On Saturday, October 17, 2015, Amber + Robert said "I Do" at The RiverRoom on the deck overlooking the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, NC. A friend of the couple officated the ceremony and the bride and groom had three attendants each. Before the ceremony, Amber + Rob met at the historic courthouse steps on Water Street for a "first look" with their photographer, Ellen LeRoy. Following this, the couple walked hand-in-hand to The RiverRoom to await the time for their ceremony to start.

The deck was beautifully decorated with two large flower arrangements on white pillars from Fiore Fine Flowers. Fiore also designed the flower bouquets and boutonnieres but only supplied the flowers for the reception centerpieces. The mother of the bride was multi-talented and put together the centerpieces, along with designed the table number signs, sunflower painting party favors, and bridesmaids' necklaces.

After the reception, guests cooled off inside with refreshing drinks at the chalkboard bar (designed by Brooke with Southern Bee Designs) and appetizers from Middle of the Island Catering.  Once all of the guests stuffed their faces and their bellies, it was time to dance. My Wedding DJ provided DJ and MC services and had no problem keeping the dance floor full all night. We did the usual bouquet toss, followed by the garter toss. What happened next was not expected but a highlight of the evening. The woman who caught the bouquet and the man who caught the garter now had to reapply the garter onto the woman's thigh. For every inch above the knee, the couple received five years of good luck. Let's just say they have lots of good luck in their marriage now! We ended the night with a sparkler send off! It was great being at The RiverRoom again and working with this sweet couple! Congratulations Amber + Rob!
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
Although I wasn't there at this exact moment of their wedding day, my favorite moment would be their "first look". I'm obsessed with how adorable and genuinely happy this couple was as they saw each other for the first time on the wedding day before the ceremony. I'm super into the idea of couples doing a "first look", which is when a couple chooses to have that intimate reveal moment with just the photographer there where the bride usually walks up to a blindfolded groom as that first moment of "it's really happening" has begun. 

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Vendors
Venue: The RiverRoom
Music: My Wedding DJ
Caterer: Middle of the Island
Photography: Ellen LeRoy Photography
Lighting: EZ AV
Rentals: L & L etc party rentals
Flowers: Fiore Fine Flowers
Cake + Cupcakes: Pink Baking Co.
Officiant: Mark Hudson
Hair + Makeup: Rachel Capone of Blush Salon
Chalkboard Design: Southern Bee Design
​Accommodations: Hilton Riverside & Riverview Suites
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​70

Kristen + Adam wed on Friday, October 16, 2015 at The RiverRoom in downtown Wilmington, NC. The ceremony took place on the riverfront deck where about 60 of their closest friends and family anxiously awaited the big moment. As guests approached the deck, they were greeted by the Knot Too Shabby Events team and a  sign that read “Choose a seat - not a side, we’re all family once the knot is tied". I'm sure most of you have heard that popular phrase by now but I still think it's a cute way to welcome your guests. The chairs were set in a semi-circle with the bride and groom to wed in the middle, which made it much more personable and allowed each guest to have a close view of the special moment.

​After the ceremony, guests moved inside to enjoy cocktail hour, which offered a delicious cheese and fruit display from Middle of the Island. One perk of The RiverRoom is that you can bring in your own caterer and bar. They also have a super cute chalkboard bar that was flawlessly designed by Brooke with Southern Bee Designs. My Wedding DJ then introduced the bridal party and announced Kristen + Adam’s first dance as a married couple to "Give It All (To You)" by Haley and Michaels. 

The reception was bright and fun with a color scheme of royal blue, bright yellow, gold and white. We chose to keep an open floor plan without assigned seating so folks could mix and mingle as they pleased. Each table had a white linen, royal blue chevron runner, lemon yellow napkins, and a beautiful floral centerpiece by Bella Florals. The bridal party gave heart felt toasts and invited guests to enjoy a southern buffet style dinner provided by Middle of the Island. After dinner is when the real fun began, from cutting the beautiful cake by Creative Cake Design with Tammy Hodge, a bouquet and garter toss, to a full on dance party.

