Alyssa & Zach’s wedding was just like them: simple, vintage, and effortlessly romantic. With lots of greenery, vintage cake stands, and gold picture frames of their engagement photos, this gorgeous day in May 2021 was the perfect celebration of their love story and first year of marriage.
After their first wedding date was postponed due to covid, Alyssa & Zach chose to get married a year before their new date, so when the big day finally came, it would be on their 1 year anniversary. They went down to the Durham County Courthouse with Misshenaccomplished to capture their vows.
Courthouse photos by Misshenaccomplished
On the day of their Windy Hill Wedding, everything was as we originally planned – the only difference was that they were already legally married, so a friend was able to officiate the vow renewal. The naturally stunning venue and the details the couple brought in consisted of white, cream, dark gray, and shades of green – sage, olive, forest, emerald. Because the venue needs so little dĂ©cor and puts a priority on sustainability, the couple asked Orlaya Flora to give us whatever flowers would be in season in the color scheme, and Beauty & the Budget Events loosely arranged the centerpieces to make the most of each stem.
Family is such an important part of Alyssa & Zach’s life, so each moment was filled with joy and intentionality. After hair and makeup were done, we had all bridesmaids leave the room so Alyssa was alone with her mom as she slipped on her wedding dress. Her bridesmaids came back in for a first look, and then the bride went downstairs to share a first look with her grandpa, dad, and finally, her husband.
When guests pulled up the long drive to the farm venue, they were greeted by a wooden welcome sign on an easel, alongside a large wooden spool that acted as the welcome table. A long drawing of a tree served as the guest book, where folks signed their names on the branches; a birdcage collected cards, jars of honey were set out as favors, and engagement photos and greenery filled the remaining space. Alyssa said, “My grandpa built the wooden signs that were used as the welcome sign, dessert table sign, and gift table sign and I painted them myself. I was excited to have things that we both worked on together. I really enjoyed DIYing a lot of our dĂ©cor items. Plus our wedding favor was honey from my grandpa’s bees which I think is super cool.”
The ceremony took place in a small grove in the front yard of the farmhouse, featuring ceremony benches and an arbor lighted draped with white fabric. “I Miss You” by Vitamin String Quartet played to begin the family processional, and after the officiant walked down the aisle, the mother of the bride was escorted in by her boyfriend. The father of the bride then escorted his wife down the aisle before returning to await his daughter. The groom’s father processed, and then Zach was escorted in by his mother. When Zach took his place at the arbor, the song changed to “After Midnight” by Vitamin String Quartet, and the groomsmen entered in single file, followed by the bridesmaids. Once the maid of honor had entered, an instrumental version of “Lover” by Taylor Swift played as the ring bearer and flower girl made their way down the aisle, followed by Alyssa and her father. After the vows were said and the couple kissed, “Love Is A Wild Thing” by Kacey Musgraves played for their recessional.
For cocktail hour, more wooden spools with framed engagement pictures were set out as cocktail tables, and the farm set up corn hole and giant Jenga yard games. A cheese, veggies, and fruit spread was arranged by City BBQ, and a beer and wine bar was set on the barn loft. A wine cork BAR sign, drink menu, and greenery were the perfect little touches to bring the décor upstairs. On the main floor, four long guest tables were decorated with cream and greenery table runners, glass vases with loose flowers, tea lights, and table numbers. They opted to forgo place settings, but place cards were set for each guest to find their seat.
The wedding party was introduced into the reception with “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole, and after Alyssa & Zach entered, they shared a first dance to “You’re Still the One” by The Maine. Parent dances immediately followed; Zach and his mom danced to “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw, and Alyssa chose “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw for her father-daughter dance. When formal dances were complete, the couple took their seats at their sweetheart table – a smaller wooden spool decorated with thin draped linen, tea lights, greenery, and a vase for her bouquet.
Instead of a cake cutting, Alyssa & Zach opted for a donut table and shared a special donut! The sweetheart donut had its own cake stand and cake topper, while a variety of donuts were spread across cake stands and donut stands, with a sign saying, “Donut mind if I do.” We always enjoy a good donut table, and we loved bringing out our custom wooden donut stand for this celebration! After dinner and dessert, guests enjoyed the evening around the fire, playing lawn games, and hanging out on the dance floor. Alyssa & Zach took a few moments to dance around the field with the friendly goats, and their night ended with a sparkler sendoff to “December 1963” by Four Seasons before the couple headed to their private honeymoon suite at the farmhouse.
Venue: Windy Hill Farm
Coordinator: Beauty & the Budget Events
Photographer: Destiny McClellan Photography
Caterer: City Barbeque
Dessert: Duck Donuts
Florist: Orlaya Flora
DJ: Dow Oak Events
Stylist: Hair by Ashley Cummings
Wedding dress: David’s Bridal
Groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse
“Stephanie is the best!!! Her responsiveness and attention to detail made it so that we had every detail of wedding planning covered. We wanted to be involved in the planning so she gave us space to do our own thing and then was there to make sure all of the pieces came together! By the day of, we didn’t have to lift a finger and she brought our vision to life perfectly.” – Alyssa & Zach
