High school sweethearts Sydney and Samuel met casually through a mutual friend. Their first date was to see the movie Twilight. The couple dated for eight years–all through high school and college. Sydney attended Meredith College in Raleigh, with Samuel at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, so after a few years of long distance dating, coming together after the wedding was so much more special.
Samuel knew Sydney loved Colonial Williamsburg, which is right next to William & Mary. The couple were talking a walk through the garden at the Governor’s Mansion (something they did all the time), when Samuel got down on one knee. Sydney didn’t even notice a photographer hiding in the bushes. Samuel chose to combine both his and her great-grandmothers’ rings, custom made into a dream piece of jewelry for Sydney. After the proposal, Samuel planned a dinner at one of Sydney’s favorite restaurants and a stay in one of the old colonial houses–fireplace and all!
The June wedding was held at Trinity Episcopal Church, the church the pair attended when living in Myrtle Beach before college. Samuel’s former youth minister officiated, and the ceremony included a choir, trumpeter and full communion. Sydney wore a classic dress from David’s Bridal, but added a matching belt and tiara to make it a little more glamorous. She also wore a removable crinoline to give it a more ball-gown look and paired it with an 11-foot cathedral veil. Samuel wore a black tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse with a traditional black bowtie and accessories. The bridesmaids donned apple red dresses and the groomsmen wore gray suits with apple red ties, pocket squares and socks. 250 guests watched the couple take their vows. Gillian Claire Photography captured these special moments and Ash Events planned the big day.
Sydney made sure to cross everything from the old adage off her list. For something old, her mother cut the beaded straps off of her own wedding dress, which they attached to the straps of Sydney’s shoes for a glamorous look. Sydney created a custom wedding perfume at Escentuelle in Raleigh that she used for the first time on the big day for something new. Something borrowed was a small cross necklace from Samuel’s mother, which the ring bearer carried instead of the rings. It had been passed down in their family from mother to daughter for three generations and each one wore it for the first time on their wedding day. When Sydney asked her best friend to be her Maid of Honor, she gave her small blue stud earrings to wear to be the something blue.
The couple chose the Dunes Club as their reception venue so they could enjoy the gorgeous ocean view without the sweltering June heat. The theme for the day was elegant but relaxed. The invitations featured a fun mix of burgundy, blush and gold that the pair asked Little Shop of Flowers to replicate in the florals. The same floral design on the invitations was also incorporated on the ceremony programs, escort cards, table numbers, tissue packs, cocktail napkins and thank you gifts.
Cocktail hour kicked off with the pair’s signature drinks–a Cosmo and a Manhattan. Dinner was station style and included beef tenderloin, a customizable pasta bar, ahi tuna nachos and more. The wedding cake was classic white with a raspberry and lemon curd filling and a fresh raspberry buttercream. Created by Delicieux, it was adorned with fresh raspberries and candied lemon peels. For those craving a taste of chocolate, a fondue bar featured items for dipping like fruit, cake and even candied bacon. Guests enjoyed dancing to DJ Brett Gash, who created a beautiful monogram on the dance floor to give that extra touch of personalization.
Sydney highlighted the importance of being able to relax and enjoy your day. “I’d say the most unique thing about our day was that my veil came out as I was walking down the aisle! My father tried to put it back, we took two more steps, and it fell right out again! Thankfully my wedding planner and maid of honor were able to secure it in after I was already standing up front. Everyone gasped when it first came out but it was quickly followed by laughter which lighted the whole day! It took the pressure off of everyone knowing that nothing was going to stop us from getting married!”
