Nikki and Stewart chose the Inn at Crestwood in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains provided the perfect backdrop. The couple’s dog Bella served as ring bearer and they said their vows in front of their family and close friends. The reception was highlighted by a wonderful dessert bar provided by Ugga Mugga Bakery.
Venue: The Inn at Crestwood
Photographer: Tracy Brewer Photography
Bakery: Ugga Mugga Bakery
Dress Store: “Did Someone Say Party?” Bridal Boutique
Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?
Simple mountain elegant. Keys were our theme. Turquoise, peach, sage green and blush. Our Pastor from Bethel Baptist was our officiant.
Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?
Lots of flowers, some personal pieces; plaques and photos from our home were incorporated into the decor. Rose gold candle holders were set throughout the venue and on tables. Rose gold keys were used to hold the place cards which were in the shape of a crown, we calligraphed the names on them for the tables and then glued a crystal stone at the peak of the crown to depict the food choice, i.e., red stone for steak. This was a big help to the servers. A special table with photographs was dedicated to those family members who are no longer with us. One other D.I.Y. were hand painted large canvases that depicted grey wood planks & with our names on them to set out front of the venue along the road for our out of town guests to find us easier as the venue is in a forest. A huge white bow on the stag out front made for a pretty entrance.
What were the florals like in your wedding? Did you use flowers in any of your design elements like the bridal bouquets, centerpieces or ceremony backdrop? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?
The florals by “I Do” florists were the talk of the event. We wanted succulents and Robin incorporated succulents that she grows into all arrangements. Just some of the other flowers we used were, Huge peach hydrangeas, calla lilies, cabbage garden roses, eucalyptus, feather ferns, with those beautiful succulents in the middle!
Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?
We were surprised to find a projector set for family members as far away as Wales in the U.K., Connecticut and New Jersey who could not attend the ceremony but were able to say something to us. A friend of the family Susan Jorgenson surprised us and got up and sang Unchained Melody to us.
Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.
Classic, fitted lace wedding dress not puffy or over the top-very streamlined. My girls’ dresses were petal pink and told to pick out whatever style suited them. The groomsmen wore formal black tuxes accented with turquoise pocket squares and coral cala lillies.
How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.
Met at my best friend Rebecca’s 21st birthday but didn’t start dating until many months later. Stewart took me to Wales to meet his grandparents whom he is very fond of. His immediate family from the US were there? … one afternoon we “all” took a drive to the castle Coch b.k.a. , The Red Castle. He proposed to me in front of the entire family in front of a huge hearth he had called me up to ( my back to the family), it was in the exact place his mother has of a picture of him as an 8-year-old boy standing.
What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
The first look.
Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
There will be things forgotten and mishaps along the way, don’t worry – no one will notice or even know the difference. Choose a venue with a backup plan for weather. It poured rain an hour and a half before our outside ceremony, so stressed our photographer, with a great big smile, said: ” this is great – best picture taking is after a rain”. That was such a relief. The rain stopped and nearing 4:00 the chairs were dried and the ceremony took place as planned on a partly sunny overcast afternoon, keeping the sun from blinding us all out on the terrace. P.S. Rain on your wedding day is said to be good luck!
