Charisse and Ryan’s Destination Wedding Weekend at Old Edwards Inn: Rehearsal Dinner and Welcome Party
Charisse and Ryan’s love story is a lesson in patience, trust, and fortitude. It was a joy to celebrate their marriage with a beautiful (and reimagined) destination wedding weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains during an unpredictable 2020 year, and we are thrilled to share these beautiful images of their rehearsal dinner and welcome party below, courtesy of the incredibly talented Heather Beerman.
“Good things come to those who wait!”
Charisse and Ryan spent over a decade attending friend’s weddings, dating, and patiently waiting to find their own perfect plus one. At their rehearsal dinner, friends and family laughed and told stories of the many turns it took for this happy couple to find each other. While it may have been a windy road, it was absolutely worth it! As they stated simply on their wedding website:
We swiped right. We fell in love. She said “Yes.”
We are getting MARRIED!
Despite the circumstances, COVID restrictions couldn’t stop these two from beginning their long-awaited married life together. Postponing was never an option, so we approached the destination wedding weekend celebrations with creativity, lots of flexibility, a little bit of humor, and custom wedding masks.
The destination wedding weekend was hosted at Half Mile Farm, an Old Edwards Inn & Spa property nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Highlands, North Carolina. Charisse and Ryan wanted to share their love for travel and the magic of the mountains with their closest family and friends, and this luxury country inn checked all the boxes. Half Mile Farm’s grounds and rooms were exclusively reserved for wedding guests, allowing for an intimate weekend retreat and plenty of social distancing.
Due to event size restrictions and out of an abundance of caution, the couple hosted two separate parties: one for family and one for friends. The creativity and thoughtfulness that went into the weekend events is just a tiny glimpse into the generosity and the hearts of this joyful couple.
On the night before the wedding, the bride and groom shared an intimate rehearsal dinner with their immediate families. Nestled by the fire, their parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews dined on an exquisite farm-to-table meal while toasting Charisse and Ryan. Even the bride’s 90-year-old grandmother raised her glass for the celebration!
While the family was sharing conversation and enjoying warm peach cobbler, Charisse and Ryan slipped off to join their friends at the welcome party that was already underway.
Here’s a peek at the playful communication they shared with this group of guests on the evening’s schedule of events:
If you aren’t officially related to us by blood – congratulations!
While we are practicing at the rehearsal, you get to hang by the dock for a party to welcome you to Highlands! Enjoy delicious food, beer/wine and dessert. Breathe in the mountain air and kick off the weekend celebration! After all, it is Fri-yay! Ryan and Charisse will join the celebration as soon as we’ve mastered walking down the aisle ;)
At the welcome party, Charisse, Ryan and their friends enjoyed lake views under the tent, conversation around the firepit, a decadent dessert bar, and beers kept cold with a custom koozie and humorous message to acknowledge the craziness of 2020:
“The best weekend of the year, here’s a mask for your beer!”
Charisse and Ryan sure know how to host a party! We can’t think of a better way to kick off a wedding weekend. Be sure to tune in next week as Maddie shares how Charisse and Ryan joyfully shared their marriage nuptials with those near and far! You don’t want to miss these stunning wedding day details!
Cheers!
Betsy
Special thanks to the entire team of creative professionals:
Photography: Heather Beerman | Planning/Production, Floral Design, and Stationery: Rebecca Rose Events | Venue: Half Mile Farm | Catering: Half Mile Farm | Tent, Rentals, & Lighting: Professional Party Rentals | Table Linens: Nuage Designs | Cake: Cotton Leigh Bakery | Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Carole