The benefits of an at-home wedding / North Carolina Wedding Planner

   We love professional wedding venues. We love that each one is unique, they set-up and tear-down everything, and they're extremely experienced in hosting events...among many other lovely benefits. Some bride's though, your's truly included, opt for the flexibility and familiarity that an at-home wedding has to offer. We've done quite a few at home weddings and are wholeheartedly for this. Today we just wanted to share with y'all a little list of the benefits of this option, just in case you're considering making your own special day a home-grown one. 

{J. Darren Photography}

{Dano Keeney Photography}

{Blue Sky Photography}

The benefits of having your wedding at home:
-No rental fee 

-Access to the venue whenever you (or your planners) want. Need to set-up days early or or want to party into the wee hours of the morning? No problem. It's all yours. 

-Freedom to decorate however you desire. No rules about hanging things from the ceiling, moving furniture, etc...
-The wedding party gets to get dressed in a nice, familiar spot with all your belongings nearby. No making-do in the church nursery or leaving your water proof mascara and garter at home.
-The freedom to use whichever vendors you choose. No preferred vendors list to comply with.
-The pride and memories that come with celebrating at a place already so close to your heart.

Winter Wedding Decor Inspiration / North Carolina Wedding planner

   We know it doesn't feel much like winter around these parts right now, but my yearning for snow took over today and I couldn't resist sharing all these gorgeous bits of winter-inspired design ideas.  Plus, the idea of hot chocolate or eggnog at a wedding is something I'm pretty in love with.

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Real Wedding / Revolution Mills / North Carolina Wedding Planner

   When we first met with Jamie and her mom, we were instantly excited about helping her put together this beautiful wedding. She told her and her fiance' Dave's love story with such sweetness and detail, we couldn't wait to see these two say "I do."
   This bride's taste was right on with what we adore, eclectic, natural, and no set color scheme, and the idea of having all kinds of desserts made by friends and family resulting in desserts galore and a way for relatives to express their love and support? Fabulous!

A big thanks to our fantastic vendors:

Planning, design, and reception coordination: Blissful Whimsy Events
Photography: Mark Potter Photography
Ceremony Venue: Our Lady of Grace
Reception Venue: Revolution Mills
Ceremony florals: Rebecca Hollowell
Reception florals and centerpieces: Rebecca Hollowell and Blissful Whimsy Events
Caterer: Maria's
Cake: Delicious
Rentals: Partymakers

Special and Affordable Wedding Dresses / North Carolina Wedding Planner

   First of all, happy New Year friends! This past year was so good to us and we know 2013 will be even more grand!
   A lot of gents choose Christmastime or New Years to pop that special question so we're guessing there's a lot of newly engaged ladies out there just dying to get to planning.
   Of course all aspects of the wedding are important but, let's be honest, the best part is picking out a dress. We've rounded up some dresses that encourage you to think a little outside the box. These dresses are affordable because they're from stores that we'd normally buy clothes at, but they're still special enough for your special day. These lovely options are most fitting for a more casual, small wedding, a more out-of-the-ordinary type of event, or perhaps an elopement. Too casual for you? Each of them would make a pretty fabulous rehearsal dress don't ya think?

(Ruche)

(Modcloth)

(Lily Boutique)

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Real Wedding / J.H. Adams Inn / North Carolina Wedding Planner

    The stately J.H. Adams Inn provided the perfect setting for a vintage glam wedding reception bursting with elegant flowers, antique mirrors, delicious food, tons of dancing, and personal touches everywhere. 

   Hilary, our bride, is a friend of ours from way back. She was involved and eager to help gather special trinkets to incorporate into the reception like her parents' and grandparents' wedding photos, the groom's inherited antique watch, special chair signs, and a special cake topper made just for the two of them. We loved that our friend was so involved that that we got to put so much of her and her groom's personality into the wedding. 

  The reception was truly the most fun we've ever attended, the cake one of the best we've ever tasted, the dancing some of the most entertaining we've seen, and it was all captured by the talented Brittany and Nick Boles of Just a Dream Photography. 

Vendors
Church: Our Lady of Grace

Reception venue: J.H. Adams Inn
Photography: Just a Dream Photography
Design and coordination: Blissful Whimsy Events

Reception florals: Blissful Whimsy Events

Ceremony Florals: Just Priceless
Caterer: Hampton's 

Cakes: Cake and All Things Yummy

DJ: Anything Music
Bridal Gown: David's Bridal

Bride's hair and make-up: Updo's

Groom's Attire / North Carolina Wedding Planner

     Instead of a plain black tux with matching tie and vest, why not let your groom express himself a little?
 

   A colored tie, and vest with different buttons is cool and unique. 

Colored socks let the groom and his men wear their favorite colors and set them each apart a bit. 

Mixing patterns adds interesting layers if the grooms a bit more daring. 

The classic skinny black tie is just so hip. 

Suspenders are a fun alternative to the classic belt and and mixing it with a  floral shirt? Absolutely charming. 

And the bow tie evokes the suave look of James Bond.