North Carolina Weddings

Here’s the recipe for an awesome day in Raleigh: take the seriously stunning Merrimon-Wynne House, add in a team of of talented vendors (think Gather Together, Simply Elegant Floral Designs and The Cupcake Shoppe), throw a fabulous bridal event and then document it all in breathtaking images captured by Katherine Miles Jones.  Sounds like a plan. Soak in all of the gorgeous right here.

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From Gather Together… The Merrimon-Wynne House held its first Bridal Event on January 10, 2015. Jodi and Kaila wanted to host a fun and upbeat event that celebrated their current brides as well as all of the newly engaged couples who were interested in choosing The Merrimon-Wynne House to celebrate their big day! When Jodi and Kaila thought about who was going to participate, they decided that they didn’t want this event to feel like your typical bridal show where you meet multiple vendors in each vendor category. Instead, they decided that one vendor from each vendor category would be chosen to show off their best work. They chose vendors who they felt would best exemplify the feeling of a wedding day at The Merrimon-Wynne House from the minute that a bride walks through the doors in the morning with their bridesmaids to begin getting ready, to the moment that they are about to walk back out those same doors with their new husband at the end of the evening. Once the vision was set in stone, Merrimon-Wynne partnered with Gather Together Event Planning + Design to pull all the gorgeous, fun details together.

As recently engaged couples stepped into The Merrimon-Wynne House for the event, they were greeted with a glass of champagne served on a silver platter, and the smooth sounds of Robert Spaziano’s keyboard and saxophone. They were also offered the opportunity to register to win some amazing prizes offered by each vendor. Every half hour guests could gather at the base of the staircase for a tour of the venue with Kaila or Jodi as their guide.

Their first stop was to see Anna with Simply Elegant Floral Designs, who had set up a bouquet bar adorned with low to high-budget bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and flower crowns. The future brides were able to hold her bouquets, try on her flower crowns, and see the versatility of what Simply Elegant Floral Designs can offer on their wedding day. The fabulous florals didn’t stop there. The entire event had touches of Simply Elegant Floral Designs’ work throughout. There were beautiful arrangements in every room, on the mantles, outside under the tent, and even atop all of the vendors’ heads – flower crowns for everyone!

As the future brides set down the bouquets, they moved into the next room where One & Only Custom Stationery had their hand-crafted invitation suites beautifully displayed alongside their calligraphy, and guests could help themselves to another drink. Walking past the champagne tower set under the center chandelier, visitors were lured into the next room by the delicious scent of a signature Donovan’s Dish Shrimp and Grits station.

Guests were then led up the staircase to the bridal suites where Alexia’s Bridal had some of their jaw-dropping gowns on display, and a live model glided through the event wearing one of their favorite designs. Parlor Blow Dry Bar was set up with a Braid or Up-Do Bar and a Lipstick Bar. While the girls were getting dolled up, the groom-to-be and mother of the bride were able to chat with Saks Fifth Avenue in the Groom’s Room about their amazing selection of suits and gowns for all occasions leading up to the big day! A “How to Tie a Tie” Bar could also be found in the Groom’s Room, giving the future grooms no excuses on their wedding day! After enjoying some primping, couples could sit down with Gather Together Events for “Why to Hire a Planner” consultations!

The Merrimon-Wynne House sits on an acre of land in the heart of downtown Raleigh, creating the perfect site for a ceremony, lawn games, and dinner underneath market lights. Party Reflections set the lawn up for a ceremony with a beautiful arbor covered in lush greenery by Simply Elegant Floral Designs. Market lights were strung over the lawn to create a romantic and intimate setting.

The event continued out into a Party Reflections tent where Bunn DJ Company was set up and entertaining guests with their dance floor-bouncing beats. There were 3 gorgeous table settings displayed to illustrate low to high-budget tablescapes, including florals on each by Simply Elegant Floral Designs. To complement each table, The Cupcake Shoppe created a unique and beautiful cake! There was also delicious mini cupcakes and cake pops for everyone to enjoy. Lounge areas were created with gorgeous pieces by Themeworks underneath their beautiful center chandelier.

Guests could mingle through the event while sipping on a cocktail, enjoying some fine fare, and getting to connect with some of the vendors that were a part of making The Merrimon-Wynne House’s first year of business such a success.

Photography: Katherine Miles Jones Photography | Event Planning & Design: Gather Together | Florist: Anna Passarelli | Bakery: The Cupcake Shoppe | Caterer: Donovan's Dish | Hair & Makeup: Parlor Dry Bar | DJ: Bunn DJ Company | Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Bridal Gown: Lela Rose | Bridal Salon: Alexia's Bridal | Cocktail Hour Music: Robert Spaziano | Groom & Mother Of The Bride Apparel: Saks Fifth Avenue | Rentals (Furniture & Bar): Themeworks | Rentals (Tent, Linens, Flatware, Lighting, Tables & Chairs): Party Reflections | Sponsor: Diamonds Direct | Sponsor: Southern Bride & Groom | Sponsor: Bailey's Fine Jewelry | Stationery & Calligrahy: One & Only Custom Stationery | Venues: Merrimon-Wynne House

So, these two are adorable.  That kind of adorable that is reserved for sweeter than sweet duos that were set up by their parents and spend their e-session frolicking around the great outdoors, pups in tow.  Oh, and they’ll also throw caution to the wind and jump head first into a lake, just because.  In other words? You’re going to love them.  See their sweet e-sesh captured by Robyn Van Dyke right here.

