North Carolina weddings
A Magical Summer Mountaintop Elopement in Asheville
From Asheville Outdoor Elopements: Aimee & Tyler had a gorgeous elopement on Max Patch Mountain in late July. We picked up Aimee’s stunning bouquet and Tyler’s boutonniere from Flora. The bouquet was absolutely perfect and the pink peonies really made the photos pop. We had a beautiful custom ceremony with the mountain background photographed by Meghan Rolfe Photography. Afterwards, we hiked up to the bald, where Aimee & Tyler enjoyed champagne and homemade apple & peach pie by the amazing Whisk. They danced as the sun set behind them. The day was just magic!
From the bride, Aimee: It was not hard for us to make the decision to elope. Tyler is an old soul and neither one us like to be the center of attention. We wanted a stress-free day that was just about us, without having to worry about the other things that come along with a big wedding. An outdoor ceremony on a mountain sounded amazing.
Looking back, our day was everything I was hoping it would be and more!
A Secret Garden Wedding in the Blue Ridge Mountains
From the bride, Nicole: The Blue Ridge Mountains hold a special place in our heart, my husband proposed to me in Banner Elk, North Carolina and before we ever even thought about marriage, I knew I wanted to be married in a place that fills with me awe every time I am there.
I wanted my flowers to be very lush and romantic, reminiscent of the Secret Garden, a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett that I loved as a child.
The ceremony was by far the favorite part of my wedding day. Turning the corner with my father and seeing my soon-to-be husband with this breathtaking backdrop behind him was undoubtedly a moment I will never forget. The first time I locked eyes with my husband as I walked down the aisle was the best part of my day!
I really wanted my flowers, greenery and centerpieces to add a feminine touch to the wood and stone that dominated the venue decor.
The reception was a blur of well-wishers and hugs and dancing.
Looking back, if there was anything I could go back and re-do about my wedding day, I would have hired a professional wedding-day coordinator. The day of any wedding is so busy for the bride, and to have someone who can handle all the little details so that the bride can enjoy every moment of the day, is, I think, very important. I had my sister-in-law be my wedding day coordinator, and looking back, I think that was unfair for her because my future sister wasn’t able to truly enjoy the day her little brother got married.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS:
Photographer: Ellen LeRoy Photography // Floral Designer: Fuschia Moss Floral Design // Venue: Beech Mountain Club // Makeup Artist: Beautiful Bride on Location // Hair Stylist: Do or Dye // Cake:Ugga Mugga Bakery
Save
Wedding Inspiration in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The incredible view of the Blue Ridge Mountain range was the inspiration behind this off the beaten path styled shoot. The invitation suite was printed on handmade paper featuring watercolors that highlight the Blue Ridge Mountains. The table setting and decor combine the look of the natural surroundings with subtle modern gold touches in the candlesticks and with the slight shimmer of the table linen. These accents continue on through the cake table using natural greenery to highlight the gorgeous blush three tiered cake. Any couple searching for a way to combine the outdoors with a formal and classic wedding vision will certainly connect with the look of this wedding.
THE STYLE TEAM
Photographer: MILK + HONEY photography co. // Event Planner: Details Wedding Planning // Floral Designer: Willow Floral Boutique // Invitation Designer: Champagne Maker // Calligrapher: Kristen Henderson Calligraphy // Cake Designer: The Wow Factor Cakes // Location: Craggy Gardens, Blue Ridge Parkway // Dress Store: Dar-Lynn’s Bridal and Formal Wear // Apparel: Charlotte Shop Girl // Hair Stylist: Salon de Coiffure // Makeup Artist: Anne Marie Mitchell // Groom’s Attire: The Black Tux // Consultant: Therese Brooks
A Mountaintop Elopement in Asheville
From the bride, Kristen: Our story began in high school. Not quite a Hollywood story, but nonetheless, I got to marry my high school sweetheart. Chance and I met when we were freshmen in high school. It wasn’t until two years later that we realized our friendship was a little more than we expected. We realize it’s a bit unusual to marry your “first love,” but, for us, it just worked. He has been my best friend since, and I do not know that anyone can make me laugh like he can. Our relationship has always been a little bit spontaneous, and we never felt the need or want to have a traditional wedding, which is why we decided to elope.
