtful weekend — an experience that I’ll cherish forever!

When we started to plan our wedding, we knew we wanted to incorporate intentional details that represented our personalities, love story, and family legacies. The first big decision we made was our venue. The Carolina Inn has always been a special place for both our families, so after officially touring the space, we knew it was the perfect setting to start our new chapter. We both adore the intimate southern charm and hospitality they provide to all of their guests. In fact, we can’t wait to celebrate many anniversaries at the Carolina Inn in years to come!

Leading up to our wedding day, Evan and I were elated to see our family and closest friends gather under the same roof. It was incredibly humbling to celebrate and dance the night away with our families and friends who traveled near and far to celebrate our new beginning. To kick off the wedding weekend, Evan’s parents hosted our rehearsal dinner at a local restaurant in Chapel Hill. Saturday, Evan arranged a groomsmen’s brunch (one of our favorite meals), and I organized a yoga class for my bridesmaids at the Inn.

As we look back on our day, a few moments left a lasting impression on us. My first look with my bridesmaids was one of my favorite moments. Early on I decided I wanted to keep my dress a secret. Until our wedding day, my mom and two sisters were the only people who had seen my dress. Seeing the reaction on my bridesmaids’ faces was priceless — a heartfelt memory that will remain near and dear to my heart. Also, Evan and I cherished our first look, an intimate moment that gave us a chance to truly embrace our emotions and excitement for the day and each other. Above all, our favorite part of the day was the ceremony. We intentionally created a ceremony that represented our story while encompassing our values and deepest promises to one another. Our ceremony took place outside under a full-bodied oak tree with vibrant and radiant fall foliage. Thanks to our faith in the southern tradition of burying the bourbon, we were able to keep our ceremony under the warm sun and clear Carolina blue skies. Thank you, precious bottle of Woodford Reserve!

After a delicious southern meal, drinks, and dancing, we ended the night under a sparkler exit. My dad drove our epic getaway car, my great-grandfather’s Ford Model A from 1927.

Evan and I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding day. We are so grateful for our families, friends, and vendors who were able to bring our vision to life.

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Photography: Anagram Photo | Event Planning: Stephanie Scholl Events | Floral Design: Wylde Flowers | Wedding Dress: Essence Of Australia | Cake: The Cupcake Shoppe | Invitations: Sage Paper Co. | Bride's Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair + Makeup: Teighla Norris | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Ceremony Music: The Counterclockwise String Band | Venue: Carolina Inn | Bridesmaids' Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Rentals: CE Rentals | Rentals: Cottage Luxe | Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters | Signage: Oaks + Gray Paper

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A Wedding Designed Around a Love of Literature

As you will read from photographer Caroline Lima below, this couple is glowing and radiant in every single way possible. They have a big love, not only for each other, but those in every corner of their lives. And isn’t that what a wedding day is all about? The cherry on the top are the sweet, sweet details—like their guest book made with library-themed cards for their guests to write them messages and put in an old card catalog—fitting for the Bride who happens to work at a library! See more of their day right here.

From Caroline LimaWhen I first worked with Courtney and Jon last fall on their engagement session, I was struck by how genuine they are. I think it’s impossible not to be drawn to their kind, calm personalities. We had such a good conversation, strolling through the UNC campus. And as I watched them through my lens, I could clearly see the depth of their feelings for one another. When we parted ways that day, I immediately began to look forward to their Chapel Hill Carriage House wedding. Well, the day finally arrived! And it was every bit as beautiful and special as I knew it would be.

For one, Courtney’s smile is absolutely contagious! She was glowing and radiant, and just like Jon cares so much for the people around her. As her bridesmaids were helping her dress, Courtney took time to tell them she felt honored to have them there. She made all of her loved ones feel as special and important as they really are to her. And so did Jon. It is such a pleasure and a gift to see that kind of love and generosity…and it all starts with the bride and groom.

