Brooke’s Wedding Adventures (entry no. 1)

Hello friend! 

My name is Brooke, and I am Chestnut & Vine’s intern/blogger and a newly engaged bride! Having worked multiple weddings with Chestnut & Vine, I not only get to share my perspective “behind the scenes,” but I also get to experience this exciting journey as a fellow bride! Throughout this series, I will share my many ups and downs of wedding planning as a full-time college student, and I cannot wait to walk through this crazy adventure with you!

If you’re anything like me, you want to create the wedding of your dreams without needing to spend boatloads of money for every single detail. Now that I’m paying my way through college, our wedding budget is especially limited, so we’ve had to get creative through the process. I knew right away that I wanted to utilize the skills and help of my friends and family as much as possible, not only because weddings are expensive, but also because they take a LOT of work. I also knew that I wanted to make our wedding a personal experience for everyone attending our celebration, and incorporating some of our loved ones’ talents is such a beautiful yet practical way of doing this. You will in upcoming blogs exactly how we make this happen!

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How We Met: 

My fiancé Caleb and I first met the day my family moved to North Carolina when he and his dad, along with several others from their church, helped us move in. I still remember the little 12-year-old boy introducing himself to 13-year-old me in the storage unit (little did we know we’d just met our future spouse…) We got to know each other more through church and youth activities, and our families 

became friends over the years. We (finally) started dating five years later in 2018, and he (finally) proposed two and a half years later on January 3, 2021 on the lake during a family vacation! About two weeks later, I started my first semester as a theatre major at Liberty University in Virginia, and Caleb and I entered our first long-distance relationship together. Needless to say, it’s not my favorite thing.

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While the past several months of getting engaged, moving to college, and planning a wedding have certainly had their crazy moments, I am so excited to see how everything has come together and am honored that I get to share it all with you!

See you soon!

Warmly, 

Brooke

Wedding Songs Series – Reception Songs

The music you choose for your wedding is what sets the tone for every moment of your big celebration. However, trying to find the perfect songs for your special day can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of song and soundtrack options for you to use throughout your entire wedding! From the moment you walk down the aisle to tearing it up on the dance floor, we’ve selected a variety of meaningful and entertaining songs to make your wedding day unique to you and memorable for everyone!

This week we are featuring RECEPTION SONGS:

Fun/Upbeat Songs for All Ages

1.  Classic – MKTO

2.  Billie Jean – Michael Jackson

3.  Single Ladies – Beyonce

4.  24K Magic – Bruno Mars

5.  Yeah! – Usher

6.  Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO

7.  Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars

8.  Dancing Queen – ABBA

9.  Turn Down for What – DJ Snake, Lil Jon

10.  Shut Up and Dance – WALK THE MOON

11.  Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough – Michael Jackson

 12.  This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan

13.  I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston

14.  Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira

15.  Best Song Ever – One Direction

16.  Proud Mary – Ike & Tina Turner

17.  Hair Up – Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Ron Funches 

18.  Love Shack – The B-52’s

19.  Dear Future Husband – Meghan Trainor

20.  I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers

21.  Shake It Off – Taylor Swift

22.  Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) – Stevie Wonder

23.  Problem – Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea (2 Rocking Chairs – Jon Bellion)

24.  Crazy Beautiful – Andy Grammer

25.  Worth It – Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink

26.  It Takes Two – Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock

27.  Church Clap – KB, Lecrae

28.  I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas

29.  Genetics – Meghan Trainor

30.  Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Line Dance Songs

1.  Wobble – V.I.C.

2.  Wop – J. Dash ft. Flo Rida

3.  Cupid Shuffle – Cupid

4.  Bikers Shuffle – Big Mucci

5.  The Git Up – Blanco Brown

6.  Cha Cha Slide – Mr. C

7.  Electric Boogie – Marcia Griffiths

8.  Cotton Eye Joe – Rednex

9.  Footloose – Kenny Loggins

10.  Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae) – Silento

Slow Songs

1.  I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Frank Sinatra

2.  You Make Me Feel So Young – Frank Sinatra

3.  Quando, Quando, Quando – Michael Buble, Nelly Furtado

4.  My Eyes Adored You – Harrison Craig

5.  A Kiss to Build a Dream On – Louis Armstrong

6.  Dream a Little Dream of Me – The Mamas & the Papas

7.  Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin

8.  We Are in Love – Harry Connick, Jr.

9.  Photograph – Stacey Kent

10.  Unforgettable – Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole

Wedding Songs Series – Ceremony Processional

The music you choose for your wedding is what sets the tone for every moment of your big celebration. However, trying to find the perfect songs for your special day can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of song and soundtrack options for you to use throughout your entire wedding! From the moment you walk down the aisle to tearing it up on the dance floor, we’ve selected a variety of meaningful and entertaining songs to make your wedding day unique to you and memorable for everyone!

This week we are featuring CEREMONY PROCESSIONAL SONGS:

1.   Heaven’s Knife – Josh Garrels

2.  A Thousand Dreams – Christina Perri

3.  A Million Dreams – The Piano Guys

4.  Unchained Melody (cello version) – Nicholas Gold

5.  You are the Reason – Calum Scott

6.  Turning Page – Sleeping at Last

7.   Perfect – The Piano Guys

8.   Marry Me – Train

9.   Butterfly Waltz – Brian Crain

10.  Ave Maria – Brooklyn Duo

11.  Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon) – Brooklyn Duo

Photographs Courtesy of Natalie E Photography

Wedding Songs Series – Parent Dances

The music you choose for your wedding is what sets the tone for every moment of your big celebration. However, trying to find the perfect songs for your special day can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of song and soundtrack options for you to use throughout your entire wedding! From the moment you walk down the aisle to tearing it up on the dance floor, we’ve selected a variety of meaningful and entertaining songs to make your wedding day unique to you and memorable for everyone!

This week we are featuring FATHER/DAUGHTER and MOTHER/SON SONGS:

Father/Daughter Dance:

 1.  My Little Girl – Tim McGraw

2.  I Loved Her First – Heartland

3.  You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby – Bing Crosby

4.  Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder

5.  Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle

6.  I Just Called to Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder

7.  First Man – Camilla Cabello

8.  Cinderella – Steven Curtis Chapman

9.  It’s for My Dad – Nancy Sinatra

10. Wildflowers – Tom Petty

11.  Stand By Me – Ben E. King

Mother/Son Dance:

 1.  You’ll Be in My Heart – Phil Collins

2.  Mom – Meghan Trainor

3.  The First Lady in My Life – Paul Todd

4.  Close Your Eyes – Michael Bubé

5.  You Will Always Be My Son – Caleb & Kelsey

6.  A Song for Mama – Boyz II Men

7.  Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler

8.  (They Long to Be) Close to You – Carpenters

9.  Becoming Me – Matthew West, Lulu West

10.  The Perfect Fan – Backstreet Boys

Photos Courtesy of Michelle Elyse Photography | Joe Payne Photography | A.J. Dunlap Photography – Jenna Goetz

Meet Our “Friendor”: Wedded Kiss

FRIENDOR FEATURE SERIES

feat. Wedded Kiss | Nina McCaskey, Owner

Website: weddedkiss.com

Instagram: @weddedkiss

Services/Products Offered: Hair and makeup for weddings, events, shoots, and more!

Number of Years in Business: 14 total; 6 as Wedded Kiss

Number of Members on Team: 9

Describe the experience you want your clients to receive when working with you and your company: We strive to do not only gorgeous work but create a very fun experience while getting glammed up!

What are some questions that couples should ask when interviewing you and other companies that offer services in your line of business? Our FAQ is full of great questions. We send it out to all potential clients.

Wh at price range should clients expect to pay for professional, quality services in your line of business? Bridal starts at $350 and our minimum for Saturdays is bridal plus 5 additional packages.

What sets your services apart from your competitors? The whole team had intensive amounts of training and years in the field. No one on our team is a newbie. Everyone is a lead artist/stylist. Also we are like a lot of freakin’ fun!

