Molly + Greg tied the knot last year over Labor Day Weekend on September 2, 2016 at Wrightsville Manor! Upon our first meeting with Molly + Greg, we were excited to see that they were such a laid back and easy going couple that just wanted to have a fun night with their friends and family! All plans were in place for an outdoor ceremony at the big oak tree at Wrightsville Manor until a tropical storm decided to come rolling through. No worries though - we had a plan B, C and D! We ended up having a reception-style ceremony inside the venue in front of the fireplace. Although it wasn't originally what Molly + Greg planned, it was beautiful and worked really well! 

Guests were dropped off at the front French doors and when they entered, they were in awe at the beautiful ceremony and reception space. The mantel was decorated with an array of pillar candles, greenery woven in between the candles, and even cotton! Some guests sat at tables, others lined the walls and we made sure to still have a few rows of benches and chairs for immediate family to sit right up front. Greg's uncle, Jimmie, was the officiant. He made the ceremony so funny, sweet, and intimate. Molly + Greg were just so happy to say their "I do's" and get the party started!

The color scheme was white, navy, blush and gold. The guest tables were set with navy linens, blush napkins, gold deer antlers, and two cute bud vases with pink flowers in them. Molly had a photo from her bridal portrait framed and on an easel. Their cake table was so beautiful! It was on an antique buffet table with a navy lace runner, a mix of candle votives, and all of the bridesmaid bouquets. Kaly's Kitchen made a three-tier cake with an "E" cake topper on top! After the bridal party and family took photos, the bridal party was introduced! I knew they were perfect couple for us to work with because they chose "Sharp Dressed Man" by ZZ Top and Ridin Dirty Chamillionaire as their introduction song. Following introductions, Molly + Greg went into their first dance, "That's What She Get's For Loving Me" by Brooks and Dunn. Then, they shared parent dances.

Middle of the Island catered the dinner with their infamous Southern Buffet. Guests took turns going through the buffet while others grabbed drinks from the bar and danced to tunes played by DJ Climactic. After dinner, the maid of honor, Caroline, and Greg's dad, "Big Gregory", gave toasts. Big Gregory's toast had everyone laughing so hard ... they were crying! After, Molly + Greg cut the cake and the party began! Everyone had such a great time that they forgot it was even storming outside! Molly + Greg had the most perfect wedding day (tropical storm and all) and we couldn't be more happy for them. Molly + Greg and their families (especially Mama Karan) were not only our clients, but they became great friends too!  

​CHEERS to a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness! We love you both so much and hope you have a great anniversary weekend coming up! 
​

Our Favorite Wedding Moment:
Big Gregory's toast had everyone crying from laughing so hard. Molly + Greg have known each other for years (thanks to their parents introducing them) and you could tell that everyone in the room just knew they were perfect for each other. Big Gregory was able to tell funny memories of the both of them that everyone could enjoy!
​
​

Vendors
Venue: Wrightsville Manor
Music: DJ Climactic
Caterer: Middle of the Island
Photography: Treasured Moments
Bridal Party Flowers: Fiore Fine Flowers
Reception Flowers: DIY
Cake: Kaly's Kitchen
Officiant: Jimmie Suggs
Hair + Makeup: Bangz
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​140

One year ago this week, Kate + Alex got married at Brooklyn Arts Center on Saturday, August 27, 2016. The love and energy in the air was incredible. Kate + Alex have been together for years and their big day was nothing short of perfection. Kate spent the morning getting pampered with her best friends in the Brooklyn Arts Center Bridal Manse. Once Kate's final touches were done and she put on her beautiful white dress, it was time for the first look with Dana Laymon Photography! Their first look in the courtyard was so personal and special. Their ceremony was inside the church facing large window alcoves. They had a homemade wooden cross decorated with greenery at the altar. The aisle was lined with beautiful floral arrangements that we later used as reception centerpieces. There were hundreds of gold candlestick holders and gold wine bottles with candlesticks, gorgeous bud vases, and candle votives lining the wall and the stage. Shirley Lebo played the violin as guests walked in. They had a family friend as the officiant, which made the ceremony so intimate. 

Following the ceremony, guests went to the courtyard for cocktail hour. While guests were being wined and dined, we flipped the entire ceremony space for the reception! The piano became the memorial table with photos of loved ones and an array of candles. There were a mix of long rectangular tables and round tables for guests. The tables were set with white linens, gold chargers, gold wine bottles with white candlesticks, and white hydrangea centerpieces. When guests came in, they were blown away by the transformation. Jay with Active DJ introduced Kate + Alex for the first time as husband and wife! They went straight into their first dance, which made the whole room tear up. The passion and energy in the room continued throughout the whole night.

