As high school sweethearts who went on to become loyal NC State Alumni, Kaitlin and Chris set out to plan a unique wedding day that encompassed their love of family, friends, board games, cards, cornhole and all things Wolfpack, and they more than delivered by treating their guests to a fun-filled Game Night themed wedding reception at the NCSU Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center on the southern shore of Lake Raleigh. The bride and her attendants began their day next door at The State View Hotel where they had their hair and makeup expertly done by the Wedding Hair By Liz team.  Their outdoor...Read More

April Showers bring a stunning bride and gorgeous wedding flowers!  A rainy forecast didn’t damper Hannah and Van’s spirit  on their wedding day at The Cloth Mill in Hillsborough, NC.  Having spent a portion of their engagement apart while Van was deployed with the USMC, this endearing couple knew the importance of enjoying the now and making the most of their time together.  Thanks to the professional talents of The Makeup Addict team, Hannah and her attendants looked radiant from the pre-ceremony photos all the way through to the newlywed’s Grand Exit, and the gorgeous...Read More

Laura and Steve “Always” dreamed of having a magical wedding day, and on an early December evening, they turned The Cookery in downtown Durham into a romantic winter wonderland, thanks to the talents of renowned DC florist Kevin Canfield of K Aubrey Flowers, a close friend of the Bride & Groom.  The delicate wintery whites of their candlelit ceremony were the perfect contrast to the warm navy and gold tones used throughout the cocktail and dinner receptions.  Family and friends were treated to delectable appetizers and a savory dinner buffet expertly prepared by Durham Cater...Read More

This week I had the honor of being a guest on the popular Weddings for Real Podcast hosted by Megan Gillikin, owner of A Southern Soiree Wedding & Event Planning.  I had so much fun talking with Megan about how Chestnut & Vine came to be and my approach to day-of wedding coordination.  I even got to share a bit about my destination wedding to exotic Indiana and the time I had to coordinate 5 different transportation companies for the guests of a single wedding. You can listen to our conversation here! ...Read More

Meghan and Drew made their wedding celebration at the Rand-Bryan House extra special by sharing their three favorite things with their closest friends and family – gourmet coffee, food trucks and local craft beer.  They personalized every detail down to the illuminated Growler centerpieces with table number stands made of barley, gourmet pizza and garlic knots made onsite by Pie Pushers, and bags of roasted coffee beans for their guests to take home to enjoy.  Their burnt orange, dusty blue and white floral bouquets and boutonnières, expertly designed by Flowers on Broad Street, vivid...Read More

Katherine, a native of Wake Forest, NC, wanted her wedding day to be a reflection of her Southern roots with a touch of her and her fiancé Dan’s fun, laid back personalities.  The historic Merrimon-Wynne House in Downtown Raleigh, with its quintessential mix of old Southern Charm and modern elegance, was the perfect setting for their Memorial Day Weekend wedding, and the weather was as equally as beautiful as the bride.   Katherine’s favorite wedding moment was having her and Dan’s closest family and friends all in one place to celebrate their marriage, which was poig...Read More

When planning their Memorial Day Weekend wedding in Downtown Raleigh, it was important to Christina and Lucas that their guests experience three things: good food, a great bar, and fun music.  With the help of their all-star wedding vendor team and a distinct wedding vision, that is exactly what they delivered. The sun shone brightly as Christina and Lucas’ family and friends gathered in the Courtyard tucked behind Gravy, one of Raleigh’s top Italian Restaurants, to witness the marriage of the Ohio bride to her North Carolina sweetheart.  The bridesmaids wore blush dresses that ...Read More

Chestnut & Vine Day-of Wedding Coordination is excited to announce that our clients Samantha & Parker’s gorgeous Spring wedding at Merrimon-Wynne is featured on two online publications!  A huge thank you to Ellen LeRoy Photography for submitting her stunning photos for these articles on Borrowed & Blue, Elysian Bride and The Carolinas Magazine.  It has been a joy to relive Samantha & Parker’s special day! ...Read More

The Graylyn Estate is a hidden gem located minutes from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC.  As soon as they set their eyes on the main house of this historic property, Julia and Corey knew it was the perfect setting for the elegantly romantic wedding day they envisioned. The sun shown brightly in the estate’s White Garden Terrace as the couple read their personal vows to one another before their families and closest friends. The Terrace’s natural beauty was magnified by the stunning floral bouquets crafted by the incredibly talented team at Green Bee Floral Designs.  Du...Read More

Upon meeting Jenn for the first time, I knew immediately that this was going to be a fun wedding to coordinate, and it did not disappoint.  Jenn has an enthusiastic confidence and delightfully personable charm that makes everyone around her feel at ease.  So, it is no wonder that the quiet, reserved John wasted no time asking Jenn to be his partner in life, and just as quickly as they got engaged, the couple found themselves on the wedding planning fast track when a cancellation allowed Jenn to have her dream Fall wedding at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, NC. Jenn and John could not ha...Read More

On a gorgeous, sunshine filled Fall afternoon, Christian and Sarah were the first couple to be married at the newly christened Cross + Main (formerly The Boondocks before it was purchased by Rocky Top Catering) located in the quaint downtown of Youngsville, NC.  The bride and groom, who relocated from North Carolina to Oklahoma so that Christian could continue his training with the U.S. Marine Corp, have Sarah’s parents and sister to thank for finding this small town gem 22 miles north of Downtown Raleigh.  Cross + Main’s exposed red brick and pristine wood floors, which were immersed...Read More

As soon as I met Emily and Kyle, I knew that these two were already a strong, supportive team, and when they became husband and wife on October 8, 2016 at The Matthews House in Historic Downtown Cary, NC, it was obvious to all in attendance that these newlyweds have what it takes to weather through any storm that crosses their path. Despite an uninvited wedding guest, who went by the name Hurricane Matthew, Emily and Kyle threw a festive, heartfelt wedding celebration that their family, friends and day-of wedding coordinator will never forget.  Not once did the bride and groom let the st...Read More

  When I met Kristi and Doug at the April 2015 Southern Bridal Show at the NC State Fairgrounds, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with this lovely, sweet natured couple.  Doug’s willingness to attend a bridal show with his winsome fiancée spoke volumes for how much this couple loves each other and will work well together as a team.  So, I was thrilled when they chose Chestnut & Vine to be their day-of wedding coordinator. Their story began when Kristi, who met Doug during her employee orientation at Duke Hospital, invited him to attend Sunday mass with her at the...Read More

Sarah and Garrett wed on a gorgeous October afternoon at the Enos River Farmers’ Market Pavilion located near Hillsborough’s quaint downtown district.  Sarah and Garrett’s love of the outdoors was the inspiration behind their nature-themed wedding day.  The Enos River was the perfect backdrop for their heartfelt ceremony, which was officiated by Sarah’s Great Aunt Linda and included a tree planting ceremony.  The pavilion was lined with gorgeous fall colored mums purchased from the farmers’ market that took place at the pavilion the day prior.  All of their ...Read More

I often wondered if I’d ever see today. My beloved Chicago Cubs are playing in the World Series for the first time in 71 years, and I could not be more thrilled to see this dream come true.  Over 30 years ago my dear friend, Marnie (who was a bridesmaid in my wedding), introduced me to a handsome 2nd baseman named Ryne Sandberg, and thus began my first longterm relationship filled with feelings of hope, admiration, heartbreak, disappointment, joy, and blind faith that better days are just a spring training season away.  As a kid I collected baseball cards, rarely missed a Cubs game ...Read More

Recently one of my brides asked if I thought wedding insurance is a smart purchase or an unnecessary extra expense.  This is an excellent question because the larger the wedding industry gets, the harder it is for engaged couples to determine which “wedding extras” are essential or a waste of money.   According to TheKnot.com, a basic wedding insurance policy typically costs between $155-$550 and will cover venue deposits, vendor no-shows, and the inability for an essential bridal party or family member to attend the wedding due to weather, illness or military deployment. ...Read More

Tempe and Stuart were married on April 16, 2016 in the bride’s hometown of Louisburg, NC.  Since the bride and groom both reside in Wilmington, I had the pleasure of working closely with Tempe’s mother, Anne, on all of the final details.  It was quite the family affair with 370+ guests in attendance with some guests traveling from as far as Jackson Hole, WY to celebrate Tempe and Stuart’s big day. Nieto Photography 2016 Weather conditions could not have been better for an outdoor reception that included a traditional Southern barbecue made to perfection by Louisburg...Read More

