One of the first venues we ever worked in Wilmington was Saint Thomas Preservation Hall so we've always had a special kinda love for this historic event space. Emily + Matt tied the knot on Friday, January 6, 2017 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with their reception at Saint Thomas. We were hired for full service planning and design, spending countless hours planning all of the details of their big day. We were almost as excited as Emily and Matt that the day was finally here. The girls spent the morning getting ready at Hotel Riverwalk, while the guys primped at the Courtyard Marriott. Once everyone was dressed and looking fabulous, Emily + Matt did a first look at the City Club of Wilmington. We've said it before and we'll say it again- we love first looks. It gives you so much more time to spend with your soon-to-be spouse and allows you to be part of cocktail hour, if you so choose. After the first look and photos with the bridal party, they went to St. Mary's for the ceremony. A trolley was arranged to take them there in style.

Since the ceremony was right after the holidays, the church was decorated with Christmas trees, poinsettias and festive wreaths. Design Perfection created pew markers with white hydrangeas and mixed greenery. Sara Bryant played the harp as guests walked in. Emily + Matt were surrounded by 160 of their closest friends and family members as they said "I Do" with the notorious Father Bob.

Once the ceremony was over, everyone was directed to Saint Thomas Preservation Hall for the reception. They were wined and dined by A Thyme Savor with an open bar, passed chicken and waffles (one of my favs), pulled pork martinis and tomato soup dippers with pimento grilled cheese. The Winter wedding color scheme was white, navy, dusty blue and silver. The guests tables were set with white linens, navy napkins, s'mores favor boxes, an array of candles and completed with white flower centerpieces with hydrangeas, stock and tulips. The bridal party tables had the same design but we reused the bridesmaids bouquets! The sweetheart table had a sparkly silver linen that was absolutely gorgeous! There were cocktail tables around the dance floor with dusty blue linens for guests to set their drinks on when dancing.

Emily + Matt got introduced as Mr. + Mrs. Stone, along with their bridal party by DJ Eric of Atlantic Premier Entertainment. After, Emily's parents gave a welcome and invited everyone to go through the dinner stations! Following dinner, Emily + Matt kicked off dancing with their first dance to "Marry Me". They danced among the candle light and had an incredible end to their night with sparklers!

CONGRATS Emily + Matt! We hope you have had an incredible first year of marriage! We look forward to hearing about many more! 

Click on images below to enlarge. 

Barefoot Films

Favorite Wedding Moment: 
The party favors - s'mores kits! We've seen a lot of different types of party favors, often left to be disposed at the end of the night. But not these s'more kits. Not only were they delicious - but they were adorable at each place setting!

Vendors
First Look Location: City Club of Wilmington
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary's Catholic Church
Reception Venue: Saint Thomas Preservation Hall 
Ceremony Music: Pianist Sara Bryant
Reception Music: Atlantic Premier Entertainment
Caterer: Thyme Savor Catering
Photography: Morgan Caddell
Videography: Barefoot Films 
Lighting: Wilmington Uplighting 
Rentals: L&L Party Rentals
Flowers: Design Perfection
Cake: Imaginary Cakes 
Officiant: Father Bob 
Hair: Mercy's Hair Design
Makeup: Natawsha
Full Service Planning + Design: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 160

Dana + Dave got married at the historic Brooklyn Arts Center located in downtown Wilmington on Saturday, January 6, 2017. We worked closely with Dana + Dave for over a year to make sure that all of their details came together perfectly with our full service planning and design package. We instantly bonded over our love for music, food and festivals. So, we did a music festival themed wedding - #schroederwedfest! From a live band to a Rolling Stones photo booth, we thought of it all! 

The Midatlantic Band played as guests arrived to the ceremony. Their sweet sounds of bluegrass and folky Americana was exactly what we were looking for! Dana made lace tambourines to place on each seat for guests to later shake as the bride and groom exited the ceremony. An array of candles lined the aisle and the altar. Have we said we LOVE candles before and lots of them? We used the reception flower centerpieces, designed by Eco Chic Blossoms, at every other chair down the aisle. We used them on each guest table for the reception so this was a great way to save costs. Design Perfection draped the center window to create the perfect place to tie the knot inside Brooklyn Arts Center. Everything was set up and it was time for the "I Dos". When Dave saw Dana walk in (to "January Wedding" by The Avett Brothers, of course), he immediately got teary eyed. A picture is worth a thousand words of this tender moment! The love in the room was incomparable. 

After the ceremony, guests were invited to cocktail hour in The Annex. While guests were wined and dined by Middle of the Island, we were busy flipping the ceremony space into the reception. The tables were set with burgundy linens, gorgeous mercury vase floral centerpieces, scattered music sheets and candles. The bridal party sat on the stage with big balloons strategically placed behind them. We tied Mr. & Mrs. balloons behind Dana + Dave's chairs. The room was not only beautiful but so were the people who filled the space. After dinner, Active DJ hit the party lights and we danced the night away. We had such a wonderful time enjoying this winter wedding with some of our favorite tunes and one of our favorite couples. Congratulations Dana + Dave! We loved getting to work with you and look forward to our forever friendship!
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Favorite Wedding Moment: 
People who know me well know I love The Avett Brothers and John Mayer. So, I was extremely excited when Dana + Dave told me that they were going to have their guests sing "Swept Away" by The Avett Brothers with their wedding band after they exchanged their vows during the ceremony. The programs had the lyrics of the song on the back and everyone in the room sang one of our favorite songs. It made me so happy and made me love this couple even more!

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Vendors
Venue: Brooklyn Arts Center
Ceremony Music: The Midatlantic Band
Reception Music: Active DJ Entertainment
Caterer: Middle of the Island
Photography: Erin L. Taylor Photography
Videographer: MOD Wedding Films
Lighting: Wilmington Uplighting
Rentals: L&L Tent & Party Rentals
Flowers: Eco Chic Blossoms
Cake: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge
Officiant: Skip Corbett of A Beach Wedding Minister
Photo Booth Rental: Soapbox Photo Booth
Hair + Makeup: Tyler Kent Salon
Transportation: Port City Bike Taxi
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​​125

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