We had the pleasure of lunching with Drea of {Casey Cunningham Photography} a couple months ago. Over cupcakes at the Carolina Cafe, Drea told us about the most recent wedding she and Casey had shot. It happened to be this stunning rustic Western North Carolina wedding of Amanda + Thomas. This beautiful wedding took place at {Camp Broadstone}. Flowers (I love her vibrant bouquet!) by {Newland Florist}. Amanda designed her own dress and had it created by a local seamstress. The wedding cake was made by Amanda’s godmother, Shawn Banks. Amanda also created all of her paper goods for the wedding. Kudos to Amanda – so creative! Thanks to Drea for submitting this wedding to us! Check out more from this NC wedding on their {blog}.
How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story… We met five years before when we were neighbors in an apartment complex.
Describe the proposal: Well, we actually decided together that we were ready to get married in November 2007, and went ahead with the announcement, then started ring shopping. I loved the look of art deco period rings, but today’s replica designs weren’t quite right. Eventually we found a local jeweler who was willing to work with us to create my dream ring. The ring was finished two days before I was scheduled to get braces for six months to treat TMJ. So we were going out for my “last meal” (brace-free) when Thomas pulled over at a scenic area pretending to scout it out as a potential wedding location. He asked me to get out of the car to read the sign on the gate for contact information. Not realizing what was going on, and it being winter in the mountains (freezing), I adamantly refused, and read the sign to him from the car. So, going with the flow, and my stubborn nature Thomas went ahead and popped the question in the car, presenting me the most beautiful ring I had ever seen, honestly it’s amazing!
What attracted me to my husband was: His sincerity, intelligence, and sense of humor.
What attracted me to my wife was: Her strong mind, great sense of humor and loving nature.
The weather on our wedding day was: Gorgeous. Fall in the mountains means crisp blue skies, fiery foliage, and that enviable golden glow of the sun.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? Rustic chic- I loved the idea of contrast.
Favorite design element of your big day: I found gorgeous handmade lotka paper with a paisley and floral pattern from an online supplier. I based all the printed materials around that pattern.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I fell in love with something completely out of my budget, so I found a seamstress who was able and willing to work with me. This allowed me a lot of freedom in the design and construction; I even picked out all the fabric!
Describe your wedding flowers: I wanted the majority of the flowers to represent the season and the location, so our florist used a variety of dahlias and chrysanthemums, both plentiful in the south during fall. Galax leaves, kangaroo paw, and bells of Ireland also helped to round out the centerpieces.
Describe your wedding cake: I decided on the topper first, what I deemed to be a tasteful, artist interpretation of dancing bears would hint to our love of the Grateful Dead. The rest of the cake decoration seemed obvious, some twigs, leaves and berries would adorn the delicious creation my godmother would labor over. The flavors included chocolate cake with espresso hazelnut filling, lemon poppy seed with raspberry filling, apple spice cake with caramel cream, and orange dreamsicle cake with cream cheese filling; but en route the cake fell over, and in the end I think we had the lemon poppy seed layer, and some of the chocolate layer.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Too hard to pick just one but Thomas votes for the Excalibur get-away car! Always go out in style!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? Planning from the hospital…my dad ended up being hospitalized for nearly six months at the beginning of the year. So, I spent most days at the hospital with him, and planning was really difficult. I had so much time to think about my vision, but in the end I had very little time to interview vendors before making selections.
Scariest moment? The phone call about the cake disaster! The look on my mom’s face came after the sobbing, I could hear through the phone.
Funniest moment? Right before the ceremony was about to begin, Thomas was making humorous small talk with his best man, forgetting that his microphone was already turned on for the vow exchange…After numerous chuckles from the audience, someone finally told him they could hear everything he was saying on through the speakers.
The most unexpected event on our wedding day was: The cake fiasco.
Three adjectives that describe the day are: Festive, enchanting, blessed.
Did you write your own vows? If so, what was your favorite phrase/verse/or line? (Favorite part of the ceremony): We had my godmother’s 11-year-old daughter read excerpts from Sandol Stoddard Warburg’s book, {I Like You}, during the ceremony, it put a smile on everyone’s face.