The ceremony took place at the University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill. Before it began, Jon and Courtney exchanged letters and gifts. Watching the emotion on Jon’s face as he read Courtney’s words was so touching. At one point, he broke off and said (obviously to himself) “What did I do to deserve her?” A genuine moment that I will never forget! Later, as he watched his bride come down the aisle, tears welled up in Jon’s eyes. So beautiful! And the surprising part? The deep and true emotion of this wedding transitioned into a very exciting dance floor! This bride and groom can definitely cut a rug! I can’t help but giggle now, remembering how much fun it was to watch them at their reception at The Carriage House! A huge thanks to Kast Events, such a perfect and smooth day!

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Photography: Caroline Lima Photography | Videography: Jon Clark Weddings | Event Coordination: Kast Events | Floral Designer: Bowerbird Flowers | Stationery: Blush Paperie | Ceremony Venue: University Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: Chapel Hill Carriage House | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering: Beau Catering | Hair and makeup: Onloktion Makeup Artistry | Cake Artist: Buttercream’s Bake Shop | Cocktail Hour Music: Arioso Strings | Groom + Groomsmen's Attire: Bernard's Formalwear | Reception Music: Joe Bunn

They buried a bottle of bourbon to keep the rain away… And it worked!

Here at SMP, I learn something new everyday.  Today’s lesson? Bury a bottle of bourbon at your wedding site and you’ll keep the rain away, regardless of the forecast.  It’s the sweet southern tradition that this gorgeous bride’s father followed to a tee, and guess what? It worked. What followed was a rainless celebration with lush blooms from Tre Bella Florist, a stunning cake from Ashley Cakes and a whole lot of pretty from Erin McLean Events. See it all captured beautifully by Nancy Ray in THE VAULT.

From Erin McLean Events… In the two weeks leading up to their wedding day the forecast was calling for a 100% chance of rain throughout the day on Saturday. Lauren was so worried that the day would be dark and dreary. Little did I know, her dad had visited the ceremony site four weeks prior and buried the traditional bottle of bourbon as tradition calls to do for no rain. The morning of the wedding, the forecast was still not encouraging. Not only did it not rain a drop until all the guests were safely into the reception space for dinner, but we were treated to the most incredible rainbow across the sky above the Carolina Inn. It was an incredible nod from heaven that was shining down on Lauren and Ben on their special day. Ben and Lauren’s father dug up the bottle as a reminder for the couple to keep and know that yes, those old wives tales, dear to all our Southern hearts, do still work their magic.

This wedding was laced with sweet southern nods – from the food to the mint julep inspired centerpieces, and of course the crowd pleasing late night snack – Chick-Fil-A!

Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Event Design: Erin McLean Events | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: Traditions By Anna | Cake: Ashley Cakes | Ceremony Venue: University Presbyterian Church | Reception Venue: Carolina Inn | Hair + Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Calligraphy: Well Addressed Calligraphy | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Transportation: Carolina Livery | Live Painter: Dan Nelson Art | Rehearsal Dinner: The Fearrington House | Rentals: CE Rentals

Traditional Carolina Inn Wedding

Traditional weddings make my heart happy.  And thanks to the talents at Erin McLean Events, this sweet Carolina Inn affair is dripping with some of the most beautiful details you will ever see.  Think romantic florals from Tre Bella, a gorgeous cake from Ashley Cakes and rich golden hues filling an entire ballroom with pretty.  See it all captured expertly by Nancy Ray Photography in THE VAULT right this way.

From Erin McLean Events… Kate + Michael’s summer wedding was inspired by the first place the two met – during their days at Wake Forest University. Kate wanted her wedding day to pay tribute to their Alma Mater – the place that brought them together – so she chose the magnolia leaf as her inspiration which is the school’s flower symbol. From their stunning invitation suite lined with magnolia accents to the greenery draped from their gold chiavari chairs at the head table – their wedding day was filled with notes of the couple’s beginning.

