Erica and John got married on the most beautiful fall afternoon in October 2020. After postponing their original Michigan wedding plans, thanks to the pandemic, they opted for an intimate destination wedding in North Carolina. It was the perfect alternative to celebrate their love in a unique and beautiful location.
Venue & Getting Ready
We started the day at the gorgeous Twickenham House in Jefferson. With a variety of rooms and Old English-style architecture, there was plenty of space for the couple to get ready. Erica occupied the bridal suite, while John and the boys hung out in the billiards room. There were drinks, toasts, and lots of memories made that morning.
Wedding Gifts & First Looks
It really stood out to me how many intentional details they had scattered all throughout their day. For starters, Erica gifted her dad a personalized tie with an old picture of the two of them sewn in the shape of a heart (how cute is that??) and custom father-of-the-bride socks.
John gave Erica a gorgeous gold heart necklace, which she loved! And John received some fun custom pieces, gold accessories, and a book filled with special words (cue the tears, love notes are a wedding-day must!)
We of course had to do a bridesmaid and father-daughter first look once Erica was in her dress. These are two of my favorite moments to capture on a wedding day. The reactions are priceless and make such a fun memory to look back on.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place overlooking the mountains with the vibrant reds and oranges as their backdrop. The air was chilly, but the warmth of the sun seemed to come at all the right times. There was a table in the back for guests to make tea and hold something warm while they waited.
A live orchestral trio played in the background as the bridal party slowly walked down the aisle. Erica and John had saved their first look for the ceremony and you could tell by their smiles and tear-filled eyes that it was worth the wait. It whole scene was something out of a fairytale!
John’s older brother officiated and a few speeches were given in honor of the two. A priest stepped in for the formal marriage announcement and first kiss. Then, they participated in a unity sand ceremony as a symbol of their marriage and the creation of a new family.
Portraits
After the ceremony, we captured and few photos with the family and bridal party and then snuck away, just the two of them, for the sunset. Erica’s iconic red hair blended seamlessly with the trees as if the colors had changed just for her. The beauty of the scenery and their first-married giddiness just made my photographer so happy.
Dinner & Reception
Finally, onto the reception, the bridal party made quite an entrance dancing their way into the dining hall. Erica and John came in shortly after and everyone cheered in celebration. There was a delicious dinner, followed by speeches from their loved ones.
John’s twin brother gave a long, heartfelt, and hilarious oration recounting their life growing up together and all of the trouble they found themselves in. He also mentioned how excited he was for them to start a family as he and his wife had just had a baby. Fast forward to today, and Erica is expecting their first child in March! Erica’s sisters also gave speeches expressing their love for Erica and how proud they are of her.
After dinner, there was cake, drinks and of course, dancing. They featured signature drinks at the reception; Old Fashions and Moscow Mules (a very strong version that had everyone out on the dance floor!) The cabin-style venue was decorated with linens, romantic lighting, and a beautiful floral arrangement by the fireplace that had been repurposed from the ceremony.
Intentional Details
As previously mentioned, Erica and John were very intentional about their wedding day. Every detail was laced with authenticity and a uniqueness that made their wedding stand out. Here are a few of my favorite examples:
They had a small ceremony with just their closest family and friends.
The groom’s brother officiated.
They decorated a special ceremony chair for the bride’s late mother.
They participated in a union sand ceremony.
They had a beer trailer with a variety of flavors/brews.
They exchanged personalized gifts.
They featured signature cocktails with monogrammed napkins.
Instead of a guest book, they had everyone sign a crest with their initial.
They had custom bride and groom face masks.
And more!
I love fall weddings, but this one was something special. Between the gorgeous mountain views, fall colors, and all of the intentional details, Erica and John’s wedding was one-of-a-kind. Though their original Michigan wedding plans fell through, I could not have imagined a more perfect day. Things have a funny way of working out exactly as they're supposed to.
Ready to plan your special day?
VENDORS:
Event Director- Bethany Grube at Twickenham House
Caterer- Josh Clayman
Baker- Stick Boy Bread Co.
Videographer- JBird Films
Florist- Haley’s Gardens
DJ- On Target DJ
HMUA- Wink! Inspired Beauty
Beer Trailer- Happy Trailers
Ceremony Music- Summit Strings
Stationary- Morgan Harris Designs
Linens- Special Ocassions
