Featured: A Jewel Tone Wedding At The Ritz Carlton Ballroom in Uptown Charlotte

I'm incredibly lucky that my job leads me to meet such wonderful human beings. Maggie + JR are two of the most kind (and most hilarious!) people I've ever met! Their love for each other is so genuine and sweet - and you can clearly see that in every single image by Cheyenne Schultz Photography. Working with Maggie was such a dream! She trusted me and my team to execute her vision from day one. In fact, we actually didn't meet in person until a site tour to the Ritz Carlton in uptown Charlotte!

Well, you can find me doing a little happy dance today because Maggie + JR are featured on Carats + Cake today! I absolutely love reliving wedding days through blog posts, so I hope you'll take a little walk down memory lane with me as I share some of my favorite photos from Maggie + JR's gorgeous fall wedding.

A big thank you to all the vendors who made Maggie + JR's wedding so magical:

Planning + Design | The Graceful Host
Photography |  Cheyenne Schultz Photography
Floral Design | New Creations Flower Company
Videography | Shamus Coneys films
Ceremony + Reception Venue, Catering + Cake | Ritz Carlton Charlotte
Reception Entertainment | Split Second Sound
Rentals | Party Reflections
Paper Goods | Pink Toast Ink
Hair + Makeup | Charisse Holliday with Be Pretty
Dress Boutique | Hayden Olivia Bridal
Dress Designer | Hayley Paige
Officiant | Reverend Rebecca Nagy

Congratulations, Maggie + JR! I am so thrilled to have been a part of your special day!

XO,
A.

Real Wedding: Organic and Elegant North Carolina Mountain Wedding

This gorgeous fall wedding at Hawkesdene House in Andrews, North Carolina was the perfect way to close out 2016! At the peek of the fall season, surrounded by beautiful colors of nature, Jessica + Ryan celebrated amongst family and friends. Jessica's inspiration behind her wedding was the natural scenery of the North Carolina Mountains. We incorporated different types of lush greenery among the centerpieces. With rich, vibrant reds and lots of organic textures, we created an elegant evening with an organic inspiration in the mountains.

Jessica + Ryan met thanks to their moms, who were already good friends, and had arranged for Ryan to show Jessica around California, since it was her first time visiting. It was crazy how well their plan worked! The pair had so much in common, and flash forward 8 years later - they finally got married! Since both their families live all over the country, the couple choose the lovely Hawkesdene House, about 2 hours west of Asheville, for their destination wedding.  Our bride said that whenever the couple would visit the mountains, they always leave with such a sense of peace and happiness after getting away from the hustle and bustle of life. So, they wanted their guests to have a similar experience and feel leaving refreshed after a fun weekend away!

I think their plan worked because it was one heck of a wedding weekend. I am so excited to share photos from Jessica + Ryan's amazing wedding day! But first, a huge thank you to our fabulous team of talented vendors who helped create a magical day for our bride + groom.

Planning + Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Josh Jones Photography
Flowers: New Creations Flower Company
Venue + Catering: Hawkesdene House
Cake: Sugar Cloud Baking Company
Linens: Nuage Designs + Party Reflections
Tent, Draping, Lighting: Classic Event Rentals
Photo Booth: Shutterbooth Charlotte
Live Artist: Wed On Canvas
Paper Goods: Elisabeth Rose
Hair and Makeup: Makeup by Jenny Le
Band: OnLive via Sam Hill Entertainment
Officiant: HeartLight Wedding Ministers
Videography: Five 18 Productions
Dress Designer: Amy Kuschel
Dress Boutique: Bellissima
Mens Attire: Mens Warehouse

I truly believe that wedding videography is such a worthwhile investment. While your photographer will capture your wedding day memories, a videographer will capture it in a way that photography just can't. So many nuances can be captured on video, not to mention your loved ones voices and mannerisms... and maybe some sweet dance moves? These are fleeting moments, never able to be repeated, are now frozen in time. It's a great way to relive your wedding day over and over again long after the wedding high has passed.

Jessie+Ryan {Full Wedding Video} from James Desuyo on Vimeo.

Jessica + Ryan, thank you so much for allowing The Graceful Host to be a part of your destination wedding celebration! You two were such a dream and a joy to work with, and the love you have for each other is captivating. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together and memories, just as sweet as your wedding day.

XO,
A.

Featured: Simple and Chic Foundation For The Carolinas Wedding

We are over the moon to see Shelby + Jordan's beautiful wedding at Foundation For The Carolinas featured on Carats and Cake! Our lovely bride, Shelby, dreamed of a clean and elegant wedding in a color palette of neutral cream, white and grey. With modern and feminine touches, we created a timeless design with endless details inspired by Shelby + Jordan. Check out the full feature, here.

Here are a few of our favorite images from Shelby + Jordan's beautiful wedding day!

We absolutely LOVED working with Shelby and Jordan (and their families!) to help them celebrate their amazing wedding! These two danced well into the night and enjoyed a little late night pizza delivery from Fuel... it was such a fun party with Split Second Sound keeping the energy going strong all night. Shelby, thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your special day - it was an absolute pleasure getting to see you two say I do! 

Huge thanks to all the vendors who made Shelby + Jordan's day so fantastic!
Planning/Design: The Graceful Host
Photography: Smitten and Hooked Photography
Floral Design: New Creations Flower Company
Catering: Best Impressions Caterers
Venue: Foundation For The Carolinas
Entertainment: Split Second Sound
Paper Goods: Pink Toast Ink
Cake: Sky's The Limit Custom Cakes
Makeup/Hair: Makeup by Jenny Le
Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta from J. Majors Boutique
Grooms Attire: Vera Wang from Mens Wearhouse
Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Oh, and this just might be my favorite room reveal of all time... Shelby you're the best!

xo,
A.