Dan & Kellie’s Leap Day wedding was the perfect way to kick off our 2020 wedding season, and it was made all the more special because we’ve gotten to know them so well as a couple – after they booked with us, we found out they lived across the street and they’ve become our wine and board games friends! Kellie grew up in Michigan, Dan grew up in Florida, and before they built their life together in North Carolina, their love story began at a wedding of all places – Kellie and her mom sat at the same table as Dan and his dad, and casual conversation turned into, “You know, my daughter is single.” And the rest is history.
When it came to designing their day, Kellie loved clean details and opted for a ivory, dusty blue and sage for an almost monochromatic look, accented by silver. In love with vintage details, she pulled her wedding attire inspiration from 1940s Hollywood glam, and boy oh boy did Silverceiling do a great job on her look.
As for Dan, he was all about the music. Dan’s played a variety of instruments through his life, so choosing a great band was really important to him. But even more special was his decision to have the ceremony music performed by the violin teacher who started giving him lessons at just 4 years old. Kellie and her five bridesmaids spent the morning getting pampered in the dressing room at Market Hall, while Dan and his best man had a fresh cut and shave that morning before wandering around downtown Raleigh until it was nearly time for the ceremony.
The ceremony was decorated with a wooden arbor adorned with flowers, and the window sills on the side of the room, as well as the back of the ceremony space, were filled with floral arrangements in vintage vases that Kellie and her bridesmaids put together.
The ceremony started with Dan and the officiant, Gwen, taking their places at the altar, and then the processional began. Family made their way down the aisle, followed by Kellie’s four bridesmaids, who took their seats in the front row, and then the best man and maid of honor took their places at the altar. The violinist began playing the bridal march, and Kellie appeared at the top of the stairs and slowly made her way down to where her mom and dad met her. Together, they walked down the aisle to her groom. Kellie & Dan held hands, and Gwen began to share about the beauty of marriage and how “the hands you hold are the hands of your best friend, lover, supporter.”
During cocktail hour, guests enjoyed passed apps and the open bar while the vendors set about flipping the main space. The flowers were moved from their various spots around the venue and placed on silver platters as centerpieces. Candles, table numbers and place settings completed the look.Â
Once we were ready to begin the reception and had ushered guests to their tables, I hopped on the mic and introduced the wedding party and couple into the main space. Salads were served and guests were released to the buffet. As the band started playing, guests were up and dancing before they’d even been served! After guests had finished eating, the maid of honor and best man gave toasts, the couple cut the cake, and the couple shared their first dance as husband and wife. A father-daughter dance rounded out the activities for the evening, and the dance floor officially opened. All evening, the band had everyone on the dance floor except the guests hanging out by the milk and cookie bar, and people walking around downtown Raleigh kept stopping and looking through the windows, wishing they were having as much fun as Dan, Kellie and their guests.
The Vendors:
Venue: Market Hall – Park West, downtown Raleigh, NC
Wedding Coordinator: Beauty & the Budget Events
Photographer: Radiant Light Photography
Caterer: Market Hall
Baker: Publix
Milk & Cookie Bar: Market Hall
Florist: Cary Florist
Officiant: Gwen Downs, Celebrant
Band: Lucky Pocket via Sam Hill Entertainment
Ceremony Musician: Annemieke Pronker-Coron
Rentals: CE Rental
Bartender: Market Hall
Bridal Shop: The Wedding Shoppe in Berkley, MI
Hair & Makeup: Silverceiling Beauty Consulting
“We found Stephanie on Wedding Wire in January of 2019 and hired her as our Day of Coordinator. “Day of” is just a speck of what Stephanie actually does for couples – she is the backbone of the entire communications with vendors and logistics of the ceremony/reception. She is amazing at problem solving and eases any nerves you may have. Stephanie has a knack for answering the questions you never even thought to ask. We could have never asked for a better planner – she is professional, extremely organized, and makes your dream wedding day come true.” – Kellie & Dan, Coordination