covid-19 wedding

Alease & Joe’s Rotating Party

February 17, 2021 by cs_admin

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

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

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

Latisha & Patrick’s Spring Wedding

July 22, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

These two were married in March of 2020, just before we all realized the extent to which Covid-19 was going to change the trajectory of just about everything. Latisha and Patrick were concerned of course about their guests and their plans, but because they selected a significant date for their wedding day they wanted to proceed. The solution was to have their event scaled back, with fewer guests and only at Chatham Station. Along with their amazing vendors, we all moved forward thoughtfully.

The Couple

This couple has been together for a long time and have two children. As Patrick is a DJ in the wedding industry, he and Latisha hand-picked the vendors and collaborators for their day, so theirs was a celebration thanks to pros from our industry. In fact, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that the success of this wedding was due entirely to the skill, flexibility, and incredible graciousness of the vendors.

Latisha decided to dress in one of our on-site dressing suites, while photographer Cara of F8 Studios worked her magic capturing details and moments. You would never know from the photos and details that this was not the larger scale wedding they’d planned. With only 90 minutes, Cara was masterful at also gathering and grouping the couple, the family and some sweet moments both in and outside.

Latisha’s gown was epic, with beads and an elaborate ruffled train. Her bridesmaids’ dresses were a deep blush, and they carried complementing bouquets. Groomsmen wore dark gray suits that coordinated with Patrick’s attire.

The Ceremony

With a compressed schedule, Latisha and Patrick said their vows at Chatham Station in a South-facing ceremony. The custom, in-house backdrop we provided was laden with ferns and the aisle lined with bouquets of pastel florals and lanterns provided by the couple’s planner Diane of Bustled Events. Latisha was escorted by her extremely proud father where she was awaited by Patrick and the couple’s children, acting as ring-bearer and flower girl.

The Details

The music for their ceremony was provided by on-site DJ Nyce Danger and Bustled Events spared no attention to detail, providing a linen draped table so that the couple could have a sand ceremony.