Nicole & Christian | Winston-Salem Wedding at Graylyn | Featured on Snippet & Ink

Spring is here! The gorgeous weather this weekend was all the proof we needed to know the end of winter weather is in sight. I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the sights and smells of the budding yellow forsythia bushes, the blooming cherry blossom trees and the flowering daffodils. This time of year is one of our favorites! The warm air and spring showers reminded us of a wonderful cheerful wedding last year. Nicole and Christian were married on June 27, 2015 at The Graylyn Estate.

This sweet couple met and fell in love as students at Elon University. After graduation, their careers took them away from North Carolina, but they knew the area where they met was the perfect place to say their vows. From the moment we first started working together, it was evident to us that Nicole and Christian were the perfect match. The two comfortably displayed their genuine love and affection for one another. And like a couple preparing for married life, they always came to our meetings prepared to make compromises to make each other happy. Their kindness and happiness was (and still is) infectious!

One of the most important steps of our process is that we always talk about what happens if it rains. We want couples to be as comfortable with the backup plan B as they are with plan A. The reality is we have absolutely no control over the weather and it just may rain on your wedding day. If the weather forecast calls for less than sunshine, disappointment is a normal reaction. It is okay to be sad or bummed in the moment. On the other hand, anxiety over "what happens now" or a fear of the unknown is not an okay feeling to have on your wedding day. This panic is not something we want any couple to experience, so we always have a plan. We talk in great detail about what the ceremony and reception will look like in all weather conditions, and Nicole and Christian's wedding was no exception to this rule.

On Friday night before the wedding, I had to utter the words I hate most to Nicole and Christian, "We need to talk about the weather tomorrow." The forecast for their wedding day was provided more clarity than usual... scattered thunderstorms with a big system making it’s way to our area just in time for the ceremony. I’ll never forget Nicole’s reaction because it was so calm. She just looked at me, smiled and said, “I trust you guys.” She went on to say that of course she would love to have her ceremony outside in the garden, but in the end it really didn’t matter where it happened because she would be married to her best friend come rain or shine. Nicole’s confidence and calm caught me off guard but was such a breath of fresh air! The thing that mattered most was her marriage and that priority couldn’t have been any clearer. I can’t help but smile again as I write these words today.

The wedding day weather was sunny and beautiful pretty much all day. While we were setting up guests and venue employees kept asking me, “Why are you having the ceremony inside?” Every weather forecast continued to say the same thing (and forecasts almost never align like this!)... thunderstorm at 4:30pm. Nicole, Christian and their wedding party were able to take beautiful photos outside before the ceremony. During that time, no one in the wedding party (included the bride and groom) questioned why we had made the call to set up the ceremony inside; they just trusted us. At 4:30pm the guests were all seated inside. Just as the prelude music was ending and the wedding party processional was beginning, the skies opened, thunder clapped and the rain came pouring down. The thunderstorm didn’t ruin the ceremony but rather made for such a romantic, intimate affair. The guests were nestled close together surrounded by windows, listening to the words from the bride and groom while watching the rain come down through the windows. It was all absolutely beautiful!

Just as the ceremony was ending, the sunshine came out in time for guests to enjoy cocktail hour on the terrace. Nicole’s favorite White Sangria and Christian’s favorite Red Oak beer (made in North Carolina) were served. Sounds of laughter could be heard as guests enjoyed the sunshine after the storm. Family and friends made their way inside the manor house at Graylyn for a dining experience meant for the grand estate. Guests were delighted with a grilled pear salad followed by a duet plate with filet and salmon, grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes.

As dinner concluded, sounds of guitars and drums could be heard from the band, enticing guests to leave their place at the dinner table. Family and friends ventured to the Atlantis Room for dancing on a floor covering the manor’s original indoor pool. Red velvet and coconut wedding cake slices were served to guests. The celebration continued late into the evening with nonstop dancing. Late night mini spiked milkshakes and jalapeño hushpuppies were a hit with the partygoers! As the last song played and the guests said goodbye to the newlyweds, no one dared say the rain ruined the day… because it didn’t!