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From Robyn Van Dyke Photography… Jamie and Wes were set up by their parents, and it actually worked! They are now engaged to be married and they are head over heels in love with each other, the outdoors, and their doggies! Riley (the Golden Retriever) was a gift to Jamie from Wes, and one of their favorite things to do is taking their dogs on walks together! In fact, Wes proposed to Jamie at the exact spot where they had their first date while they were out walking their pups! So they, of course, had to incorporate their adorable doggies into their engagement session as well as their love for the outdoors! I love that they brought a canoe along for their engagement session and even jumped into the lake at the end!

Photography: Robyn Van Dyke Photography

When Kayla Coleman Photography and Pretty In The Details set out to craft this boho shoot, they aimed to fill it with a dreamy, eclectic and timeless feel. But most importantly, they set their stunning couple at the center of it all—and in my opinion, that’s the recipe for pretty that every wedding deserves. Goodies from Paisley & Jade are sprinkled about and paired perfectly with the varied hues. See it all here!

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From Pretty In The Details…My inspiration for our bohemian dream shoot started with three descriptive words; dreamy, timeless, and eclectic. For each detail created and hand-picked, we made sure they held the esthetic of those words. The muted color pallet of the dresses, to the florals and rentals, nothing matched, but everything was picked individually and purposely. with a mismatched feel, we stuck to color families rather than specific colors to use for our design. Partnering with vendors who have a similar esthetic was huge for this shoot to go off successfully. my goal was to inspire brides planning on any budget. Being a wedding designer, I tend to focus on all the details, but I really wanted the details to accent the couple, resembling a real wedding. The couple should never be overlooked because of beautiful decor. Rather, the design should compliment them and who they are, always being the center of attention. Figure out who you are as a couple, and let your wedding shine with personality!! Don’t be afraid to do something others haven’t done yet, that’s the beauty of being you! And let’s be real, this is YOUR day!

Photography: Kayla Coleman Photography | Event Design: Pretty In The Details | Floral Design: Pretty In The Details | Wedding Dress: Joelle Perry | Cake: The Cupcake Shoppe | Invitations: Image To Impact | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Make Up & Hair: Adonia By Jen | Groom's Attire: H&M | Wedding Venue: The Little Herb House | Bridal Headpiece: Gadegaard Design | Custom Watercolor: Leelyn And Co. | Decor/Rentals: Paisley & Jade

Darlings, if you’re on the hunt for a gorgeous winter color palette, search no more, because this one is a stunner: pale mint and blackberry, paired with a sweet peach and forest green. Perfection, right? And it’s completely elevated by the glowing candlelight and quaint architecture of this shoot set at The Merrimon-Wynne House. Dreamt up by Nancy Ray Photography and Rebecca Rose Events, you can get your pin on right here in the gallery.

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From Nancy Ray Photography…The inspiration for this shoot came from the restlessness we felt at the end of winter, when the sunlight is streaming in through tall windows and hinting at the beauty outside. We loved the playfulness of blackberries and mint – both the berries and herbs themselves, as well as their color palette that is soft and rich at the same time. In starting to plan for this shoot, I really wanted a beautiful indoor space with clean white walls and elegant architectural details. A space where candlelight could glow, florals could be organic and striking and this simple concept could be conveyed with sophistication and beauty, and captured on film. Nancy suggested the historic Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina and we were both immediately smitten with the idea. We imagined an intimate dinner reception, cigars and brandy to follow and just a tiny bit of frolicking on the large wrap-around porch. Jared (my little brother!) and Jordy are engaged to be married later this year and their playful chemistry is evident to all who interact with them, which made shooting these two together a true joy.

Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier | Hair And Makeup: Makeupforyourday | Calligraphy: Jordy Lievers - Inkaboutit | Suit: DKNY | Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Bridesmaid Gown: Adrianna Papell | Flatware: World Market | Invitation Suite & Paper Goods: Rebecca Rose Creative | Linens: Nuage Designs | Styling, Creative Direction And Floral Design: Rebecca Rose Events | Wedding Boutique: Nitsa's

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When a wedding day is sprinkled with the sweetest happy tears like this one, you know it was a beautiful one, inside and out. With Events By La Fete behind the planning, it’s no surprise it went off without a hitch. Gingham bow ties, turquoise ‘maids, a stunning Bride covered in lace, a darling cake from Sugarland Bakery… everything in it’s pretty place. See it all in the gallery from Ginny Corbett!

From the beautiful Bride…Chris and I grew up a quarter of a mile from each other in Raleigh, NC. We were friends through high school and we attended his Senior Prom together. After he left for college we remained friends until the next year, when I too attended East Carolina University. Chris promised to show me the ropes and we spent a lot of time together. One day I worked up the nerve to tell him I did not just want to be friends anymore and the rest is history!

Nearly 9 years later, when it came to planning our wedding there were a few things we had to have, it to take place in our hometown of Raleigh, NC, a killer party and Ginny Corbett as our wedding photographer. (Looking at the beautiful images I am sure you can tell why)

The biggest challenge was that we wanted to have the wedding somewhere we had never attended a wedding. This posed a challenge because we had been to ALOT of weddings. We were feeling discouraged when a coworker of Chris’s told him about the Merrimon Wynne house, a brand new event venue. We were immediately intrigued and scheduled a meeting with the owner Jodi right away. The home was in disrepair and left a lot to be desired, but Jodi explained her vision and Chris and I knew we HAD to have our wedding there. The Merrimon Wynne house far exceeded our expectations, the grounds and home we immaculate and the perfect backdrop for our day.

Jodi gave me the information for our amazing planner Katie Dunn with Events by La Fete. I met Katie with my my Mom and Sister and we all felt so comfortable with her, I knew she understood my vision even though I was not quite sure I did. She helped assemble the most talented group of vendors and wedding professionals to bring our vision to life. We envisioned a comfortable day of classic southern elegance filled with blues and greens and soft neutrals.

Chris wanted a hand in two things, the venue and the guys attire. We selected tan seersucker suits, tan bucks, monogrammed pocket squares and High Cotton bow ties which went perfectly with the “fresh” bridesmaid dresses and gold jewelry. The mix of fresh flowers and candles kept everything light and bright, the pop of pink in the bridesmaid bouquets brought some playfulness to the palette and the draped lights made the tent glow and kept the party going well into the evening. We loved our custom wood “guestbook” and the oversized chalkboard seating chart, but I think our favorite detail was the cold gelato which was much needed on the warm June evening.

The day was not without its challenges, we had to move the ceremony from the lawn to under the tent due to the threat of bad weather. Thankfully, that bad weather came as the space was being flipped for the reception and all the guests were comfortably inside for cocktails. Chris and I were able to narrowly escape the downpour and take a few more portraits on the beautiful porches of Merrimon Wynne. Unfortunately, the rain was torrential and the head table was soaked, but ALL our vendors worked tirelessly and there was little sign that that there had been any rain at all.

We danced the night away and cherished the rare occasion to have all of the most precious people in our lives all in one place. The next day we both agreed there was absolutely nothing we would change about the day, even the rain!

Photography: Ginny Corbett Photography | Wedding Planner: Events by La Fete | Florist: Fresh Affairs | Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Sung | Caterer: Rocky Top Hospitality | Hair: Makeupforyourday | Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Brides Dress: Allure Bridal | Cake And Gelato: Sugarland | Rentals: Party Reflections | Signage: Calligraphy by Carrie

As much as I’m a summer wedding gal and can’t imagine getting hitched any other season, I love attending fall and winter weddings. And after seeing this charming shoot at The Merriman-Wynne House, I’m feeling quite cozy envisioning myself walking over crunchy fall leaves into this beautiful historic home, greeted by this friendly guy and a ribbon-wrapped brew. See the rest of this golden emerald inspiration in the gallery from Rebecca Ames.

From One & Only Custom Stationery…We drew so much inspiration from the beautiful architecture of the Merrimon-Wynne House that we decided to stage an evening, candlelit affair that was filled with lush florals and one of a kind touches throughout. Our favorite thing about the house is that while it is a historical landmark, it also feels light and modern. Everywhere you look there is a special detail, and beautiful craftsmanship that you just can’t find anywhere else. We wanted our shoot to feel the same way – beautiful from a distance, and when you look closer you see special touches, exquisite materials and impeccable craftsmanship. This was what we kept in mind as we created the stationery and signage for the shoot. We wanted each shot to warrant a closer look.

We worked with Anna from Simply Elegant Floral Designs, and she created pieces that complimented the beautiful architecture of the home. She was especially inspired by the blue arched doors, and created a greenery piece to accentuate the curvature without overpowering the doors.

Dark, saturated romance was at the forefront of our minds for this shoot, as we contrasted the light beauty of the home with rich emeralds, golds, and blushes. All of our stationery featured a unique material or printing process – from the hand torn programs featuring cloth covers stamped with a gold monogram, to the hand dyed save the dates, and the completely hand written, dip dyed menus.

The invitations were presented as a scroll tied with ribbon in a blush lined box. We sprinkled even more special details throughout the shoot, such as the customized, wrapped drink bottles decorated with flowers, the monogrammed coasters, the paper cut cake topper, and the hand dyed calligraphy wedding certificate. One of our favorite features of the night was the stairway display. Anna covered each step in candles and florals, capping it off with a greenery piece at the foot of the stairs. It was a stunning welcome as you walked through the doors, and gave off the most romantic glow.

Photography: Rebecca Ames Photography | Florals: Simply Elegant Floral Design | Makeup: Tiwa Lawrence | Hair: Kellsie Hazinski At Tanas Cary | Wedding Venue: The Merrimon Wynne House | Chocolate & Confections: Videri Chocolate Factory | Rentals: Party Reflections | Stationery, Signage, Coasters, Programs, Escort Board, Chalk Boa: One & Only Custom Stationery | Vessels, Hurricanes & Chalkboards: Table Of Contents | Wooden Bar: Themeworks Creative

What better way to kick off a wedding weekend then with a bridal luncheon? This Bride-to-be, and the owner of Simply Put Vintage, chose to spend some quality time with her besties before the big day and shower them with a little love. Love in the form of sequins, vintage china and sangria as seen through the lens of Emily March Photography. See even more here.

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From Kaitlin Briley Holland, the bride and owner of Simply Put Vintage…First and foremost, I wanted my bridesmaids to feel so very loved. Not only have they walked me through the exciting time of being engaged, but they are lifelong friends. How can you possibly thank them enough? Well, for starters I tried sequins, vintage china, white sangria, and sweet potato biscuits. That seemed to do the trick!