What do you enjoy most about your line of work? Making people feel incredible!

Is there anything else you would like couples to know about you and/or your company?

We are incredibly detailed about the schedule and timing for the day. We will always strive to be perfectly on-time.

If you had a month to go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do? Ireland. IT IS ALWAYS IRELAND! It is my Disney world!

Chestnut & Vine’s “Friendor Feature Series” showcases our talented vendor friends (“friendors”) who share our passion for weddings, strive for excellence, have big hearts and are always fun to be around.  In this Q&A-style blog, we hope to provide you with a more personal look into the heartbeat and purpose behind their highly respected business.

Meet Our “Friendor” – Elizabeth Ashley & Co.

Chestnut & Vine’s “Friendor” Feature Series

feat. ELIZABETH ASHLEY & CO. | E. Ashley Green, Owner

Website: www.elizabethashleyco.com

Instagram: @elizabethashleyco

Services/Products Offered: Wedding Photography, Engagement Sessions, Bridal Sessions, Boudoir Sessions, Branding & Lifestyle Sessions.

Number of Years in Business: 10

Number of Members on Your Team: 10

Describe the experience you want your clients to receive when working with you and your company: We want you to feel like our only client. We customize each session and package just for you, so you can have photos exactly how you’d like.

What are some questions that couples should ask when interviewing you and other companies that offer services in your line of business? Ask about the process, we allow you to select your images immediately after or on your time. Ask about staff and turn-around time.

What price range should clients expect to pay for professional, quality services in your line of business? $500 – for sessions. Minimum of $2000 for Wedding Photography.

What sets your services apart from your competitors? Our lovely studio is a comfortable space for each client to come get pampered before the session and also select images right after. We cater to YOU!  Our staff sets us apart. (Meet them here!)

What do you enjoy most about your line of work? LOVE!

Is there anything else you would like couples to know about you and/or your company? I still get excited to photograph love. I’m a hopeless romantic and I can’t wait to serve you and your families!

If you had a month to go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do? I’d love to return to Barbados, where we had a wedding a few years ago. It was so beautiful. I would take photos and rest!

Chestnut & Vine’s “Friendor Feature Series” showcases our talented vendor friends (“friendors”) who share our passion for weddings, strive for excellence, have big hearts and are always fun to be around.  In this Q&A-style blog, we hope to provide you with a more personal look into the heartbeat and purpose behind their highly respected business.

Wedding Songs Series – Newlyweds’ First Dance

The music you choose for your wedding is what sets the tone for every moment of your big celebration. However, trying to find the perfect songs for your special day can be a bit overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of song and soundtrack options for you to use throughout your entire wedding! From the moment you walk down the aisle to tearing it up on the dance floor, we’ve selected a variety of meaningful and entertaining songs to make your wedding day unique to you and memorable for everyone!

This week we are featuring FIRST DANCE SONGS:

1.   Conversations in the Dark – John Legend

2.  I Get to Love You – Ruelle

3.  A Million Dreams – from The Greatest Showman

4.  Can’t Help Falling in Love – Haley Reinhart

5.  Speechless – Dan + Shay

6.  Tuesdays (String Version) – Jake Scott

7.  Lover – First Dance Remix – Taylor Swift

8.  Grow as We Go – Ben Platt

9.  In My Arms – Jon Foreman

10.  Kiss Me – Kina Grannis

11.  Beauty and the Beast – Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson

12.  Grand Adventure – JJ Heller

13.  Love – Nancy Adams

14.  Everything – Michael Bublé

15.  Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Joseph Vincent

16.  Our First Song – Joseph Vincent

17.  Wonderful Tonight – Michael Bublé, Ivan Lins

18.  Close Your Eyes – Michael Bublé

19.  Incredible – James TW

20.  Kiss the Girl – Samuel E. Wright

21.  Here in My Arms – Leon Bridges

22. Darlin’ – Dante Bowe

23. This Band of Gold – Will Hopkins

24. Two Becoming One – Jonathan and Emily Martin

25.  Safe – Antoine Bradford

26.  I’m Yours/Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Straight No Chaser

Photos Courtesy of The Stewarts Roam | Fire Rose Photography | JCM Photography | Richard Barlow Photography