As the reception came to a close, guests were able to leave with a unique party favor, a stemless wine glasses filled with blue and yellow gum balls. This couple was not afraid of color or fun and we were so happy to be a part of their special night. Congratulations Kristin + Adam, we wish you a lifetime of happiness!
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Favorite Wedding Moment: 
Adam + Kristen chose to recognize Adam's daughter during the wedding ceremony by doing a sand ceremony with three different colors of sand - blue, yellow and white. Each of them slowly poured their designated sand color into one vase. The officiant, Skip Corbett, spoke about the symbolism of what this sand represented. Two families were now becoming one and it was a beautiful moment.  

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Vendors
Venue: The RiverRoom
Music: My Wedding DJ
Caterer: Middle Of The Island
Photography: Chris Brehmer Photography
Lighting:  EZ AV
Rentals: ETC Party Rentals
Flowers: Bella Florals
Cake:  Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge
Hair + Makeup: Salon Beyond Basics
Chalkboard Design: Southern Bee Designs
Transportation: VIP Limo
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​62

On October 10, 2015, Kelci + Tre tied the knot at The RiverRoom. Kelci took on the day in comfort and style in her adorable charcoal gray vans. The ladies started the day off getting their hair done by Elizabeth with Blush Boutique  at the Hilton Riverside in downtown Wilmington, NC.  After getting ready, the couple exchanged notes and then shared their first look with photographer Michael Escobar of  Matt McGraw on the riverwalk. 

The couple headed to The RiverRoom for their ceremony officiated by Skip Corbett of A Beach Wedding Minister. The 5:00pm ceremony was full of many laughs and tears making it one to remember. Due to unexpected rain showers, Knot Too Shabby Events executed the wedding day "rain plan" and moved the ceremony from the deck to inside of The RiverRoom moments before the start time. The couple wed under a beautiful grapevine arbor made by Julia's Florist overlooking the river. White benches from ETC Party Rentals were set up in rows of two for immediate family family. Others sat around the nearby tables and watched as Kelci + Tre confirmed their love for one another. Everyone was then invited by David with My Wedding DJ to get a drink and enjoy cocktail hour.

The tables had white linens and gray runners. The cocktail tables also had white linens with gray sashes. Each table had a purple floral centerpiece with grapevine wrapped inside the vase and three mason jar candles (handmade by the bride). We decorated a simple yet rustic sweetheart table for the newlyweds to share their first meal as husband and wife together. Once everyone had a drink in their hand and some appetizers in their stomachs, David introduced the couple for the first time as Mr. + Mrs. Hunter. 

The couple made their way to the dance floor for their first dance to "Watch the Wind Blow" by Tim McGraw. Kelci and her dad shared their father daughter dance then Tre and his mother shared their mother son dance. Kelci's father gave an amazing welcoming speech and introduced Tre's grandfather to share a blessing with their guests. A delicious buffet dinner was then served by Middle of the Island Catering. 

After dinner, they had a cake cutting leading up to the good luck dance. For every couple that hit the dance floor, Kelci + Tre were given five years of good luck. After the couple shared their dance with friends and family, the dance floor opened up for open dancing. We love doing this easy transition from dinner to open dancing. Later in the evening, there was a bouquet and garter toss, finished with a sparkler send off. We had such a blast getting to work with this couple! Thank you for choosing Knot Too Shabby Events! 
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Kelci's WeddingWire Review:
"Melissa is the best! Instead of making me choose rather or not to have the ceremony inside the morning of, she waited till an hour before and moved everything inside!"
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
Watching Kelci enter the venue on her wedding day when she dreamed of an outdoor wedding ceremony overlooking the Cape Fear River but had to have the ceremony indoors instead because of weather. The ceremony still took place overlooking the River but all of us were dry. Kelci could have cried or had that mini freak out moment but she didn't. Kelci was relaxed and calm and didn't even skip a beat for a second. Kelci is a dream bride for not stressing over something she had no control over. I loved her attitude with having to take action to the rain plan. She trusted me and knew I'd do my best to make her day perfect. Kelci loved how everything look, regardless of whether or not it was what she expected. You definitely can't call this chick a "brideszilla."

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Vendors
​Venue: The RiverRoom
Music: My Wedding DJ
Caterer: Middle of The Island
Photography: Michael Escobar of Matt McGraw Photography
Lighting: The Audio Visual People
Rentals: ETC Party Rentals
Flowers: Julia's Florist
Cake: Coastal Cupcakes
Officiant: Skip Corbett
Hair: Elizabeth Peterson
Makeup: Jennifer Halpern
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 107