Rebekah and Jess’s North Carolina Vineyard Wedding

Rebekah and Jess’s scenic wedding at Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery is dreamy, relaxed and full of personal touches. Christina, with Love & Honey, planned a beautiful day filled with meaningful details from paper cranes to a customized Notre Dame rally sign. We’re especially loving the timeless appeal of the whites, greens and brass elements and we’re totally crushing on the super-gorge brass bird figurines on the head table! See them and more in these lovely images by Allison Kuhn Photography.

What made the wedding special and unique?

Our wedding was special and unique because every detail was a representation of the bride and groom.

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

Finding my wedding dress was definitely one of the most difficult decisions! I knew what I wanted and envisioned, but could not find it anywhere. I tried on dresses that would have some of the characteristics I wanted, but never had everything. After weeks of scouring the internet I finally found my dream dress, which was part of the 2015 Pronovias Collection, but sadly learned that no stores in North Carolina or surrounding states carried it. I ended up taking a huge risk and ordered the dress at a local boutique, The Lily Rose, without ever trying it on! My dress had a full organza skirt with raw edges and strips of lace throughout. The bodice was also wrapped in Spanish lace and the sweetheart neckline lined with feathers. I loved everything about my dress, but what I loved most was how I finally felt like a bride when I tried it on.

What were some touches added to make it personal?

The bride’s grandmother passed away the year before the wedding. In honor of her memory, her candy mints were displayed on each dinner table in teacups that were passed down to the bride. The groom was a 2nd generation pitcher for The University of Notre Dame and the couple wanted to add a few small touches that represented the groom and his family. Notre Dame cake pops were included on the dessert table and the infamous “Play Like a Champion Today” sign, changed to “Marry Like A Champion Today”, was used for the bride and groom to hit for good luck and placed on the getaway car at the end of the night.

The bride has a passion for reading and antiques. Items gathered from the bride and groom’s home were used for unique centerpieces on each of the guest’s dinner tables. Including handmade book planters overflowing with succulents.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The most memorable part of our day would hands down be our ceremony for many reasons. We had a close friend officiate our wedding, which made our ceremony that much more personable and intimate. Seeing each other for the first time, as Rebekah walked down the aisle, was by far one of the most cherished moments our lives, as well sharing our handwritten vows to each other and in front of our families and closest friends. There wasn’t a dry eye!

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

On a Sunday afternoon on January 10, 2010 we met at a quaint Starbucks for a cup of coffee, well actually it was a peppermint mocha (Bekah) and an iced green tea (Jess)! After a few previous “interesting” dates via Match.com, we were both pleasantly surprised to hit it off, but of course not until Jess was asked to stand up and pass the “6 ft. test”. He obviously passed with flying colors, by 3in. if we want to get technical! We talked for hours, until it started to get dark outside and Rebekah’s hair appointment “escape story” was discovered (haha whoops)! Rebekah likes to tell everyone that meeting Jess was a result of her New Year’s resolution, but unlike most resolutions, we will be keeping this one!

In early 2014, March 10th-13th to be exact, we took a romantic vacation to Savannah, GA. After an amazing day and a half of enjoying the sights and culture of the city, a picnic was planned at the beautiful Forsythe Park. We grabbed lunch from a local spot, hailed a ride from a pedicab, and made our way to the park. Little did Bekah know what Jess had planned. In his backpack was a bottle of wine with a custom label that said “Say Yes!!!” and in his pocket was his grandmother’s diamond ring. The plan almost faltered as Jess scanned the park to find the perfect spot to sit down for the proposal and Bekah was hungry and had no idea why Jess was taking forever to find a place to sit! A great spot next to a tree was found and after we were situated a bottle of wine was handed to Bekah. She skimmed over the label and it didn’t quite hit her yet but she figured it out when Jess got down on one knee and produced the big rock (which he had no idea was even nice). Bekah said “Oh my gosh, are you serious?” and then said, “YES!”

Photographer: Allison Kuhn Photography // Planner: Love & Honey, Christina Doody // Florist: New Creations Flower Co., Melanie Edwards // Cake: Icing on the Edge, Sharon Goick // Catering: Plate Perfect Catering, Beth Moore // Officiant: Hillary Rondero // Videographer: Crown Alley Films // DJ: Split Second Sound // Transportation: Star Taxi // Hair & Makeup: Be Pretty, Lindsey Regan Thorne // Bridal Gown Designer: Pronovias // Bridal Gown Store of Purchase: The Lily Rose // Men’s Formal Wear: Traveler’s, Jos A Banks // Stationery: DIY by Bride // Ceremony Musician: Sai The Violinist // Dessert Table: Peace, Love and Cake Pops & Angle Konfections // Venue: Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery