Summer Weddings

Eddie & Derrick

September 21, 2022 by Chatham Station

Eddie and Derrick met each other at UNC Chapel Hill 30 years ago. They were brothers of Kappa Psi – a pharmaceutical fraternity. Last year, there was a surprise wedding proposal on campus, something Eddie worked for a full year to pull off. There wedding also had a surprise element!

The couple told their friends they were throwing a “30th Anniversary Party,” and invited them to Chatham Station to celebrate. Guests showed up to enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, make new memories, capture fun images in a photo booth, and enjoy dinner.

During the various speeches and toasts, two of Eddie and Derrick’s friends started sharing how much love was between this couple, and how they brought out the best in each other. Next another friend came to the front to give a toast about how much they deserved happiness, and then added: “You know what, everyone is here, I’m ordained, let’s just get married. What do you say?” The whole room exploded with applause, cheers, and tears.

The grooms then made their way to the center of the dance floor with rings and vow books, and suddenly everyone realized this was the plan all along. They then had their ceremony!

Eddie is a wedding planner, and planned the entire occasion himself. From the Chapel Hill details, Carolina blue invitations, signature drinks, and other elements of surprise, it was such a warm, fun and beautiful day.

Rocky Top showed up with amazing hor d’oeuvres including BBQ Beef Short Rib, Potato Baskets, Shrimp and Grits Shooters, Chicken & Waffles, as well as Roasted Tomato Bruschetta. They also chose to do two stations for dinner that included all options at each to help move guests through the lines quicker.

James Taylor’s “Carolina In My Mind” was played during the cutting of their spectacular five tier wedding cake. Each tier was a different flavor, and Ashley Cakes did an incredible job incorporating the Chapel Hill theme, as all the vendors did. Finally they had their first dance together to “Then Came You” and then invited their friends to join them. Dancing carried this couple and their guests through to the very end.

Congratulations Eddie & Derrick! We loved hosting your special day.

Chatham Station and the newlyweds are happy to share the list of vendors.

Photographer: Cynthia Viola
Florist: Flowers By Kyle
Caterer: Rocky Top
Bar: Artful Libations
Cake: Ashley Cakes
DJ: All Around DJs
Photo booth: ZimZoom Photo Booth
Invitation Design: Indigo Envelope
Day of Stationary: CK Creations
Rentals: CE Rentals & Grand Rental (tent)
Greenhouse Picker Sisters (Specialty Rentals)

Kaitlyn & Matt

September 7, 2022 by Chatham Station

Married on June 25, 2021 in a ceremony that took advantage of both the indoors and out at Chatham Station, Kaitlyn and Matt are a beautiful couple, and boy did they have an absolutely beautiful day.

While the bridal party prepared at the Mayton Inn nearby, the guys relaxed at the Bond Brother before arriving at Chatham to get ready themselves.

The First Look

Kaitlyn and Matt shared a first look at Chatham station, and Matt’s excitement was palpable. Kaitlyn’s gown was a stunner and the wait was worth it. Following the first look, the wedding party grabbed images and took advantage of the patio, the sunshine and our setting.

Immediate family also arrived for pre-ceremony photos, allowing Kaitlyn and Matt more time to take photos after the ceremony at the Page Walker House.

The Ceremony

The vows took place indoors in front of our fan wall. Chatham’s herringbone backdrop was banked with gorgeous blooms that coordinated with the bridal bouquets. The ceremony itself included piano versions of songs the couple loved, and it was incredibly romantic.

The Party

The touching wedding ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour, where guests spilled onto the patio to enjoy hor d’oeuvres and signature drinks. Guest tables were set with beautiful linens, votive candles and tall floral arrangements. The couple also had custom match boxes with their names as guest favors.

Kaitlyn and Matt also made sure that guests had plated salad ready for them so the couple could share a first dance and get more photos. It allowed everyone time to relax and reconnect.

Their wedding cake was created by a family friend, but there was also a donut wall where everyone grabbed some sweetness in between toasts, dancing and the sit-down dinner. Later in the evening, Kaitlyn and Matt surprised everyone with a Bourbon Tasting Bar. It was a hit!

The final send-off was a beautiful sparkler exit that was even more dramatic thanks to the tent and market lights. After the couple shared a private last dance, their parents surprised Kaitlyn and Matt with a bike taxi/rickshaw ride back to their hotel. This wedding was a knock out. Congrats to you on your new chapter in life, Kaitlyn and Matt!

