Lauren & Sean | Boone, NC

Lauren and Sean planned their destination wedding in Boone, NC near the Blue Ridge Parkway. They rented three houses so all of their friends and family could stay on site together and it could be a full weekend celebration where everything was provided and all they had to do was be together. 

The Venue

Their “venue” was really made up of two different rental homes. Their ceremony was conducted at a house named “Mountain Family Lodge” and was right next to the house where their reception would take place named "Appalachian Mountain Lodge”. They were conveniently located and partnered well together - it was just a quick walk from one property to the next. A tent was installed for their dinner reception and dancing through the rest of the night.

The Food & Drink

Stick Boy Bread Company, everyone’s favorite local bakery also offers catering for events. If you have tried any of their bread or pastries, you can only imagine how good their full catering is. They did an incredible job. The menu consisted of Mediterranean Focaccia strips, Hummus with cucumber rounds and baby carrots, and Charcuterie with fruit and cheese. There was an ample display that everyone enjoyed while photos were taken during cocktail hour. Dinner was a beautiful serving of Apricot mustard chicken, Mac & Cheese Bake, Rustic mashed potatoes, Green bean almandine, House salad, and Rolls. Both the cocktail hour and wedding dinner were served via a buffet. 

For the bar, they had a nice offering with lots of prosecco plus beer and wine and then two pre-batched signature drinks to choose from. The first was a Hibiscus Gin Sour (egg white + gin + lemon + chambord + hibiscus simple syrup). The second was a Honey Grapefruit Bourbon Smash (bourbon + grapefruit juice + honey syrup + sprig of rosemary). 

When dinner was over and it was time for dessert, Lauren went above and beyond and personally made cupcakes and their actual cake. All of which were amazing and comparable to any professional bakery I have ever enjoyed. To make it even better, I don’t know that I have ever seen a sweeter cake topper. 

The Logistics

Planning a more DIY wedding at a rental house or Airbnb offers its own logistical opportunities. Because we were installing a tent in Watauga County, we had to acquire a tent permit from the Watauga County Fire Marshal. This was an easy process, but one that could be easily missed. This house has hosted multiple events with tents in the same location so we confirmed that there were no underground lines but did have nearby electrical access. The house has a small prep kitchen downstairs with outside access so we did not have to get a second catering kitchen. It also had easy access to communal bathrooms in the house so we did not need to bring in bathroom trailers. Lauren and Sean were able to strategically place each guest/couple in a comfortable room and made cute name tags for the door to each room so everyone knew where they were staying. They delegated the food prep and cooking to willing family members that wanted to help and liked to have projects to work on. 

The other logistical side of things was sneaking Lauren and Sean away (with their photographers) to take their sunset pictures on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am so glad they wanted to do this and we made it happen. They snuck away shortly after dinner and their guests mingled and visited until they returned.

The Design 

The design on this was so much fun! Both Lauren and Sean are incredible artists and crafters. Sean left the world of engineering to follow his passion as a woodworker. He hand crafted the arbor to display Lauren’s macrame and also the color custom backdrop for their reception space. The reception screen was made of colorful arches and was built with bracing to withstand the frequently windy days we have in the high country. It added a beautiful decorative element but also hid a tennis court that sat below their tent lower on the property. His ceremony arbor was a seemingly simple design, but was built to also withstand the wind and support the handmade macrame display that Lauren built. It was a custom pattern she had perfected and the outcome was a show stopper. There was so much work and love that was put into their ceremony backdrop that we re-purposed it as a backdrop for their live photo booth. This is where we dedicated some time during cocktail hour for our photographer to shoot each couple/family so Lauren and Sean could gift them their portraits later.

When it comes to their place settings and decor, they sourced their florals from a flower farm in Hickory, NC. Still Water Farm and Gardens provided bouquets and the ceremony arrangements as well as mixed buckets of cut flowers. The house smelled amazing when everything was brought in and everyone gathered around the large dining room table and started assembling bud vases to be placed on their reception tables intertwined with different brass candlestick holders.

The place settings themselves were some of my favorites. Lauren thrifted most of the vintage plates and borrowed a few from a friend who had done the same. They were colorful and eclectic and just a fun way to incorporate more color and individuality to the design. 

The Timing 

Their wedding celebration really was a four day event. Guests started arriving on Thursday and checked out Sunday. Thursday night was spent prepping meals (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners) to serve throughout the course of their stay. Friday’s agenda was floral pick up and arranging as well as rental delivery and organization. After we got through with the logistical side of the day, we had their rehearsal followed by a casual but fun dinner. No one was rushing. No one had to travel. Once everyone arrived, their extended wedding weekend was travel-less. This allowed more time for everyone to really engage and just be present. Sunday capped the stay with a brunch and then all day hanging in the hot tub and reliving the good times and shared memories. 

The Ceremony

Lauren and Sean’s mountain wedding ceremony was nestled in the yard with surrounding woods to make a cozy and intimate ceremony site. The location was convenient and easy to access, but also private enough that we didn’t have guests seeing the space before the ceremony. It was easy for Lauren to stay hidden before the ceremony as well. Their dear friend officiated for them and did an amazing job. Their friend’s son was their ring bearer and they made a point to make him comfortable and excited for the job. They attached a clip to a dinosaur stuffed animal and had him walk down the aisle with it. He got to hold it for comfort, the clip closed so the rings were safe, and he had a new friend to take home and love. The ceremony spot was so beautiful, there wasn’t much else needed from a decor stance. It was a simple, beautiful ceremony - and in the end, they were married.

The Team: 

Wedding Photography: Mountain Light Studio | @mountainlightstudio

Wedding Planning & Coordination: Nancy Ess Events | @nancyessevents

Wedding Florals: Still Water Farm and Gardens | @stillwaterfarmandgardens

Wedding Catering: Stick Boy Bread Company | @stickboybreadco

Wedding Bartending: High Country Barkeep | @hcbarkeep

Wedding Hair & Makeup: Brushes & Braids | @brushesandbraids

Wedding Rentals: Classic Event Rental | @classiceventrentalinc

Custom Woodworking & Craftsmanship: Four Fridges Furniture | @fourfridgesfurniture