Their wedding day was filled with late summer sunshine and was a perfect reflection on this sweet couple. Surrounded by their closest loved ones, the couple said “I do” in the picturesque walls of The Chapel of the Cross and celebrated the night away in a ballroom filled with sparkle and laughter.

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See more Traditional weddings in THE VAULT!

Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Event Design: Erin McLean Events | Event Planning: Erin McLean Events | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Cake: Ashley Cakes | Invitations: Sealed Invitation And Design Studio | Ceremony Venue: Chapel Of The Cross | Reception Venue: The Carolina Inn | Hair And Makeup: Rachel Radford

Elegant + Romantic Garden Party Inspired Wedding

Erin McLean Events teamed up with these Capital Hill cuties and defined the meaning of romance. I mean, when your wedding theme is blush and bashful with a dash of glitter at The Carolina Inn – you know you’re in good hands. It’s effortless meets elegance captured by Graham Terhune and Heart Stone Films, and no matter what your wedding vibe you’ve got to see it all in The Vault!

From Erin McLean EventsLorea is a true Southern lady with an infections laugh and great style. She met her sweet groom Kyle while working together on Capital Hill. We playful called the theme of her wedding was blush and bashful with just the right dash of gold glitter.

When we started designing her wedding it was clear that Lorea and Kyle wanted their wedding to have an effortless elegance. We used greenery and soft blush peonies as the floral inspiration. The florist used gorgeous green garland that mimicked their fun and pretty invitations.

Following a tearful and sentimental wedding ceremony the wedding guests made their way to the Front Porch of the Carolina Inn and were met with passed fried green tomatoes, lamb lollipops, beef bourguignon, and more scrumptious appetizers.

Guests were then ushered into the the gorgeous black and white floor reception with plenty of rose gold sequin and garland. The guests danced all night and the bride and groom made their joyful sparkler to close out the evening.

Photography: Anagram Photo | Cinematography: Heart Stone Films | Event Design: Erin McLean Events | Event Planning: Erin McLean Events | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal | Invitations: Smitten on Paper | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Band: The Adrian Duke Project | Ceremony Music: Elegant Ensembles | Transportation: Carolina Livery | Venue: The Carolina Inn | Rentals: CE Rentals

Romantic North Carolina Botanical Gardens Wedding

We’re mesmerized by all the pretty in this romantic North Carolina Botanical Gardens wedding, awash in the soft hues of blush, gold and ivory! Inspired by the outdoor setting, Nouveau Events worked its magic with succulent favors, a birch wood chuppah and an eclectic mix of flowers, all beautifully captured by Anna Routh Photography. There’s much more to see in the full gallery right here!

From Nouveau EventsJennifer and Kevin have been together since they were juniors in high school (just over 10 years). They were long distance in high school and even throughout college (she was at The University of Texas at Austin and he was at Tulane). They moved to North Carolina in 2010 to attend graduate school and start building their life together. Kevin proposed in April 2014, on a picnic in a garden among the spring flowers.

When Jennifer was asked to describe her wedding style, three words summed it up: ethereal, romantic, and authentic. The inspiration for this wedding was based on their desire for a soft, romantic color palette with eclectic flower arrangements. For this reason, a color palette of blush, gold and ivory was selected. Jennifer and Kevin really wanted an outdoor ceremony that had a garden theme which seemed only fitting considering that the venue itself was a botanical garden. The North Carolina Botanical Gardens is an award winning Green space and keeping with the style of the venue, succulent wedding favors, a birch wood chuppah, and a ketubah with a tree design were incorporated. In addition, Beau Catering used seasonal and local grown food for the menu which is an encouraged green practice.

The details found in Jennifer and Kevin’s wedding were sentimental and unique to the couple. The ketubah was personalized for the couple by an artist named Jerise Fogel in New York City. Their dog, Abbie, also played a special role in their wedding day as her dog tag was Jennifer’s “something borrowed” and the ketubah also included her depiction.