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

Planner: Harmony Weddings & Events
Hair: Brittany Ormond
Makeup: Karen Michelle Clark
Photographer & Videographer: Urban Bloom
Florist: English Garden Raleigh
Rentals: CE Rentals (linens/place settings), Grand Rental (tent)
Officiant: Personal Weddings of NC
DJ: All Events DJ Victor & Ray
Donuts: Daylight Donuts

Junele & Stephen

August 24, 2022 by Chatham Station

On August 8th of 2021, Junele and Stephen were married at a wedding like no other! Their energy should be bottled, and on this day, this couple were absolutely the best.

Junele and Stephen both wore green shoes on their wedding day, a fun touch considering that green was their signature color. Green was everywhere and absolutely beautiful. Extra draping was added throughout the ceremony space and reception area in deep green. Their floral arrangements were extravagant, lining the aisles and later used as the table centerpieces. Add chandeliers, candles and touches of white, and Chatham Station was transformed.

Junele walked down the aisle escorted by her mother and father, who also officiated the ceremony. The bride also made her son a significant member of the bridal party, the occasion, and the day. He stood next to Stephen during the ceremony. The couple were moved to tears during their vows, and when it was time for the bride and groom to kiss, Junele covered her dad’s eyes … adorable.

The Reception

Green and gold continued to set the tone for decor, with candlesticks in gold tapers, velvet napkins and lovely green linens. The atmosphere though was also joyous. This wedding party had so much energy. The reception was a party!

These two love karaoke, so it was a party of the reception, and Junele’s performance with her parents was a hit. Games, dancing, toasts and a sparkler send off completed the day.

After the ceremony the whole wedding party joined Junele and Stephen at the cinema where they took photos.

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

Catering & Bar Services: Cake Couture
Day of Coordination/Boxwood wall and Backdrop: Dolled Up and Planned Out
Florals: Every Bloomin’ Thing
Rentals: In The Details Event Co. (chairs and flatware)
CE Rentals (tables)
Grand Rental Station (pipe and draping)
Photographer: Tami Casalegno
Videography: Brimages Photography
DJ: DJ Trellz
Cake: Tasty Tables by Ash – Ashlie Broadney

Emily & Daniel

May 11, 2022 by Chatham Station

We loved hosting Emily and Daniel’s nuptials at Chatham Station on August 21, 2021. Between the palette and this adorable couple, the lighting and the fabulous photography, it was a glorious summer wedding!

Preparations

Emily’s dress was a stunner! An off the shoulder, flowing chiffon gown with partial sleeves and lace embellishments on the bodice, it was captured by the photographer and videographer prior to the ceremony. Emily also wore a mid length veil that allowed for some fabulous images as well.

Bridal portraits at the main entrance and garage doors were beautiful, and Emily was able to fit in a bunch of fun first looks starting off with her bridesmaids who where ecstatic to see her all dressed up.

Her father was next and he presented her with her “something blue,” a blue diamond bracelet. Finally, and most importantly, Emily and Daniel had a private first look that captured how thrilled they were to see each other before saying their vows. They looked like models at a photo shoot!

The Ceremony

After the flurry of preparations, first looks and photos, it was time for Emily’s father to escort her down the aisle.

The ceremony faced the fan wall with the Chatham Station herringbone backdrop draped with greenery and white flowers. Dan was moved as Emily came down the aisle even through he had previously seen her.

Following the wedding, Emily and Dan got amazing couple photos down the street from Chatham at the cinema and a mural downtown.

The Reception & Details

The monochromatic palette contained green accents (see bridesmaids, table runners, greenery and the groomsmen’s ties), but there was also plenty of lovely evening natural light. Dan and Emily shared their first dance at sunset and enjoyed the rest of the evening talking with guests, dancing, toasting and finding little moments alone together to soak up the day.

Congratulations, Emily and Dan! We wish you nothing but health, happiness, joy and adventure ahead!

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

Planner: Paisley and Pearl Events
Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes & Duck Donuts
Bar: Artful Libations
Catering: Cannon Catering
DJ: Willis J. Entertainment
Flowers: Something Borrowed Blooms
Rentals: CE Rental
Videographer: Oak and Dove
Photographer: Morgan Sierra Photography
Hair and Makeup: Ambria with The Makeup Addict

Chelsea & Matthew

November 24, 2021 by Chatham Station

Chelsea and Matt’s wedding was so incredibly fun and joyful and we are particularly excited becauce Chelsea is a new member of the Chatham Station team. We love having her detail-oriented mind and creativity on board! On her wedding day to Matt, she was a vision of exuberance, and these two successful adults had the best day of their lives!

The pair met in Asheville, after Chelsea came north from Florida, where she grew up. They’re now settled in Raleigh with their beloved miniature Dachshund Maggie and a rescue cat called Binx.

Preparations & Details

The entire wedding party got ready at The Mayton Inn. Chelsea wore a lacy, off-the-shoulder gown that was exquisite on her. Chelsea’s mom helped her put on extra special details including a dachshund pin (for Maggie) given to Chelsea by her new mother-in-law, and a decorated horseshoe that her mother wore at her own wedding. It meant so much to her to have these items with her when saying I Do. The bridesmaids wore beautiful blush velvet dresses, with fluttery sleeves and flowing skirts. Matt’s groomsmen and groomswoman wore navy.

Chelsea appreciates, and excels in, presentation, and as a “Day of” wedding planner, the details and results of her planning were evident throughout the wedding and reception. They focused on having fun, but most especially family, and there were many personal touches.

Chelsea and Matt chose navy and blush with touches of gold as their palette, but it was the florals that had everyone talking. Roses in varying shades of pink, with greenery and touches of blue thistles adorned both tall and short centerpieces. Their simple and elegant three tiered cake also had touches of greenery, and it was displayed on a stand with gold intertwining gold rings atop navy lace linen, making it really stand out.

The Ceremony

Matt walked down the aisle with his mom, and Chelsea was escorted her dad and stepdad. Both men have played such important roles in her life and she wanted them both by her side. It was extremely touching.

Chelsea’s step mom gave a reading for the ceremony, and we witnessed a lot of tears and laughter from everyone (including the bride and groom) when Chelsea and Matt read personal vows to one another. It was a lovely moment. Afterwards, everyone was ready to party. And they did!!

Guests found the seating chart on a boxwood champagne wall that said, “From this moment on.” It was a beautiful and functional backdrop.

Chelsea and Matt employed the Southern folklore tradition of burying bourbon on-site, prior to their big day to ward off rain. It must have helped, because the predicted 70% chance of rain turned to a mere sprinkle on the day. For the reception, we set up the patio with fun games to keep guests entertained during cocktail hour. Everyone enjoyed playing giant sized Connect Four, Jenga and of course, Cornhole.

Finally, at the end of the evening, these two were sent off into the married world with cheers, sparklers and smooches!

The newlyweds and Chatham Station are happy to share the vendors list!

Cake: Once in a Blue Moon
Photographer: Megan Kerns Photography
DJ: DJ Ryan
Coordinator: Sarah Worstel with Forever and a Day
Rentals: CE Rental and Greenhouse Picker Sisters
Caterer: City BBQ
Bartender: Happiest Hostess
Florist: Lilac Floral Decor

Fernanda & Michael

November 10, 2021 by Chatham Station

This beautiful couple were married this summer at a church in Cary and held their reception at Chatham Station. It seems a little obvious to say that love is in the air at a wedding reception, but this particular wedding was teaming with it. Fernanda is from Brazil, and while not all of her family could make it due to Covid travel restrictions, her parents and a few members were in attendance.

Fernanda and Michael are so clearly in love and their families are thrilled that they found each other and have impacted each others lives already. The energy at this wedding was magic.

Fernanda wore a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, and a full flowing skirt with a jeweled belt that looked amazing on her! With her hair in a braided updo, she looked timeless and absolutely gorgeous. She floated around Chatham with such happiness.

Family is clearly important to both Fernanda and Michael and guests were treated to their story through the many speeches that guests made. Both the bride’s and groom’s fathers moved everyone with their toasts, and Fernanda’s father made sure he had a translator help him share his love for his daughter and excitement about her marriage.

When the couple and their guests weren’t dancing and mingling, Fernanda could be found on Facetime, showing her family back in Brazil parts of the reception and sharing laughs and details of the day.

Guests enjoyed cocktails and catering, followed by cake and a variety of clever and tasty mini desserts.

Not only was there plenty of dancing, including a conga line, but Fernanda and Michael provided a DIY photobooth area – set up at the herringbone wall and lounge set – that kept guests entertained with fun pictures.

The evening concluded with a sparkler exit and even the couple took part. Congratulations and all the best to you both!

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

Photography: Ligia Gathright
Planner: Dogwood Gatherings and Events
Bar: Artful Libations
DJ: Raleigh Wedding and Video
Rentals: CE Rental
Hair and Makeup: Elevated Beauty by Gabrielle DuVall
Desserts: Publix and ChocoWow
Caterer: Fords Fluent N’ Food
Venue: Chatham Station