Jennifer + Kyle knew Poplar Grove Plantation was the perfect wedding venue for them the moment they saw it. The historic charm and rustic elegance was everything they were looking for in destination wedding location. They tied the knot on Saturday, October 15, 2016 facing the gazebo in the gorgeous yard of the plantation house. It was absolutely stunning. We had amazing Fall weather with the sun shining bright,  the birds were chirping and love was in the air! 

Susan Savia played music as guests arrived to the ceremony. The KTSE team greeted guests, handed out programs, and kept the wedding party entertained and in line. Their ceremony was so sweet and simple. Jennifer's brother, Michael, officiated the wedding, which made it much more personal. Their rustic-chic vibe was displayed throughout their entire wedding. From the wooden doors at the ceremony to the barn reception, everything was perfect! The venue doesn't call for a lot of decorations to make a beautiful wedding. There were already lights strung on most of the trees and surrounding buildings and this became even more beautiful as the day turned to night. 

After the ceremony, guests went to cocktail hour in the lawn. We set up cocktail tables with white linens, some with orange sashes, others with navy to fit the Fall theme.  Under the tent, there were some small round tables with navy linens for guests to sit around and chat while listening to Susan's beautiful music. Once the wedding party and family finished photos, guests were invited inside the barn for the dinner portion of the reception. The tables were set with navy linens, full place settings, beautiful arrangements with sunflowers, red gerber daisies and white hydrangeas, designed by Surf City Florist.

For dinner, guests enjoyed Middle of the Island's southern buffet, followed by dessert. Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge made lots of mini pies and a cake topper for the couple to cut. Following dessert, everyone went outside for dancing under the tent! Atlantic Premier Entertainment kicked off dancing with the first dance and parent dances. Then, DJ John went into the "good luck dance" and got everyone on the dance floor! They had an epic dance party under the tent drinking beer from Lighthouse Beer & Wine and a delicious specialty cocktail made by the bride and groom. Cheers & congratulations! We hope your 1st year of marriage was incredible! 
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
​The bride's father had been very sick leading up to the wedding day and it was very important to Jennifer to have her father walk her down the aisle. Having recently lost my own father, I know how special these moments are and it made me so happy to see him there on the wedding day and able to walk his baby girl down the aisle. There's nothing like a father-daughter bond and this was very evident at the wedding! 

Vendors
Venue: Poplar Grove Plantation 
Ceremony Music: Susan Savia
Reception Music: Atlantic Premier Entertainment 
Caterer: Middle of the Island
Photography: Leslie Koehn of Eric Boneske
Lighting + Rentals: L&L Tent and Event Rentals
Flowers: Surf City Florist
Cake: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge
Officiant: Jennifer's brother Michael
Hair + Makeup: Harbour Club Day Spa & Salon
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 11o

Kristin + Josh got married at River Landing in Wallace, North Carolina on Saturday, October 1, 2016. Their ceremony was outside on the veranda and the reception followed in the grand ballroom inside the clubhouse. Their wedding was simple, timeless, and elegant. 

The veranda was set with gold chiavari chairs, a white arbor with flowers and flowers lining the aisle. KW Music played prelude music both inside and outside as guests arrived. Guests walked up a grand staircase to the upstairs lobby where their welcome table, gift and guestbook table, and DIY photobooth were set. Guests were directed through the ballroom to the veranda for the ceremony. River Landing had large air walls to hide the reception until later. Once guests found their seats, the processional began. Everyone gasped at Kristin's pure beauty. She shined so bright on her wedding day. Her ecstatic aura filled the air! During the cocktail hour, we worked quickly to make sure everything for the reception was set in place inside the ballroom. The bridal party and family took pictures on the veranda and the golf course below. 

