Southern Weddings

When I first scrolled through {Abigail Seymour Photography}‘s blog post on Lindsay + Jeff’s wedding, I was so sure it had to be in California.  But to my surprise it was North Carolina! Who knew there were beautiful wineries like this in North Carolina? The setting is just beautiful at {Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery}.  I adore the rose bouquets and the luminaries that line the sidewalks of the winery. Event planning by Lindsay Cheek of {Grace Leisure Events}.  Catering by {Winston’s Eatery} and music by {Bunn DJ Company}.  Thanks to the ladies at Abigail Seymour for sharing these images. Be sure to check out their {Blog} for more.

How did the two of you meet? We actually met in a wine bar. It must have been fate because Jeff had never been to that bar and didn’t even want to go in—his friend dragged him! I was trying to go home early because I had to fly out the next morning for business. I walked in with a group of girlfriends and unbeknownst to me, he saw me walk in. When we girls walked up to the bar, I noticed this tall guy in front of me and had this strange thought about him for some reason. I thought, what if this guy…who seems so cute from the back…turned around and that was my future husband? The thought was obviously fleeting because I was sick of waiting on him to get his drink and clear a spot at the bar! I turned to my girlfriends and said, “You know, I am just going to go home, I have to get up early and fly to Chicago.” That was when Jeff turned around and said, “You can’t go home yet!” I thought he was so cute and very interesting. He kept saying things to me that made him sound like a player, but for some reason I believed him! He told me he prayed for a girl a couple of years older than him and a girl with brown hair because the blonds weren’t working out! I believed him a little bit, but his Mom later confirmed that story! Before I left for the night, he complimented me on my blue eyes and told me he would call me the day I returned home from Chicago. He did!
Describe the proposal: It was Valentines Day and I knew not to get my hopes up because he always said he would “never propose on a national holiday, much less a cheesy one like Valentine’s Day.” We went to dinner, had a low key evening which was perfect and he sat me down at the dining room table with my laptop up, lit a candle, pulled up our song “Fix You” by Coldplay and played a picture slide show of us. I still didn’t realize he was proposing, I just thought he had done something sweet for V-Day. The last one asked me to marry him. I cried!
What attracted me to my husband was: His cuteness and his brutal honesty without caring if he sounded corny.
Why do you love your husband? He is very strong, affectionate, sweet, complimentary and loyal.

What attracted me to my wife was: She was happy and smiling when she walked in. She had this funky hat on, and I liked her voice.

A date we went on that we’ll always remember: Our first date at a pumpkin carving party at a friend’s house.
The weather on our wedding day was: Hot and beautiful!
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? We just wanted the happiest wedding around! That’s why we hired a jazz band for the ceremony music—it was happy and upbeat all the way until the wedding march. After we were pronounced husband and wife, they played “In the Mood” as the recessional!
Favorite design element of your big day: I loved the handmade luminaries a wonderful family friend made for me. All 150 of them! They lit up the place once the sun went down and provided a special touch when people left.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I bought it in Orlando, FL after finding it in a bridal magazine. It was the one!

Describe your wedding flowers: Beautiful Roses—very romantic! I loved the colors and I especially loved my bouquet. It was so heavy and big I had to switch hands in the middle of the ceremony!! A family friend who is a florist in Vermont did them for us. They were the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen!

Describe your wedding cake: Chocolate on Chocolate—need I say more???

Our favorite detail of the wedding was: The beautiful scenery—we felt like we were in Napa Valley, CA.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I don’t like planning things and attention to detail isn’t my forte. It was all a challenge, but somehow I pulled it off with help!
Scariest moment? Well the scariest was when I couldn’t find the flower that went in my hair or my earrings! I had already lost my veil and bought another one!
The most unexpected event on our wedding day was: A beautiful portrait of me that my mother had done. It was original and beautiful.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Exciting, beautiful and fast!
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Hope you have a great team backing you and you’ll be fine. Have a fabulous photographer and make sure to have a wedding planner for the big day.
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration. That it was such a happy wedding.
What’s next for you as a couple? Starting a family.

Congratulations to Lindsay + Jeff!  We wish you many great bottles of vino and happiness to come!