Duke Mansion Wedding

Oh,  this wedding. (intimate and elegant.)
These two. (down-to-Earth  Clients-turned-friends)
Their families. (loving and joyful)
The location- Duke Mansion (stunning and stately) ….perfection.
You might remember Laura and Dave from their McGill Rose Garden engagement session here or Laura’s Duke Mansion bridal session here.  You might also remember I adore them and photographing their wedding was a four-years-in-the-making dream come true.
The day took place at Duke Mansion (a perfect Charlotte wedding venue for intimate outdoor weddings….complete with a rain back up plan:-) Taking inspiration from this historic venue, Aisha Thomas at Aisha Thomas Events pulled together some  gorgeous details like a hand-painted mirror to serve as the menu and gold chivari chairs (which complemented the amazing chandeliers at the mansion perfectly)  and few personal details like the addition of rosemary to honor Dave’ s Czech heritage.  Classic florals (with a pop of luscious berry) were created by  Karisa at Nectar Florals and Design.  
In Laura’s words:  “Our wedding has southern influence and aims to be warm, welcoming, relaxing, and easy to navigate.  We have outdoor elements (outdoor ceremony and cocktail reception) and an elegant indoor dinner, with dancing to follow the rest of the evening.  Our colors are burgundy and gray.  We are having an “unplugged” ceremony, but pictures are welcome during the reception.   There will be some Czech influence in the wedding in the form of rosemary (adorning some chairs in the ceremony and in the bride and groom seats during dinner)  A simple. fun, Southern/Czech wedding :)”
…she left out the biscuit bar! You guys…they had a sweet and savory biscuit bar as a late night snack!!
The beautiful garden ceremony gave way to the most perfect evening sky and close friends and family danced their shoes off with musical entertainment provided by Joey from Split Second Sound.
 
My favorite moments:
– Both First Looks (One with Laura and Dave and another with Laura and her dad.  Both emotion-filled and perfect.
–  The look of pride/love on Laura’s mom, Ginger and sister,  Brenda’s face  ALL. DAY. LONG.  (See the image of Laura reaching out to her whilst walking down the aisle. priceless.)
–  Somehow managing to catch Laura winking at her cousin whilst dancing with dad (#sassy)
–  …have I mentioned the biscuit bar?
 
Laura and Dave…I cant say it enough.  Thank you for the honor of having us as a part of your day…and lives.
 
 

 
 Want see more?   Laura & Dave’s wedding slideshow

 
Laura and Dave’s A-List Charlotte Wedding Vendors:
 
Venue (Catering /Baker)
Duke Mansion
Laura Stump 704.444.2305
Design/Coordination
Aisha Thomas Events
Aisha Thomas
704.965.0523
hello@aishathomas.com
Charlotte Wedding Photographer
BlueSky by Cass Bradley
Cassandra Mooney
704 941-9391
Cassandra@blueskycharlotte.com
Officiant
St Marks
Emily Hartner
828.234.6748
pastoremilyhartner@gmail.com
Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Musicians
Charlotte Strings
Sakira Harley
704.277.2438
info@charlottestrings.com
Vocalist
Ian Hartner
828.234.6748
Reception Music/DJ
Split Second Sound – Joey
704.907.9507
info@splitsecondsound.com
Florist
Nectar
Karissa Pennell
704.905.9808
mail@nectarfloraldesigns.com
 
Hair (for Bride and Maid of Honor)
All About You Salon
Shannon Peche
(704) 295-0744
Makeup Artist
Trish McAvoy counter at Nordstrom, South Park
Anastasia
(704) 442-6000 (Nordstrom)