The reception was set with 5 foot round tables, ivory linens with pink overlays and gold chiavari chairs. Designs by Cornerstone provided the beautiful centerpieces that adorned each table, complimented by candle votives, ivory napkins, thank you cards on each napkin, and a full place setting. Their sweetheart table was set in the middle of the room with a gold sequin linen. In the lobby, there was a table with photobooth props, a polaroid, and a guestbook with colorful gel pens for all of the guests to tape their pictures in the book and sign. Once pictures were done, guests were invited into the ballroom.

​Kristin + Josh were introduced as husband and wife and went into their first dance "Give Into Me" by Garrett Hedlund. Following the first dance, Kristin shared a dance with her dad and Josh shared a dance with his mother. Kristin's grandfather Popee gave the blessing and the buffet was open! Kristin was so excited to get some of the delicious pizza! After dinner, a few sentimental toasts were shared. Kristin + Josh then cut their delicious cake! The dance floor was open and guests of all ages boogied down together. They had a sparkler send off to end the night! 

CONGRATS KRISTIN + JOSH! We wish you many happy days to come! :) 

Favorite Wedding Moment:
Seeing Kristin as she was getting ready with her girls. I love it when we're there setting up all day and the bride is right next door. Kristin couldn't help but take a sneak peek while we were halfway through set up and I love knowing the bride loves it as much as you do before the set up is complete! Venues with on-site bridal suites rock!

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Vendors
Venue: River Landing Clubhouse
Music: KW Music - Keith Waller
Caterer: Mad Boar
Photography: Chelsea Collins Photography
Rentals + Flowers: Cornerstone
Cake: Cake Construction Company
Officiant: Donna Brown
Hair + Makeup: Courtney and Comb
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: 140

Lindsey + Jonathan got married one year ago TODAY on Saturday, September 24, 2016. Their ceremony was at the Inlet Watch Yacht Club near Carolina Beach on their family friend's boat! The boat was a real beauty but not as beautiful as our stunning bride! The reception followed at Bluewater Waterfront Grill on Wrightsville Beach. Lindsey + Jonathan have a love for the ocean and fishing and their day truly captures that love.

There were 100 chairs set up for guest seating in the lawn in front of the boat slip at the marina.  As guests arrived, they would grab a bottle of water in a wheelbarrow and grab a program from a large conch shell. A white runner guided guests down to the chairs with another white runner leading the bridal party to the boat. Lindsey walked down the aisle with her father to the song "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", played by their guitarist, Forrest Tabor. Since Lindsey + Jonathan have a love for the nautical lifestyle, they incorporated a knot tying ritual into the ceremony. 

Following the ceremony, guests headed to Bluewater for cocktail hour. The bridal party took photos and rode the boat to Bluewater for the reception! This was such a cool way to travel and enter into the reception. The photos from this trip were perfect too, thanks to Chris Lang Photography! The guest tables were set with white linens, navy and white runners, navy napkins with a koozie, floating key chain and gold chargers. There were knot table numbers and each table either had a large gold lantern with a few bud vases or a clear glass centerpiece with giant palms and birds of paradise leaves. When the bridal party and family were done with photos, Active DJ introduced Lindsey + Jonathan as husband and wife for the first time! Lindsey's parents then gave the welcome and it was time to eat! Bluewater catered a delicious buffet dinner and the maid of honor and best man gave toasts! After toasts, it was time for the cake cutting. They had a beautiful three-tier cake & cupcakes from One Belle Bakery. The bottom tier was navy and white striped, the middle tier had white ruffles and the top tier was white with a gold stripe at the bottom. The cake topper was two blue swordfish kissing! This made for the perfect fisherman's dream! The cake cutting led into the first dance and parent dances. After this, the dance floor was open to everyone and didn't clear all night!! 