Photography: Anna Routh Photography | Event Design: Monica Noa, Nouveau Events | Event Planning: Monica Noa, Nouveau Events | Floral Design: Tre Bella Florist | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Wedding Cake: Brie & Mariston Marrow | Bridesmaids' Dresses: ModCloth | Catering: Beau Catering | Makeup: Joanne Maye Makeup Artistry | DJ: Vox DJ Company | Officiant: Rabbi Laura Leiber | Wedding Venue: North Carolina Botanical Garden | Ketubah : Jerise Fogel | Lighting and Draping: Peelman Productions | Rentals: Party Reflections

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Contemporary Multi-Cultural Wedding at The Carolina Inn

A sense of calm came over me as I admired these stunning photos from Perry Vaile; she captured the breathtaking beauty of combining both Pakistani and Tibetan cultures into one simple and intimate ceremony, leaving me speechless. I’m thinking every Monday morning should start on this sort of note; see every peacefully pretty moment right this way!

From Perry Vaile… This stunning couple chose to celebrate their wedding in a beautifully unique way – not only did they incorporate their own family traditions by wearing traditional clothing (the Groom in a tailor-made Sherwani, and the Bride in a Tibetan red gown), but they also choose to have a very simple and intimate ceremony with only a handful of those closest to them, followed by a large reception (where they switched to a tux and short white dress) in a beautiful ballroom. The couple used beautiful cherry blossoms throughout their day and gave guests Ilam tea as a favor and Krispy Kreme donuts for the dessert!

Photography: Perry Vaile Photography | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup: Courtney Hughes | Hair: Minas Studio | Band: Groovetown | Wedding Venue: The Carolina Inn | Bride's Shoes (Flats): Ivanka Trump | Wedding Dress - Red: Designed By Bride, Made In Nepal. | Wedding Dress - White: Jill Stuart

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Colorful Spring North Carolina Farm Wedding

If you’re planning a spring wedding filled with pretty pops of color, I suggest you pause and start pinning. Because not only is this next colorful affair the perfect blend of vibrancy and love, it also happens to be a new favorite straight from the lens of Anna Routh Photography. See it all here!

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From Anna Routh PhotographyEmily and Josh are two of the most wonderful people I know – full of so much joy and love for each other and for their friends and family. Their spring wedding, on the most beautiful day, was such a joy to be a part of. Emily’s mom is a very talented event planner and florist, and the evening she put together was just perfect. The pops of color, the amazing details, the delicious food – it all screamed of Emily and Josh’s colorful personalities and it came together just perfectly.

Photography: Anna Routh Photography | Coordination: Events by La Fete | Event Design & Planning: Purple Puddle | Floral Design: Purple Puddle | Cake: Art Of Cake | Bride's Shoes: Michael Kors | Catering: Fig And Honey | Make Up: Skye Marra | Hair: DB Sutton | Lighting: Get Lit Special Event Lighting | DJ: DJ Spin | Transportation: harrison global | Bridal Gown: J.Crew | Bridesmaids Necklaces: Stella & Dot | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Rock Quarry Farm | Cocktail Hour Music: Mipso | Custom Invitation Artwork: Yellow House Calligraphy | Film Scanning: PhotoVision Prints | Hand Painted Bar And Road Signs: Sweet Pease | Invitiations: Purple Puddle | Rentals: American Party Rentals

Classic North Carolina Wedding at The Carolina Inn

Wonderfully elegant yet with the lofty-goodness of The Carolina Inn, this stunning North Carolina soiree will stick with you today. Because as you carefully peel away all the layers of gorgeous sitting pretty in this gallery, you’ll quickly realize this wedding has it all. It’s modern yet classic, elegant yet fun, and all captured to perfection by Graham Terhune Photography – making every image a must see.