In April 2015 at my first ever wedding show, I had the good fortune to meet Samantha and her Mom, Bonita.  They came to the wedding show specifically to find a day-of wedding coordinator, and the three of us hit it off immediately!  Samantha was a day-of wedding coordinator’s dream because when we met for our initial meeting she had already booked her venue, florist, band, photographer, and purchased her dress – and her wedding was still 13 months away!  Over the next year I had the pleasure of getting to know Samantha and her fiancé, Parker, while helping them coordinate t...Read More

Along with the joy and celebrations that wedding days bring, they can also be subtle reminders of loved ones who can only attend in spirit.  In honor of this Memorial Day, the Corner of Chestnut & Vine shares some touching examples of how brides and grooms can recognize their late loved ones on their wedding day.        All photos found via Pinterest. On behalf of Chestnut & Vine, thank you to all of our troops, veterans and their families who have faithfully served our Country with courage and unselfishness.   It is your dedication to protecting our nation’s freedom tha...Read More

What is the #1 thing most wedding guests will say they are looking forward to at the reception?  The wedding cake.  So, it’s no surprise that engaged couples often stress over the sweetest part of their wedding day. While wedding planning is often a series of negotiations and compromises with well-intentioned loved ones, I tell my clients that their wedding cake should be exactly what they want it to be and not let others sway their opinions.  Whether it be a traditional tiered cake, cupcakes, an elaborate dessert bar, mini cheesecakes or a unique selection of homemade pies, when will th...Read More

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I can’t think of a better day to introduce you to one of the most perfectly matched couples I’ve had the pleasure to meet since starting Chestnut & Vine.  When I received an inquiry from the bride about Chestnut & Vine’s day-of wedding coordination services, I knew immediately that I was supposed to work with Erin and Brooks.  Not only do she and I share a quintessential Irish name, Erin’s classic Irish middle name is also my sister’s first name.  How could we not be destined to plan a wedding together?  I am so glad that Erin and Brooks put...Read More

This month’s “The Corner of Chestnut & Vine” is inspired by my friend Lauren who got engaged over the holidays.  Like most brides, one month into her engagement the initial euphoria began to settle down and reality set-in that she has a wedding to plan.  A resourceful law student with little free time to waste, I found the following message in my Inbox, “So I am completely overwhelmed by this whole process.  Do you have any tips, good blogs, anything?!”  Why of course I do, and I have yet to meet a wedding coordinator who didn’t jump at the chance to give solicited wedding ...Read More

For a bride to have her epic fairy-tale moment, classic literature and romantic comedies tell us that her groom must not see her in her wedding dress until she begins her walk down the aisle, but the emerging popularity of “First Look” photos on Pinterest and online bridal magazines have many couples rethinking this time old tradition.  When recalling my own wedding day, I now realize the only thing I would do differently would be for Jason and me to ignore our traditional wedding preconception by having a First Look session of our own. Photo Courtesy of Wake Forest Portrait Shoppe Afte...Read More

This past Saturday at The Sutherland, our bride, Laura, designed her own non-floral reception centerpieces that equaled the work of a professional.  Their elegant simplicity dazzled under the pavilion market lights as the December evening sky turned to dusk.  Inspired by Pinterest, she created everything herself, including the boxes which were made from recycled shipping pallets. While I am constantly blown away by the floral creations dreamed up by my wedding design colleagues, the thought of spending thousands of dollars on flowers for my own wedding made me uneasy because 90% of our...Read More

On many a summer evening, my Grandpa Clifford would sit in his lawn chair on the corner of Chestnut & Vine waving to all who drove by.  Rarely a person would pass that my Grandpa didn’t know, and it wasn’t uncommon for the drivers to stop to discuss the latest happenings of their small, rural town.  In tribute to his “Neighborly Chats,” each month I will introduce a friend that I have made in The Triangle Wedding Industry to tell us about their business and offer advice to engaged couples. This month it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Chris R...Read More

Happy Halloween!  Oh how I loved this day when I was a kid running from house to house with my friends through leaves that came up to our ankles refusing to take a break until we  hit every candy bowl in the neighborhood.  I still get a rush when we take our girls trick-or-treating.  My step-daughters think I sound like a drill sergeant when I tell them to pick up the pace and hustle up those steps to the front door.  And how fun were our grade school Halloween parties?  Large rooms full of dressed up kids with treat bags in one hand, gigantic lollipops in the other and enormous  jars o...Read More

