Wilmington Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Coastal Garden Party of Color and Grace by the Water’s Edge

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Sage green, cream, white, vibrant fuchsia, coral, orange, burgundy, and natural wood tones

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This enchanting waterfront celebration perfectly captured a fresh, garden party aesthetic with sophisticated coastal elegance. The couple envisioned a relaxed yet refined atmosphere where guests could enjoy breathtaking water views while celebrating under the billowing white sailcloth tent. The design seamlessly blended natural elements like woven textures and organic florals with pops of vibrant color, creating a joyful and inviting space that felt both timeless and contemporary.

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While we don’t have the proposal story to share, there’s a delightful, fun fact about this couple’s connection that goes back decades before they even met. The bride and groom’s fathers were actually roommates in college back in the 1980s, making their love story feel like it was truly written in the stars. This sweet coincidence added an extra layer of meaning to their wedding day celebration.

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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]For getting ready, the bride wore the Shona Joy La Lune Cumulus Silk Plunged Lace Neck Gown in Ivory paired with a vintage Miss Elaine peignoir cape. Her wedding day look featured the Ines Di Santo “Smitten” gown in off-white (customized with fabric-filled sides), topped with the Monique Lhuillier Eloise Bolero—a corded Alençon lace jacket with cap sleeves and button closure. For the getaway, she changed into the Delphine Cleo Mini Dress in Noir/Ivory, styled with Christian Louboutin Sandale du Desert printed sandals in Vintage Rose and a classic black grained leather Uptown YSL pouch.[/field]
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The bridesmaids made a stunning statement in a vibrant rainbow of colors that brought incredible energy and joy to the celebration. From hot pink and coral to sunny yellow and deep burgundy, each dress featured flowing, floor-length silhouettes in various complementary styles that allowed each bridesmaid’s personality to shine. This bold color palette choice created a beautiful contrast against the natural waterfront setting and added a modern, playful twist to the classic wedding aesthetic.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]The groom and his party looked dapper in classic navy blue suits that perfectly complemented the waterfront setting. The groom’s ensemble was elevated with a crisp white dress shirt and coordinating tie, while thoughtful details like boutonnieres added personal touches to each groomsman’s look. The timeless navy blue created a sophisticated foundation that allowed the vibrant bridesmaid colors to truly pop while maintaining an air of coastal elegance.[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The couple created a delightful culinary experience that matched their relaxed yet refined celebration style. Guests enjoyed thoughtfully curated refreshments served in beautiful glassware and elegant presentation that complemented the natural waterfront setting. The beverage service featured charming details that encouraged mingling and celebration throughout the evening.[/field]
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The floral design beautifully incorporated fresh white blooms, greenery, and pops of colorful green accents that echoed the bridesmaids’ vibrant palette. Natural woven elements like rattan chandeliers and textured vessels added organic warmth to the waterfront setting, while elegant white sailcloth tents provided an airy, romantic backdrop for the celebration. The decor seamlessly blended coastal charm with garden party elegance, featuring thoughtful details like patterned linens that elevated the overall aesthetic. One of Ruthie’s favorite details from the day is her bouquet.

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The couple’s dessert presentation maintained the same elegant, natural aesthetic as the rest of their celebration, with their wedding cake a simple white covered in orchids.

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The night before, the couple had their rehearsal dinner at 128 South before moving over to Bakery 105 for the welcome party. This was a nod to their future honeymoon in Italy with the lemon theme. Ruthie notes that her rehearsal outfits were her favorite of the weekend. She wore a Johanna Ortiz Red Petals Strapless Maxi Dress paired with a Jacquemus Rond Carre Small croc-effect leather clutch and Larroude Morgan Sandal in Scarlet Patent Leather.

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Ruthie’s bridesmaids were in all different colors, which is one of Ruthie’s favorite details. She had a group of childhood friends, family, high school friends, and college friends, all in different shades that perfectly went together.

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Ruthie and George had a getaway car at the end of the night that was the bride’s late grandfather’s 1977 Chevrolet El Camino.

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BBJ La Tavola

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Petit Bouquet

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The Sweetest Vow Renewal Inspiration of All Time at Airlie Gardens

Vow renewals are always one of our favorite moments to see grace our submissions, they serve as the most beautiful reminder of how your love story all started, and how it’s grown so much over the years. Today’s romantic vow renewal planned by Lake and Lavender features the most adorable family of 4, shades of pink, soft greens and yellows, delicate blooms by Mother of Wild Flower House, and golden hour shining through the spanish moss – it just doesn’t get any sweeter than this! See all the vow renewal inspo you’ll need at the full gallery, captured by Emily March Photography!

