Tell us a little about yourselves!
Gage and I first crossed paths in 2015, introduced by a mutual friend at a local venue where we were both excited to see some of our favorite bands. As we walked into the theater, there was an immediate sense of recognition—I couldn’t quite place it, but it felt as though my soul already knew his. It was as if something deep within me whispered that I had found my person.
Not long after that night, we began dating and eventually moved to Raleigh to pursue our career goals—Gage at NC State for mechanical engineering and me at UNC Chapel Hill for my degree as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Within just six months of moving in together, we discovered we were expecting a baby girl. Now, Eleanor is five years old and the absolute light of our lives.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We chose The Morning Star Chapel, in Matthews as the venue for our wedding because it embodied everything we were looking for—quaint, romantic, elegant, and timeless. With only 15 guests, all immediate family, we wanted a setting that was not only beautiful but also intimate and cozy, and this chapel checked all the boxes.
One of the highlights of our day was the butterfly release in the chapel's enchanting butterfly garden. It was a truly magical moment, made even more special by sharing it with our closest loved ones. Following the ceremony, our family treated us to a wonderful meal at OAK Steakhouse and we enjoyed a delicious Italian cream cake from Villanis Bakery as our wedding cake.
How many guests did you have?
We had an intimate ceremony with just 15 guests and our reception in November will be a little larger with around 50 guests.
What was your budget?
While we didn’t set a strict budget, we aimed to keep costs as low as possible without compromising on the vision we had in mind. We spent around $3,000 which includes all our vendors, outfits and accessories. However, this does not include our reception coming up in November.
Tell us about your outfits.
My outfit inspiration was Audrey Hepburn’s iconic look from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. After visiting a bridal shop and not finding anything that matched my vision, I spent time browsing various dress sites online. I ultimately discovered a dress on Revolve that exceeded my expectations. I had it altered to a tea length, reminiscent of Audrey’s style.
For a touch of elegance, I also opted for a shorter veil from Gigi & Olive, which complemented the dress perfectly. To complete the look, I added white long lace gloves from Cornelia James, for an additional layer of timeless sophistication.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
The most important aspect of our planning process was to keep it low-stress and true to who we are. We wanted to fully enjoy every moment of the day without any anxiety or concern. Opting for a simple ceremony was the perfect choice, and I highly recommend separating the ceremony from the reception for this reason. Having our immediate family with us for the ceremony was truly special, and we’re eagerly looking forward to celebrating with our friends at the reception in November.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
It was important for me to include touches of our daughter Eleanor throughout the ceremony. She walked down the aisle as our flower girl and played in the garden, adding a personal and joyful element to the day. We also had some of Eleanor's favorite classic Disney songs played by our pianist, making the celebration even more special.
Any tips for couples getting married?
My advice to couples is to follow your own vision, regardless of traditional expectations. You can have a beautiful wedding while embracing a non-traditional approach. Gage’s and my story is far from conventional, but it’s exactly what we wanted. Ensure that your wedding day reflects who you and your partner truly are. In the end, that’s what matters most.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Our photographer, Sonya Le Photograph, was incredible and perfectly captured the aesthetic of our wedding day. She beautifully documented special, sentimental moments that I will cherish forever. We also loved receiving a Super 8 film as a keepsake. Her artistry and documentary-style, candid approach to photography truly enhanced our experience and made it unforgettable.
Our pianist and reverend, who are members of The Morning Star Chapel, warmly welcomed us and guided us through each moment of our special day with such grace. Even though we met them for the first time that day, it felt as if we had known them for years. Their presence added a beautiful touch to our ceremony.
Photographer & Super 8 Film: Sonya Le Photography @sonyalephoto | Flora: Springvine Design
@springvine | Ceremony Location: The Morning Star Chapel @thechapelatmorningstar | Reception Location: The Morehead Inn @themoreheadinnclt | Celebrant: Reverend John C Mouritsen
The Morning Star Chapel @thechapelatmorningstar | Makeup Artist: Natalie Rednour @natalie_red
Hair Stylist: Planet 21 Salon @planet21salon | Catering + Beverages: Oak Steakhouse
@oakcharlotte | Cake: Villanis Bakery @villanisbakery | Stationery: Storia Collective
@storiacollective | Pianist: Ed Hopkins (Minister of Music) The Morning Star Chapel @thechapelatmorningstar | Dress: Revolve NBD @revolve | Gloves: Cornelia James @cornelia_james | Suit: Men’s Wearhouse @menswearhouse | Veil: Gigi & Olive @gigiandolive_ | Engagement Ring: Diamond Direct @diamondsdirect | Wedding Rings: Angara @angarajewelry | Shoes: Sam Edelmen @sam_edelman | Other Jewellery: The Pearl Source @pearlsource
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