I wanted this luncheon to be glamorous, light, feminine, and the perfect balance between modern and vintage. I designed the invites myself and we had them printed on gold foil polka dot invites. They coordinated perfectly with our table top decor – a white sequin linen, gold and blush china, gold flatware, and vintage crystal. I loved the juxtaposition of the ghost chairs against the soft elements of the table. We used a vintage gold bar cart to hold the white strawberry sangria (a personal favorite of mine) and a light grey dresser for the food.

It was so fun getting dressed up and spending the afternoon before the wedding laughing and eating great food. It was also the perfect opportunity for me to gift my bridesmaids with a pair of Kate Spade earrings to wear the next day. It brought me so much joy to shower my best friends with love, gifts, and food and it was the perfect way to kick off my wedding weekend!

Photography: Emily March Photography | Event Design & Styling: Simply Put Vintage Rentals | Historic Home: The Merrimon Wynne House | Linens, China, Chairs: CE Rentals | Vintage Rentals: Simply Put Vintage Rentals

I might be a little bit biased, but I wholeheartedly believe this is one of the sweetest weddings you’ll ever come across. As a guest I can tell you that as stunning as the images from Nancy Ray are – and trust me, they’re ridiculously stunning – they capture a mere faction of joy felt on that day. From Anna’s heirloom veil, to the bluegrass band that played through the night, it’s Southern tradition with a twist and you can click right here to see for yourself.

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From Nancy Ray… I am thrilled to share Anna and Ben’s Raleigh wedding with you. If I can summarize this wedding with one word, it would be “sweet!” The first look, the groom’s unending tears, the heirloom veil from the mother of the bride, the unique dress that fit Anna’s personality perfectly, the pickle mason-jar favors, the beautiful floral printed stationery, the photos on display from weddings gone by, and hands down, the best father-daughter first look I’ve ever photographed – there was a sweetness to this wedding that is hard to put into words. Even the milk glass and the lacy toms (worn by the bride) were perfect examples of the vintage charm that Anna and Ben love. I’ll never forget this couple, their precious families, and the sweet atmosphere of their wedding day. Anna and Ben sure have friends and family who treasure them individually, and now, as a couple. What a sweet, sweet day!

Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Floral Design: Flowers On Broad Street | Wedding Dress: Traditions By Anna | Wedding Dress: Lula Kate | Cake: Blue Moon Bakery | Invitations: Paper Daisies Stationery | Ceremony Venue: Kirk Of Kildaire | Reception Venue: The Pavilions At The Angus Barn | Shoes: Toms | Catering: Angus Barn | Hair + Makeup: Church Of Evangelical Faith | Bluegrass Band: The Hey Brothers | Film Lab: Indie Film Lab | Veil: Mother Of The Bride's Veil

As a blogger + business owner, I’m seriously smitten with The School of Styling workshop for creatives! Taking place at the Merrimon-Wynne House in Raleigh, North Carolina from August 4-6, 2014, this weekend-long experience will help deepen your knowledge of business and gain experience styling — no matter what your profession.

With a goal of teaching new and established wedding and event stylists, interior designers, photographers, bloggers, prop stylists, and business owners how to design and style a space, event, or photo shoot creatively, The School of Styling is not to be missed! Designed to be well-rounded, the workshop will have a three part curriculum (core sessions, intensive sessions and breakout sessions), featuring incredible speakers and intensives ranging from floral design to table top design!

Without a doubt, you’ll leave The School of Styling with a better understanding of your business + creative abilities as well as some amazing new relationships! Sounds pretty incredible, doesn’t it? Well there’s more!

The School of Styling is giving one lucky winner a few of their favorite styling essentials (candle, mug, print, pencils + monogrammed apron) as well as a 10% off the workshop ticket price! To enter, simply comment on this post by July 10 with why you’d love to attend The School of Styling workshop. A winner will be randomly chosen an announced on Friday, July 11. To register for The School of Styling, head over here. Hurry — registration ends July 14th! 

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I kind of love weddings that bend “the rules.” You know – weddings like these Raleigh nuptials held at a local park followed by a Lebanese restaurant reception. It oozes that effortlessly chic vibe and Rebecca Ames documented the day in perfect fashion. Happy swooning!

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From Rebecca Ames… This wedding is Southern, vintage, soft, lovely with some very chic elements. It is gorgeous! They got married at Fred Fletcher Park, which is a historic site in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is the grounds for the Borden Building, which was an orphanage in the early 1900’s. When you walk in you can still feel the history. They had their reception in the back patio of Sitti, a Lebanese restaurant in downtown. But in between, Megan, Rick and their wedding party took a rickshaw ride through Downtown Raleigh, even over a bridge where you got to see the city skyline. It was incredible and so very much fun!

I love all the details that the Bride put together. She made all of the details herself minus the flowers. She put together bags of lavender for the guests to toss on them during the recessional. There were still a lot of details that hinted at the south. They had two urns of ice tea, one for yankees and the other for rebels. It was a gorgeous day all around!

