Whitney & Chase | Featured in Magnolia Rouge Magazine

This week is such a fun one for the blog because we're sharing four real wedding events in a row! Yesterday, Betsy wrote about Nicole and Christian's summer wedding at the Graylyn Estate, and today I can't wait to share Whitney and Chase's July celebration with you!

Sit back for a moment and get comfy to read this sweet story. Special thanks to Mark and Melanie of Mark Andrew Studios for the beautiful film photography.

Whitney and Chase reached out to us in February 2015 to see if we might be available for their July 25, 2015 wedding. They were so nervous that five months wouldn't allow enough time for planning, design, and yet they really didn't want to delay the start of their marriage. I reassured them it was plenty of time (we've pulled together weddings in under one month before!) and we immediately scheduled a creative session to dive into the process with them.

Our creative session was one of my favorites of the year. Upon asking them to tell their story and share with us their wishes and priorities for how they want their wedding to feel, they answered with the most beautiful shared narrative. Throughout the course of their dating relationship and new engagement, these two got to see something many of us may see only once in a lifetime. On several important occasions, they both saw shooting stars in the sky...at the same time! As we kept talking, brainstorming and dreaming together, the vision for the wedding became crystal clear. They wanted their reception to give guests the feeling that they were at an outdoor gathering, dining under the stars and surrounded by foliage and natural greenery. This would have been easy if the reception actually took place outside, but in the July heat here in North Carolina - indoor air conditioning is simply a must! We settled on Highland Presbyterian Church for their ceremony location and the Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts for the cocktail hour and reception.

All design elements were selected/created to carry forward a neutral palette of white, ivory, soft browns, light olive and deep greens, antique gold and deep navy blue. Those last two colors were deliberately selected as a nod to a nighttime starry sky!

Prior to the wedding, Whitney and Chase opted to have their first look photographed privately. I'm not usually present at a first look but because Mark and I chose a location away from either of the venues, I met the couple there to deliver Whitney's bouquet. It was such a privilege to witness this incredibly special moment. Looking back on the photographs later, Whitney has shared that she cherishes them so much because she actually remembers what Chase was saying to her in each frame.

After the first look, Whitney and Chase joined their wedding party and family for photographs before the ceremony. I have to say that these bouquets were easily some of my favorites of last year. While we deliberately kept color to a minimum, texture was vitally important. Whitney wanted floral elements with organic shape and movement... a designer's dream. I used peonies and ranunculus to give some soft volume, and added blue thistle, scabiosa pods, Queen Anne's lace, hanging amaranthus, olive leaves and silver dollar eucalyptus to the mix. I also used a bit of bupleurum, one of my favorite greeneries, for just a hint of golden yellow.

Each bridesmaid wore a different gown - all in a selection of soft brown and taupe tones. Don't the groomsmen also look so striking in those navy suits?! And we have to mention that their flower girl was beyond adorable in her little white dress with a mini bouquet (just like the big girls had)!

The ceremony was beautiful and spiritually rich, just like Whitney and Chase's relationship. Since I had to be at the reception venue during this point, I was so sad to miss it...but I love being able to look through the photos. Note the adorable flower girl again! Ha!

After the ceremony, it was on to cocktail hour and eventually this seated dinner. The Milton Rhodes Center made for such a great location because of it's neutral walls and lofty feel. After adding some bistro lighting, the setting was so easy to transform and we designed this party to feel more and more intimate and "outdoorsy" as the sun went down.

Each table was slightly unique, but lush greenery was a consistent hallmark of each design. The long tables included natural moss runners, with assorted amber gold vessels of foliage and blooms. Tall centerpieces were used occasionally throughout the room, but flowers were kept to a minimum so that Whitney's favorite - the greenery - could really take center stage.

Instead of traditional escort cards, we foraged bunches of fresh magnolia leaves and asked Carole Murray to work her calligraphy magic on them.

In a nod to their favorite downtown gathering spot and site where they first met, Whitney and Chase quickly escaped downtown with Mark for a few photos at Camino Bakery. We also included a freshly baked baguette of bread for each guest at their place setting from....you guessed it...Camino Bakery. Each mini baguette was wrapped with a dinner menu (complete with stitching on the top and bottom - a favorite texture detail!) and a fresh sprig of rosemary.

Whitney and Chase, we loved every single second of working with the two of you. You made our jobs so delightfully fun and rewarding and we are so excited to see your marriage blossoming!

Be sure to order a copy of international fine art wedding magazine, Magnolia Rouge, which is featuring Whitney and Chase's wedding day in its current issue!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

XOXO, Becca

Special thanks to our creative partners: