autumn nc weddings

Chelsea & Josh

January 19, 2022 by Chatham Station

The Preparation

Chelsea and Josh were married in early October of 2021, in a simply gorgeous outdoor ceremony. The bride and her bridesmaids readied themselves at Chatham where they donned matching pajamas, drank champagne and did their own hair and makeup. Chelsea wore her hair in a traditional curled style, with jeweled bobby pins and finished with a veil. Her gown was stunning with a beautiful lace bodice, side cuts and pearl details. She had a full skirt with lovely lace floral details with a subtle touch of sparkles. She finished her attire with sparkly sandals.

First Looks

Chelsea chose to have a first look with her father, followed by one with her husband to be; BOTH were emotional. As mom and bridesmaids looked on, Chelsea greeted her dad through tears. Josh too was emotional, but Chelsea was more excited than anything. With their photographer, the couple was able to get some wonderful photos during this pre-ceremony time, as well.

The Ceremony

The patio was set up for Chelsea and Josh’s outdoor ceremony and we don’t remember it being this dreamy in recent days. It was transformed into a fairytale space with our market lights wrapped in greenery and skirting the aisle. The herringbone back drop was also covered in floral and greenery embellishments. The flower girls mimicked this look with lovely crowns made of greenery and baby’s breath. Once again, Josh was brought to tears while watching his almost wife make her way down the aisle to him.

The couple had a candle lighting ceremony that included both of their moms. Following the ceremony the couple took off to take some more couple photos and these two really did make this a priority in their timeline. Couples and planners, take note! There are some wonderful spots around Chatham Station for just this purpose.

The Reception & Party

Everything that was thoughtful and lovely about the ceremony was apparent in the elements for the reception. Chelsea chose all gold and white and the tables were set with elegant chargers and silverware. There was a variety of centerpieces, and the couple repurposed bridesmaid bouquets with greenery and floating candles. Other tables had lanterns with greenery including white, blush, and burgundy blooms with seeded eucalyptus.

The head table was stunning. Farm tables with a greenery and floral garland down the center with floating candles throughout. Each plate on the head table had cut out wooden names for their party to take home with them which was a nice touch.

The couple entered the reception with a tunnel made by their wedding party, and the party was on! They immediately went went straight into their first dances. It was clear that Chelsea and her dad are very close and have a good relationship – lots of laughs and smiles. Josh and his mom also performed a cute swing dance.

After dinner and toasts, Chelsea was welcomed into the Sharp Family with their tradition of circling the couple and singing “Chapel of Love.” The dancing just kept on through the night. Instead of the big booming exit with sparklers and fanfare, Chelsea and Josh opted to dance underneath the evening lights on the patio.

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

Coordinator: Timeless Events
Catering: City BBQ
Photographer: Amy Allen Photography
Bakery: Once in a Blue Moon
Rentals: CE Rental
Florals: Teacup Floral
Videographer: Island Sound
Officiant: Church on Morgan
Transportation: Ecostyles
Hair and Makeup: Beauty Tribe
Bar: Brewmasters

Gretchen & Chris

December 22, 2021 by Chatham Station

Another intimate, beautiful wedding during the height of Covid, Gretchen and Chris were wed in front of a small group of family and close friends. The wedding party was meaningful, with Gretchen’s sister Jill and Chris’s best friend Sam both standing up for them.

Gretchen got ready with her mom and sister at Chatham and they enjoyed the beautiful weather and natural light coming in as they had their hair and make up done. Gretchen’s gown was a stunner, made of sleek satin with delicate straps and buttons going down the entire train. She also had a beautiful diamond hair clip that attached her veil.

In lieu of a First Look, Gretchen and Chris had a first touch using a door to separate them. It was such a sweet moment between the two.

The Ceremony

The couple said their vows out on our patio, with the beautiful herringbone arbor as a backdrop. It was draped with greenery and florals, and the tents featured market lights giving the space a romantic feel. Guests were able to spread out and have plenty of personal space and fresh air to make everyone feel comfortable and safe. Everyone was masked and happy to see these two become one.

The Reception and Details

Gretchen had a sweet first dance with Chris, and a Father-Daughter dance, and the floor stayed packed despite the news of the world and the safety restrictions. Hand sanitizer was given to guests and there was plenty of space for twirling and dancing without everyone feeling too close. Everyone masked and got out on the floor.

The autumnal theme was harmonious perfection. Gretchen chose a palette of burgundy, yellow, orange, cream, white, and burnt rust. Her bridal bouquet and the florals included sunflowers as the center focus (a bright and hopeful burst during a rough year), as well as deep red and white roses and daises that were in arrangements and on the arbor. For centerpieces lanterns and pumpkins were filled with these beautiful blooms. Gourds, pumpkins with a mix of greenery flowed down the rectangular tables and were sent home with guests as favors. Finally, white butterflies were added to centerpieces to represent family members who had passed, including Chris’s mom.

It was a personal and beautiful wedding for Gretchen and Chris and we loved hosting the SMALL, tight-knit tribe who came to celebrate their BIG day. Congratulations on nearly one year of marriage, you two!