CONGRATS Lindsey + Jonathan!! Happy Anniversary!! We are so glad you found your perfect fish from the sea!
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Favorite Wedding Moment: 

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Vendors
Ceremony Venue: Inlet Watch Yacht Club
Reception Venue: Bluewater Waterfront Grill
Ceremony Music: Forrest Tabor
Reception Music: Active DJ
Caterer: Bluewater Restaurant
Photography: Chris Lang
Rentals: L&L Tent Rentals
Flowers: Fiore Fine Flowers
Cake: One Belle Bakery
Officiant: Donna Brown 
Hair + Makeup: Seagrass Salon
Transportation: Platinum Limo and Event Shuttle Service 
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​125

Katie + Waylon tied the knot on the gorgeous beach of Emerald Isle, NC almost one year ago today on Saturday, September 24, 2016. The sun was shining, the ocean was crystal blue, and love was in the air. Their reception was held at the Southern Breeze beach house with their closest friends and family members. 

When having a destination wedding, one of the greatest joys is that the family can all be in the same house getting ready. When we arrived that morning, the women were in the living room drinking coffee, sharing laughs and reminiscing on memories. We headed outside and began set up! The ceremony was set with padded white chairs with purple bows tied on the back. There were mason jar flower arrangements hanging on each chair of the aisle. They had a four-post bamboo arbor with white fabric and beautiful flowers from Fiore Fine Flowers cascading on both sides. They chose not to use any ceremony music and to walk down the aisle to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Katie's father, Gary, escorted her down the aisle. They had a simple and sweet ceremony officiated by Rev. Paula Bradley. 

Following the ceremony, guests walked up the boardwalk through the gazebo, to the reception outside the beach house! The reception was so incredibly beautiful and bright. There were round tables for guest seating set with white linens, orange napkins, full place settings with a wooden slab in the center, topped with a purple bud vase, a tiny silver lantern, and a beautiful floral centerpiece. Their sweetheart table had a purple linen, 2 lanterns and Katie's bouquet. There were edison lights zig zagged across the reception space illuminating the night. One of the coolest things about their wedding was their DIY bar! We usually don't recommend this but they had a really nice way of doing it for this intimate crowd. They had a stocked bar with beer, wine, liquor and even a signature drink - Waylon's Wacky Lemonade! They had an app on their iPad that you could make any drink you want. There was even an option to do a roulette if you didn't know what you wanted to drink or you wanted to make your friend a fun cocktail! To keep the guests' stomachs satisfied during cocktail hour, Crabs Claw set up a large display of hors d'oeuvres including a cheese platter, a fruit platter, crab dips, grilled pitas, blackened shrimp skewers, meatballs and more!

When Katie + Waylon were finished with sunset pictures, Katie's dad got on the balcony and introduced them for the first time as husband and wife!! As if everyone hadn't already eaten enough, dinner was served! After dinner, Katie + Waylon cut their beautiful 2 tier cake from Sugarloaf Island Bakery. Everyone was so excited for all of the desserts. They had banana pudding shooters, s'mores shooters, and 6 dozen cookies! The kids were happy with desserts, the adults were happy with their fun drinks, and everyone got to celebrate Katie + Waylon all night! 

Congrats Katie + Waylon! We hope every day is full of love, comfort, and enjoyment! Happy Anniversary! 

Our Favorite Wedding Moment: 
Watching Katie's dad introduce Katie + Waylon from the balcony of the 2nd floor. He had so much enthusiasm while doing it and his love shined through! It was so sweet and so special!

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Vendors
Venue: Southern Breeze House Emerald Isle
Caterer: Crabs Claw Caribbean Restaurant
Photography: Bella Rose Photography
Rentals: Island Essentials
Flowers: Fiore Fine Flowers
Cake: Sugarloaf Island Bakery
Officiant: Rev. Paula Bradley 
Hair: Wild Olive Salon
Makeup: Makeup By Christina
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​25

Chelley + Brice Davis tied the knot at the Wilmington Convention Center, located downtown along the Cape Fear River on Saturday, September 17, 2016. That means today is their one year anniversary so happy anniversary Chelley + Brice! The ceremony took place on the bright green lawn overlooking the River. The reception was held inside the Wilmington Convention Center in the elegant Grand Ballroom. The early ceremony was at 1:00pm, with the reception immediately following until 6:30pm. 