From Graham Terhune PhotographyJulianne and Taylor are New York City residents who decided to celebrate their wedding in a place very dear to both of their hearts, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. When deciding on a location, Julianne and Taylor wanted their wedding to feel authentically “them.” Thus, they chose to get ready in one of their favorite spots, The Carolina Inn and they held their ceremony and reception at the Cotton Room in Durham. Both places were perfect for the couple. The Carolina Inn provided the classic, Chapel Hill feel and allowed both Julianne and Taylor to get ready with their friends, and then hold their first look and portraits in such a beautiful space. Julianne and Taylor chose the Cotton Room for their ceremony and reception because it felt lofty and like their cozy apartment in NYC. Julianne and Taylor’s wedding day was full of joy, laughter, friendship and compassion. We were blown away by the calm nature of both the bride and the groom – they were completely about soaking in the day and the special commitment between one another. We think that both Julianne and Taylor were radiant on their wedding day. 

Photography: Anagram Photo | Florist: Purple Puddle | Cake: The Cupcake Shoppe | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Make Up And Hair: Onloktion Makeup Artistry | Wedding Venue: The Cotton Room | Accomodations: The Carolina Inn | Bride's Dress: Nicole Miller | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab

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Romantic Fearrington Village Barn Wedding

A lakeside dock proposal on Christmas Eve? Yes, please! That sweet, sweet moment (that I’m totally swooning over) led to this cozy-as-ever Southern soiree at The Barn At Fearrington Village. The merriment that ensued included a bluegrass band, treasured family heirlooms passed down as gifts, a quiet moment alone, a perfectly glowing party and so much more captured at the talented hands of Perry Vaile. See it all here!

From the beautiful Bride…At midnight, just as Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day, Jeff asked me to marry him in the woods behind my parents’ house in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, standing on a lakeside dock that he helped my Dad and my brother build a few years ago. Just as we were surrounded by family at our engagement, we wanted our wedding day to be personal, intimate, heartfelt, and full of meaningful ways to incorporate our family and friends into our celebration.

The day started off with my sister, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and me and my family getting ready at my parents’ house. We took bridal portraits in the woods where Jeff had proposed to me, using a vintage 1800s chair and trunk that belonged to my great-great-grandparents. Our ceremony took place at the hometown church where Jeff and I both grew up, and our reception was at the gardens and barn at Fearrington Village.

Before the wedding, my family gave me some incredibly special gifts with deep family connections, which I will treasure forever. My mom made me a custom handkerchief with a swatch of lace from her own wedding gown sewn into it. My family gave me two sixpence for luck, one from 1820, which is the year the Black-Cole House was built, where my grandmother and her six siblings grew up, representing the Cole side of my family. The other coin was from 1920, which is the year that my grandmother “Mama Gee” was born, representing the Didow side of my family. Another special gift was the loan of a blue butterfly pin (for my “something blue”) that was worn by my cousin at her wedding.

Right before the wedding, Jeff and I took a moment back to back (so he couldn’t see my gown) to read each other letters that we had written about getting married. It was an incredibly special moment, just for the two of us. I also gave Jeff custom cufflinks, engraved with the longitude and latitude of the location where we would shortly become husband and wife.

At the service, our siblings were our attendants, and cousins and an uncle were greeters and readers. We had a whole group of flower children, including cousins and a niece and nephew. Other friends played violin and sang. Our dads (both Marines) jointly read the Blessing of the Hands, to which they added their own impromptu last line, “Semper Fi! Oorah!” Jeff and I exchanged custom wedding rings engraved with imprints of each others’ fingerprints on the inside of each band.

