Blog

Katie & Joe

July 27, 2021 by Chatham Station

A doctor at Duke and a nurse practitioner fall in love and want to get married. No problem. Enter the pandemic and things have to shift a bit. For for Katie and Joe this meant two years of planning and then postponing until they married last year in a private ceremony. For the more formal ceremony and celebration, the couple came to Chatham Station, and we were thrilled to host them.

Prep Time

Katie’s dress – a flowy gown with lace details and side cuts – looked amazing on her and she had both her mother and grandmother there to help her prepare and become even more lovely. Her bridesmaids were sweet and supportive and the bride had each lady choose her own style of dress to suit their individual personalities and tastes. The results were elegant!

Katie and Joe have a Goldendoodle named Noodle, who should probably go ahead and get an east coast agent. She’s delightful. It was important to the couple that Noodle be a part of the day, and boy was she. This little fluffy heart-stealer wound her way through the guests to give kisses and have her photo taken every chance she got. She had great energy and added a lot of innocent joy to the day. During prep time, the bridesmaids created a transformation TikTok to the Disney song “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” and Noodle wanted to be a part of it, even running into the frame while filming. She was the cutest!

The Ceremony

Katie and Joe said their vows against our fan wall with the herringbone background flanked with lovely greenery. Joe was visibly emotional watching Katie being escorted to him by her father. Even though they were already married, the moment still held so much magic. These two have a TREMENDOUS support crew/wedding party and they helped increase the wattage on an already pretty luminesce occasion. These two are deeply loved and it was palpable.

When the ceremony was over, Joe was excited to show off his wife, as the wedding party cheered.

The Party

For the reception, Joe changed into comfortable Jordans because he was ready to party. Their first dance together was special and during the evening, they took time to toast and congratulate the grandparents on so many happy anniversaries.

Photographer Alicia Quintanar took advantage of the weather to capture images of the bride, groom and their sweet cheerleaders against the painted brick wall we have near Chatham Station. It’s a favorite backdrop for clients and we know why.

Congrats to the Trophy Spouses

All the best to Katie and Joe on the big life they have before them. We loved hosting you all!

Chatham Station and the newlyweds are happy to share their vendor list with you!

Catering: Sassool Mediterranean
Bar: The Burly Bartender Corporation
DJ: Sonic River Productions
Photographer: Alicia Quintanar Photography
Day of Coordination: Southern Veil Weddings
Hair Stylist and Makeup: Head Turners Salon
Florist: Fallon’s Flowers
Videographer: AE Visuals
Cake: The Kupkake Fairy
Venue: Chatham Station

Anna & Andrew

July 14, 2021 by Chatham Station

These two share a deep love for NC, Cary in particular, but actually met six years ago at Iowa State University. She is a Ph.D in plant genetics and he is an IT Specialist and between them is a cat – Pacifica – that they adore. Andrew proposed to Anna while on a family vacation at the Salkantay Pass en route to Machu Picchu in Peru. How is that for a WOW?!?!

The Couple

Anna and Andrew not only love this area, but, happily for us, they also fell in love with our indoor and outdoor spaces and chose to get married at Chatham Station. Naturally, we were excited to host them!

The First Look

Anna specifically loved our outdoor spots at Chatham and she shared her First Look with Andrew behind the wall of trees we have near the train tracks. It was lush and lovely. Photographers find the most wonderful spots in and around our venue to grab images, and photographer Christian Reyes was no exception working with this couple.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was out on the patio underneath a beautiful clear tent, complimented with string lights. Anna was escorted down the aisle by her father to meet Andrew. The white roses and greenery offered a lovely backdrop on Chatham’s herringbone wall. Everything from the tent and lights to the flowers and color palette was elegant and serene.

The Party

The dance floor was set up inside and the bar outside, so everyone could spread out and enjoy themselves and there was easy flow between the two through our garage/bay doors.

Anna and Andrew repurposed the background from their ceremony and had an intimate sweetheart table for their reception. Guests enjoyed watching the couple’s first dance together as husband and wife and were visible moved as each danced with their parents. The day was truly filled with palpable joy and affection for these two.

The newlyweds and Chatham Station are happy to share the vendor list with you.

Planner: Premier Party Planners
Photographer: Christian Reyes Photography
Event Rentals: Capital Events
Rentals: CE Rentals
DJ: All Events DJ
Florals: Lilac Floral Decor
Catering: Rocky Top Catering
Photobooth: Zim-Zoom Photobooth
Venue: Chatham Station

Cary Spots : Locations that Work

March 10, 2021 by Chatham Station

When planning a wedding or special event, people will often ask us where they can take pictures around Chatham Station, and we love to reply “Everywhere!” We’re surrounded by an embarrassment of riches.

There are truly so many quaint backdrops around every nick and corner. From urban scenes that boast public art to understated greenspace, the Town of Cary does a nice job of providing an array of photographic options to our clients. Following are some that our guests visit and take advantage of regularly when they are celebrating with us.

Page Walker Arts & Cultural Center

Built in 1868 as a railroad hotel, the historic landmark has since served as an apartment building, boarding house, single family residence, and is now a museum owned by the Town of Cary. In addition to the majestic Second Empire style architecture, the property also boasts a lush green garden and an historic smokehouse.

Couples appreciate the quick access to Page Walker Arts and Cultural Center, as it is located across the railroad tracks behind Chatham Station. Because it is owned by the Town of Cary, couples are free to utilize the grounds for photographs, provided there are no events being held on the property at the time.

Downtown Cary, Streetside

There are so many other quaint (dare we say, cinematic) options available as well, such as Ashworth Village and the brick-covered streets that encompass the intersection of Chatham and Academy. Pleasant surprises spring up along downtown Cary’s streets, such as vibrant and understated murals, statues, a pole clock, and a nostalgic theatre marquis.

The Water Fountain

Cary’s beloved Downtown Park boasts a majestic water fountain that is often lighted to match seasons. Photographers have produced striking daytime and evening shots here.

Around the Venue

When time and weather don’t make it easy to stroll the streets of downtown Cary or the grounds of Page Walker, many clients have found amazing photo locations just outside our doors, and their photographers have created magic over the years.

We have a fenced-in patio and crisp white wall at Big Dom’s Bagels, as well as the trendy interior of Sidebar, our cocktail bar neighbors. And there are various natural areas around the building in which we’re located.

Our team is ready to work with and guide you whether you are a wedding or event planner, recently engaged or just looking for a place for an editorial or impromptu photo shoot.

Many thanks to the photographers who captured these images:

Amy Allen Photography
John Branch IV Photography
Morgan Caddell Photography
Kelley Deal Photography
Elizabeth Ashley & Co.
J Hagan Photography
Megan Kerns Photography
Christina Sturgis Photography

Alease & Joe’s Rotating Party

February 17, 2021 by Chatham Station

Of the Covid-19 wedding stories we’ve come across, this one not only had the elements of a classic wedding with a happy send off, but it also included some brilliant “out-of-the-box-problem-solving.”

The Couple

Alease and Joe are a down-to-earth pair of recent graduates who planned their wedding for early 2020, just as the pandemic was taking hold. Outgoing Alease, with the help of her mother, chose Chatham Station with more reserved Joe’s blessing, and we began the planning process with hope and a lot of optimism about the early end of the coronavirus.

The Conundrum

Even after moving their date from March to August, the pandemic continued to be an issue. Instead of postponing again or throwing up their hands, this couple pushed forward with a brilliant solution from their wedding planner Erin.

As a venue, we were only allowed 10 guests indoors at a time, but Alease and Joe wanted to stick with their original guest list. Erin, from Chestnut and Vine, determined that we could allow 10 guests at a time to visit with the couple after the ceremony by assigning time slots. This would allow everyone to get a chance to celebrate with the couple, and EVERYONE loved this idea.

The Ceremony

Throughout the ceremony, a trio of strings serenaded the couple and their supporting cast of family members. The ceremony was officiated by Alease’s uncle and Alease’s mother and sister were escorted down the aisle by her brother.

The bride, in a fabulous off-white and off the shoulder lace gown, was noticeably emotional as her father escorted her to Joe.

The Details & Party

For the reception, our staggered groups of 10 danced and spent time with the couple. Guests had their temperatures checked, hand sanitizer was given to all and as groups came and went, it became a rotating party. The mood was joyful and felt like a small, but normal wedding including the pre-planned father-daughter dance.

Both guests and the couple were visably delighted to have time together dancing, chatting and eating. The food from Catering by Design was wonderful, everyone looked stylish in the setting, and there was plenty of quality time with the newlyweds.

Our outdoor patio was set up with bistro umbrellas and tables for guests who wanted to sit outside and relax. The interior decor was a mix of earth tones, blushes and metallics and was simple and elegant.

From the gowns to the florals to the DJ and food, everything came together for these two and we couldn’t be happier for them. Congratulations Alease and Joe and all the best for decades to come.

The newlyweds and Chatham Station are happy to share the vendor list with you.

Planner: Chestnut and Vine
Florals: Lilac Floral Decor
Catering: Catering by Design
Photographer: KG Photography
Rentals: CE Rental
Live Musicians and DJ: Jenny’s Music Studio
Bakery: Once in a Blue Moon
Videographer: M&P Weddings
Venue: Chatham Station

Serenity & Jeremy’s Celebration – Part I

February 3, 2021 by Chatham Station

Serenity and Jeremy are one of those couples whose wedding plan was disrupted by the pandemic. Instead of postponing altogether, however, this upbeat and lighthearted pair decided to stick with their original wedding date and break The Big Event into two parties. Win-win.

The Couple

Both professionals (Serenity is in medical aesthetics and Jeremy in mechanical engineering), these two got engaged at a local music festival and wanted a mix of traditional and alternative elements for their day. Chatham Station, working with Tara Ruffier from Premier Party Planners, was excited to help deliver what they had envisioned, even if the party was scaled back. For the 30 guests who gathered in October of last year, it was not only safe, it was elegant.

A First Look

Serenity and Jeremy stole away pre-ceremony for their first look and the images say it all. They were so present in the moments captured by photographer John Branch, and that vibe lasted throughout their day.

The Ceremony

Guests were serenaded by a stringed trio as they found their seats, during and after the ceremony. Jeremy – despite having seen Serenity for the first look – was visibly moved as she was escorted down the aisle by her father.

After the vows, the couple and their guests made excellent use of our outdoor patio for champagne toasts, laughter and group pictures.

The Details

Perfect weather, the bride and her parents bathed in light upon arrival at Chatham Station, Serenity’s show-stopping gown and boho inspired florals, the smiling groom flanked and expectant – everything about this day affirmed their decision to go for it instead of waiting. Details were thoughtful and elegant from start to finish.

Downtown Cary provided a variety of spots for Serenity and Jeremy to have portraits taken before and after the ceremony. We look forward to hosting Part II of their celebration in October of 2021.

The newlyweds and Chatham Station are happy to share the vendor list:

Wedding Planner: Tara with Premier Party Planners
Florals: GCG Flowers
Photography: John Branch Photography
Videographer: Morgan Scott Films
Rentals: CE Rental
Live Musicians: Nelson String Quartet
Venue: Chatham Station

Nakeva & Otis create simple elegance

January 19, 2021 by Chatham Station

In September of 2020, Chatham was pleased to host Naveka and Otis’ Covid-safe, indoor-outdoor wedding. Like many couples who married last year, they had to make adjustments and concessions, but not where style was concerned. There may not have been a reception, but the ceremony, the bride and groom, and the day were beautiful.

The Couple

Nakeva and Otis were a pleasure to have: both were so kind, so chill and lovely and their style – traditional, classic and spare – made for the elegant, if simplified day. They originally planned for a large wedding, but when the pandemic made that impossible, our venue with open air options was the perfect spot.

The Wedding

Nakeva’s gown was a fitted and modern sheath and her bouquet was a blend of eucalyptus and pale roses. She was escorted down the short aisle by her father while a violinist played.

Otis looked amazing in a non-traditional light blue suit, and waited for Nakeva in front of an elegantly decorated wooden backdrop adorned with minimalist greens and flowers to match the bride’s bouquet.

Approximately 15 guests, made up of family and close friends, enjoyed a live violinist and faced each other on our outdoor patio, in a twist on the usual wedding set-up.

The Details

Other than Otis’ pop of color suit, the colors were white, pale pink and green with blush tones. The couple shared slices of their extra tall layer cake with guests and toasted with champagne.

The ability to gather with some of their more elderly relatives and still have the laughter and joy of a larger wedding was important to this couple and the images show that.