Rustic Elegance at this Woodsy Chapel Hill Wedding
Louise and Joel were married last summer at The Barn at Valhalla in Chapel Hill, NC. They could not have asked for more perfect summer weather for their elegant, woodsy wedding! It’s always a bit of gamble planning for an outdoor wedding, and a North Carolina wedding in August runs the risk of extreme heat or thunderstorms (or both!). Well, we had gorgeous blue skies and relatively low heat (I mean it was still August, but it could have been much worse!).
It’s a Family Reunion!
One of the great things about Barn at Valhalla is the lodging. Louise & Joel were able to rent the Chapel Hill venue for the weekend, which made it the natural gathering place and added an intimate feel to the weekend. Their families live all across the country, and Louise & Joel themselves had just moved out of state, so it their wedding weekend really was a family reunion!
Louise has got to be one of the calmest people I’ve ever worked with. Throughout the planning process, I never saw her without a smile on her face, and the day of her wedding she was simply radiant. Louise started the morning of her wedding with a yoga session with family and friends at The Barn at Valhalla. What a tranquil setting, and a peaceful way to start the day! When I arrived she and her bridesmaids were calmly getting ready in the rooms above the barn, friends doing each other’s hair and makeup.
Wedding in the Woods
Their ceremony took place in a little alcove on the edge of the woods. It was fairly cool and comfortable among the shady trees, but it was still outdoors in August, so a small table with water and punch was set up for guests as they arrived at the ceremony. Shepherds hooks will flower-filled mason jars marked the aisle down to the flower-covered arbor, and chairs we set among the trees. It was a beautiful ceremony, officiated by Joel’s father with several readings by friends.
Party Time!
After the ceremony, guests joyously walked up to the barn for cocktail hour, before moving to the tent for dinner. Long tables were set for a family style meal, with centerpieces of wood and lace to continue the woodsy wedding style. Dusty blue and blush were soft pops of color against beds of green eucalyptus.
Much of the details of this wedding came from a collaboration of love shown by Louise & Joel’s talented family and friends. But we did have a wonderful team of vendors to help bring it all together!
Venue: Barn at Valhalla
Photography: Krista Joy Photography
Catering: Urbana Catering Concepts
Florist: Springwell Designs
Rentals: Party Reflections
Toilet Rentals: Bull City Loo
Audio Equipment: Island Sound
Hand Pies: King’s Kitchen
Coffee: Open Eye Cafe
Transportation: Carolina Livery
Wedding Gown: Gilded Bridal
Alterations: Marie Cordella
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Rings: Reeds
Invitations: Minted