Jeff and I love the outdoors, the South, and bluegrass music, so we had a bluegrass band – including a mandolin and fiddle – play at our cocktail hour, which was outside in the gardens. At the reception, guests found their seats in the barn using table assignments posted on a fun vintage door that my Dad found at an antique store. We named each table after our favorite spots in North Carolina (our home, where we both grew up) and in Washington, DC (where we currently live). Most of these spots were favorite hiking and camping destinations, including Max Patch Mountain, a bald (mountain top pasture) with 360-degree views at the North Carolina and Tennessee border, where our amazing photographer Perry Vaile took our engagement pictures. Other tables were named after our favorite spots to get biscuits and chips con queso when we’re in North Carolina!

The recipe for our wedding cake was based on an old family recipe. My very dear cousin Susan used to make me strawberry cake for my birthdays, and legend has it that one year, she went through five “practice cakes” before making one that met her standards! It brought back special memories of her to taste her recipe at our wedding.

One of my favorite parts of preparing for the reception was combing through old family pictures. At the reception, we displayed framed pictures of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days, as well as a picture of my maternal grandmother in her Navy nurse uniform. We handmade our favors, which gave guests a choice of chocolate (Jeff’s favorite), lemon drops (my Dad’s favorite), or honey from our neighbor’s farm. In light of our love for the mountains, I surprised Jeff with a groom’s cake modeled on one of our favorite weekend hiking spots, the Shenandoah Mountains, and one of my wonderful friends painted a mountain scene that served as our guestbook.

We are so excited to share these pictures by Perry Vaile Photography – after a long search, we had just about given up on a finding a photographer that felt just right, and the second we found Perry’s work, we just knew! We’re simply thrilled to have these images and these memories of our wedding day.

Photography: Perry Vaile Photography | Invitations: South | Ceremony Venue: University United Methodist Church | Reception Venue: The Fearrington House | Shoes: Parisxox | Engagement Ring: Charleston Alexander | Wedding Bands: Brent & Jess | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair And Makeup: Bella Trio | Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carrie | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Tuxedos: Allure Bridal | Bluegrass Band: The Guilty Pleasures | Bow Ties And Suspenders: Dapper Gent | Bride's Dress: Judd Waddell | Clutch: Hoganfe | Cufflinks: Tracy Tayan Designs | Earrings: Erin Cole | Florist (ceremony): Tre Bella Inc | Florist (reception): The Fearrington House | Flower Girl Dresses: David's Bridal | Food And Cake: The Fearrington House | Programs: Ply

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Whimsical Botanical Garden Wedding

The most memorable weddings, in my opinion, are equal parts fabulous and fun. LBB members A Swanky Affair and Bunn DJ Company are the perfect team for just that, giving a summer fair feel to this Carolina couple’s big day. Pin wheels, streamers, and bicycles are only the start of the playful details. Rebecca Ames Photography captured all the whimsy here!

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Whimsical

From Amanda… I was so honored to be a part of Kate and Jeff’s colorful summer wedding at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill. Kate and Jeff were blessed with a gorgeous summer day. It started off with the girls having mani-pedis at Mina’s Studio. Then, everyone gathered at the gardens for an afternoon of photos followed by a sweet and intimate ceremony. During the cocktail hour guests were entertained with bluegrass music from The Happy Valley Pals and enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres from The Catering Company of Chapel Hill. There were so many fun details incorporated throughout the evening! There were bicycles (they met at a bike shop), pinwheel escort cards, a DIY photo booth, and ribbon wands for a fun and colorful send off.

From Rebecca Ames Photography… Kate and Jeff’s wedding was spectacular and just screamed out whimsical summer. It almost reminded me of a Bohemian Summer Fair with the pinwheels and the colorful photo booth. I loved how they incorporated bicycles into the programs, invitations and thank you gifts. They also made sure to make the wedding eco-friendly by using recycled papers and natural products. ! They even had a ring warming ceremony that was very heart warming. I also really loved how they had a farm table at the reception. What a nice touch Finally, they had a grand exit with homemade colorful ribbon streamers.

Photography: Rebecca Ames Photography | Event Planning: A Swanky Affair | Floral Design: Fernrock Farms | Wedding Dress: Tre Bella Inc | Cake: Guglhupf | Catering: The Catering Company of Chapel Hill | Lighting: Get Lit Special Event Lighting | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Officiant: Robin Renteria | Transportation: The Bridge Bus | Wedding Venue: North Carolina Botanical Garden | Hair And Make-up: Minas Studio | Music: The Happy Valley Pals | Rentals: American Party Rentals

Classic Carolina Inn Wedding

This Carolina Inn wedding from Events by La Fete is classic right down to it’s very core. The stunning Bride donning a fluffy sweetheart dress from Alexia’s Bridal Boutique, heavenly bouquets of white blooms and one crazy cute flower girl… every inch is traditional beauty done so right. Have a look at the gallery from Walters and Walters for so much more!

From the beautiful Bride… When envisioning the look and feel of our wedding, both Ray and I knew from the beginning that we wanted our day to be romantic, timeless and elegant. On such a special day, we really wanted to appeal to everyone’s senses: from the textured linens and overall decor, to the aroma of our florals and tasty foods, to the sounds of our favorite songs being spun by the DJ, a complete all around-experience was a must. The first and most important decision in creating our vision was choosing the perfect venue. The Carolina Inn absolutely captivated us with its beautiful courtyards and historic feel, and truly met all of the criterion we desired for our special day: beauty, elegance, romance, and it was certainly a plus that both Ray and I met and graduated from UNC. We absolutely fell in love with The Old Well room and its signature black and white tiled floors, and it was the perfect reception space to compliment our decor. Our color scheme consisted of victorian lilac, blush, ivory and golds that were very soft and romantic, which we incorporated in our wedding party’s look as well as floral arrangements. Speaking of flowers, I knew this would be the one detail that would truly take our vision to the next level. Our ceremony included a beautifully patterned aisle runner designed for me to make my grand entrance upon, and we declared our vows to one another in front of two glamorous columns with stunning floral arrangements sitting atop of both. Our reception tables consisted of high and low floral centerpieces that stunned guests with their sweet aromas, and candles that provided soft lighting to create a truly romantic atmosphere. All while the sounds of Sinatra serenaded our guests as they fellowshipped over lunch. Finally, and I’m sure every girl would agree, was the ever so important decision of choosing my wedding dress. Believe it or not, I bought the first dress I saw and tried on! The Kenneth Pool design was flowy, romantic, and was the perfect fit to accentuate my petite frame. It had just enough flare on its own that it didn’t require much accessorizing, so I chose to keep it simple with earrings and a very dainty bracelet. My goal was to be the most beautiful bride Ray had ever seen, and this was absolutely brought to fruition in large part due to this most beautiful dress.

With the ever-changing fads of today’s weddings, it was important that we made choices that would create a vision we could share with our children and loved ones years from now and still be as equally pleased with the decisions made. We wouldn’t change one thing about our day (not even the rain) and would absolutely re-live this most perfect day over and over again!

Photography: Photography by Walters & Walters | Event Planning: Events by La Fete | Floral Design: Fresh Affairs | Wedding Dress: Alexia's Bridal | Cake: Simply Cakes | Invitations: Hello Tenfold | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff | Catering: The Carolina Inn | Make Up: Ashley Mooney | Lighting: Total Production Services | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Venue: The Carolina Inn | Rentals: CE Rentals

Spring Barn Wedding in Chapel Hill

Sweet tea and Southern weddings go together like PB & J. And while this Fearrington House soiree had the tea situation fully covered, that’s only the beginning. From the pint-sized succulent favors to the Bride’s gorgeous lace gown, the whole day was a nod to Southern grace from beginning to end. Get ready for photo goodness a la Anna Routh in the gallery right here.

