Forrest Graham & Matthew Kazee’s Lake Lure wedding was an intimate family affair from the start.  Forrest’s parents graciously headed to the house a month early to prepare, while Matthew’s 2 children from a previous marriage hand drew the drawing on their ceremony programs!  Photos of loved ones since passed were framed & used as decor to honor them.  The lake side wedding had elements of country to it with non-matching vintage cake plates, the bridesmaids in cowboy boots, wildflower feel bouquets.  The groom and groomsmen arrived via a pontoon boat, driving up from Chimney Rock where they were getting ready.  Granted I am a big dog lover as most of you know, but I think my favorite part has to be Samson, the couple’s mega cute pup who ultimately found a comfy spot on Forrest’s dress while she was getting ready!  Our good natured bride took it all in strand!  Of course no lake side North Carolina wedding would be complete without some amazing BBQ & Tea with a kick of Beam!  We’re loving the laid back feel & gorgeous calming water views!

Vendor Love

Venue: Family Home
Floral Designer: The Farmer’s Market,Ingles
Baker: Ingles Bakery
Photographer: Jen Yuson Photography, Second Shooter: Shawn Bauguess

Who says you can’t have a classically elegant wedding with a bohemian rustic side?  Our lovely couple set out to do just that!  Choosing Old Salem Museums and Gardens in Winston Salem, North Carolina as their venue, a rustic vintage world came to life setting the stage with old wooden buildings, & hints of a time long since past.  Our bride, dressed in a gorgeous lace gown, added some flower child like touches in arm bands & a beaded head piece to her long flowing soft curl locks.  Playing both with a stunning long veil & a vintage hat fascinator with dotted bird cage veil, our bride was a bit of a chameleon on her wedding day!  Using the grounds gorgeous natural backdrops, our couple was captured beautifully among sweet soft fields & the rustic old world created by the Old Salem Museum.  Capping off the night, a photo booth was set inviting guests to playfully enjoy themselves, as well as capturing the fun spirit of our lovely bride & groom!

Vendor Love

Museum: Old Salem Museums and Gardens
Photographer: Aura Marzouk Photography

Southern charm always gets the mention, but its southern glam that really captivates!  Nicole Maready decided to have a private bridal portrait session with Christi Falls Photography leading up to her wedding.  The Duke Mansion played host, setting the scene for her captivating bridals.  I absolutely love Nicole’s half up barrel curl do & perfectly done makeup.  While Nicole’s one shoulder gown is indeed perfection, its the sparkly Louboutin’s that have my eye!

Vendor Love

Venue:  The Duke Mansion
Makeup Artist:  Be Pretty
Photographer:  Christi Falls Photography

Simple bridal portraits go a long way.  I can not imagine much else in life that would make a girl feel as pretty as to look on her bridal portraits, seeing herself not only well styled, but glowing from excitement of the day.   Ashlea Ours opted to have her portraits done in  at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC, owned by famed NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.  Simple, elegant, & refined.

Vendor Love

Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston
Makeup Artist: Carla White
Venue: Childress Vineyards
Photographer: Glessner Photography

Rounding out the week is the super sweet Japanese themed wedding of Kathy McDonald & Deas Richardson in Charleston, South Carolina!

From Reese Moore:

Japanese-studies majors Kathy and Deas quickly became college sweethearts before moving to Japan to teach. It was in Japan that their love blossomed and Deas proposed! Because Japanese culture has played such an important role in their lives and relationship, Kathy and Deas did an elegant Japanese theme for their (rainy day!) wedding. Cherry blossoms accentuated pale pink centerpieces on tables marked with woodcuts featuring English on one side and Japanese on the other. The bride and groom sat beneath their own specially woodcut Mrs./Mr. signs, which also featured traditional Japanese symbols, and guests dined with bamboo cutlery and plates. The cake, also featuring a delicate cherry blossom motif, was topped with traditional Japanese dolls, and traditional Japanese engagement origami decorated tables. Kathy’s girls carried fans down the aisle in place of bouquets, and perhaps the sweetest detail of the wedding (other than Kathy’s hot pink wedding rain boots) was the wall hanging of classic Japanese origami cranes… made by Kathy’s students as a farewell present!

Vendor Love

Hair Stylist:  Nick’s Salon
Floral Designer:  First Bloom of Charleston
Reception Venue: A lhambra Hall
Cinema and Video:  humanstory
Dress:  David’s Bridal
Cake Designer:  DeClare Cakes
Equipment Rentals:  Snyder Event Rental
Photographer:  Reese Moore Weddings