chatham station

Nakeva & Otis create simple elegance

January 19, 2021 by cs_admin

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.

Chatham extends our heartfelt congratulations to Nakeva and Otis and we wish them only happiness in 2021 and beyond.

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

Florals: Serendipity
Photographer: Lady Iman
Live Musician: Brian Ford with Allegro Music
Bakery: Sugar Euphoria
Venue: Chatham Station

Lauren & Michael’s Intimate Ceremony

October 13, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

This lovely couple, like countless others, had their March 2020 wedding plans derailed when the pandemic made its way to our shores. After meticulously planning their wedding with the help of Trent and Ashley of Something Fabulous Weddings and Events, they kept as many of those details and choices intact and decided to go ahead with their ceremony, if on a much smaller scale.

Lauren is a professional writer; Michael works in the corporate world and they moved to the Triangle from Michigan where they fell in love with Chatham Station’s minimal elegance after getting engaged. Of course, we were thrilled to accommodate any plan they had.

The Intimate Ceremony

Even during this uncertain time, during their ceremony the couple heard the calming voice of Officiant Ann McKenzie. They were flanked by Lauren’s sister and Michael’s brother as they greeted each other and said their vows. Lauren’s father not only escorted her down the aisle, he treated the couple and their small gathering of guests to a serenade. It was a surprise and an incredibly sweet moment.

Special Details

While the wedding was scaled back, there was no shortage of tender moments, including Lauren’s first look with her father.

The bride, her mother and her sister-slash-maid-of-honor, all prepared in our changing rooms where they were able to capture little moments. Lauren’s gown was a stunner – a white gossamer and timeless number with an open back, plunging neckline and long veil. The layers in her dress were sublime.

The couple also shared a first touch instead of a first look, where they shared notes they wrote for each other and were able to laugh a little and reflect before the ceremony.

After the ceremony, the small party of mostly family and some friends grabbed some indoor portraits and then the couple accompanied their photographer Sarah Reaves for a stroll around downtown Cary, where they took exquisite outdoor photos in pretty spectacular springtime setting.

Lauren and Michael are proof that you can tailor your larger vision when things in the world shift sideways. Where we cut back on guests and decor there was an enormous amount of heart present on this day. Tears flowed and the couple were made to feel that their new beginning was as special as the even the largest, grandest wedding.

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

Wedding Planners: Something Fabulous Weddings & Events
Officiant: Ann McKenzie
Florist: Blossom
Photographer: Sarah Reaves
Venue: Chatham Station

Megan & Ric Keep it Sleek…

September 22, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

… and beautifully simple. This couple scored points on several fronts, most notably that they executed an elegant and minimalist wedding that felt chic, and they married in March of this year (March 14th to be exact) before the Covid pandemic brought people’s plans and lives to a grinding halt.

The Couple

Megan and Ric are a study in contrasts. She is straightforward, organized and funny (notice the sign about cell phone photography displayed at the ceremony: direct and sweet). Megan likes to tell a story about how she saw Ric while out with friends and knew that he was someone she wanted to know better. He is more subdued and content to be Megan’s adoring partner.

The Ceremony

On the day, Megan donned her gorgeous gown off-site, while Ric dressed and prepared in one of our dressing suites.

The bride appeared through white sheers to meet her groom, and the couple said the vows they wrote for each other in front of a copper arbor from Homemade Bride. With minimal floral additions, the effect was warm and intimate.

Reading her vows: short, sweet & personal

The Details

Megan and Ric took advantage of sites near Chatham Station to create special images with their photographer, including stops at the nearby Mayton Inn, at a mural just a few blocks away, and at Sidebar where they shared drinks with their wedding party.

Megan chose seafoam as a primary color and it was both striking and clean when combined with the textured whites and minimal greenery. From the table linens to Ric’s tie, everything was beautifully coordinated. Because Megan finds floral arrangements distracting at weddings, she decided to skip them altogether.

Instead of cake, the guests were served pies, it was Pi Day after all. These were displayed on a variety of cake stands on a blue buffet rented from Homemade Bride.

We sent the couple off in style after a reception that had lots of dancing, toasting, and celebration.

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

Planner: Premier Party Planners
Baker: Slice Pie Company
Caterer: City BBQ
DJ: Making Memories DJ
Hair & Makeup: Brush Beauty Boutique
Photographer: jHagan Photography
Bartenders: Brewmasters Mobile
Transportation: Triangle Corporate
Rentals: Grand Rental Station, CE Rental, Homemade Bride
Venue: Chatham Station

Molly & Brian’s Elegant Southern Wedding

September 1, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

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

Heather & Caleb Make a Bright Choice

August 18, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

When Heather and Caleb toured Chatham Station in mid-spring of 2019, their plan was to get married in June of 2020. We all agreed it would be a beautiful occasion for Cary native Heather and her groom-to-be Caleb, who serves in the military.

The Couple

The couple soon after found out that Caleb would be deployed and in a bold move, decided to move their wedding date up to August of 2019. Considering the state of affairs in June of 2020, they are probably feeling pretty smart right about now. Of course, with the help of favorite local vendors Heather chose, like Brides and Bouquets and the venerable Once in a Blue Moon bakery, we were all able to make it happen.

Pre-Ceremony

Both Heather and Caleb dressed at Chatham in our dressing suites, with the mothers helping out with details and special moments. The bride had a first look with her father and bridesmaids before being escorted down the aisle. Everyone was beaming on what turned out to be a gorgeous late summer day in Cary.

The Ceremony

Guests walked up the patio and entered through one of our large bay doors to access the ceremony site. The vows were spoken in front of a white arbor that complemented the natural tones of the space and embellished with asymmetrical floral sprays in gentle hues. The bride chose striking flowers, such as anemones, hydrangeas, and various types of roses that were both traditional and understated.

Next to the bridesmaids gowns in a deep blue, everything looked elegant and was well-planned and the prevailing mood of the room was soft and ethereal.

After the I Dos, as guests mingled before the reception, the newlyweds sneaked off for photos at the nearby Page-Walker Hotel and a local fountain that was lit in a beautiful shade of purple.

The Reception & Details

The details of the reception were as thoughtful, elegant and clever as the couple. Each guest table featured a special photograph of the couple and all were adorned with a mixture of white lanterns, floral arrangements, gold accents and blue napkins that matched the wedding party’s attire. Other glassware and fabrics were in subdued tones of blue, lavender and cream.

The cake was a traditional tiered affair with buttercream frosting and after the couple was introduced and toasted, they danced in the idyllic summer evening light.

They couple moved out west to prepare for Caleb’s deployment and, we are happy to share, are expecting their first child. Congratulations and cheers to Heather and Caleb.

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

Wedding Planner: Paisley and Pearl
Photographer: Jen Hagan Photography
Decor: Greenhouse Picker Sisters
Officiant: Reverend Carl Frazier
Florist: The Flower Girl, Rachel Schmoldt
Musician for Ceremony: Patti Cook
Reception Music: Willis J. Entertainment
Linens: CE Rentals
Catering: City BBQ
Bar: Brewmasters
Wedding Cake: Once in a Blue Moon
Venue: Chatham Station

Amanda & Max Make “Minimal” Gorgeous

August 5, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

“Love in the time of COVID” has become a meme, and sadly a refrain during the spring and summer wedding season. For Amanda and Max, their June 2020 wedding plan involved making some editing and moving forward – together.

Originally, the couple hoped to include 100 of their favorite people as part of their big summer wedding party, but when the pandemic brought us all to a halt, and an effort to reschedule in August also fell through, they reframed their goal and made it happen.

Pre-Wedding Moments

Both bride and groom added some finishing touches in our dressing suites and then the bride shared a first look with her father before he escorted her down the aisle to Max.

The Ceremony

In order to stay in compliance with state regulations and health guidelines, Amanda and Max reduced their wedding party to one attendant each and kept the guest list to a minimum. They had a moving sand ceremony to signify their union. The result was intimate, sweet and without the noise and chaos that can come with a larger event. With the help of their vendors, there was an enormous amount of beauty in just 90 minutes.

Details

These two looked amazing, with Amanda in a minimal, form-fitted and stunning gown and all white floral bouquet, and Max in an elegant navy suit. The backdrop for their vows, and the aisles, held small simple bunches of rich greenery. The result was sophisticated and elegant.

Wedding photographer Brittany Cruse worked absolute magic at the venue, using furniture and positioning the couple with care and creativity.

The Future

Happily, scaling back did not mean cancelling, and we are thrilled to say that Chatham Station will be the venue for a party in June of 2021 to celebrate Amanda and Max’s first wedding anniversary. Congratulations to you both!

The Vendors

The newlyweds and Chatham Station are happy to share the day’s vendors with you!

Venue: Chatham Station Venue
Wedding Planner: Paisley and Pearl Events
Photographer: Brittany Cruse
Officiant: Ann McKenzie
Florist: Sweet Love Blossoms
Hair and Makeup: Silver Ceiling Beauty