James & Jess’s Provincial Downtown Wedding | Jiddi Space & Courtyard | Raleigh, NC

College sweethearts from Michigan, James and Jess decided to start their lives as husband and wife in the state where they got engaged during a trip to the mountains and now call home thanks to a career opportunity that brought them to Raleigh, NC.  Hoping to find a wedding venue with an urban edge that encapsulated their adventurous spirit, the Jiddi Space & Courtyard, with its provincial red brick and market lights quietly tucked away in downtown Raleigh, was the perfect location for the intimate wedding they both envisioned.

Jess’s smile radiated as she walked down the aisle in her blush wedding gown that perfectly complimented her gorgeous auburn locks, and James killed it in his tailored navy suit and sage green tie.  The newlyweds took full advantage of their downtown surroundings by having Asheville based photographers The Stewarts Roam photograph the newlyweds in an array of unique urban settings before and after their ceremony.  During the cocktail and dinner receptions, guests enjoyed savory Lebanese dishes from Sitti, one of Raleigh’s most popular restaurants and even witnessed one of the greatest toasts ever to be delivered by a Best Man.  Later in the evening, DJ Pdogg kept the party going on the outdoor dance floor until it was time to wish the newlyweds well and send them off on their next big adventure.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Majewski!  We had so much fun getting to know you and helping your wedding vision turn out perfectly.  Enjoy all of your future adventures!

P.S. Jess – you will forever be my “logistics soulmate.”

Photographs Courtesy of The Stewarts Roam

James & Jess’s All-Star Wedding Team

Photographers: The Stewarts Roam

Day-of Wedding Coordination: Chestnut & Vine Wedding Logistics Coordinators

Venue: Jiddi Space & Courtyard

Caterer: Sitti

Officiant: Rev Ron Weddings

DJ: DJ Pdogg

Florals: Fallon’s Flowers of Raleigh

Cake: Dolce Desserts Co.

Hair/Makeup: Silverceiling

Transportation: The Great Raleigh Trolley

Bride’s Dress: Allure Romance

Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey

Groom’s Suit: Generation Tux

Groom’s Watch: LuxWoods

Sarah & Patrick’s Summer Wedding at Duke Chapel & Gardens | Durham, NC

Duke University has always held a special place in Sarah’s heart.  Having parents who attended Duke University and got married in Duke Chapel, she was raised on Duke Basketball and always looked forward to family trips to visit the gorgeous campus famous for its gardens and gothic buildings.  So when Sarah and Patrick decided to take a short detour to Durham, NC during a road trip from Florida to New York so that Patrick could see the campus for the first time, Patrick knew that Duke Gardens was the perfect place to propose to the love of his life.

Just over a year later, Sarah and Patrick made another memorable trip to Duke University, but this time they were joined by their family and friends to commemorate their next life adventure as husband and wife.  Their wedding weekend began when their entire wedding party loaded onto a chartered bus that took them from Jacksonville, FL to Durham, NC, and since the majority of their guests were also from out-of-town, they smartly used the same chartered bus to transport everyone throughout the weekend to the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception.  On the day of their wedding, Patrick and Sarah saw each other for the first time on the bridge in Duke Gardens where they became engaged, and the highlight of the weekend, of course, was when Sarah’s father walked his daughter down the aisle of Duke Chapel so that she, too, could be married where her parents’ story began.

Following a beautiful ceremony officiated by Rev. Kevin Holland, guests made their way to Kirby Horton Hall at Duke Gardens where they enjoyed delicious dinner stations expertly prepared by Catering Works and a Pastry Works dessert bar that was a sweets lover’s dream.  Willis J. Entertainment had everyone dancing late into the night until it was time for Sarah and Patrick to close out their reception with a private newlyweds’ dance on the Piva Terrace under the bright summer stars.

