Mariah + Ben married at the New Hanover County Courthouse in August 2015 in a surprise elopement with only their closest loved ones. The day was celebrated with a few friends and family members finished with a lunch in downtown Wilmington. They didn't make a huge fuss about the wedding day. It was low-key and casual - just what they wanted. They did, however, want to have a big party for their guests to celebrate the marriage at The Balcony on Dock on September 12, 2015. The newlyweds rejoiced in their marriage with their friends and family while enjoying the live band, Gipsy Danger, and a catered buffet dinner from Yosake.

Knot Too Shabby Events was hired for partial planning coordination to help our friends commemorate their special day. Mariah + Ben both had clear ideas of what they envisioned for the wedding reception. They chose the colors slate blue, cranberry and light pink. The round tables were covered with a slate blue linen, burlap runner, and pink napkins with koozies on top. The wine theme reception was easy to develop, especially since the couple has a lot of wine drinking friends to save bottles for them. Then it was time for Ben to get crafty as he cut off the bottom of the wine bottles to create a romantic wine candle centerpiece.

Dakota Hersey shot the wedding reception for the newlyweds. Mariah + Ben chose to do a first look with Dakota at the whimsical Fragrance Garden at Greenfield Lake. The bridal party and family met them there to get all of the formal photos taken care of before the reception. It was great working with Dakota and we're more than impressed with the images she produced, especially since this was her first wedding to photograph. Check out the blog she wrote about the big day here! 
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Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge went above and beyond for Mariah + Ben's wedding reception. It might help that Mariah works for Tammy but Tammy wanted to surprise Mariah with lots of sweet treats, including an adorable naked cake, cake pops, cookies, chocolate pudding cups, cheesecake, and macaroons from Shuga Shak.  

After stuffed bellies, we danced the night away with Gipsy Danger! Some of our favorite elements from the wedding were the dog treat party favors for all those dog lovers, the specialty coffee bar, custom guestbook drawn by a dear friend from their wedding day, and a fun photo booth from DJ Wilmington. Congratulations Mr. + Mrs. Blevins! We wouldn't have wanted to spend this lovely Saturday in September any other way! 
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
Mariah + Ben were more to me than just clients. They are also friends. Mariah works with Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge and Ben works with Brick Street Cinema so I've known the two personally and professionally for a few years. I was thrilled when they asked me to help plan their special day. The day seemed less stressful and more fun knowing I was making their day wonderful! Our planning meetings usually consisted of wine tastings at Fortunate Glass in Downtown Wilmington. I enjoyed the whole process of planning their wedding. I can't pick just one moment BUT if I must, I'd say it was watching Ben dance his booty off and having a blast with all of their loved ones towards the end of the evening! 
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Vendors
Venue: The Balcony on Dock
Music: Gipsy Danger Band 
Caterer: Yosake
Photography: Dakota Hersey Photography
Lighting: AV People
Rentals: ETC Party Rentals
Photo Booth: DJ Wilmington
Videography: Brick Street Cinema
Flowers: Groom's sister
Cake + Desserts: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge 
Hair  + Makeup: Ulta
Partial Planning Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 90 people

Knot Too Shabby Events is beyond proud to present this unique bohemian styled shoot at the City Club of Wilmington! Our team designed this photo shoot from start to finish, from choosing the perfect location, casting models, designing the theme, making decorative choices and so much more! TJ Dunn was an amazing wardrobe stylist and chose the unique two piece wedding gown from The Wedding Dress Shoppe with a custom head-wrap for our lovely bride! Tyler Kent did the hair and makeup and we are so happy to have her a part of our team. Each model had an effortless and natural look which fit perfectly with our vision. 

We decided to go with a rustic yet vintage-bohemian theme and even handmade our very own romantic lace tambourines. It was the perfect excuse to craft and create a personalized touch for the shoot. Martha My Dear Rentals provided our vintage furniture including the antique couch finished with modern mint pillows. We designed the perfect mantle backdrop with candles to create an intimate set for the ceremony. The farm table was decorated with a white lace runner, mint charger plates, and old-fashioned gold silverware. We finished the table with succulent party favors at each place setting and the beautiful birchwood centerpiece arranged by Eco Chic Blossoms! We also had Brooke Eagle Art create the welcome sign, invitations, and the wooden name plates. One of my favorite parts of this shoot was the rustic birchwood cake from Imaginary Cakes, along with mini cupcakes. 

We are so lucky to have Kailey Faith take such talented photos of the shoot. She made our models feels so comfortable and was a pleasure to work with! We had so much fun creating a look that was modern AND vintage. Who said you can’t have everything?

To top it off, Wedding Chicks just featured our styled shoot on their uber fabulous wedding blog this week! Take a look at their write up here! 
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​Vendors
Coordination + Design: Knot Too Shabby Events
Photography: Kailey Faith Photography
Videography: Brick Street Cinema
Cake + Cupcakes: Imaginary Cakes
Flowers: Eco Chic Blossoms
Calligraphy + Invitations: Brooke Eagle Art
Rentals: ETC Party Rentals
Vintage Rentals: Martha My Dear Rentals
Wardrobe Styling: TJ Dunn Style Consultant
Dresses: The Wedding Dress Shoppe
Suits: Cape Fear Formal Wear
Hair + Makeup: Tyler Kent
Jewelry: Kimberly Goad - Accessories Stylist for Stella & Dot
Shoot Location: City Club of Wilmington
Models: Brittany Douglas, Kolton Teachey, Leigh Tyndall, Josh Tyndall

Meri + Tyler tied the knot at a gorgeous rental house on North Topsail Beach called Southern Grace. The newly built house was perfectly designed for weddings and special events. The ceremony took place on the beach in front of the house moments before a huge downpour. Following the ceremony, guests rushed back to the house just in time for a little North Carolina afternoon shower. The rain didn't stop the photographer, Erin L Taylor, from getting some awesome outdoor photos of the bride and groom. 

The reception took place under the house where there was a built-in tiki bar and a large area for seating and dancing. Tables, chairs and linens were rented through Shoreline Party Rentals while Surf City Florist designed the bouquets. We reused the bouquets as table centerpieces after the ceremony. Meri provided lanterns and candles to dress the tables. Tables were adorned with white linens, burlap runners with a thin navy print atop the runner. Knot Too Shabby Events was there on the day of to set up the ceremony and reception area, as well as making sure everything ran smoothly for the happy couple. One things we loved about Meri + Tyler was that they didn't let the rain stop them from enjoying this special day.

DJ Wilmington provided music for the reception. The couple began the reception with their first dance to "I Choose You" by Sara Barellis. I LOVE this song! Then, Tyler danced with his mom to "Mama's Song" by Carrie Underwood, followed by a tearjerker when Meri danced with her mom to "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler. Meri's sister joined them towards the end of the song and it was beautiful to see how loving and close-knit this family is.  Quite a bit of dancing and karaoke took place after. The party continued until the local law enforcement told us we were "too loud". Although the music had to stop, all of the guests moved the party upstairs in this lovely home to finish out the night. By that time, Knot Too Shabby Events cleaned up and headed back to Wilmington. We had such a great time working with this couple! Congratulations Meri + Tyler! Don't be a stranger to our NC beaches!
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
Listening to the toasts to Meri + Tyler. The couple wanted an intimate wedding and only their closest friends and family were invited. To hear the maid of honor and best man give a toast and talk about how special these two people were to them made me really happy and blessed to work with such amazing people.  The toasters did a great job and I don't think there was a dry eye in the room! 

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Vendors
Venue: Southern Grace Topsail Beach House
Music: DJ Wilmington
Caterer: Beach Shop & Grill 
Photography: Erin L Taylor
Rentals: Shoreline Party Rentals 
Flowers: Surf City Florists
Cupcakes: Bridal Party
Officiant: ​Angela Kelley
Hair/Makeup: Tyler Kent
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 40