WEDDINGS LIKE YOURS
A Mountain Wedding Meant to Be
Lauren + Mark | Sep 15, 2018
Earthy tones of white, beige and cream with subtle metallics in a natural, elegant and rustic wedding at the Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands, North Carolina
The timing didn’t seem perfect for Lauren and Mark, but in the end, they were meant to be.The two met when their respective roommates got engaged in spring 2015. At the time, Lauren lived in Charlotte while Mark lived in Atlanta. Lauren moved to New York later that summer, putting many miles between them.
Mark booked a flight to visit Lauren in her new city, and those miles no longer mattered. After nearly two years of dating long-distance, Lauren moved to Atlanta, and she and Mark got engaged in late 2017.
“While timing and circumstances didn’t seem to align at first, we are thankful and certain that God’s plans are always far greater than our own,” Lauren said.
The couple’s love for the mountains led them to choose the Highlands for their wedding.They dressed up the rustic venue with elegant touches and subtle metallics that complimented the natural cream and beige tones of the space and earthy florals of the day.
“We wanted the natural beauty of the space and surrounding scenery to be reflected throughout the events,” she continued.“We chose to do a lot of greenery and white florals, with accents of bark and wood.
”They set the tone with their invitation suite—an ivory card stock embossed with calligraphy and a sketch of two branches—and thisnatural elegance showed up in details throughout their big day.
The morning of, Lauren and her bridesmaids relaxed in fun robes with fringe before getting ready.When it came time, the ladies helped Lauren into thedress she’d picked out on a girls’ trip back to New York.
“I tried on probably close to 30 dresses and finally, at our last stop, found ‘the one,’” Lauren said. “This dress had the most unique and beautiful embellished lace that reminded me of mountain florals and ferns—it just looked like it was meant for a wedding in the mountains.”
As if the strapless, A-line gown with a sweetheart bodice and chapel train wasn’t enough, the crystal drop earrings and textured gold strappy heels added some shimmer to finish off the bride’s breathtaking look.
Lauren’s bridesmaids wore ivory floorlength gowns in a mix of two styles–either a halter or scoop-neck style with ruffle overlay. Once everyone was dressed, theygathered around Lauren for a prayer before she headed outside to meet Mark.
They skipped the first look for a “first touch” where they stood back-to-back and joined hands.
“We didn’t lay eyes on each other but were able to take a few minutes with no one else around before we walked into a church full of our loved ones,” Lauren said. “It was a special moment when time stood still for a few seconds, and we were able to take in and appreciate everything that was going on around us and what was about to come.”
Initially, the couple was worried that the small town of the Highlands wouldn’t have a church large enough for their wedding party and guests. Like timing and distance, this concern fell away, too.
“We spoke with a church who could just fit us in—literally down to the last seat—and we were thrilled,” Lauren said. “The ceremony was cozy, intimate and sincere.”
Mark and his groomsmen stood at the front of the altar in midnight blue notch lapel tuxedos that brought a nice contrast to the neutral-colored florals and bridesmaid’s dresses. They all turned to face the aisle as Mark caught his first glimpse of his almost wife.
Lauren walked down the aisle with both of her parents, carrying a gorgeous bouquet with a white king protea, anemones, roses, succulents and lots of natural greenery. The bridesmaid’s bouquets and altar arrangements all had a similar feel to Lauren’s earthy and naturally styled bouquet.
“I wanted the florals to really reflect the rustic, earthy mountain landscape we were surrounded by,” Lauren said.
The ceremony was sweet and sentimental, filled with lotsof personal touches. A close mentor of Mark’s officiated the ceremony,and the bride’s cousin led the congregation in one of their favorite songs. The couple sealed the deal with a kiss and headed outside for photos.
After some pictures with their bridal party, the couplespent some time alone soaking in the beauty of their surroundings. They found an arched wooden bridge where the water beneath it created the most stunning mirror image.
Meanwhile, guests headed to the reception, where they were greeted with trays of blackberry mint juleps—a signature cocktail named “Marco Lolo.”
With a drink in hand, guests soaked in the rustic and elegant atmosphere.There were twinkle lights everywhere, and farmhouse chandeliers overhead. The center chandelier was wrapped with greenery to bring an earthy feel to the room. In the corners of the room were oversized fireplaces with floor-to-ceiling stone, accented with greenery and the same rustic, earthy inspired flowers.
The room was set with a mixture of seating. There were round guest tables in cream colored linens, wooden farm tables, and cocktail tables in subtle metallic linens lining the dance floor. The rounds and farm tables were set with wooden crossback chairs for anextra rustic feel. The farm tables had a mix of copper vases filled with cream florals, small rustic glass votives, taper candles and loose succulents lining the center.
The centerpieces on the round tables varied from table to table. Some had tall hurricane vases with tree branches “growing” from them, some had a decorative lanterns surrounded by greenery and votives, while others had a trio of small copper vases filled with neutral colored florals.
In the front of the room a four-tiered white cake featuring greenery sat on top of a wooden pedestal stand.The cake table was draped with the same subtle metallic linen for a fun pop. Everything was picture perfect, including one fun personal touch.
“One of my favorite things we decided to throw in at the last minute was a photo booth in an old VW van,” Lauren said. “It was a unique spin on the typical photo booth—another thing our guests could enjoy when taking a break from the dance floor.”
Lauren and Mark danced the night away withf amily and friends before their sparkler exit.
Congratulations to this perfect pair!
Looking for the perfect rustic venue for your wedding? Click HERE to connect with our vetted options
Creative Team
Bakeries
Sugar Cloud Bakery
Beauty
Brushworx
Venues
The Farm at Old Edwards Inn
Highlands United Methodist Church
Caterers
The Farm at Old Edwards Inn
Entertainment
Az-IzZ Band
Florists
Gertie Mae’s Refined Floristry
Officiant
Tucker Yates
Paper Goods + Calligraphy
Kelsey Malie Calligraphy
Photographers
We are The Bowsers
Videographers
We are The Bowsers
Other
Addie McElwee
Anne Krepps
Planners
No Regrets Events
Rentals & Decor
The 12th Table
Professional Party Rentals Inc.
I Do Linens
La Tavola Fine Linens
Transportation
Premier Ground
Attire
Ines di Santo
WTOO
The Blk Tux