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

Planner: Paisley and Pearl Events
Hair and Makeup: Kathy with A Shear Perfection
Flowers: Flower Creations
Rentals: CE Rentals
Catering and Bar: Cannon Catering
Tent: Grand Rental Station
Venue: Chatham Station

Molly & Brian’s Elegant Southern Wedding

September 1, 2020 by Chatham Station

What do you get when you combine an outgoing nurse and reserved nuclear scientist? Newlyweds. And you also get a wedding that feels like like a throwback to Southern gentility but with easy and modern touches. Molly – the outgoing bride – planned a wedding for 170+ guests that was both elegant and casual. In fact, the day felt more like a large family reunion than a party. The personal touches and Southern charm were everywhere.

Pre-Wedding Moments

For this autumn wedding, this couple had the weather gods on their side. Molly and her helpers, all of whom wore monogrammed lavender shirts, readied themselves in one of our dressing suites. Her attendants and friends spanned the generations and all had fun surrounding and assisting the bride-to-be.

Brian and his groomsmen relaxed and enjoyed a beer while waiting for the groom’s First Look at Molly before the ceremony.

The couple’s First Look moment was idyllic and incredibly touching. They chose the lush green gardens at the nearby Page-Walker Hotel.

The Ceremony

Molly and Brian were one of the first couples to use Chatham Station’s herringbone backdrop for their patio ceremony. It was expertly decorated by Lilac Floral Decor and hooded with greenery, individually suspended flowers and a hand-held fan that has sentimental value and is a nod to old Southern charm and Molly’s desire for elegant simplicity.

Pinks, purples and shades of lilac could be found in the bridesmaids gowns, the bouquets and in floral arrangements throughout the space. Guest were invited onto the patio and to their seats by a lovely hand-made wooden sign. Greenery and lanterns marked the aisle.

The Details

Molly’s commitment to simple elegance extended to most of the elements of that day: the lace, the hand-held fan, framed photos and even signature hangers for her attendants. Guests were greeted with a table where there was a list of fun facts about the couple and a place to leave advice for the newlyweds.

Molly’s gown was also a triumph of pure elegant simplicity. Creamy white with a high satin waistline embellished with minimal fabric flowers and beading, she looked regal and happy.

The Reception

The colors seen in bouquets and dresses were also reflected in linens at the reception. Some linens had delicate lace overlays, which complemented the lace flowers on Molly’s dress.

Throughout the toasts, dancing, desserts and conversation, everything was casual and thoughtful. Guests mingled inside and on the patio, chatted, played cornhole and surrounded the couple with love and best wishes.

We loved hosting this special day for this wonderful local couple and wish them many, many years of happiness.

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

Catering: City BBQ
Bar Services: Brewmasters
Photographer: Rose Trail Images
DJ/ Band/ Music: Island Sound
Florist: Lilac Floral Decor
Rentals: CE Rentals
Cake: Once in a Blue Moon Bakery
Wedding Day Hair & Makeup: Made Beautiful by Roya
Wedding Coordination: Sweet SaraBelle Weddings
Venue: Chatham Station

Haley & Matt’s Winter Wedding

March 18, 2020 by Chatham Station

Haley and Matt were married in November of 2019, and these two are super-fun, energetic and adventure-loving. We liked them immediately when they toured our place on a cold, rainy winter evening and they in turn knew immediately that Chatham Station was where they wanted to wed. The architectural and industrial aspects and the vibe suited them, so right off the bat, we all said “we do!”

The mood of their entire event was as cool, edgy and down-to-earth as they are.

They took time to grab lots and lots of photos with their attendants and photographer in downtown Cary.

Pre-Ceremony Fun

Prior to the ceremony, Haley, her bridesmaids and family enjoyed plenty of laughter and fun in our dressing suites and we loved hosting them. The photographer was also able to get lovely bridal shots of Haley in our space.

A lace, vintage-inspired gown with jewels, flowers on a gorgeous bride.

The couple shared a First Look and Matt was so clearly moved seeing his bride-to-be. They even included their attendants in the moment, which made it feel even more fun and special.

The Ceremony

The ceremony itself was also very moving with nods to the traditional. The guests faced our wall with the industrial fan flanked by two cylinder shaped asymmetrical pillars built by Haley’s dad and masterfully decorated by Lilac Floral Decor.

Haley has an excellent eye, so the elements that she chose for the day had lots of deep autumn colors, textures and striking details. Haley’s bridal party wore burnt orange velvet gowns and carried bouquets the included, among other things, dried flowers and pampas grass.

The Details & Reception

The decor for guests ranged from farmhouse tables with low arrangements to round tables adorned with deeply colored linens in burgundy and gold with flower arrangements containing a diverse selection of grasses, flowers, and other dried elements.

Design was a big part of this day and this couple combined not only colors and textures, but modern and traditional elements and themes. Everywhere you looked you saw fall colors mixed with rustic elements and modern flair.

Haley and Matt danced all night with their guests. They barely left the dance floor thanks to DJ Ones and a constant selection of fabulous music.

The Send-Off

These two are a party on the move and left their day in style with glowsticks and dancing. Congrats to you both Haley and Matt! Come celebrate an anniversary with us!

The lovely couple and Chatham Station are happy to share the vendors with you!
Photographer: Christina Sturgis Photography
Coordinator: Premier Party Planners
Florist: Lilac Floral Decor
Catering: City BBQ
Rentals: CE Rental
DJ: DJ Ones
Hair/Makeup: Mena Garcia Beauty
Dessert: Krispy Kreme
Videographer: 414 Creatives
Venue: Chatham Station