Sarah and Patrick’s wedding day was everything they had hoped for and more, and we are so grateful that Chestnut & Vine got to help them make it happen.  Cheers, Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy!  We loved working with you and enjoyed seeing your endless smiles throughout the entire weekend!

All Photos Courtesy of We Are The Bowsers

Sarah & Patrick’s All-Star Wedding Team

Photographer/Videographer: We Are The Bowsers

Day-of Wedding Coordination: Chestnut & Vine Wedding Logistics Coordinators

Ceremony Venue: Duke Chapel

Officiant: Personal Weddings of North Carolina

Reception Venue: Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Caterer: Catering Works

Florals: Tre Bella Florist

DJ: Willis J. Entertainment

Cake: Pastry Works

Lighting: Get Lit Event Lighting

Bride’s Hair/Makeup: Maranda Brown

Bridesmaids’ Hair: Mena Garcia

Wedding Dress: Kleinfeld New York City

Linen/Dinnerware Rentals: CE Rental

Transportation: A Charter World

Calvin & Morgan – Elegant Summer Wedding | Hillsborough, NC

College sweethearts who met at Barton College, Morgan and Calvin started their forever together on a beautiful summer evening in front of their closest family and friends at The Cloth Mill at Eno River in Hillsborough, NC.  Guided by Morgan’s impressive talent for organization and attention to detail, they planned their elegant dream wedding all while Morgan started a new nursing position and Calvin completed his graduate degree in chemical engineering at NC State, and their day could not have been more perfect!

Their entire wedding day was filled with smiles and laughter, which Jennifer and Joe from JCM Photography captured flawlessly.  Morgan and Calvin’s navy, dusty blue, dusty rose and quartz color palette was the perfect complement to The Cloth Mill’s industrial brick backdrop, and Morgan was absolutely breathtaking as she walked down the aisle in her stunning lace wedding gown.  Guests were treated to a delicious meal prepared by Hillsborough’s own Beau Catering, and Vic from All Events DJs had no problem getting this dancing crowd out on the dance floor for hours of fun.  Morgan’s Grandmother hands down won the VIP award for Most Fun as she showed the younger generations how to own the dance floor.

Thank you, Morgan and Calvin, for trusting Chestnut & Vine to make your wedding plans happen just as you envisioned.  The two of you make an awesome team and will without a doubt accomplish the goals you have set for yourselves.  We are grateful to have played a part at the beginning of your loving marriage.  Best wishes!

Morgan & Calvin’s All-Star Wedding Team

Venue/Bar Service:  The Cloth Mill at Eno River

Photographer:  JCM Photography

Videographer: Dogwood Media

Day-of Coordinator:  Chestnut & Vine Wedding Logistics Coordinators

Caterer: Beau Catering

Florals: Tre Bella

DJ/Ceremony Sound:  All Events DJs

Hair/Makeup: Perfection by Patricia

Officiant: Michelle Wawrzyniak

Cake: Rachel Bailey

Linens/Dinnerware Rentals:  CE Rental

Draping: Showtime Events

All Photographs Graciously Shared by JCM Photography

Erin & Mike’s Romantic Woodland Inspired Wedding | The Fairview | Raleigh, NC

As soon as I met Erin and Mike, I knew they were a friendly, upbeat couple who were going to throw an unforgettably fun wedding, and they did not disappoint!  The fact that the couple first met on St. Patrick’s Day made me love them even more!

Erin and Mike were married before their family and friends at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral in Raleigh, NC, whose stunning sanctuary rivals the best cathedrals in Europe. After taking post-ceremony photos around Raleigh with their wedding party and sweet dachshund, Snickerdoodles, the newlyweds joined their guests at The Fairview for a Woodland inspired cocktail and dinner reception designed entirely by the bride herself.

Erin got the idea for a Woodland themed wedding reception when she was captivated by a hedgehog planter at Pier 1 Imports.  She quickly figured out how many she would need, located stores across the country that still had them, and recruited her friends who lived near those stores to acquire them.  The end result were whimsical centerpieces beautifully accented with baby’s breath and floral arrangements designed by The English Garden.  The wooden stands and candle boxes that completed the look were built by the couple and an assembly line of family members.  Two of their most unique details were the “Guest Ribbon Tree”, which came from the Matron of Honor’s backyard, and the adorable bride/groom hedgehog cakes, skillfully designed by the talented Cakes by Chloe.