After the first dances, it was time to eat! Middle of the Island provided a delicious buffet for everyone to enjoy. Once everyone had indulged in the buffet, Mike and Daisy gave toasts! The toasts were sweet, sentimental, and so funny. Christy Chadwick made a delicious three-tier cake that Kate + Alex got to cut and then share with their guests. Once guests got to taste Kate + Alex's sweet treat, open dancing was kicked off. Everyone laughed, danced, took advantage of the photo booth and had a wonderful night!

Congrats Kate + Alex!! We wish you a lifetime of happiness! Glad you two had an amazing anniversary yesterday and we can't wait for many more!
​

Favorite Wedding Moment:
My connection with Kate was instant! Her smile, laugh and personality had me wanting to work with her from the moment we met. Kate and I hit it off with our similar music tastes and she was a joy to work with throughout the entire planning process. On the wedding day, Kate wasn't running around being a bridezilla. She was relaxed (even getting an on-site massage) and made everyone around her excited to see her in her stunning dress. Clients like Kate make me really appreciate my job because they make it easy while still fun. If I can pick one favorite moment, it would be watching her smile and laugh with Alex during their toasts. I especially loved hearing about Alex's journey to get the women of his dreams as they worked in a restaurant together when they first started dating. They were so in tuned with one another and you can tell that everyone there loved and supported them. 
​
​

Vendors
Venue: Brooklyn Arts Center
Ceremony Music: Shirley Lebo
Reception Music: Active DJ
Caterer: Middle of the Island
Photography: Dana Laymon
Videography: ME Videography
Rentals: L&L Rentals
Flowers: DIY
Cake: Christy Chadwick Cakes
Officiant: Jason Mitchell
Photo Booth: Sweet Cherish Photo Booth
Hair: Jamie Warzel
Makeup: Amy Kennison
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 210

Claire + Bryan tied the knot on Saturday, August 20, 2016 in Holden Beach. Their sweet and intimate ceremony took place on the beach. The family owns a beach house down the road, where they held the reception. Claire + Bryan were surrounded by 50 of their closest friends and family members. The close gathering made for a laid back, fun, and lovely day.  Holden Beach is a great place to host a beach wedding because it's a bit less popular than Wilmington area beaches and no permit is involved for a beach wedding!

Claire's family spent the morning putting together flower arrangements, listening to music, and reminiscing on memories. We arrived to their beach house at 2:00pm and were so delighted to meet their families. They were so welcoming and extremely helpful. Upon meeting the family, we headed to the beach to set up the ceremony. We decorated the arbor and beach boardwalk with lush floral arrangements and signs directing guests out to the beach. The arbor had white fabric draping that blew in the wind so perfectly creating an enchanted feeling in the air. There was a basket of flip flops on the boardwalk for those who needed to kick off their shoes and slip on something comfortable. Classical Carolina Artists played the cello and the violin for the prelude, precessional, and recessional music. Their ceremony was simple and sweet and we wouldn't expect anything else from this beautiful couple.
 
After the ceremony, guests were directed to the beach house for the reception. There were cocktail tables set up for food and beverages along with a nice cheese and fruit display for folks to much on during docktail hour. In the backyard of the house, there was a white tent with seating for all of the guests at round tables. The tables were adorned with a floral arrangement of blue hydrangeas and four votive candles with pearls strung around them. There were cute little signs sprinkled around the carport.  They chose to do drop off catering packages from Provision Company and Carrabba's of Wilmington so we provided serving staff. The food was absolutely delicious and there were a lot of leftovers for the rest of their vacation!

Once everyone finished eating, we transformed the "buffet" table into a champagne and coffee bar. The champagne was poured and the coffee was hot, which meant it was time for cake! One Belle Bakery made five beautiful cakes on individual cake stands. The night ended with all of the kids running around on a bit of a sugar high, sweet music playing outside, and the trail of laughs going on all night.

Today is also Claire + Bryan's one year anniversary so Happy Anniversary you two!!

Our Favorite Wedding Moment: 
​Seeing all of their family and friends so happy and in a state of euphoria celebrating their love and happiness together at a beach house that already has so many memories! 

Vendors
Wedding Location: Holden Beach, NC
Ceremony Music: Classical Carolina Artists
Caterer: Provision Company and Carrabba's 
Photography: Eric Von Bargen
Rentals: L&L Rentals
Flowers: DIY
Cake: One Belle Bakery
Officiant: LeeAnn Politis
Staffing + Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​50