It’s all pretty pastels and florals in today’s super sweet and oh-so-inviting, homemade Spring wedding. With a chic garden ceremony before a relaxed, barn reception and details you can’t help but fall in love with – whimsical stationery, mismatched bridesmaids in mint, DIY favours and lightsabers (yep, we’re talking Star Wars style lightsabers), this is a celebration that will steal your heart…..

After getting engaged at the Eno Quarry in Durham – a local watering spot where the couple would take swims and short hikes. Bride Sherise and groom Scott, college sweethearts, took almost two years to plan their perfect wedding, and on the day everything fell into place perfectly! Sherise explained “It was amazing! The day was just a touch cloudy and the lighting made for the most beautiful photos. The weather was cool; everything actually ran more smoothly than I ever had imagined.” 

So perfect was their day, that the couple found it impossible to choose just one highlight! “Our “First Look”… Saying, I do (finally)… Our caterers bringing the bridal party hors d’oeuvres all the way down the hill during official photographs… Our entrance to the reception (we came in with a trap version of the Imperial March and dueled with light sabers)… First dance with my new husband… Dancing with all our family… My friends and family taking pics on the Instax for our Photo Guest Book… The late-night donut bar.”

Yep, pretty much sounds like perfection to me too! So let’s dive right in to all of the lovely details…..

“I borrowed my sister’s cathedral length veil (borrowed). My shoes were Chelsea Crew from Modcloth (new). My jewelry was borrowed from my Mother (old). And my something blue was underwear (shhh…).”

“I love anemones and peonies and wanted them to be the focus of our flowers, in soft pinks, mint green, and whites.”  Such a pretty palette – and perfect for Spring!

“I always wanted a lace wedding dress. I found mine by designer Oleg Cassini in David’s Bridal, and it had beautiful layers of lace with a just a touch of shine. On the day with my hair loose and pretty and natural makeup by Samantha Ray from Lula Hair and Makeup, I felt so elegant and beautiful.” 

“I had 5 bridesmaids; my older sister, my sister-in-law, two college friends, and a graduate school friend. Their dresses were from Weddington Way. They wore knee-length soft  mint dresses. As bridemaids gifts, I gave them single pearl necklaces, which they all wore.”

“Scott wore a dark navy suit with black tie, and his groomsmen wore the same but with mint green ties – all rented from Generation Tux.”

“We chose Chapel Hill Carriage House Farm & Gardens, located in Chapel Hill, NC for our venue. We wanted a garden outdoor wedding and everything about Carriage House fit the bill, including the open-air barn for our reception.”

“Both my mother and my father gave me away. I was very nervous and excited walking down the aisle.”

“Our reception was in the open-air barn at the same venue. We were aiming for vintage, airy, and soft vibe with our decor. My Mom created all the doilies that were on each table under the flower box centerpieces. My mother and I put together honey favors farm a local honey farm in Durham and my mother crocheted mini doilies to complete the look. The venue and our coordinator added some finishing touches which we loved such as the old bride-and-groom chairs for our sweetheart table.”

Pearls of wedding wisdom from the bride…

“Invest in a good photographer, videographer, and DJ. TRUST YOUR PLANNER AND YOUR VENDORS. Don’t stress about the little things, like chairs and silverware. Enjoy the experience and involve your to-be-partner in the wedding planning fun – it’s their day as well! And enjoy the week before with your partner and family; it’s a wonderful time to bond and have fun before the real fun happens!”

“Ashley Cakes created our wedding cake. Three tiers with 2 flavors; almond and chocolate. It was white with flowers and wooden peg people that I decorated to Scott’s and my likeness.”

Tell us a little bit about your photographer…

“WE LOVED OUR PHOTOGRAPHER! Brent was the most fun, sweetest, and most accommodating vendor we had for our wedding. I would recommend him to anyone in a heartbeat. We chose him because we fell in love with his style on his portfolio. He perfectly captured the softness and nostalgia that I felt during the day.”

Isn’t it lovely? I just adore their color palette, and that cake! As always I must say a huge thankyou to the wonderful Brent of Live View Studios for capturing every detail so perfectly and for allowing me to share it with you here. To see more of his work take a peek at this romantic blue & blush inspiration, this Autumn woodland wedding shoot and this equally elegant Winter inspiration shoot. And if you love his flawless fine art photography as much as I do, be sure to make his website your next stop, you will find him over at liveviewstudios.com, and you can also follow him on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Pinterest for daily inspiration.

And if Sherise & Scott’s day has you swooning and dreaming of your own garden wedding, you might want to take a peek at this boho-vintage beauty with its bright color palette or for more muted tones this elegant modern-vintage affair. Or if its the barn reception that has you feeling inspired, do check out Lea & Matt’s romantic celebration.

Amy

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Credits & Contributors

Photography ~ Live View Studios // Venue ~ Chapel Hill Carriage House // Wedding Planner/Event Designer & Flowers ~ C&D Events // Videographer ~ Charis Films // Wedding Cake ~ Ashley Cakes // DJ ~ Perfect Event DJs // Hair & Makeup ~ LULA Hair & Makeup // Minister/officiant ~ Alex Cheek // Bridal Boutique ~ David’s Bridal // Wedding Gown Designer ~ Oleg Cassini // Bridal Shoes ~ Modcloth // Bridesmaids Dresses ~ Weddington Way // Groom & Groomsmen Formal Wear ~ Generation Tux // Catering & Bartending ~ Hope Valley Catering // Music ~ Sean McWeeny