Photography: Rebecca Ames Photography | Flowers: Tre Bella Florist | Bakery: Ashley Cakes | Hair And Makeup: Ginger Mullins | DJ: KM DJ Company | Officiant: Debra Brazzini | Transportation: Crank Arm Rickshaw | Cards: Minted | Park: Fred Fletcher Park | Restaurant: Sitti

The very second I got wind my dear friends Anna and Ben had chosen Nancy Ray for their Raleigh engagement session, I knew something sweet was right around the corner. She captures raw, honest-to-goodness love in a way only few can, and today we’ve got the photos to prove it. From hand-in-hand strolling to coffee shop cozying, these two couldn’t be cuter if they tried. Congrats, lovers!

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From Nancy Ray… I just couldn’t stop smiling after I spent the morning with Anna and Ben. They are joyful people who love one another deeply. One of my very favorite things about Anna and Ben is how I can see that they are really good friends – they laugh together, they genuinely care for one another, they aren’t afraid to show affection or even poke fun at one another. Most of all, they are kind with their words and actions. And their style? I can’t stand how adorable they are together! His glasses + her high waisted shorts were just too adorable.

From Anna… Let me start off by saying that if anyone is looking for a photographer in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, look no further than Nancy Ray Photography. From the moment Ben and I saw her work we were captured by the beauty and character in her photographs. When we finally met her, all over again, we fell in love with her sweet personality and the genuine joy she finds in working with couple like us, who are sharing one of our most intimate, personal moments of our life with her. Nancy Ray is great. I will continue to sing her praises to anyone who asks.

When Ben and I arrived at Joule (a wonderful coffee shop in Downtown Raleigh. Delicious southern cooking, Counter Culture coffee, the whole shebang) we were a bit disheveled. Ben had just stepped off the plane from a 6 AM flight from Boston and wasn’t quite prepared for his close up, as Marilyn would say. It was also about 45 degrees outside (maybe it’s an exaggeration, but it felt that cold) and I had felt this intense commitment to my high-waisted shorts that could not be sacrificed. My own mother convinced had to convince me to grab my coat on the way out the door (“just because you live in the

Northeast doesn’t mean Southern 50 degree isn’t cold!”). I’m giving you a little background to set up the story, because this shoot, like most things with Ben and I, was a little chaotic heading into but turned out to be a wonderful moment for the two of us, and we have the pictures to prove it!

Ben and I met in Boston, MA shortly after I had moved there in 2011. After being friends, confidents, partners for two years, we started dating in the fall of 2012. During the past two years we’ve run the whole gamut, we’ve been crazy in love, we’ve taken breaks. We’ve have beautiful summer days and moments interrupted by bombs on Boylston St. Lots of couples probably would have given up, but Ben fought for me, he fought for us, and for that I am eternally grateful.

The night we got engaged is the best story I have to capture our relationship. The short version starts with us petting reindeer at a Christmas tree farm on the North Shore, driving two hours to a deserted “beach” (read: immense abyss of darkness) to catch the sunset (which by 4:00 PM we’d missed since this was Massachusetts in December). After absolutely refusing to get out of the car we made our way to dinner at the Land Ho! Restaurant which was so full of crotchety old lobstermen we felt like everyone was staring at us the throughout our dinner. By this time Ben was out of sorts. He was sweaty and refused to talk to me because he was so upset. Obviously, his actions lead to a huge fight between us and we ended up not talking to each other the whole drive home.

It was 1 AM when we made it back to Boston. At this point we were both exhausted, I was exhausted from asking what was up with Ben, and he was tired from me pestering him. He made an unexpected detour to South Boston’s Fort Point Channel. Asking me to get out of the car and go for a walk I wasn’t completely sure if he was going to leave me there to find my own way home or if he was going to propose. The night was enchanting; all there was to see was water, brick and the steel of the skyline that form the city we both love so much. When you are standing by the water you feel a connection with history, with the forefathers of the revolution who stood in the same spot 200 some years ago. This was the spot where Ben and I had one of our first dates, and this was the spot he had chosen to ask me to marry him, some 200 dates later. I turned around from looking at the skyline and he was down on one knee saying all of these sweet words that I can’t remember and yet at the same time remember so vividly.

In that moment I know I had a choice to make. It was active decision of choosing this man for all of his faults and all of the wonderful things about him. I could have said no, but the prospect of doing life without him seemed burdensome. He was the one I wanted beside me, and I was certain of it. I said yes that night and in two short weeks we are going to be married. I am incredibly thankful for our relationship and the short time I’ve had here to tell our story!

Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Film Lab: Indie Film Lab

Fall weddings drenched in candlelight are my favorite.  They’re comfy and cozy, seriously romantic and, in my humble opinion, the perfect way to say “I do.”  Case in point?  This magical affair captured by A.J. Dunlap, which is basically everything I adore about autumn nuptials (see above), plus a side of sweetness to kick it up a notch or two.  See every pretty moment right here.

From A.J. Dunlap Photography… This was a stunning candlelit fall wedding. The entire event from ceremony to end of reception was donned with candles and twinkle lights. The feeling in the air was simply magical. The bride and groom opted for a first look since their wedding took place after dark, which made for some truly special moments. The bride had a grandmother who wasn’t able to attend so she wore her antique mink stoll in honor. That paired with the bride’s dark champagne colored dress were breathtaking. Not to mention the gorgeous bridesmaids’ dresses and bouquets.

