Happy Valentine's Love Birds!

In honor of this love holiday (although you should love hard all the time), we've got the last wedding of 2016 to share with you -- FINALLY! We spent the day with an amazing couple, Amy + Jay, at Wrightsville Manor on November 20, 2016! Amy spent the morning getting ready with her mother and bffs in the bridal suite at Wrightsville Manor. Amy + Jay were bursting with excitement all day. She had that true bridal glow! They chose not to do a first look so the excitement was intensified as it drew closer to the ceremony. The couple tied the knot in front of the romantic fireplace with three large floral arrangements and an array of candles atop the mantle. The aisles were lined with rose petals, gold lanterns and gorgeous candles. The ceremony was set with mahogany chiavari chairs, included by the venue, in a semi circle formation. We love this type of seating because it offers an unique and intimate view from each seat. During the ceremony, Amy gave Jay's daughter a precious gift. It was such a sweet moment of welcoming her into their new family and the whole room smiled.

Following the ceremony, guests went outside for cocktail hour. There was a bar on the patio with cocktail tables placed around for guests to mingle. While guests were being wined and dined, we flipped the inside and set up the reception. Out came tables, linens, centerpieces and place settings. It's amazing what can happen in one room in one hour with a team of great vendors! Middle of the Island set up a gorgeous cheese and fruit display. The lounge furniture was set for guests to sit and relax. We set the picture frame seating chart outside during cocktail hour so guests could find their seats before going back inside to the reception. (This reduces the time it takes to get guests seated after cocktail hour.) 

After cocktail hour, we gave Amy + Jay a sneak peek at the reception space! They were in awe at how gorgeous everything came together. The tables were set with blush linens, lanterns, mercury vase centerpieces and a pretty place setting. Once they viewed the room, we invited everyone else inside for introductions. They were introduced as husband and wife before going into their first dance. Amy's brother-in-law then gave a welcome and shared a blessing. Next, Middle of the Island opened up the buffet and it was time to chow! Toasts were given by members of their bridal party during dinner, followed by Amy + Jay giving a toast to their guests to thank them for coming. They cut their delicious three-tier cake from Savory Layers Cake before it was time to do some dancing. Amy shared a dance with her stepdad and Jay shared a dance with his daughter. This was another sweet and heartfelt moment to be a part of! This Then, they kicked off open dancing and everyone boogied down, excited for the newlyweds!

Congratulations to Amy + Jay. We wish your family so much love and happiness and we're so excited for the new addition! :)
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
During the ceremony, Amy + Jay asked Jay's daughter to join them at the altar and receive a special gift to remind her that she will always be daddy's little girl and now she's Amy's little girl too. #tearshed
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Vendors
Venue: ​Wrightsville Manor
Music: Atlantic Premier Entertainment
Caterer: Middle of the Island
Photography: Distinctive Images 
Rentals: L&L
Mantle Flowers: A Friend's Flowers
Bridal Party Flowers + Centerpieces: DIY
Cake: Savory Layers Cakery
Officiant: Jared Coe - Port City Community Church
Hair: Laura Smith
Makeup: Tyler Kent Salon
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​130

Rachel + Neal tied the knot overlooking the Cape Fear River downtown at the Coastline Convention Center on November 12, 2016. The sun was nearly set and the mood was just right. The couple was surrounded by their closest friends and family in their hometown of Wilmington. What more could we ask for?! They wed under a gorgeous four-post white arbor with a chandelier hanging in the middle from Martha My Dear Rentals. One of our favorite "looks" for ceremonies is mixing chairs and benches! Rachel is great friends with Martha of Martha My Dear Rentals. Martha was kind enough to gift her with any and all of their specialty rentals, including the white-washed chairs and wooden benches! We placed little lanterns with flowers at every other row. Bubbles were placed on each seat for guests to blow as the bride and groom exited the ceremony.

But let's back up a little - Rachel + Neal did a first look before the ceremony, which y'all know we love. They were able to enjoy some moments of privacy on their wedding day before all of the shenanigans began. After the first look, they took all of their bridal party photos. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour outside on the river view terrace, where we had a cute bar cart set up, along with some cocktail tables! Thyme Savor passed yummy appetizers, including grilled cheese and tomato basil soup shooters! Guests lounged on some couches with fluffy pillows and much enjoyed cigars along the river walk. Cocktail hour wouldn't be complete without corn hole too!

The reception was absolutely gorgeous inside. The tables were set with navy linens, mint napkins, a lanterns on top of a wooden slab surrounded by greenery, mercury vases with tea light candles, DIY table numbers and a cute frame with their hashtags. The escort card table was so cute too! They had keys for everyone (that doubled as bottle openers) with a little piece of paper attached with their name and table number. Once everyone found their seats, Rachel + Neal were introduced as husband and wife! They went into their first dance, followed by the parent dances. Thyme Savor provided a delicious buffet for guests to fill their tummies. Not only did Rachel + Neal have a delicious cake from Creative Cake Designs by Tammy Hodge, but they also had a dessert bar from One Belle Bakery that did not last long! Key lime tarts, raspberry tarts, mini cupcakes and apple pops were the hot commodities of the evening. If the yummy treats weren't enough, AM Coffee Distributor made espressos, cappuccinos, and other coffee creations to keep the guests dancing all night. We danced and danced until it was time for their send off. They rode off in style with Port City Bike Taxi!

Congrats Rachel + Neal. We hope that every day is filled with love and laughter! See you soon at one of our sunday funday adventures downtown! XOXO

Favorite Wedding Moment: 
This favorite moment is a bit nontraditional but we're still laughing out loud, even a year later. There was a bar mitzvah taking place on their wedding day on the other side of the venue with about 300 guests and 100 kids running around unsupervised. It was only a matter of time before one of the kids pulled the fire alarm. So outside we went for about 30 minutes while the fire department came and scoped out the building. The couple could have freaked out and make a big deal about it but all of the guests enjoyed the fresh air, even on a chilly November evening. We made sure to keep the bride and groom's glass full with their favorite craft beer and all was well. This was a test for us and them and everyone passed. Unexpected things happen but it's how you handle them that matters. Rachel + Neal care more about their love and marriage than a silly kid being a kid! 

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Vendors
Venue: Coastline Convention Center
Ceremony + Cocktail Hour Music: Guitarist Joe Morgan
Reception Music: DJ Brian Hood
Caterer: A Thyme Savor 
Photography: indigosilver
Lighting: High Performance
Rentals: Party Suppliers 
Vintage Rentals: Martha My Dear 
Coffee: AM Coffee Distributor
Flowers: A Friend's Flowers
Cake: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge
Dessert Bar: One Belle Bakery
Officiant: Andy Phillips
Hair + Makeup: Jamie Warzel
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​115