Their ceremony was set up with a white pergola, white resin chairs, white flower petals down both sides of the aisle, and even petals in the shape of a D for Davis. Each aisle chair had a small wreath of greenery with a single white rose from Surf City Florist. Carolina Classical Artists played cello + violin as guests entered the ceremony site. They played "Canon in D" as Chelley walked down the aisle. The birds were chirping, the wind was light, and their ceremony was very simple and sweet!

Following the ceremony, guests went into the Convention Center for the reception. Their color palette was navy, white, gold, and champagne. The tables were set with glass cylinder vases with dark blue orchids with an LED light to make it glow, surrounded by greenery, white hydgraneas and baby's breath. Each place setting has a gold charger, navy pocket fold napkin with a personalized Mr. & Mrs. magnet on it! It was especially beautiful with blue ceiling lights from the venue. After cocktail hour, Chelley + Brice were introduced right into their first dance!  Wilmington Convention Center provided a plated meal for all of the guests. We're still dreaming of the stuffed chicken with risotto! Later, champagne was poured and passed for a few words of appreciation from the couple! Chelley + Brice gave a "Thank You" toast to all of their friends and family. Then, it was time to cut their scrumptious three-tier white cake with fresh strawberries from Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge! After the traditions were done, Chelley danced with her girls for a few hours. The reception ended but the day wasn't over for Chelley and Brice. Their photographer, Chronicles Photography, went with them to Kure Beach for sunset photos! The outcome was stunning (see the last photo below).

Congrats Chelley + Brice and happy anniversary! We hope your first year of marriage was as magical as your wedding day!
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
We all know weddings can be stressful, especially when you have parents that are no longer together but both want to be there to support your big day. That was the case with Chelley's parents. Although they are no longer married, they put all differences aside to really be there for their daughter. My favorite moment was watching her parents share a dance together. It wasn't forced...just in the moment. It was nice to see the respect they still had for one another and how happy they were to see their beautiful daughter on her wedding day. 
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Vendors
Venue: Wilmington Convention Center
Ceremony Music: Carolina Classical Artists
Reception Music: Absolute Best DJ
Caterer: Wilmington Convention Center
Photography: Chronicles Photography
Rentals: L&L Tent & Party Rentals
Flowers: Surf City Florist
Cake: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge 
Officiant: Pastor Joseph L. Barnes
Hair + Makeup: Tyler Kent Salon 
Transportation: Azalea Limo
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​70

Barbara + Brian got married one year ago on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the new and fabulous Annex. Although the Annex had been open for events for less than a month, this was our second event there. To give a little backstory on the history of the building, The Annex was built in 1910 as a school house so there are a lot of charming details still embraced today with original hardwood floors and antique windows. There was no doubt in Barbara and Brian's mind that this would be the perfect venue for their big day, even before it was complete with renovations. Barbara + Brian envisioned a fun wedding that their guests could drink and dance the night away and they got just that! Their ceremony took place upstairs on the stage (it was originally the school auditorium!). Cocktail hour was held downstairs with Atlantic Premier Entertainment playing music and Milner's Cafe + Catering passing appetizers. The ceremony space was then flipped and the reception was back upstairs. 

Barbara + Brian had a romantic and vintage-style wedding. Their colors were marsala, blush, navy blue, and white. Beautiful Flowers by June created a greenery backdrop on the stage where Barbara + Brian got married. Flower petals were sprinkled down the aisle. Brian + his groomsmen greeted and ushered guests as they arrived. The processional began with the officiant, grandparents, parents and the wedding party walking in to "Canon in D." Barbara walked down the aisle with her mother to "A Thousand Years". Their ceremony was sweet and simple. Once Barbara + Brian were pronounced husband and wife, they headed on the trolley to take pictures with their wedding party and The Story Creative of Theo Milo. 