Photography: A.J. Dunlap Photography | Coordination: Premier Party Planners | Florist: The English Garden | Gown: Lazaro From Victorian Rose Bridal | Cake: Frosted Bliss | Makeup Artist: Skin Deep By Stephanie | Hair: Mark Christopher Salon | Band: EastCoast Entertainment | Officiant: Robin Renteria | Ceremony & Reception: The Pavilions At The Angus Barn | Violin: Maria Valencia

It never fails: say the phrase “exposed brick walls” and I am head over heels in an instant.  But add in a stunning Enzoani gown, crazy cool Gianni Bini heels and sweet dinosaur details and it’s a feeling I can’t even express in words.  So this drop-dead gorgeous Raleigh wedding captured by Perry Vaile? Basically my everything… and the kind of day that deserves some serious QT in the full gallery.  

From Perry Vaile… Beautiful buildings, exposed brick walls, twinkling lights and a couple who absolutely glow with love for each other – it was the perfect combination to allow Brittany and Jim’s guests to soak up how special a city wedding can really be!

Brittany and Jim exchanged gifts before their wedding and actually gave each other the SAME Nixon watch! I’ve never seen that before, but think it is an absolute testament to how perfect they are for each other!

Both their ceremony and reception were held in the stunning urban venue, the Stockroom, in the middle of downtown Raleigh – exposed brick, twinkle lights, hardwood floors and a window into the city provided an amazing backdrop for their day!

The first gift Jim ever gave Brittany was a dinosaur, and ever since then it’s represented their relationship, they knew they wanted to incorporate dinosaurs into their day in a beautiful but understated way – I absolutely loved their little dinosaur touches throughout! From serving as seating cards to standing atop the cake, hanging on the desserts or on printouts for table numbers – it was so well executed! Brittany created the printed goods herself and purchased the dinosaurs from a local novelty store where they live in Chicago. She planned it all herself and put her trust in her florist (A Fresh Affair) for the centerpieces, and ceremony decor.

The dessert table included homemade cookies by the bride’s mom, as well as favorite candies of the bride and groom!

Brittany and Jim’s wedding was all about embracing the joy of the day – they had a lively dance floor and even offered a southern party staple, cornhole boards. I LOVED seeing her family, especially grandma and grandpa have an amazing time playing the game – so sweet! 

Towards the end of the reception Jim broke out the cigars and the men went outside to celebrate the day!

Photography: Perry Vaile Photography | Floral Design: Fresh Affairs | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Cupcakes: Ashley Cakes | Shoes: Gianna Bini | Bridesmaids Dresses: Love Lane | Catering: Empire Eats | DJ: DJ Spin | Wedding Venue: The Glass Box | Dinosaurs: Windy City Novelties | Rentals: CE Rentals | Watches: Nixon

The color palettes that I seem to be drawn to the most are the ones that pretty much throw all color matching rules out the window and instead embrace each and every hue with open arms. This is just such a wedding. With a rainbow of color in tow and a match up of chevron linens and a loft like backdrop, Events by La Fete crafted these details into a day that feels all at once modern and eclectic. And there’s no shortage of big smiles. Have a look at the pretty images by Michael Moss Photography with even more in the full gallery right here.

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From the Bride…Mike and I met on my birthday and needless to say it was the best birthday ever! At that first meeting instantly we knew we shared a unique connection. Our conversation was effortless, our differences intriguing, and our similarities comforting. In the three years of dating we learned so much from each other and knew that in a lifetime we would most definitely be better in the presence of each other.  When Mike proposed the answer was obvious and our wedding planning journey began!

We wanted our wedding guests to experience our love story. We wanted our personalities to shine and people to think… “this is definitely Margo and Mike.” I wanted to break away from what people thought of as traditional wedding decor and really create a unique and eclectic but beautiful day! I wanted a modern organic garden feel for the reception decor and we were so incredibly lucky to have an amazing wedding planner and the support of family and friends to make this happen! The color palette consisted of purples, ivories and greens with pops of orange and yellow.  There were 3 alcoves in the wall so we decided it would be an amazing place to hang “wall gardens” to warm up the space.  The wall gardens were uplight with amber lighting and cast really funky shadows which created such a unique ambiance. We further incorporated the modern garden feel with sprigs of fresh lavender at each place setting and a beautifully wrapped package of locally made chocolates.  

The cake table and escort card table were truly works of art!  The escort card table was created with vintage wooden planks to elevate the mini bud vases which held a single billy ball and the guests table assignment.  We really wanted this to be a focal point and the height variance created with the wood planks was the key to achieving this.  To soften the look succulents and lots of moss were used around the base of the table.  The cake table also incorporated the moss and floating strands of smilax. An amazingly talented friend designed our perfectly unique invitations, programs, menus, and escort cards. The bright vibrant color combo just tied everything together and embodied that modern, fun, mid-century feel that we love!  We were also able to incorporate the custom monogram (MM) from the invitations throughout the decor.

As for the dress I wanted something that was beautiful all on its own. Something that was different, but still had a traditional feel. As soon as I tried on that Vera Wang gown there was no turning back. It was also a work of art and completed the dream of a day! Our entire wedding day from our intimate, traditional ceremony to our fun and eclectic reception was better than we could have ever imagined. Seeing what we envisioned brought to life and being able to share such a special day with the best family and friends truly made it that best day of our lives!

