This "Semi-Destination" Wedding in North Carolina Proves How Transformative Romantic Drapery Can Really Be

Luxe Invitations

Seeking an invitation suite that had a traditional sensibility with modern appeal, the couple incorporated gold-foil details on double-thick card stock. "We included a custom watercolor map of Highlands, North Carolina, highlighting some of our favorite places in the town, as well as a watercolor portrait of our three pets on the details card!" says Adrienne. A velvet bow tied the components together, and a series of vintage stamps gave the suite an extra dose of flair.

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A Lush Bouquet

Adrienne's organic, garden-style bouquet featured a loose array of blooms in ivory, white, blush, pale pink, and light blue, all tied together with trailing silk ribbon. Foxglove, dahlias, distant drum, peach ranunculus, lisianthus blossoms, quicksand roses, hydrangeas, larkspur, and delphinium were all incorporated.

Beautiful Boutonnières

The wedding party's men donned neutral boutonnières composed of white roses.

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Smart Suit

Will wore a navy blue tuxedo with black lapels, accented with a black tie.

Coordinating Groomsmen

His attendants were resplendent in matching suits from The Black Tux.

Gorgeous Gowns

Adrienne and her mother traveled to New York City to go wedding-dress shopping over the course of a two-day trip, wrapping up the experience at Monique Lhuillier. Weary from having already tried on close to 20 dresses, Adrienne finally donned a gown with an intriguing skirt of champagne tulle; and when she mentioned she didn't love the bodice, the sales manager pulled out an alternative. "It instantly changed the entire way the dress looked, and I started weeping for the first time out of the entire shopping trip," she says. "My mom—who is not a crier—started crying for the first time, too."

A satin sash added the final personal touch. "It was so fun because it did feel like a completely custom experience," says the bride. "My dress was completely me—it was bridal, but whimsical and perfect."

For her bridesmaids, Adrienne selected chic champagne-hued gowns by The Dessy Group.

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An Unforgettable First Look

The bride was excited and ready to see Will during their first look: "I had some nerves from all of the activity of the day so far, but once I saw Will, I felt completely calm, centered, and so grateful. He looked so handsome in his tux and I loved the look on his face when he turned around for the first time to see me in my dress."

Will was equally ready to get a glimpse of his bride. "I am glad that we did the first look because it gave us a moment just for us," he says. "She looked gorgeous, and I couldn't stop smiling."

Exquisite Ceremony

Blush, white, and champagne blooms anchored the entrance to the candle-lit ceremony aisle, while champagne rose petals paved the way to a beautiful round arch at the altar.

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A Champagne Station

Guests were greeted by a station of rosé Champagne at the entrance to the ceremony, an original detail the couple hadn't seen before. "It was our way of saying, 'Thank you so much for coming, and you're going to have a great night—we guarantee it!'" says the bride.

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A Beautifully Unique Ceremony

"We wanted our ceremony to feel very casual and lighthearted, while still remaining authentic and special," says Adrienne, who was walked down the aisle by her father. When the two of them got to the altar, both Adrienne's mother and brother (a groomsman) joined them, and the officiant asked all three of them permission to give the bride away to Will.

"We are a tight-knit family of four, so it was important for me to include them all in the moment," says Adrienne. The spiritual, non-religious service featured three readings: "Union" by Robert Fulghum; "The Bridge Across Forever" by Richard Bach; and a Cherokee wedding prayer. The couple then exchanged vows they wrote themselves, officiated by a childhood friend of Adrienne's, who was ordained for the occasion.

A Heavenly Head Table

Drapery framed the entrance to the reception space, where a stunning head table was festooned with flowers and featured special chairs designated for the bride and groom. "We put our head table (Will, me, and our bridal party) towards the back of the room and all of the guest tables in front of us," adds the bride, who intended the table layout to feel very open, airy, and inclusive to all of the couple's loved ones. This ended up being the right choice, notes the groom: "My favorite moment of our wedding was being seated next to my new wife during dinner and being able to look out around the room to see all of our friends and family there to celebrate with us," says Will.

Suspended above four farmhouse tables was a series of incredibly beautiful floral installations from Floressence Flowers. "They hung on a piece of thick acrylic, causing a floating effect," says Adrienne. "I had not seen florals done in this way ever before, so this was definitely one of my favorite elements."

• 28 Ideas for Sitting Pretty at Your Head Table

Flawless Table Settings

Beaded chargers and gilded flatware set the tone at the head table, where gold, laser-cut place cards indicated where each member of the wedding party would sit.

Sweeping Ceiling Treatments

Swags of fabric swept the room overhead, where strings of lights added a warm glow to the floral installations.

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Pretty Place Settings

Guests were treated to the same beaded chargers and gilded flatware, plus a variety of napkins that ranged in shade from blush to gray. Round menu cards were topped with a sprig of flowers, while gold vessels held various lush blooms.

A Sentimental First Dance

The couple chose the song "Can't Help Falling in Love" for their first dance as husband and wife. "We have always liked the UB40 version, and we thought the lyrics were very sweet and simple," says Adrienne. "Plus, it was easy to dance to! I was very nervous about our first dance so I wanted something I felt comfortable moving around to."

A Distinctive Sweet

Gold flecks and a watercolor wash customized a wedding cake decorated with peonies, roses, and ranunculus blossoms.

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Sources

Photography, Anna Shackleford
Venue, The Farm at Old Edwards Inn
Event Planning and Cesign, Callie Brackett for We Tie The Knots
Catering, Old Edwards Inn
Flowers, Floressence Flowers
Videography, Heart Stone Films
Officiant, Ellen Brown
Day-of Stationery, Paper Daisies Stationery
Bride's Gown, Monique Lhuillier
Shoes, Miu Miu
Headbands, Jennifer Behr
Jewelry, Roberto Coin
Engagement Ring, Brilliant Earth
Wedding Bands, Schiffman's Jewelers
Bridesmaids' Dresses, The Dessy Group
Menswear, The Black Tux
Cake, Cream and Flutter
Music, Luna Strings (ceremony and cocktail hour); The Rivertown Band (reception)
Rentals, Crush Event Design; Professional Party Rentals
Hair and Makeup, Brushworx