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From Anna Routh… Kristine and John were married on one of the first warm, spring days in Chapel Hill. Blue skies and beautiful spring blossoms watched over this sweet couple as they exchanged vows at the always stunning Fearrington Village. Kristine’s lace dress was the picture of elegance, and the succulent- heavy, colorful florals were the perfect accompaniment to her bridesmaid’s lovely navy lace dresses.

Guests enjoyed sweet tea and bluegrass in the orchard at The Fearrington before the ceremony – such a treat! The reception in the dreamy Fearrington barn was full of stunning spring florals, southern fare and lots of dancing. One of my favorite details of Kristine and John’s wedding was their succulent favors and the adorable chalk sign displayed with them. Kristine LOVES succulents, so these were the perfect gift for she and John’s friends and families. I am so excited to have been a part of this lovely day!

Photography: Anna Routh Photography | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Ceremony Venue: The Fearrington House | Reception Venue: The Fearrington House | Bride's Shoes: Aldo | Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Makeup: Synergy Spa | Groomsmen's Ties: Collared Greens | Groomsmen's Suits: Jos A Bank | Ceremony Music: Big Fat Gap | Bride's Earrings: J.Crew | Bride's Hair: Mark Christopher Salon | Custom Matches: The Knot Wedding Shop | Favor Tags: Borden Specifics | Floral Design, Cake + Catering: The Fearrington House | Programs: Paper & Lace Austin | Veil: Vera Wang

Timeless Southern Wedding in Chapel Hill

This wedding had us at hello with that bridal gown and, who are we kidding, the shoes are pretty phenomenal too. It’s Carolina Herrera and Valentino meets a classic black tie affair in Chapel Hill. The images by Graham Terhune Photography and video from Life Stage Films showcase chic fashion, blooming trees and peonies galore by Watered Garden and you can find even more right here in the full gallery.

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From Graham Terhune PhotographyHeather and Robert celebrated a stunning Chapel Hill wedding in the middle of April. The Cherry trees were in full blossom and the overcast day created the most fantastic light for the intimacy of Heather and Robert’s wedding day. We were impressed by all of the classic and thoughtful details that the two incorporated into their wedding celebration. All of the wedding elements were timeless and created an elegant atmosphere that permeated the entire day.

In addition to their stunning outward appearances, Heather and Robert are two of the classiest, kindest and most genuine couples with whom we have worked. We felt the calmness of their wedding day and it allowed us to photograph in the moment and capture the tender emotions between Heather, Robert and their loved ones.

Heather and Robert’s reception venue was at a private residence in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and it provided the perfect backdrop for the wonderful event. Their gorgeous backyard tent was full of special elements including a magnolia wreath chandelier, baby’s breath arrangements and a sitting area complete with shawls for the ladies. The food served was not only delicious but absolutely stunning works of art.

Photography: Graham Terhune Photography | Videography: Life Stage Films | Florist: Watered Garden | Invitations: Bella Figura via Ply | Ceremony Venue: University Presbyterian Church | Hair: Rachel Radford | Band: Sleeping Booty Band | Baker: Cinda’s Creative Cakes | Bridal Gown: Carolina Herrera | Makeup: Stephanie Sevilla with The Makeup Culture | Venue: Private Residence

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Pastel Spring Wedding in Chapel Hill

Give me a Springtime garden wedding decked in pastels and you’ll see a blogger with a grin from ear-to-ear. Think simple and sweet, yet tasteful and elegant with fun details tucked away everywhere you look.  Michelle Lyerly  snapped up all the photo goodness, and it’s sitting pretty right over here.

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From Michelle Lyerly… This wedding is full of beautiful moments mixed with gorgeous details. Some of my favorite details were: the collected garden figurines on the reception tables, handmade fan programs, lush bouquets and the gorgeous greenhouse portraits. Enjoy!

Photography: Michelle Lyerly | Floral Design: The Fearrington House | Wedding Dress: Atelier Aimee | Hair: Hale Koa phineas Estate | Venue: The Fearrington House | Photography - Assistance: Faith Teasley Photography