Perfectly Polished Wedding in the Mountains of North Carolina

You know those weddings that just bring happy tears to your eyes because there is just so much wholesome love pouring from every photo? Yea, well we’re just full on bawling over these tender moments caught by Alisha Crossley Photography. Plus there’s a pup in attendance which you know is our weakness. This gorgeous southern wedding in the mountains of North Carolina is the definition of beauty and grace. From the luxe tented ceremony to the lush floral wedding arch and even their show-stopping rehearsal dinner, we are loving. it. ALL.

Let’s start with their rehearsal dinner the day before:

And now onto their wedding day!

From the photographer, Alisha Crossley Photography: Sarah Reid spent her formative years in the quaint mountain town of Highlands, NC. Her family’s golfing cottage served as a haven for Sarah Reid and Alex as they dated, made promises and crafted their story long distance over med school and jobs. Highlands was the perfect choice for this destination wedding – a wonderful escape so undeniably familiar. This epic Southern celebration was entirely timeless. The couple buried and retrieved the quintessential bottle of bourbon cashing in on their good weather. 

From the bride: The guests were greeted by the traditional Highlander music of a bagpiper on the front lawn of the club. Once reaching the inside of the ceremony tent, the string music of Dean’s Duets provided a beautiful, serene setting for the guests and also for the procession of the wedding party. 

The procession of the bagpiper alerted the guests of the arrival of Sarah Reid, escorted down the aisle by her father. Her Chantilly lace gown, by designer Monique Lhuillier, was an a-line dress with a natural waistline that featured long sleeves, a jewel neckline and a hand appliquéd skirt.  Her full length veil was edged in a complimentary Chantilly lace.  She also wore a pair of sapphire and diamond drop earrings which were a gift from the groom, with Alexander Birman nude heels.

The entrance to the tent greeted guests with large arrangements of white hydrangea, peonies, spirea, tulips, garden roses, and ranunculus mixed with fern, eucalyptus, and  olive leaf. At the alter, a wooden arbor was created and covered with a variety of the same green and white tones. Perhaps the most unique flowers in the tent were the three large flowing “flower bombs” that hung from the ceiling down the center aisle. Sarah Reid’s bouquet was a cascading arrangement of a combination of the flowers used throughout the wedding.  Included in the bouquet were two four leaf clovers for good luck and prosperity that were found at the family’s farm.  The bridesmaid’s bouquets were smaller versions of the brides’s bouquet, accented by silk ribbon that complimented the bridesmaid’s dresses. 

Immediately following the ceremony, guests were beckoned into the clubhouse by the Motown music of Az Izz from Atlanta, Georgia. Chef Bryant Withers from Highlands Country Club provided a beautiful and delicious spread for everyone. Throughout the clubhouse, guests could dine on quail breast medallions, beef tenderloin, fried oysters, tea biscuits with ham, Conecuh sausage, or pimento cheese, Mini chicken and waffle cones, and lobster fritters. To accompany these dishes, they offered stuffed red potatoes, grilled asparagus, hoop cheddar macaroni, a hot crab dip and a wide selection of cheeses. The bars throughout the club featured specialty drinks chosen by the bride and a groom, an Old Fashioned for him and a Strawberry Runner for her. 

The bride’s cake, designed by Sugar Cloud Baking Company in Cashiers, North Carolina, was created from the recipe of Sarah Reid and Alex’s favorite cake, the toasted coconut cake from Chez Fonfon in Birmingham. Floressence created a swing that hung from the rafters of the club, suspended by ropes covered in olive leaf, eucalyptus and soft white flowers.  Each slice of the cake was served with a drizzle of a delicious anglaise sauce, replicating the restaurant’s award winning cake. The groom’s “cake”, in honor of his love of Krispy Kreme donuts, was a sideboard filled with various donuts, surrounded by an abundance of greenery. 

When the music died down, rose and eucalyptus petals were tossed from well wishers as they departed the club in a vintage Mercedes convertible displaying another beautiful floral arrangement on its back as they set off on their honeymoon to Lake Como, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast in Italy. 

We just love how timelessly beautiful wedding is in the mountains of North Carolina! If you’re looking for a gorgeous and timeless dress, you should start with this bridal collection.

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Alisha Crossley Photography
Florals: Floressence Flowers
Planner: M. Elizabeth Events
Lighting AG Lighting
Invitations: Paradise Design Co.
Bridal Boutique: Ivory and White Bridal
Dress Designer: Monique Lhuillier Bride
Videographer: Hart to Heart Media
Cake: Sugar Cloud Baking Company
Music: Az Izz + Deans’ Duets