Guests were treated to an elegantly plated meal expertly prepared and served by Rocky Top Catering, and Stylus S.E. kept the dance floor packed throughout the night as the newlyweds celebrated with their marriage with their closest friends and family.

Congratulations, Erin and Mike!  Thank you for allowing Chestnut & Vine to be a part of your wedding day.  We had a blast!

Photographs Courtesy of Joe Payne Photography

Erin & Mike’s All-Star Wedding Team

Photographer: Joe Payne Photography

Ceremony Venue: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral

Reception Venue: The Fairview

Wedding Coordinator: Chestnut & Vine Day-of Wedding Coordination

Caterer/Bar Service: Rocky Top Catering

Florals: The English Garden

DJ: Stylus S.E.

Hair/Makeup: Makeup by Ashley Mooney

Cake: Cakes by Chloe

Linen, Dinnerware and Decor Rentals: Themeworks

Transportation: North Hills Transportation

Holly & Chris’ Wedding – A Perfect Blending of Chinese Tradition and Modern Style | The Barn of Chapel Hill, NC

When it comes to weddings, everyone has an opinion, especially family members.  Many times older generations think all weddings should keep to the traditions from their eras, while the engaged couple wants to have a wedding that is modern and unique to them.  Holly and Chris found the perfect compromise by seamlessly blending their families’ Chinese traditions with modern elements that expressed the couple’s distinct personalities.  

The importance of family was evident throughout Holly and Chris’ wedding day at The Barn of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC.  While standing before an exquisite flower ring (designed by the talented Jennifer Wood of Wild Flora Farm), the Bride and Groom recited their vows and presented their parents with gifts to pay homage to the positive role their families played in their lives.  After they were introduced as husband and wife, Holly and Chris processed down the aisle to the vocal stylings of Ariana Grande to kick off the festivities. Prior to the dinner reception, the newlyweds participated in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony to honor members of their extended family.  The Bride’s cousin provided commentary by introducing the family members and explaining the ritual to guests who were seeing a tea ceremony for the first time.  

Cottage Luxe’s exclusive farm tables were decorated with beautiful pastel floral arrangements with greenery and a collection of watercolor prints painted by Holly’s Aunt, each one selected because they made the bride happy when she looked at them.  Each place setting included a traditional Chinese gift box filled with candies for the guests to take home. After the guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Catering Works, they were treated to a variety of decadent desserts all made by the Mother of the Groom.  One of the most memorable moments of the evening was when the Father of the Groom expertly played the harmonica during the Mother/Son dance. Everyone did a double take when they realized the harmonica they heard playing was not a part of the song recording. Holly and Chris’ magical night conclude with guests of all ages dancing alongside the newlyweds to old school hip hop and modern rap spun by Joe Giampino of Morse Entertainment.

The love that Holly and Chris have for each other and their families was deeply felt by all who were in attendance and will no doubt continue on for many generations to come.  Congratulations, Holly & Chris!

All Photos Courtesy of Jenna Goetz of A.J. Dunlap Photography

As featured in the 2019 Fall/Winter Issue of The Knot The Carolinas Magazine

Holly & Chris’ All-Star Wedding Team

Ceremony/Reception Venue: The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm

Photographer: Jenna Goetz, A.J. Dunlap Photography

Videographer: Wei Ying, Story2Movie

Florals: Wild Flora Farm

Wedding Coordinator: Chestnut & Vine Day-of Wedding Coordination

Catering/Bar Service: Catering Works

Officiant: David Kwon

DJ: Joe Giampino, Morse Entertainment

Tables/Chairs: Cottage Luxe

Lounge Furniture: Greenhouse Picker Sisters

Hair: Douglas Carroll Salon Raleigh

Bride’s Makeup: Karmilla Kim

Lighting: Get Lit Event Lighting

Photo Booth: Spark Photo Booth

Cake & Desserts: Mrs. Lo (Mother of the Groom)

Simple Tips for Easing the Tension with your Fiancé While Wedding Planning


We are delighted to have Guest Blogger Amanda Turner contribute her talents to The Corner of Chestnut & Vine!