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Photography: Michael Moss Photography | Floral Design: Fresh Affairs | Event Design + Planning: Events by La Fete | Ceremony Location: Sacred Heart Cathedral | Reception Location: The Stockroom | Invitations: Brandi Gull | Rentals: Party Reflections | Lighting + Music: SPIN | Hair + Make Up: Make Up For Your Day | Calligraphy, Bunting + Table Numbers: Calligraphy by Carrie | Dress: Vera Wang | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Boutique: Alexia’s Bridal

When it comes to weddings handcrafted from the heart, this one ranks among the best. It’s a traditionally elegant take on a wooden rafter, exposed brick, industrial-style reception and I for one am a major fan. And while A Southern Soiree coordinated every element to perfection, the very best details were the ones that couldn’t be planned. The sneak kisses between him and her, and the bride’s sweet smile that’s completely contagious. Nancy Ray went above and beyond with photos that are sure to become treasures, and there’s more to see and love right here.

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From the Bride…North Carolina in the fall (with family and friends and my best friend waiting for me at the end of a long aisle AND my dad by my side) – when and where and how could life get better? Jon and I got married in October and we won’t ever forget that special day. I’m a lucky girl and I know I’m blessed. Not only do I have a man who inspires and supports and loves me everyday, but I have a mom who knows how to throw a good party. She knows that champagne is always a good idea and that beauty is in the details – and these two ideas served our vision.

We wanted an intimate/warm/industrial/artistic/elegant reception, and we found the perfect location for it at The Stockroom. The white wooden rafters and exposed brick created a stunning blank canvas for us to fill with special touches (and lots of dancing). From the gorgeous creamy-whites and organic greens in the flowers by Artfully Arranged to the bold artwork provided by Themeworks and Southern, gluten-free favorites by Catering Works, our reception was outfitted with thoughtful love. And thank goodness we had Kailey with A Southern Soiree to coordinate it all and keep us focused on enjoying every moment! My most favorite details were my bridesmaids’ looks, the champagne tinsel stirrers and the secret stickers on the bottom of Jon and I’s shoes.

I fell in love with a Victoria Nicole dress not long after I walked into Traditions by Anna. The clean, classic, understated-ness of the dress felt distinctive and totally right. For the bridesmaids, to offset my minimalism, we brought in unexpected colors from JCrew and moonstone earrings by Julie Vos. Each bridesmaid had her own style from head to toe and I can’t think of a more beautiful bunch! As for the champagne tinsel stirrers – my mom is pretty amazing, and you may need to contact her directly for her secrets. She says they were easy to make (but then again, she said the glittered votives were easy to make as well!).  They added pure excitement to the bubbly (and even a few hairdos later in the night).

One more detail we loved were the stickers Jon and I had on the bottom of our shoes. Under my right foot was a blue heart sticker with the cut out words “I DO” – and under Jon’s was a blue heart sticker with the cut out words “ME TOO”. We shared ‘something blue’ and physically had this promise grounding us throughout the day. We didn’t even need to order the stickers because my mom whipped them up with her Silhoutte. We loved everything and everyone and especially each other.

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Wedding Photography: Nancy Ray Photography | Wedding Coordinator: A Southern Soiree, Kailey Branham | Floral Design: Artfully Arranged | Ceremony: St. Michael’s Episcopal Church | Reception Venue: The Stockroom 230 | Caterer: Catering Works | Linens + Rentals: CE Rental | Lighting + Furniture: Theme Works | Invitations: Paperwhites | Hair + Makeup: Salon Blu | Band: Rubberband Band | Transportation: Olde South Trolley | Getaway Car: Vintage Mustang, Family Friend’s| Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew | Wedding Dress: Traditions by Anna, Designed by Victoria Nicole | Bride’s Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar | Groomsmen Suits: Astor and Black

Whether it’s a playful detail, a surprise dance by the groomsmen, or unexpected florals, when it comes to weddings, I like a twist. Needless to say, this bride’s chic gray gown, immediately caught my eye. Events by La Fête planned this family-focused affair to perfection. Modern centerpieces and romantic candlelight were incorporated with vintage touches from the bride and blended beautifully in with the rustic exposed brick and carefree vibe of this North Carolina venue. With images from Rebecca Ames Photography you can explore the rest of this Raleigh to-do right here.

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From La Fête… Allison and Braxton were married in a rustic urban loft space in downtown Raleigh, NC. While guests were mingling downstairs in the Mahler Art Gallery for cocktail hour, we transformed the loft from ceremony space to reception space. Ceiling height burlap drapes were used to transition the venue from an intimate ceremony space into a rustic reception reminiscent of an enchanted forest, filled with soft sparkling lights and natural tones. Allison’s love for all things vintage created a beautiful, earthy feel that was so unique to this urban venue. Hundreds of strands of market lights hung from the ceiling, and every surface was covered in candles. To enhance the twinkly effect, we brought in large, mis-matched wood-framed mirrors to reflect all of the light. Farm tables were adorned with burlap runners and topped with wheat grass from the local farmers market and bark vases filled with pale pink flowers. We created two lounge areas using a selection of vintage furniture and old whiskey barrels, where guests could sit, relax and take in the view of bustling Fayetteville Street. Most importantly, Allison and Braxton wanted their wedding day to be a simple yet unique celebration of their families and friends, and everyone chipped in to make this a reality.

Wedding Photography: Rebecca Ames Photography / Event Planning + Design + Floral Design: Events by La Fête / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Stockroom at 230 / Cocktail Hour: Mahler Art Gallery / Caterer: Rocky Top Hospitality / Desserts: Sugarland  / Invitations: DIY by the bride / Wedding Dress: Custom by Enchanting Moments / Rentals: Party Reflections + Table of Contents / Decor (Lighting, Lounge Furniture, Props + Custom Draping): Themeworks / Entertainment: DJ K Stone

The bride in the spotlight of this North Carolina wedding describes her day as “fancy rustic” but we have so many more adjectives to add to that. Pretty, charming, stunning, romantic, soft, and gorgeous to name a few. We fell in love with this soiree, planned and designed by A Southern Soiree, the second we saw the hearts on her shoes and the smile on that flower girl. Robin Lin Photography has filled a gallery full to bursting for our viewing pleasure – so click here!

We instantly fell in love with the Angus Barn on our first visit. The experience felt a lot like picking out my wedding dress… as we explored other venues in the area, there was no comparison and it just felt like such a right fit for us. I loved that it had sort of a “fancy rustic” feel – which really reflected who we were as a couple. We were inspired by the “fancy rustic” elements of the Angus Barn and wanted to embrace that as we thought about what we wanted the overall feel of the wedding to be.

Keeping the woodsy, rustic feel in mind, we chose to have a thumbprint tree guestbook to commemorate our wedding, which now hangs above our fireplace and reminds us everyday of the love and excitement of our wedding. Our florist, Rachael, from Tre Bella, helped us to pull in some of the rustic elements in our centerpieces – some tables had birch-covered vases while others had tall curly branches – while also fancy-ing it up with gorgeous flowers in purple, green, and cream, crystals, and votives.

We did have two major DIY projects: our menu/table number frames and our ceremony programs. The inspirations simply came from my “I wish I could have…” ideas as I looked through wedding magazines and blogs (like Style Me Pretty!). I was worried with both projects that they wouldn’t turn out as nicely as I had envisioned, but when we were done, we loved that both projects reflected exactly what we wanted while also helping us stay within our budget.

At the end of the day, everything came together perfectly and we could not have imagined it any better. With SO much help from Megan at A Southern Soiree, we were able to enjoy every minute of the day, celebrating with our friends and families.

Event Planning & Design: A Southern Soiree / Ceremony Location: Angus Barn Pavilion / Reception Location: Angus Barn Pavilion / Officiant: Kayelily Middleton / Photography: Robin Lin Photography / Flowers: Tre Bella / Cake: Swank Cake Designs / DJ: Bunn DJ Company / Hair and Makeup: Makeupforyourday / Invitations: Lani Blue Stationery / Programs: Handmade by Bride / Shoes: Luichiny / Dress: Alexia’s Bridal, Liancarlo

Oh Mae Mae Paperie!  I am always so smitten with your perfectly whimsical and modern paper goods.  My heart went into overdrive when I saw this urban chic wedding by Erin McLean Events.  I’m just cray about the vibrant, patterned linens, the quirky, colorful details and, of course, all the genius stationery including those fabulous bird escort cards.  f8 Photo Studios brought it all home with some stellar photography.  Click here to see it all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Erin McLean Events…Krishna and Bill are an urban-chic couple with fabulous mod taste. Krishna loves bold striking colors and textures. When we started planning we first went to their home that they had just renovated. It was a combination of classic hardwoods mixed with clear acrylic furniture.

Krishna knew exactly who she wanted to do the paper products for her wedding: Mae Mae Paperie. They did a wonderful job combining Krishna’s chic taste and style with a graphic design that was stunning. The bride also wanted a sweets table. She was in the process of opening Piebird, downtown Raleigh’s hottest new restaurant, so we worked with Swanks Sweets to get all types of desserts in the wedding palate and used Piebird’s mini-pies to fill out the table. The cake was created by Swank Cakes and was adorned with two love birds. The linens were custom made from fabric the bride found online. The pom pom balls that were hung from the ceiling of the historic Cobblestone Hall served as a great contrast to the brick. Because we were using such bright colors on the tables and all of the accent decor we kept the floral palate neutral in soft white peonies, ranunculus, and anemones.

Guests were greeted at the cocktail hour with signature drinks, a French Martini (vodka, chambered, pineapple juice) and an Ever After (St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, champagne, club soda) dressed with drink tags and swizzle sticks, lamb lollipops with cilantro and habanero jelly, spring rolls, pineapple curry chicken sate, mini crab cakes. When it came time for dinner the first course was a caprese salad followed by a second course of vichyssoise (a cold thick soup made of puréed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock.) For the entree guests ordered restaurant style. Choices were North Carolina stone-ground grits and coastal shrimp, wine braised beef short ribs, and a black-bean cake with pineapple salsa (the bride’s recipe.)

Guests danced the night away to the Dicken’s band and spend the night in the photobooth. It was a wonderful celebration!

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: f8 Photo Studios / Floral Design: Fleurtations Weddings and Events / Event Design + Planning: Erin McLean of Erin McLean Events / Ceremony Location: All Saints Chapel / Reception Location: Cobblestone Hall / Invitations: Mae Mae Paperie / Catering: Green Planet Catering / Wedding Cake: Swank Cakes / Hair + Make-up: Makeupforyourday / Dessert Table: Swank Sweets / Band: The Dicken’s