Inspired by the romance of Spanish moss and a Needle and Thread dress from BHLDN, this vow renewal editorial designed by Lake and Lavender and Emily March Photography showcases a real-life couple as their love has grown and highlights the magic of embracing the location of your special day. Wedding planning couples and married couples alike are invited to take inspiration from this modern classic shoot in a dreamy outdoor setting.

Details:
I planned and designed this vow renewal editorial in collaboration with Emily Payne of Emily March Photography. We hope this editorial inspires married couples to renew their vows for another beautiful and unforgettable day in their lives while also inspiring wedding planning couples for their wedding day and beyond.

With a growing love at the heart of this editorial, romance took centerstage as the underlying theme of the day. It was through this romantic lens that we were particularly inspired by the Spanish moss of Airlie Gardens and a Needle and Thread dress from BHLDN. The Florentina Ruffle Dress brought the romance with colors, details, ruffles, and movement. A colorful floral dress is a current trend for today’s bride and a perfect choice for a vow renewal. With their delicate embroidery, the romantic Claudia heels from Bella Belle Shoes paired with the dress shined as brightly as the setting sun. We wove shades of pink, soft greens and yellows, champagne and gold throughout the design to highlight our dreamy setting and remarkable dress.

The Norris family told our story. Their love was radiant and their children were a delight. Their stunning family portraits are now treasured keepsakes that mark this special moment in time. We played into the couple’s refined modern style with classic elements reminiscent of their wedding day. The story of our couple told through the stationery by Longest Time Design was as inviting and romantic as everything else with the deckled edges, soft floral details, and classically modern fonts in gold foil. Other details, like black and white photographs and a Bible, showcase the couple’s roots and the many seasons their marriage has seen over the last decade.

Incorporating classic roses with other delicate and dancing blooms in the modern and whimsical style of Mother of Wild Flower House told the color story masterfully and further carried the feel of the day. Crêpe myrtles for the ceremony provided a unique moment reminiscent of the season. And repurposing the ceremony flowers elevated the lounge and added an unexpected touch.

Specialty rentals from Martha My Dear Rentals helped communicate many of the modern classic designs. And we love how their steeple arch framed the couple as the Spanish moss did. A patterned linen carefully chosen from Nuage Designs complemented the dress and echoed the sun setting against the Spanish moss. And the linen for the cake display highlighted the cakes and the surrounding Spanish moss, too. Plates from Party Suppliers mimicked the movement of the ruffles in the dress. Tying two tones of ribbon around the napkins added texture and layers and was another way to connect the dress to the tabletop design.

In the same way the setting sun is painterly as it sets behind the Spanish moss, the painterly cakes by Sugar Euphoria stood alone and reflected the flowers from the dress in a striking way. A toast to the happy couple with gold-rimmed coupes from Anthropologie at sunset was the perfect ending to this unforgettable day!

A Bridal Luncheon to Inspire All Your Summer Soirées

Since Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, what better way to kick off the season of outdoor events than with a pretty, al fresco bridal luncheon? Inspired by the feminine blue and white china she observed at a coffee shop, Drewe Smith, Editor-in-Chief of Focus on the Coast Weddings, worked together with Salt Harbor Designs and Theo Milo Photography to create a beautiful feminine fête at Airlie Gardens. Between the flowing gowns, summery menu, abundant florals, and romantic blue tablescape, this gallery will surely inspire all your summer soirées.

From Drewe Smith… When I traveled to Chicago last spring for a girls’ getaway, I had just started planning the newest issue of Focus on the Coast Weddings. When I walked into The Allis one morning, I was more in search of an iced coffee than editorial inspiration. Little did I know, I would find both. One of the first things that caught my eye was the blue and white floral china my breakfast was served on; decidedly French and feminine, I knew I had to have it. Within a month, my new dishes had arrived, and with them, the beginnings of the photoshoot you see here.

I knew I wanted to feature a bridal luncheon in our newest issue, so as soon as I set foot back in Wilmington, NC, I contacted Theo Milo of Theo Milo Photography and Jennifer Rose of Salt Harbor Designs. We sat down together and envisioned a soft palette of blues and simple, classic details with a touch of romance. Airlie Gardens pergola was the perfect place to shoot, embodying the rustic formality of gardens in the French countryside, complete with a bubbling fountain (which Southern Bee Designs incorporated into the invitations).

The bridesmaids were dressed in flowing gowns of complementary shades from Tusc Boutique. The bride-to-be, outfitted in our signature blue, wore a delicate wrap dress that highlighted the refined jewels provided by Melissa Tyson Designs. Classic wedge shoes from Soul Shoetique completed the outfits. I wanted the theme of understated sophistication to be consistent, so we kept the bridal parties hair and makeup subtle. Beauty Bar Boutique did a fantastic job of channeling the effortless, French cool-girl look by using muted pink tones and giving our bride-to-be a messy chignon.

Choosing the food wasn’t a difficult task. What could be more French than baguettes, oysters, and macarons? Pinpoint Restaurant, one of our personal local favorites, crafted elevated dishes with floral embellishments on sterling silver serving platters and simple wooden cutting boards. Salt Harbor Designs brought the table to life with their arrangement of ranunculus, garden roses, delphinium, parrot tulips, lilac, and privet berry, channeling the color palette of the afternoon.

With the table all set and the glow of flickering candles illuminating the setting, the bridesmaids sat down to celebrate the bride-to-be and their longtime friendship, surrounded by the simple, beautiful things in life. Staying true to our classic theme, Theo Milo used film to capture the essence of the day. C’était magnifique!

Palm Fronds for the Win at This Wilmington Wedding

This palm inspired Wilmington wedding at Bakery 105 just made my day. The pop of green on the pretty stationery, the velvet ring box, and the bridesmaids’ palm frond bouquets give a modern, summery vibe that’s hitting all the right notes in my book. And those getting ready robes! Seriously chic. Olivia Suriano of Nancy Ray Photography captured it all brilliantly – despite the rain! – so dig into the gallery right here.

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From Olivia Suriano of Nancy Ray Photography… When Laura and Eric’s wedding day called for rain, I was not one bit worried. With Eric’s easy going personality and Laura’s exquisite taste and talent for interior design, I knew these two would take the rain and make something incredible out of it!

Their combination or personalities went together seamlessly at their wedding. Eric looked extra dapper in his white dinner jacket, and Laura stole the show in her Sarah Seven gown. Even with all of the beautiful details, these two were so smitten with each other you couldn’t help but just stare at them the whole day. From the beginning of the wedding planning to their big day, Laura and Eric made each of their vendors feel like close friends, and it was such an honor to capture their day!

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

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A Wedding Celebrating All the Good Stuff… Food, Family and Fall

When this couple approached Salt Harbor Designs to plan their big day at The Atrium in Wilmington, they shared their priorities were to embrace “food, family, and fall” – and that’s exactly what they achieved! They served a delicious, family style dinner and tons of desserts (including both cake and pie!) at long, communal tables featuring floral arrangements in classic, autumnal hues. Theo Milo Photography tells the story of the day from behind his lens, and we have it all for you in the Vault.

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Fall Weddings

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Garden Weddings Industrial

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Classic Weddings

From Salt Harbor Designs… When Bret and Brooke decided to plan their wedding in Wilmington, they wanted an event that embraced food, family, and fall. They were married and celebrated afterwards at The Atrium in downtown Wilmington. Brooke is part of a traditional Italian family, so the couple decided to serve their guests a huge family-style dinner and more dessert pies than their guests could ever eat. Guests dined at two long, communal tables that were filled with candles and vases of orange and burgundy flowers. After dinner, the family danced and sang the night away, ending the evening with late night hot dogs before parading to their after-party a few blocks away. Brooke is a well-know patron of misfit animals, volunteering at shelters and serving as a foster parent for many abandoned pups. Rather than favors, the couple gave a donation to their local animal shelter.

Super Stylish Garden Wedding

A garden wedding is always a good idea and when the Bride is as stylish as this one, it gets even better (I mean, just check out those earrings!). She was positively glowing and made sure to spread her style secrets to her bridesmaids, decked out in Jenny Yoo. Theo Milo captured all the looks and Light Cannon Films got in on the live action – see their clip below and all the pics in our Vault gallery right this way!

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Summer Weddings

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Eatery Garden Weddings

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From Theo Milo… When your friends and family are willing to travel great distances in hurricane-force weather, you know you’ve built some great relationships. And their guests could back that up – there were many testimonies given in the speeches and the more intimate moments of the times that Camille and Josh put others first, made time for family, and prioritized the important relationships in their lives. Even when Camille moved to New York to pursue her acting career, and even when Josh began to pursue Camille (a worthy pursuit, if you ask us!), they never forgot their roots, and the people that got them there.

Amidst the lavish Spanish moss and live oaks of Airlie Gardens, and the understated brick walls of Bakery 105 in historic downtown Wilmington, all of those lasting friendships and family ties came together for one beautiful celebration. The gorgeous details, signage, candles, garlands, and sweet details were no less extravagant than what this occasion deserved, and provided the perfect twinkling, effervescent backdrop suitable for such a romance.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bridesmaid Dresses

Amsale

Amsale Bridesmaids Fall 2014

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Amsale Bridal Fall 2014

Amsale Bridal Spring 2015

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Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

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Fall 2016 Separates Collection

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The One Event You Absolutely Can’t Miss

Whether you’re starting out the new year newly engaged, just now jumping into your wedding planning or are obsessed with weddings in general (we hear ya), the annual Courtyards & Cobblestones event is one that we always recommend. It’s the coolest way ever to meet the best wedding vendors in Southeastern North Carolina and you’ll even get to peruse eight mock weddings on a walking tour of downtown Wilmington. It’s awesome – and so is their amazing giveaway that includes tickets AND a hotel stay. Check it out below.

When it comes to wedding shows, Courtyards & Cobblestones, A Walk Through Wedding Row reigns supreme. Why? Because this isn’t just any old grouping of wedding vendors – it’s a hand-picked selection of amazing creatives showing off their stuff with eight mock weddings (ceremony AND reception) that will keep the inspiration flowing in a relaxed environment. You’ll love walking through downtown Wilmington, browsing the gorgeous details and soaking in the live music, table settings, flowers, cake tastings, yummy samplings and incredible giveaways. But the best part? Meeting the vendors that put it all together. These are the talented people that will work tirelessly on your wedding – staying up late into the evenings, taking your phone calls and collaborating with you to build that day you’ve always dreamed of. They’re the best of the best… and all in one amazing place. Oh, and we mentioned you can win tickets AND a hotel stay, right?

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Ready to get inspired and start planning your big day? The Courtyards & Cobblestones Venue Tour is happening on January 13th with the Courtyards & Cobblestones Mix & Mingle Brunch on January 14th. Trust us, you’ll want to mark your calendars for this one – it’s definitely an event that will bring your entire planning process together. Start planning your nights out with your loved ones and purchase tickets here, and be sure to enter the giveaway below for two tickets to both events, plus a one night stay at Courtyard by Marriott Historic/Downtown in Wilmington!

What: Courtyards & Cobblestones is giving one lucky reader two (2) tickets to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Venue Tour on January 13th and two (2) tickets to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Mix & Mingle Brunch on January 14th, plus a one night stay at Courtyard by Marriott Historic/Downtown in Wilmington, NC.

How: To enter, simply leave a comment below telling us what you are looking forward to the most at Courtyards & Cobblestones! (Ex: I can’t wait to find the florist of my dreams!)

Who: One lucky winner, chosen completely at random, will be announced on Monday, January 8, 2018. Good luck!

Gorgeous Gray + Modern Waterfront Wedding

A lovely grey number that would a perfect addition to your Pinterest boards, we’ve got Ivy Robinson Events to thank for this undeniably beautiful wedding in The Vault! Millie Holloman Photography was on hand snapping every detail and we’ve even got the sweetest film from Heartstone Films below.

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Fall Weddings

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Modern

From Ivy Robinson Events… Modern flair and back yard soiree merge on the coast of Wilmington, NC. The branding started with a grey and white pattern introduced in the save the dates and carried throughout from the invitations printed on metal, yes metal and mailed in a box. The napkins, custom linens, tent boarder, welcome bags were all branded with this pattern. The wedding day kicked off with pre ceremony cocktails in a lounge area on the property. Guests sipped on Salted Meyer Lemon-Sage Presse (non alcoholic), A Shade of Gray Cocktail and Sparkling Cava. They then shifted to the point of the property were ghost chairs and huge arrangements greeted guests with the tunes of an acoustic guitarist. Cocktail hour followed the ceremony where guests found their metal escort cards prior entering the tent for a sit down dinner. Orchids, mirrored table tops and mirrored chandeliers adorned the tent. The pool was covered with a clear top and turned into a dance floor. Simply Irresistible Band kept the floor packed all night. Guests dined on the following and the cake was also hand designed to match everything! We even drained the hot tub and put fam mixologist Bob Peters in there shaking up cocktails.

We’re Dreaming of Carolina Coasts After This Romantic Wedding Video

It’s Monday and let’s be real… none of us feel like doing a whole lot right about now. We’re still setting into the day, drinking that (3rd) cup of coffee. And take your time, there’s no rush. Because we got a gem of a wedding video for you to help further procrastinate with. Thanks to Light Cannon Films, let’s transport ourselves to the beautiful North Carolina coast and fall in love with these cuties. Monday just got much better, didn’t it?

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From Light Cannon Films… Thank goodness for sunny Novembers here on the North Carolina coast! Thomas and Chelsea’s wedding was so warm that the fuzzy blankets they had bought for their guests in anticipation of wintry weather ended up just being sweet favors for everyone to bring home for colder days.

From the start of the day, getting ready at a picturesque Figure 8 Island beach house, to their vows under a breathtaking sunset on the Intracoastal Waterway, there wasn’t a second of the Jones’ big day that wasn’t perfect… but their adorable personalities and quirky moments were what really made the day. Thomas missed his “I do” (by just a hair), and they might have slightly lost their balance while enraptured in their first kiss – those things are technically things gone wrong, but they make the whole picture oh, so much more right!

More wedding films here!

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Badgley Mischka

Spring 2014 Bridal

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Elegant + Neutral Wilmington Wedding

This Bride. She glows. Wrapped in lace and her rich locks in a low loose bun, it makes me want to get dressed up for my wedding day all over again. Every single snap of this day from Ashley Bosnick does, including the cozy candlelit reception at 128 South. Thankfully, THE VAULT gallery is at my fingertips so I can click my way through every bit.

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Fall Weddings

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Religious Institution Weddings in Historical Venues

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From The Bride…I wasn’t really ever the one who thought about her wedding day since she was a little girl, but when my family took me to Italy for my 16th birthday I absolutely fell in love. When Chris proposed a few years later I knew I wanted that simple, yet romantic Italian country side feeling for my wedding day. I was so blessed to be able to get married in the same church that my parents and grandparents had gotten married in years before me, and 128 South right down the street was the perfect place for our reception. It had that perfect exposed brick, warm and romantic Italian feel we were looking for and Design Perfection did a wonderful job bringing my vision to life with my favorite peach Juliet roses and beautiful lush greenery surrounded by hundreds of romantic candles. I may be biased but it was the most beautiful and fun wedding I have ever been to! I pictured myself wearing something completely different on my wedding day but when I found my dress I just knew my grandpa, who passed away not long before the wedding, would’ve loved it and that was so important to me. I am so thankful for my parents who did so much and made our perfect day possible. Our wedding day, surrounded by our closest friends and family, was easily the best day of my life to date. I am beyond lucky to have found the one who will forever be my always and to have married my soulmate. I believe God thought of me when he made Chris, we are absolutely meant to be. We look forward to many more adventures together and can’t wait to see what the future has to hold.

Classic Black-Tie North Carolina Coast Wedding

This wedding looks straight out of a movie. The abundance of peonies, roses and hydrangeas paired with the Bride’s gorgeous Anne Barge ballgown and the pretty pink Jenny Yoo bridesmaids’ dresses create the kind of wedding every little girl dreams of. And the historic feel of Bakery 105 and beautiful photos from Theo Milo Photography are the perfect finishing touches. Fall in love in THE VAULT!

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Spring Weddings

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Eatery Outdoor Weddings

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From Theo Milo Photography…A lovely couple who currently lives in NYC. They have great style and incorporated a ton of florals into their wedding. The venue is in historic downtown Wilmington NC (see more about it in her description). There is a video as well!

From The Bride…When my husband, Mike, and I got engaged, we knew we wanted to have our wedding in the Carolinas. While we were both from the Northeast and lived in NYC, North Carolina was where we had fell in love. We met at Wake Forest University and spent a few years living together in Charlotte, NC before moving to NYC. My parents had recently retired and moved to Wilmington, NC and we spent a weekend looking at wedding venues around the historic, riverfront town. We both fell in love with Bakery 105 as soon as we saw it, and knew it was the perfect place for our special day. Since the venue was an old warehouse, it had gorgeous exposed brick and beamed ceilings, plus a perfect outdoor courtyard that used to be the old loading dock. We decorated the outdoor courtyard with a gorgeous floral arbor for our ceremony and also had our cocktail hour in the same location. Later, the party seamlessly transitioned to the indoor reception that was decorated with long farm tables that had floral garlands and lush centerpieces filled with white and blush garden roses, accented with greenery. Our wedding designer, Design Perfection, also built gorgeous planters that were filled with lush greenery and matched our bar. The reception was completed with edison bulbs and more greenery hanging over the dance floor and bar area.

I truly loved how I felt the day of our wedding, I wore a gorgeous Anne Barge bridal gown. I only went to one store and tried on about 5 dresses before finding “the one.” It had intricate lace detail along the bottom and sweetheart neckline, as well as a dramatic train. I wore BHLDN earrings and a crystal Jcrew hair pin to add a little sparkle to the look. I also carried a blue-rimmed handkerchief that my great-grandmother had sewn to blot away any tears throughout the day and had my late grandmother’s broach clipped into my bridal bouquet. My husband wore a very classic Zegna tuxedo and my bridesmaids wore stunning blush Jenny Yoo gowns that perfectly matched our decor. My goal was to find dresses that were pink, but not “too pink” and I was so happy with how beautiful the girls looked in their dresses.

For my husband and me, the most important part of our wedding was making sure we and our guests had a fantastic time! We kicked the weekend off with welcome drinks and ended the weekend with a beautiful brunch at my parents’ home. Everyone told us they had such a fun time and the dance floor was full the entire night, with our 10 piece band playing a perfect mix of Motown and Top 40, with just a little bit of country in the mix. We had a wonderful time dancing the night away with our family and closest friends and couldn’t imagine a better celebration of our marriage.

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Jenny Yoo

Spring 2014 Maternity

2016 Bridesmaid Collection

2016 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 Flower Girl Collection

Spring 2017 Bridal Collection

Spring 2017 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

Spring 2017 Accessories Collection

Fall 2016 Separates Collection

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Spring 2017 Bridesmaids Collection

Spring 2018 Bridal Collection

Spring 2018 "Jenny by Jenny Yoo" Collection

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Anne Barge

Spring 2012

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BHLDN

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Blogger Bride Saffron Avenue’s Urban Garden Party Wedding

When one of our very own Blogger Brides gets married we kinda lose our cool. Rightly so, because when said Bride is Angela of Saffron Avenue, you better bet every. darn. detail. is DIY goodness. And if you thought her tips were the only take home, get ready because her wedding captured by Eric Boneske is ah-mazing [inserts heart emojis here]. It’s the ultimate grand finale complete with Salt Harbor Designs that we’re grateful to share in THE VAULT, and you can peek all the pretty below!

From Angela of Saffron Avenue… Kiley and I met in college and dated for almost 8 years before he proposed. During a portion of that time I had moved to Wilmington, North Carolina for a couple years to pursue my wedding planning and design career. The first time I explored my new home in downtown Wilmington I discovered The Atrium by Ligon Flynn and I absolutely fell in love! From that point forward, I told myself that no matter what happens I will get married there. Fast forward 3 years and that moment has finally come as we were about to plan our little North Carolina wedding.

The best part of the planning process was that I’ve been waiting for this moment for years, as I’m sure most brides have been. I was actually a wedding planner (which was my dream job since I was 13) prior to starting my graphic design company. Not only that, but a friend and I even created a company that specialized in wedding and event branding. So it was no secret that my love of weddings, paper, and design has always been a part of my life. To say I was excited to plan our wedding was an understatement…because really I’ve been planning it for years.

I am a very budget friendly and DIY type of person and I knew our wedding would reflect that. After booking the venue I wanted to blend that urban garden party feel that The Atrium has with my love of Mid-Century Modern. With our smaller budget I was able to splurge and save on certain items. I splurged on the five farm tables, but used the benches from the ceremony for seating. I also borrowed a couple Eames chairs from a friend, sewn my own palm print pillows, and made my own gold urchin/sputniks for decor. And since our wedding was so small we didn’t have a DJ or a wedding cake, which saved us a lot of money. Instead we played our own music and a couple girlfriends and I made banana bread in mason jars for dessert.

Naturally, I wanted to create my own wedding invites and paper pieces. Once I created the color palette and logo I designed our wedding website to really set the tone for our guests. From that point forward each piece blended perfectly. From the pale blush tones and watercolor palm leaves to the mid-century modern elements and custom calligraphy, it all blended perfectly into our style. During the design process I wanted to make sure that the wedding reflected the both of us. Because Kiley has a love of competition and games I made gold darts for our name cards as well as a custom crossword puzzle for our guests, which they filled out with DIY gold dipped feather pens (to play into the style of my wedding dress).

To save on the table design we decided to use various white vases with different leaves and greenery. Salt Harbor designs executed it perfectly and brought my vision to life. For the our flowers and bouquets I used FlowerMuse and ordered a couple bunches of my favorite tulips. The morning of our wedding my bridesmaids and I all created our bouquets, not only was it budget friendly but also fun and therapeutic.

For my dress I knew I wanted something different and a bit out of the norm. It was either going to have a plunging neckline, a unique print/pattern, or plenty of sparkle. I never found ‘the one’ but I really couldn’t be happier with my decision. I chose a dress with a beautiful low back, amazing beadwork, and plenty of little feathers! The best part is that the dress in the bridal shop was $4,000 and was able to find it pre-owned online for a portion of the cost!

Besides a bit of rain on us during the ceremony (and a music glitch) it was absolutely perfect. From the sun shining, the food, the laughter, and the love…it felt so magical. Although we waited quite a while before we got married, I am so happy we did. It was because we waited we were able to have the wedding I always envisioned, in the location I’ve had my eye on for years. I definitely wouldn’t change a thing and only wish I could do it all over again, year after year!

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From Blogger to Bride, see Angela’s Journey Down the Aisle:

Angela Mondloch

Contributing Editor, Blogger Bride

Saffron Avenue

Mountain Pie Party with Pressed Cotton

I do believe we just found our new favorite thing for fall, and it’s all thanks to the styling geniuses at Pressed Cotton and the talented lens of Millie Holloman. Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to the Mountain Pie Party. One part delicious, one part pretty and all parts fun, this little shindig needs to find its way on your social calendar asap.

We love when the cool weather sets in and we can dig out our sweaters and scarves and gather around the bonfire for dinner and drinks. A mountain pie party is one of our favorite ways to entertain guests in the fall! We have put together an assortment of fun products to make your own mountain pie party a success, as well as grocery lists and how-to’s.

What you will need:

Grocery list for dinner pies:

Our favorites combos:

How to make a Mountain Pie:

1. Spread butter on two slices of bread
2. Open the pie iron and place one slice (butter down) on one side of the pie iron.
3. Fill with your favorite filling (savory or sweet).
4. Top with the other slice of bread (butter up) and close the pie iron securely.
5. Scrape off the excess bread with a butter knife.
6. Place the iron into the hot coals.
7. Test the pie periodically by opening the iron very slowly.
8. When the pie is toasted on each side, remove and enjoy!

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And lucky for all of us, the fab folks at Pressed Cotton are offering 10% for SMP Living readers through the end of September! Just enter smpliving at checkout! Yum!

Photography: Millie Holloman Photography | Venue: Atrium by Ligon Flynn | Design & Florals: Salt Harbor Designs | Goods & Decor: Pressed Cotton | Graphic Design: Brent Holloman

Courtyards & Cobbletones Rustic Copper Engagement + Wedding Inspiration

Can you believe this stunning engagement and wedding inspiration shoot were designed and created by the inspired minds of Salt Harbor Designs and 128 South Events for the annual wedding concept competition, Courtyards and Cobblestones? It’s hard to believe they’re not real! Millie Holloman Photography captured all the rustic magic for us in the gallery here, and we’re swooning at every click!

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From Millie Holloman Photography…Every January, wedding professionals in Wilmington, NC gather together to host a wedding expo like no other–Courtyards and Cobblestones. The professionals are grouped into teams and assigned a wedding venue. They work together to design and create a mock wedding reception complete with all of the essentials of a real wedding day. The photos here are a collection of images from one of the teams, headed up by Salt Harbor Designs and Millie Holloman Photography. They decided to stage not only the space, but also an engagement session, wedding day couple, and inspiration shoot ahead of time. Videographer, Green Hope Productions, also joined in to shoot an inspiration video. The result became a collection of details inspired by autumn and copper, bluegrass music, and the architecture of downtown Wilmington.

Modern Saint Thomas Preservation Hall Wedding

The team at Light Cannon Films has a way of melting our hearts around here. They take a wedding day and turn it into a beautiful story, dotted with traditions, moments and smiles galore—like this modern fete at St. Thomas Preservation Hall. A stunning Bride in an Oscar De La Renta dress accented with robin’s egg blue stands at the center of it all. Press play to be wowed!

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From Light Cannon Films… Diana and Robert are such a unique couple and their wedding day reflected that perfectly. Diana’s stunning gown with accents in robin’s egg blue matched her serene countenance. The clear sky and warm sun in the middle of January resembled the glow from Robert’s smile. The breathtaking hydrangea wall that stood as the backdrop to their altar added to the distinct freshness in the air. Their simple, uncomplicated decor showed that they focus on the things that matter.

These details mixed with culture from two special families made for a gorgeous day that was unlike any other. That’s the best part of filming weddings – seeing all the traditions of a wedding transformed to the tastes and values of two people starting a new life together.

Stylish Wilmington, NC Wedding at the Brooklyn Arts Center

Just when I think I’ve seen the most beautiful wedding to ever grace our screens, a wedding like this North Carolina stunner from Blueberry Creative pops up and leaves me utterly speechless. Effortlessly elegant, every detail just embodies this couples’ personal style, and it’s safe to say they’ve got lots of it. See even more here.

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From Blueberry Creative…Where do we even start with these two?! We knew the wedding was going to be spectacular after we visited Parisa and Jeremy at their home in Chicago for their engagement session. These two exude style and we were blown away by them during our photo shoot. While we’re in the subject of these two, it’s worth mentioning that they started their own artisan apothecary, Town & Anchor.

Once their wedding day arrived, we were completely overwhelmed by the generosity of their family and friends and how welcome they all made us feel. The day was filled with heartfelt sentiment. Both the bride and groom are writers and their vows are some of the most eloquent we’ve heard. (We used them for the main story in their wedding film.) The toasts given by Parisa’s brother and sister had everyone at the venue in tears and, if they weren’t already, surely the song Jeremy wrote and performed did the trick.

Elegant Garden Themed Wilmington Wedding

Overflowing gardens make me so happy; add in a gorgeous wedding and I’m downright giddy. This garden themed Southern celebration is bursting with beautiful blooms by Salt Harbor Designs and the ceremony alone at Airlie Gardens captured my heart… and got my Pinterest habit going once again. Theo Milo snapped every perfect petal and these photos are a breath of fresh air during these winter months.

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From Theo Milo Photography… Beautiful garden themed wedding! Her veil was a family heirloom. Her father is a 2 star general for the military. Lots of pretty floral detail and an invitation suite that is breathtaking!

From The Bride… Wes has always planned incredibly classy dates. On our third date, we went to Airlie Gardens for a jazz concert under the Live Oak tree. From then on, Airlie was a special place for us. We went back regularly for a picnic or just a stroll. So when we got engaged, the Pergola Garden at Airlie was the obvious venue choice for our ceremony. When we started looking for reception venues, we wanted to find somewhere with just as much meaning to us. It was interesting how easily the Brooklyn Arts Center fit in with our vision. Not only did the venue have the classy yet rustic look to it that we wanted, but it was located three blocks from where Wes lived when we started dating and was the location of another date!

After choosing our venues, we decided on a garden themed wedding to tie Airlie Gardens in throughout the entire day. Since we had over a year and a half to plan our wedding, we opted to do all of the planning ourselves and stick with just a day of coordinator (I say “just” but she was phenomenal!). Initially we wanted to incorporate a lot of DIY projects, but found it to be logistically difficult since we were planning from New Orleans. Still, my mom made the cotton lace linens, my sister painted our seating chart, and we hand picked many of the antique decorations. We put a lot of thought into buying things that worked for the wedding and that we could reuse afterwards. It’s so nice to see the wedding decorations in our house now. The most special decorative piece was the veil I wore. Wes’s great grandma’s sister first wore it in 1927. Since then his great grandma, grandma, and mom have worn it.

The wedding day itself was incredible. A harpist played during the ceremony and cocktail hour. Hearing some of our favorite classical music in the gardens leading up to the wedding was so magical. I walked down the aisle to Clair de Lune, a song that has been meaningful to Wes and I for a long time. It was one of those surreal moments that literally took my breath away. Laughing with my dad as we walked down the aisle was one of my favorite moments from the day. I always thought I would be a crier! A second favorite moment for Wes and I was walking into the Brooklyn Arts Center for the reception. The roar of all the people we loved combined with the faint floral aroma was so memorable.

To us, the aspect of wedding planning that made our wedding the most special was the integration of flowers, music, and smells that will always bring us back to that day. We can’t look at peonies and garden roses, smell confederate jasmine, or listen to Clair de Lune without being swept back into a wedding memory.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Amy Kuschel

2014

2013

The PEACE & LOVE Collection 2015

DECO to DISCO Collection 2016

View All Collections

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier Bridal Fall 2015

Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids Fall 2015

Spring 2016

View All Collections

Courtyards & Cobblestones 2015

Fact: if you’re tying the knot in Wilmington, NC, I am sooo jealous. And not just because Wilmington happens to be a place known for magical + oh-so beautiful I do’s. Nope, it’s also the home to the fab Courtyards & Cobblestones event, a walking tour through several downtown wedding venues. It’s a glamour-filled night of good food, yummy drinks, amazing vendors and a whole lot of inspiration.

At Courtyards & Cobblestones, you can leisurely stroll through all that downtown has to offer, making it that much easier to select a wedding venue. And your self-guided tour doesn’t just include fabulous locales, you’ll also be meeting some of the finest wedding professionals Wilmington has to offer, from awesome photogs to cupcake masters to floral pros that will take your breath away. Soak in each space that has been meticulously crafted by an amazing Wilmington designer, and munch on the yummy samplings from some seriously talented caterers. Oh, and did I mention the live entertainment? Sooo awesome. Call it date night or even a girl’s night out, but seriously don’t forget to mark your calendar for January 17th, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Tickets are $18 online or $25 at the door.

For day to day updates go to the Courtyards & Cobblestones Facebook page… and don’t forget to check out the amazing film below!

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North Carolina Weddings

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