Urban, industrial wedding with hints of blue and an elegant feel at Cross & Main in Youngsville, North Carolina

While working long hours on their high school’s tech team, Leah and Michael developed a small friendship. Then, during Michael’s freshman year of college at NC State, he gave Leah a tour of the campus and they bonded over pizza. That’s when they both knew it was the start of something special. 

Five years later, after buying a house and rescuing a pitbull pup together, Michael chose to propose to Leah shortly before their anniversary. He found a way to incorporate their love of hiking, waterfalls and their pup in the North Carolina mountains. After their double date with friends was cancelled (which to Leah’s surprise was a setup by Michael), they spent the weekend hiking Crabtree Falls. With the help of a photographer, Michael popped the question in front of the falls and the couple spent the rest of the day capturing their love in an engagement shoot. 

Elements of the proposal carried into the inspiration behind Leah and Michael’s spring nuptials, including the waterfall where Michael proposed. The misty blues in the color scheme mimicked the water and sky, and the greens represented the moss on the trees surrounding the proposal site. Along with an industrial venue, the day truly had an urban feel.

Leah spent her morning getting ready with her bridesmaids in the matching robes Leah gifted them all. After her makeup was finished, Leah slipped into her strapless sheath gown with a beautiful beaded pearl bodice. After coming across the dress online, Leah knew it was the one for her. 

“There was one dress left and it was in my size  and was exactly what I wanted,” explained the bride. “I didn’t even think, I just I bought it right away and didn't even ask for any of my bridesmaid’s or mom’s opinion.”

She put on her lace Toms and situated her veil just beneath her floral inspired pearl hairpiece.  A few loose curls swept her face to complete her look of urban romance. 

Even though the couple spent the morning in their respective suites, their love was felt across the venue. They sent heartfelt notes to one another throughout the morning, along with gifts that showcased their personalities. Leah received a necklace from Michael that replicated the phase the moon was in the night they first met. 

Sporting a grey suit and paisley tie, Michael met his bride for their heartfelt first look. They exchanged personal vows they wanted to share with each other before the ceremony. It was no surprise they both wrote similar things! Amelya Jayne Photography captured the emotions felt within their special moment perfectly.

“We were so connected in writing our personal vows separately that it made the fact that we were getting married within the hour so much more special,” Leah remembers. 

The ceremony décor was simple and traditional, with an industrial touch. The stand-out piece was a beautiful birch arbor, complete with eucalypts and white chiffon drapery. The arbor added a soft, elegant touch to the brick backdrop, reminiscent of the couple’s time spent on NC State’s campus. 

Walking in with her father by her side, Leah made her way toward her groom. The couple’s bridal party lined the space, offering their support. Leah’s bridesmaids wore a mix of blue and grey floor-length gowns, while the groomsmen rocked dark grey suits and navy ties. The bridesmaid’s bouquets had a very natural, relaxing feel to them given they were full of thistle, rosemary and panda anemone. 

The couple exchanged more vows in front of their closest family, friends and their officiant from Personal Weddings of NC. The officiant’s rendition of their love story was truly one to remember. Using his suggestion, the couple incorporated a unique handfasting ceremony into their service that didn’t leave a dry eye in the place. 

While the group wandered the grounds afterwards, the guests mingled over biscuits and sweet tea during cocktail hour. Guests placed their cards in the bride’s handmade card box, complete with a white and navy flower arrangement laid inside. They soon found their seats inside using hand painted agate escort cards. The Maid of Honor wrote each of the names in gold calligraphy, and the blue agate pieces were replicated for the table numbers to add just the right amount of a personal touch. 

The ceremony space was transformed with the help of Chestnut and Vine’s magic touch.  The hardness of the wood and brick accents was contrasted by the softness of the chandeliers, candles and lanterns within the space. Each table was surrounded by mahogany Chiavari chairs and draped with white tablecloths to match the roses along the bottom of the lantern centerpieces. At each place setting, there was a folded navy napkin to add a touch more of blue to the table. 

Once guests took their seats, the couple made their grand entrance. As they took the floor for their first dance, Leah and Michael showed off their moves in a choreographed number. On the other side of the dance floor was their sweetheart table, placed in front of the ceremony arbor. The table’s décor stayed consistent with the rest of the day’s design, complete with candles and eucalyptus. 

After the buffet style dinner, the couple took a break and visited the dessert display across the room. Leah and Michael used a naked cake topped with blueberries for the ceremonial cutting of the cake. After the cake was cut, guests could choose from various types of decorated cookies placed on top of a rustic wheeled table, accented with loose greenery. The cookie bar incorporated black and white cookies to honor a family tradition. 

“Every Sunday, and I mean every Sunday, Michael’s family goes to this bagel store down the road. They’ve been going for 17+ years and they always get bagels and a black and white cookie for brunch”, Leah explained. “I really loved this aspect of our wedding especially since we are all really good friends with the bagel store owner”. 

After dessert, the couple headed back out on to the dance floor to dance the night away. When the music from the DJ died down, the couple gathered everyone outside to make their grand exit. The guests wished them farewell through a sea of bubbles. 

Congratulations to the happy couple! 

Looking for an amazing photographer to capture your perfect wedding day? Check out Amelya Jayne Photography HERE!