Simple Tips for Easing the Tension with your Fiancé While Wedding Planning


Getting married is considered to be one of the most magical events of your life that you will never forget. Unfortunately, most of the time all that magic gets bogged down with stress from planning your dream wedding. During this time, tensions may start to right high between you and your fiancé. If you just got engaged, be proactive and follow these simple tips to ease some tension between you and your fiancé during this…exciting time!

Take a Break

Whether you’re knee deep in wedding planning or just popped the question, be sure to take a break. Whether you want to plan a mini vacation to relax, or just want to put wedding planning on hold for a couple of days, be sure to take a beat and enjoy being engaged.

Communicate with Each Other

Just like any relationship, healthy communication is key. When it comes to planning an event like your wedding, communication is even more important. There may be one person taking the lead on the planning, but that doesn’t mean your partner doesn’t want to have a say at all in the event. Be sure to keep each other in the loop and communicate if you feel like you aren’t being heard.

Learn Something New Together

Your engagement doesn’t need to be exclusively about wedding planning. Try and take some time to learn something new together. This could be anything from taking a cooking or dance class, to learning a new sport. Learn something new together, and you may even learn something new about each other in the process.

Exercise

Have tensions already started to run high? Exercise it off! Believe it or not, if you feel yourself getting stressed or anxious, you may be lacking exercise in your life. Think about all of the pent up energy you have been investing in getting stressed or irritated. More often than not, all that tension melts away after a good workout. Try working out with your partner to release some tension and also spend quality time with them.

Stay Organized

Staying organized is key in mitigating any type of stress, and your big day is no exception. Try having a notebook or binder dedicated to wedding planning and fill it with mockups, ideas for decorations, and of course meetings and events you need to attend to. Keep in mind that weddings can be a big expense, so organization is important now more than ever to keep your finances in check. If you are worried that unexpected home expenses may leak through the cracks, consider investing in a home protection plan to save on potentially costly repairs while you plan and pay for your wedding.

Hire a Wedding Planner

Depending on your venue, your package may already come equipped with a wedding planner. If your venue does not have a wedding planner, do not go at it alone. Between remembering floral arrangements, keeping your timeline in check, paying deposits, choosing the food, and juggling your day-to-day is hard. A wedding planner may be the best investment you make during this process, and it will save a lot of tension between you and your fiancé.

Remember “Why” You’re Doing This

Keep in mind that you are getting married because you love each other, not because you want to have a big party – even though that is a part of the fun. You want to be able to enjoy being engaged and looking forward to spending the rest of your life with your partner. So, if you feel like tensions are started to run high, keep that perspective in the back of your mind.

About the Author: Amanda Turner is a freelance writer and recent graduate who is exploring her passions through writing. 

Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

Sara + Ashton | A Wedding at The Cloth Mill at Eno River | Hillsborough, NC | ThreeThirty Films

Click “Read More” to see how beautifully ThreeThirty Films captured Sara and Ashton’s stunning wedding day at The Cloth Mill at Eno River in Hillsborough, NC, as well as photos by Mag C. Photography.

Wedding Film Courtesy of ThreeThirty Films

Sara & Ashton’s All Star Wedding Team

Videographer: ThreeThirty Films

Photographer: Mag C. Photography

Wedding Coordinators: Chestnut & Vine Day-of Wedding Coordination

Venue: The Cloth Mill at Eno River

Florist: Taylored Blooms

Caterer: Cook Shack Catering Company

Hair: The Loft Salon

Officiant: Logan Phillips

Ceremony Vocalist: Kelsey Barnard

DJ: DJ Tytan

Cake: Rachel Nicgorski

Rentals: CE Rental

All Photographs Courtesy of Mag C. Photography