Guests headed down to cocktail hour, where we had a mix of cocktail tables and small round tables with seating. One of our favorite details was the greenery sash on the light pink cocktail table linen.  While guests were being wined and dined at cocktail hour, we were upstairs turning the ceremony area into the reception space. There were a mix of rectangular and round tables. Tables were set with gold chiavari chairs, burgundy linens, and ivory napkins. The centerpieces were compiled of ivory flower petals, pillar candles, candle votives, and the bridesmaids bouquets were reused on some of the tables.

​When guests came upstairs for the reception, they were in awe that it was the same room. Once guests found their seats, Atlantic Premier Entertainment introduced the wedding party with Barbara + Brian as husband and wife for the first time! After introductions, Barbara + Brian went into their first dance to "Love Is A Verb." For anyone who knows me, you know I'm obsessed with John Mayer so this made me very, very happy! Their first dance was followed by the mother son dance and the father daughter dance. Brian's father, Chris, then gave a welcome and a blessing. After, Milner's opened the buffet for guests to indulge in a delicious display of food. Once guests finished eating, the Maid of Honor and Best Man gave toasts. Barbara and Brian then cut their delicious naked cake from Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge. Guests began tearing up the dance floor and partied all night long! I've seen a lot of good dance parties but this one was pretty epic. The night ended with a lot of failed attempts of  groomsmen trying to catch groomsmen for the classic "Dirty Dancing" lift with "Time of My Life". We finished with a beautiful sparkler send off! 

Congrats Barbara + Brian! We hope you had an amazing anniversary last week. We wish you a life full of laughter, fun, happiness and endless dance parties!
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Favorite Wedding Moment:
Watching the groomsmen trying to do the epic "Dirty Dancing" lift with each other during the last song. 
Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. No one was hurt during this dance.
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Vendors
Venue: The Annex
Music: Atlantic Premier Entertainment
Caterer: Milner's Cafe and Catering 
Photography: The Story Creative of Theo Milo 
Rentals: L&L Tent and Rentals
Flowers: Beautiful Flowers by June
Cake: Creative Cake Design by Tammy Hodge
Officiant: David Holt
Hair + Makeup: Laura Mangin 
Transportation: Wilmington Trolley Company
Month-Of Coordination: Knot Too Shabby Events
Attendees: ​​90

You put a lot of thought into your wedding and all the little details that make it special. Those bouquets, centerpieces, and invitations didn't choose themselves!
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Naturally, you want to preserve that thoughtfulness in photographs, so let's take a look at a few of the details we want to make sure to capture, and a few ideas on how to do it.

This is a work of art, and it deserves to be remembered. We can get a shot of the cake itself, as well as a close-up of your hands as you cut it as the slice is halfway removed. This way, we get a moment (cake cutting) along with the subject (the cake) and a little bonus detail (the inside of the cake, which is nice especially if it's got some colored frosting layers in there).

Too bad they get hidden under your dress all day! Let's bring them to light in a photo or two. We can stage them on their own in a pretty setting, or we can get them (along with the groom's) while they're on your feet, maybe during a jump or a kick, or dangling off the end of a bench.

This is especially fun if you and the groom have chosen matching sneakers or cowboy and cowgirl boots, but it's equally important if you're wearing shoes that were a gift from your mother, or if you just really, really love your shoes and are wondering when you're going to get to wear them again. Can't blame you.

We can stage them alone or with the bouquets, the invitations, or on your hands. ​

Every couple has special details in the wedding that are unique to them. Whether it's hats, favors, cocktails, or a feline ring-bearer (please, somebody do this), be sure to draw my attention to it and we'll put it down in digital history.
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As we photograph the details, there's something important here we need to keep in mind:
Years from now, you're not going to spend a lot of time looking at those detail photos. The photos that will matter the most are the ones of the people you love. The flowers, the invitations, the decor--all of these things are fun and they're part of what makes your day special, but the truth is you could have made any number of choices regarding those details and still have had the best day imaginable. 

The most important details are your guests. If a few of them weren't there, the entire day would be most definitely different. When we're talking about wedding details, let's not forget the smiles, the hugs, the knowing glances, and the love that come together to make your wedding day the most beautiful day of your life. ​