READ the entire story | ORDER the Magazine
A Dreamy Bohemian Wedding Shoot
From the photographer, Catrina Earls Photography: The term “Bohemian” describes people who live unconventionally, usually artistic and whose lives are acts of free or regard for conventional rules and practices. During design and execution of this Boho styled shoot, we kept these characteristics in the forefront of our minds knowing that weddings do not have to be complicated or even “rule-followers” to be stunning. The scene was dreamy, whimsical and romantic. Same goes for the overall design of the shoot; it was just that, a dreamy boho environment.
The ceremony alter was creatively constructed of hand-made dream catchers that suspended in the air, by a piece of driftwood, and caught every ray of sun as it shown through the lace, beads and feathers. An easy DIY project completed by Candace from Mingle Events & Vintage Rentals. This ceremony backdrop was very artistic and unconventional, very Bohemian.
Rustic chandeliers, cafe lights and sun peeking through the slatted walls illuminated the space and created the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner for two.
Candace, of Mingle Events & Vintage Rentals, also designed a gorgeous sweetheart table that paired wonderfully with a hand-crafted bench. The DIY bench seat was sweet enough for two lovebirds and was constructed from a vintage upholstered headboard.
The bride was stunning in a Hayley Paige gown and fur shawl. But, all eyes were on the Bohemian floral crown that was so lush even a day-dreamer would notice.
The groom was dressed to impress in a wooden bowtie from Two Guys Bowties accompanied by mix-matched cuff links.
Cupid arrows were displayed in a hand-made basket and doubled as escort cards.
A guest book globe that beautifully spoke the words of a true free spirit, a Bohemian.
The invitation designer, Chambley from Redroot Factory and Kristen from Kristen Henderson Calligraphy paired up to create the perfect invitation, map and reply card using watercolors complete with our styled shoot inspiration, the cupid arrow….because, love is in the air!
Magnolia leaves acted as ceremony programs and the wording was so beautifully written it could turn anyone into a “hippie at heart”.
Whimsical desserts created by Ruth and Ranshaw were as tasty as they looked.
The table was adorned with yellow, green and deep blue glassware, along with cupid arrows with name cards adorned with gold calligraphy for the Mr. and Mrs. The table was completed with romantic white candles in brass candlesticks and a 6 foot floral garland created by Blossoms at the Biltmore, that dripped to the barn floor.
To send the bride and groom off to their happily ever after was a canoe. Yes, a restored 1910 old town tripper with mahogany decking and white ash gunwales. Now how artistic, unconventional, dreamy and Bohemian is that? 
THE STYLE TEAM
Photographer: Catrina Earls Photography // Canoe: Asheville Outdoor Center // Floral Designer: Blossoms at Biltmore Park // Makeup Artist: Blush Asheville // Caterer: Catering by Corey // Vintage Arrows: Gallivanting Girls // Dress Store: Hayden Olivia Bridal // Decor: Hello Little Bungalow // Event Venue: Honeysuckle Hill // Calligrapher: Kristen Henderson Calligraphy // Handmade Goods Designer: Madame Crafty Britches // Event Planner & Rentals: Mingle Events & Vintage Rentals // Cinema and Video: MPA Weddings // Decor: Painted Fox // Invitation Designer: Redroot Factory // Cake Designer: Ruth and Ranshaw // Handmade Goods: The Pink House // Groomsman Attire: Two Guys Bowties
Romance in the Mountains of North Carolina
From the bride, Rebecca: Both Carlos and I were born and raised in Miami, a very flat and tropical place. When we moved to North Carolina we absolutely fell in love with the mountains. We wanted our wedding to take place in the mountains surrounded by their beauty and to share that with our family and friends from back home. All of our guests traveled to our wedding.
I loved how intimate the view of Grandfather Mountain was from the balcony. 
For the seating chart, we scribed everyone’s name and their table numbers on the actual window panes from the house that Carlos and I bought about two years ago and are in the process of renovating.
I loved that our venue had a rustic aesthetic to its architecture and I wanted to contrast it with more feminine details and color palettes. I searched, and searched, for lace doilies for all the tables. This was by far, one my favorite details.
Since we were having our wedding in the south, and in the mountains, we wanted to give all of our friends and family a little taste of our lives in North Carolina and decided that we wanted our wedding menu to be a reflection of the culinary identity of the region: fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grit cakes, fried chicken, biscuits and jam, etc.
The best thing about our wedding day was getting to share our day with our closest family and friends! 
Rebecca’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Photographer: Crystal Stokes Photography // Venue, Coordination, Caterer, Cake: Linville Ridge Country Club // Floral Designer: Pearl’s Garden // Bride’s Gown: Pronovias // Hairstylist & Makeup: Simply Beautiful Artistry by Sissy Duncan
A Perfect Wedding Day in the Blue Ridge Mountains
From the wedding planner, Verge Events:
Kellie and Randy wanted a comfortable lunch reception for their guests who traveled from all over. We chose a palette of red and dark teal to accentuate the gardens of The Farm at Old Edwards. Teal is a special color for Kellie, a gynecologic oncologist, as it is the ovarian cancer awareness color. The beautiful ceremony gardens are beautiful on their own so we chose to accent specific key areas.
Hung down the aisle were sweet canning jars filled with a spectrum of red flowers and tied with teal ribbon.
Canning jars with red flowers were hung with teal ribbon at various lengths from the pergola. 
This wedding was not just the joining of Kellie and Randy in marriage but the uniting of a family. Kellie and her 2 year old son Luke walked to meet Randy who was waiting halfway down the aisle before walking the rest of the way to the altar as a family.
We placed 5 bottles of wine on a table that guests were instructed to sign and the new couple will drink on their next five anniversaries.
The reception took place in The Pavilion, a beautiful glass and beam structure which had a mix of round and square tables that were accented by various mercury glass containers filled with red flowers, a waterfall teal napkin and mini potted succulent favors.
We made teal and red felt flower pillows for the benches along the terrace to invite guests to utilize both the inside and outside spaces. 
Their cake featured a cascade of vibrant red flowers and teal ribbon. Kellie LOVES ice cream so we had an ice cream bar in addition to cake where guests could build their own sundaes.
Kellie & Randy’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
From the bride…
Photography: Katy Cook Photography. We loved Katy, she is a fabulous photographer.
Venue, Catering & Lodging: The Farm at Old Edwards. Old Edwards is a magical place to get married. We had a billion compliments on the food and all of our guests enjoyed taking advantage of the resort and spa.
Wedding Design and Planning: Verge Events. Brittany was spectacular. I am very busy with work and being a mom so she took my very raw ideas and perfected them.
Flowers: Oakleaf Flower & Garden. Our flowers were gorgeous.
Cake: Creative Pastries by Sid // Wedding Dress: Bianca by Ulla Maija
A Destination Wedding in the Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina
From the bride, Amy: We wanted to get married in the mountains and specifically outdoors, so we had to have a destination wedding (because there are no mountains in Florida!). We wanted a rustic-chic type wedding because that matches our style and personalities. I wanted to make the wedding our own. I’m not the most conventional (my ring is a pink emerald, after all!) and I didn’t do anything just because I felt obligated or that it was tradition. Chris and I chose things that are reflections of us. That means we had some quirky aspects — bird cake toppers, a tree print for guests to sign instead of a traditional guest book and for keepsakes we had a Polaroid station and had guests leave us notes on their picture. We tried to make the night a true, personal reflection of ourselves.
I made most of the decorations myself. I’m pretty creative and have eclectic tastes, so I’m always trying to come up with things that “go” but don’t look totally put together. I let each of the bridesmaids find their own dresses for that reason. 
I loved the wands we made for the flower girls instead of the traditional flowers in a basket. 
I wanted to take a spin on the photobooth trend and so instead we got a Polaroid camera to create a “snap station.” We hung up a decorative bird cage with mini clothespins and asked people to leave us a note on their Polaroid and then pin it. I made a “LOVE” banner that was used as a backdrop on the barn at the “snap station.” It makes for a perfect decoration at our house with lots of keepsakes! 
My advice: Keep your wedding personal. Think about what you really want on your dream day — and not just because you feel obligated — and try to accomplish that. Make the wedding a reflection of who you are and what you love, even when it comes down to the food choices! Don’t get so caught up with the hype and details that you lose focus that the day is really about a guy and a girl who are celebrating love, life and a new journey they are about to take together!
Amy’s RECOMMENDED VENDORS
Venue & Lodgings: The Mast Farm Inn. Mast Farm was the perfect venue. The gardens are gorgeous and the barn and Inn are amazing features of the property. Not only was it a great wedding venue but our guests loved staying there and I am so happy they enjoyed themselves too!
Photographer: Revival Photography // Florist: Pearl’s Garden // DJ: Dail Holderness // Bird Cake Toppers: Blossom Hill on Etsy