cary north carolina

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

Ellyn & Joe

October 13, 2021 by Chatham Station

The Couple

Cary native, Ellyn married Joe in December 2020 in what was the sweetest ceremony. Since we had not yet begun to see the beginning of Covid decline, the couple opted for a small and intimate affair. They provided masks for guests to wear with their wedding hashtag #WalkingBrownTheAisle, laced up their Converse sneakers and met up at Chatham Station to say their vows.

Downtown Cary, outside the holiday decorations at Cary Arts Center.

A First Look

Ellyn was able to do a first look with both Joe and her father. The first look with her father was a very sweet moment, ending with him wrapping her up in his arms and smiling from ear to ear.

The Ceremony

The couple was keen on including as much family as possible on their special day. Ellyn’s brother Peyton officiated the ceremony, and her grandmother flew several hours, at a difficult time, to make sure she was there to witness Ellyn becoming a wife.

An intimate ceremony doesn’t mean there is no love or warmth from friends and family. In fact, you can make the argument that there is even more of both, especially during a universally rocky year. For their December ceremony, little touches of holiday color and green garlands were all it took to make the place feel magical. Bridesmaids, wearing seasonally perfect gowns in burgundy, carried lanterns with flowers down the aisle instead of traditional bouquets. The effect was lovely.

The couple’s flowers incorporated accents of reds, pinks and whites including gorgeous anemone. They even included paper flowers from the Harry Potter Books into their bouquets for a special touch and nod to their particular favorites.

The Reception & Details

Ellyn wore a beautiful fitted lace gown that had an illusion back with buttons running down the dress. After the ceremony the couple was able to share a sweet first dance in Chatham surrounded by their guests!

Details in the decor were simple, elegant and thoughtful. Ellyn’s family lived intermittently in Italy for the last few years and Ellyn and Joe wanted to include Italian influences for the day. The couple had wine boxes imported from Italy, which were used to line the aisle and added an elegant European touch.

Ellyn and Joe had their photographer, Veritas Digital, take amazing shots around the city of Cary, which was decorated for the holidays and added a fun element and memories of their day.

Congratulations and cheers to many happy decades of marriage to you both, Ellyn and Joe!

The newlyweds and Chatham Station are happy to share the vendor list.
Planner: Something Fabulous
Rentals: CE Rentals
Photographer: Veritas Digital Photography
DJ: Willis J Entertainment
Florist: Dayspring Flowers
Hair: Dry Bar – Waverly By Brenda Peterkin

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