Earlier this week my incredibly organized client, Samantha, sent me photos of her trying on her wedding gown for the first time.  She is going to be a stunning bride!  I can’t wait to post pictures of her in it, but you will have to patiently wait until May to see just how gorgeous she is.  (Her mother and I are both thankful that we won’t have any sleepless nights wondering whether or not her dress will arrive in time!) Seeing Samantha in her gown got me thinking about my own wedding dress experience.  Even though I wan’t getting married in Raleigh, I decided to purchase my dress he...Read More

Chestnut & Vine, the Triangle’s first exclusive day-of wedding coordination company, serves brides and grooms who do the planning themselves, then hire a professional to handle the day-of wedding details and logistics. Erin McCauley, of Wake Forest, founded the company after working 15 years in event planning. As a recent do-it-yourself bride, she had a wedding coordinator who allowed her and her husband to relax, have fun and enjoy the big day along with family and guests – something she wants every couple to experience. “Day-of is a misnomer, because my work as a coordinator begins...Read More

Like many of my clients and wedding colleagues, I spend a little time each day scrolling through Pinterest to keep up on the latest wedding trends.  Lately my favorite Pins have to do with unique color combinations that make me swoon. When choosing your perfect wedding colors, it’s important to ask yourself these questions: Do these colors compliment the decor of my wedding venue? Will my bridesmaids look good in these colors? Do these colors reflect the tone and mood I want to set for our wedding day? Am I so in love with these colors that I won’t grow tired of them before my w...Read More

We all have our own general rule for tipping restaurant servers or the pizza delivery guy, but what about all of the wedding professionals who are working hard to make your wedding day perfect?  The thought of who to tip and how much can be overwhelming, as is sorting through all of the “wedding gratuity rules” on the internet.  So, I did the research for you by comparing articles from a number of top wedding sites to determine the tipping standard for almost every segment of the wedding industry.  Before we get to the numbers, here are some helpful rules of thumb for showing appreciati...Read More

On June 21st, Jason and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary. (Woo hoo!) HOW IN THE WORLD DID TWELVE MONTHS GO BY SO QUICKLY?!  Unlike many couples who celebrate their first year with a romantic getaway for two, our anniversary will be a family affair that includes my two step-daughters, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  After all, I had the good fortune of becoming both a wife and a step-mom when I said “I do” one year ago. Sophia – Age 10 Carina – Age 7 I am blessed to have two loving step-daughters who instantly accepted me into their lives, and I wanted...Read More

YOU’RE ENGAGED!!  And not even 5 minutes after sharing your fantastic news, the notorious question is inevitably asked … “When’s the wedding?!”  It’s a natural response.  Everyone who loves you is excited for you and wants the celebration to start right away and to offer their input.  As a newly engaged bride, it is easy to get swept up into the excitement and feel rushed to choose a location and date just so you have an answer the next time it’s asked.  If you don’t know when and where yet, it’s okay!  By politely telling your loved ones that you and your fiancé are r...Read More

Last Sunday Chestnut & Vine participated in its first Southern Bridal Show and Expo at the NC State Fairgrounds presented by Forever Bridal Productions.  Thank you to all of the brides and their entourages for stopping by our booth to learn about our day-of wedding coordination services.  It was especially fun to meet the valiant grooms who braved the wedding mayhem to support their beautiful brides.  These ladies have found keepers! It was easy to differentiate between the first-time bridal show attendees and the veteran bridal show experts.  The veteran attendees wasted no time and g...Read More

When discussing Chestnut & Vine with potential clients, I am often asked (1) exactly what is “day-of wedding coordination,” and (2) what made you decide to focus solely on “day-of” services?   What better place to address these questions than here on “The Corner of Chestnut & Vine”? “Day-of Coordination” is wedding industry lingo for when a couple hires an organizer to implement their wedding plans for them.  In other words, the bride and groom choose their theme, colors, venues, vendors, menus, entertainment, decorations, etc. themselves, but then they hire a coordin...Read More

Chestnut & Vine’s newly designed website is finally here! This project has been months in the making, but I think you will agree that it was well worth the wait! This blog, “The Corner of Chestnut & Vine”, is where you will get my perspective on various wedding trends and planning tips, as well as meet my amazing clients. In case we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, I’m Erin McCauley – owner and founder of Chestnut & Vine Day-of Wedding Coordination. I moved to Raleigh, NC over six years ago on a complete whim that turned into the best decision of my life because ...Read More