Romantic Garden Wedding in North Carolina
If ever there were a wedding that perfectly encapsulated “elegant rustic,” it would be this beauty from Connection Photography. Fusing glam details with good old fashioned southern charm, Mary Margaret and Michael’s wedding was nothing short of memorable for their truly once-in-a-lifetime event.
From the bride, Mary Margaret: Fearrington Village absolutely exudes southern hospitality and rustic elegance. In choosing a style and feeling for our once in a lifetime event, my husband and I, both natives of North Carolina, envisioned a southern wedding as unique and exceptional as Fearrington Village itself. Above all, a truly memorable and fun celebration with our closest friends and families was at the top of our wish list.
Flower recipe: Boronia heather, garden roses, amaranthus, ranunculus, hypericum, clematis, anemone, astrantia, dahlias, celosia, lisianthus, rosehips, pepperberry, and veronica.
Overall, our wedding could be described as rustic, elegant, bold, romantic, and whimsical. In combination with the charming and naturally graceful backdrop that Fearrington Village provided, our primary inspiration for the color scheme began with the bridesmaids dresses, fashioned from a luscious and bold floral brocade in shades of pink, purple, and red, with gold stitching throughout. This romantic botanical motif in rich berry hues, along with touches of sparkling gold, were incorporated in every aspect of the wedding, and provided an unexpected and refreshing divergence from the more prevalent colors of Fall in North Carolina. The undeniably talented owner/designer of the bespoke paper boutique, Indigo and Company (and one of my bridesmaids!), further translated this theme into custom invitations, ceremony programs, and dinner menus.
Another more subtle motif carried throughout the day was that of a moon and stars. This was illustrated in our ceremony recessional, “Starlight” by Muse, our first dance song, “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra, our cake topper, and a giant glittering gold half crescent moon made out of wood that guests could actually sit on for photo opportunities during the reception. In fact, the idea for the giant moon originated from a much-loved vintage image of my grandparents as young adults posing on such a moon, as was common in the first half of the 20th century. Displayed alongside the photo booth, the timeless image of my grandparents gave a nostalgic nod to the past, while the new moon allowed for the formation of fresh memories with family and friends.
Any advice for couples planning their wedding now? Plan ahead! When the official wedding date is first set, it may feel like a lifetime away, and that there is an endless amount of time to plan. This period of time is the most ideal in which to go ahead a start considering caterers, musicians, photographers, and any other big ticket vendors, as many of these folks become entirely booked a year or more in advance. Make the effort to do the research while there are still plenty of fish in the sea to choose from, then go ahead and pull the trigger! Chances are, you will still be thrilled with these decisions on the day of the wedding if you are staying true to yourself and your vision. Another piece of advice – be as flexible as warranted for any given situation that does not go exactly as planned (because nothing ever goes exactly as planned!), and always have a backup strategy up your sleeve. Make a valiant effort to remain calm and level-headed about circumstances that cannot be controlled, such as the weather. Our wedding day was undoubtedly gloomy and uncharacteristically chilly for the time of year. Because of the dreadful weather, however, we had the ability to serve hot apple cider and enjoy a real wood fire in the stone fireplace during the ceremony without fear of broiling our guests. Furthermore, use was actually made of the tonal pashminas provided to each guest in order to “have and to hold, and shelter them from the cold.” Sometimes, the silver lining to an undesirable situation turns out to be even more fabulous than if the original plan had gone off without a hitch.
View all images from this wedding in the gallery
Wedding Music:
Bridal Party Processional: Haydn’s Andante No. 7
Bride’s Processional: Bach’s Wachet Auf
Recessional: “Starlight,” Muse
First Dance: “Fly Me to the Moon,” Frank Sinatra
Wedding Location: Pittsboro, NC / Photographer: Connection Photography / Wedding Planner: Cheryl-Anne Kast of Fearrington Village / Florist: Mary Stevens of Fearrington Village / Venue: The Garden Terrace at Fearrington Village / Wedding Dress: Casablanca Bridal / Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hairpiece and Earrings: BHLDN / Hair and Makeup: Jennifer Ericksen Hair and Makeup / Bridesmaid’s Dress: Alice + Olivia / Bridesmaid’s Shoes and Pashmina: J.Crew / Earrings and Bracelet: Nadri / Groom and Groomsmen Suit and Shirt: Jos A. Bank / Groom and Groomsmen Tie: Hugo Boss / Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / Caterer and Wedding Cake: Fearrington Village / Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Corda Entertainment / Reception Music: Groovetown Band / Wedding Invitations: Indigo and Company / Transportation: Carolina Livery
That was the most beautiful wedding ceremony. Everything was perfect except for the weather. I am the grandmother of the groom, Michael. Mary Margaret is a lovely young woman and we’re proud to have her in our family. I love them both dearly.