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Choose your vendors wisely. These people are inevitably responsible for the production of your planning. Even the most organized and controlling bride eventually has to relinquish command, and let the day unfold.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? House shopping!!!
Congratulations to Amanda + Thomas. We hope you find a house that becomes a home!
I went to Barnes and Noble in Durham, NC today, but they didn’t have a copy.
Hi Susan, Books a Million in Raleigh has copies and Harris Teeter does as well : )
I’d love to see it in Boston! Love the style of the weddings your feature even if I’m nowhere near the south!
Cincinnati, Ohio please! (I already ordered my copy online, but if I can go get tomorrow, I will!!)
Dying to get a copy! I’ve gone to 4 stores in Sandy Springs & Alpharetta, GA. Help!
Congratulations!!! I am sure you are hearing this alot these days but I know this achievement came with much work and great vision. Enjoy your continued success.
I just spent the afternoon going to 6 different Target stores in Austin, TX. Lots of copies at each here!
I’ve tried, unsuccessfully to find a copy in the Shreveport/Bossier City, LA area. I’ve tried Barnes + Noble and Books-A-Million. B+N said they didn’t carry it but to keep checking back and it wasn’t on the shelves at Books-A-Million Tuesday or Wednesday. Are there any other stores in this area that you know of which are carrying it?
Hi Cyndi! Books a Million in Bossier City definitely should have them. Our distribution agent said sometimes it takes them a few days to get them on the shelves, so if they aren’t there by tomorrow, let me know and I will call and make sure they get them out! We will make sure you get a copy! : )
Hi uberBrides! GREAT! So glad you found a bunch– thanks so much for letting us know! : )
Hi Atlanta Bride! I don’t see Alpharetta on our lists for Books a Million and BN, but there are bound to be copies near you at another chain. We will find out for you ASAP! : ) I wish we had complete lists, but not to worry- we will make sure you get copies!
I’ve already been to two Target stores, Barnes and Noble and Walgreens…but I can’t find one! Help!
Hi Kelsey, they have copies in Memphis at David-Kidd http://www.daviskidd.com/Default.aspx?StoreId=4&TabIndex=0&Tabid=1&p=y Hope that helps! : )
I know the Pacific Northwest is pretty much the other side of the country, but I sure would like to see a copy of our magazine here in the Seattle area. I ordered a copy online but I know if I saw one on a shelf somewhere, I would have to pick it up! Congratulations on what appears to be a beautiful magazine
The bottom left is from me! It was at Target in Austell, GA! Love it!
I picked up my copy at Publix in Tallahassee.
I cannot find it anywhere in Roanoke, VA! Our Barnes & Noble does not have it yet. EEk I want one!
Hi Jeana, Books a Million in Roanoke has copies : )
Hi Melissa! Thanks for posting the location! So glad you found some at Publix! : )
My friends Jamie and Becca got copies tonight from the Books A Million in Burlington, North Carolina. They said there is many more copies for all the Piedmont Triad Brides or SW fans. Also, Erin, my family is Cincinnati based and have not found any copies yet. But my mom and her friends are checking daily and when I know where in Cincinnati, I will share with the blog readers.
Finally found a copy at a Target!! Woohoo!!!! The mag is {beyond} AWESOME!!!
Atlanta ladies: Try Publix that’s where I got my copies, B&N didn’t have a copy on Tuesday morning but may now but I knoe several people that have had luck at Publix!!Cheers!Lindsay
We were looking for it at the B&N in Shortpump, VA last night, but they didn’t have any. Would love to see copies in Charlottesville and Richmond!
No luck in Dallas yet, and I’m too impatient to keep searching, so I ordered online!
I found my copy the week it made it awesome debut at the Target in Brunswick, GA. Great job with the premier issue SW!!
Hi Maggie! Dallas has copies at these locations: http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Store-Locator-Results#iframetop
I can’t find it in Lexington KY! I have looked at Barnes and Noble and Target.
Hi Katie, we are working on finding copies near you. You can order a copy on our website in the mean time. I will keep you posted! : )
I love the blog, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the magazine will soon be sold in Lancaster, PA!