indoor outdoor wedding space

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

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

Bailey and Andrew’s Winter Beginning

April 1, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

In December of 2019, Bailey and Andrew said their vows at Chatham Station in a winter-themed ceremony that was as crisp and elegant as the season.

The Ceremony

On this warm December day, friends and relatives of the couple gathered to watch them celebrate a new beginning in a singularly modern-meets-traditional way. Guest entered through the courtyard and then one of our bay doors to sit facing an array of live Frasier firs and beautifully coordinated elements. Evergreen clippings and candlelight lined the aisle and Bailey’s bridesmaids wore deep evergreen gowns with fur stoles while the groomsmen wore steel grey suits with blush ties.

Bailey, who was visibly moved during the procession and ceremony, was the perfect winter bride, wearing a traditional ivory lace gown and veil. She carried a voluminous bouquet of large roses, diverse evergreens, berries and pine cones to complement the decor. The colors and textures of the wedding party were amazing.

The Reception

Bailey and Andrew’s reception choices of decor were clean, wintery and warm, as well. Sheer curtains were hung to create an ethereal vibe. Tables showcasing lacy blush chargers and napkins, centerpieces in varying heights, clusters of candles, birch limbs, gold, white, evergreen, ivory and shades of grey were present throughout. The color palette was consistent across elements, fabrics, florals and decor, and the result was stunning.

Thanks to the weather we enjoy in the South, even during the December holidays, the couple was able to have an outdoor cocktail hour. The sofas, pillows, chairs and other elements – like the welcome sign above – were on point.

The Couple

This really is a new beginning for the pair. Bailey and Andrew are recent college graduates, he in finance and she in athletics, and the pair were loyal in their vendor choices. They hired several based on long-standing relationships, something we admire in any couple.

Finally, we really loved their First Look moment, which took place in front of Christmas-decorated storefronts in downtown Cary. It was sweet, simple and elegant.

Congratulations to you Bailey and Andrew! Here’s to more warm days and lots of happiness in the years to come.

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

Photographer: Morgan Caddell
Coordinator: Shawn Schindler Events
Florist: Specialties Events
Catering: Catering by Design
Rentals: CE Rental
Unique Rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters
DJ: DJ Ryan The DJ
Hair and Makeup: Wedded Kiss
Dessert: Once in a Blue Moon Bakery
Custom Signage: Meriweather Designs
Venue: Chatham Station

Haley & Matt’s Winter Wedding

March 18, 2020 by cs_admin Leave a Comment

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