Paula & Sebastian’s Eclectic Tea Party Wedding at JC Raulston Arboretum
Paula & Sebastian had to make some difficult decisions for their eclectic tea party wedding at JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, NC. Because they have close family flying from South Korea, Peru, and Argentina, they decided to postpone their wedding by a year. They took it in stride, feeling disappointed but confident in how much we’d already planned together, and they took a short break from actively wedding planning. By the time 2021 rolled around, we were back to meeting every month and emailing back and forth regularly.
For the Love of Food: Dietary Considerations for your Wedding
If you’re in the middle of wedding planning, you’ve probably already discovered that one of the best parts are the food tastings! Most social gatherings are centered around food, so it’s no wonder that weddings are the same. But as you sit down at your tasting, it can be difficult to switch gears from “OMG this is the best thing I’ve ever tasted” to “Will all my guests be able to eat and enjoy this?”
When you go out to dinner with friends, everyone orders what they want and you don’t have to worry about their allergies, but if you’ve ever prepared lasagna with garlic bread for guests, just to find out that someone is lactose intolerant and another is gluten-free, you probably served up some salad and an apology (and maybe whatever else was hiding in your pantry).
To make sure all your guests have the opportunity to truly enjoy the menu that you and your caterer create, it’s important to take your guests’ food allergies and dietary restrictions into account before they end up eating side dishes only.
Ashley & LaVelle’s Glam Romantic Barn Wedding
Music, warmth, and family are the first three words that come to mind when I reflect on Ashley & LaVelle’s wedding. Even with over 200 guests, there was an atmosphere of romance and intimacy, and the whole room was flooded by the shine of their love.
As guests arrived at the beautiful farm venue, they were escorted around the barn to the ceremony space on the back patio. A mirror welcome sign greeted them, along with a welcome table holding a birdcage for cards, the guest book, and a basket with bubble bottles for a ceremony sendoff. The patio was serenaded by live musicians, including a keyboardist, vocalist, and saxophonist. The ceremony space overlooked rolling hills, and we decorated the wooden arbor with drapes and artificial flowers; a cocktail table sat under the arbor holding three jars for a sand ceremony. A fan program was placed on each seat, and in the front row, two chairs were draped in white with flowers and photos for two special loved ones lost.
Vendors
Venue: The Addison Farm, Elon
Planner: Beauty & the Budget Events
Photographer: Jeffrey Lynn Media
Officiant Gregory Milton
Videographer: Honey Dew Films
Caterer, Rentals: Dessert & Things by Cookie
Baker: The Bride’s Cousin
DJ: DJ Darrell Smith
Musician: Darrell McLean
Hairstylist: A New Look Hair Salon
Makeup artist: Silent H Makeup
How to Pick the Perfect Florist
There are so many beautiful aspects of a wedding day, but one of the prettiest elements is easily the floral arrangements. From bouquets and boutonnieres carried by the wedding party to table centerpieces, ceremony decor and even the cake, natural elements are often everywhere on a wedding day. Even brides who aren’t fans of flowers often include some small floral or natural elements such as greenery garlands. So it’s only natural (hehe) that choosing the right florist is an important part of the planning process.
Meredith & Nick’s Fall Foliage Vow Renewal
Meredith & Nick just make sense together, and their wedding day beautifully reflected that. She’s a data analyst for Durham County with an energetic, bubbly personality and type-a mindset, while he’s a teacher who all agree is loving and empathetic toward everyone. Together, she’ll make you feel invited, and he’ll make you feel welcomed. Nick says he fell in love with Mer for her compassion, she for his selflessness, and together their warmth is a blessing to all who play a part in their lives.
