Light Blue & Classic Wedding at the Carolina Inn - Unique Touches for a Memorable Day | Ashton & Mike’s Wedding

Photographed by Sarah Martin

With a bright and light atmosphere, this North Carolina venue was the perfect backdrop for a classic wedding with unique touches. In this article, we'll explore the elements that made this wedding truly special, including the venue, color scheme, first look, bridal party and ceremony details, the custom cake toppers and signature cocktail. Whether you're planning your own wedding or simply enjoy a good love story, read on to discover how small details can make a big impact on your special day.

The Simple Touches

The Carolina Inn served as the perfect venue for this light blue and classic wedding. The historic building exuded elegance and charm, making it a memorable backdrop for the couple's special day. The lush greenery and pristine gardens surrounding the Inn provided a stunning setting for the outdoor ceremony. Inside, the intimate ballroom boasted vintage chandeliers and luxurious details that complemented the couple's simple and classic décor. The venue's timeless beauty and attention to detail truly elevated the overall ambiance of the wedding.

The light blue and classic theme of this wedding was carried out flawlessly through the use of a soft color scheme. The pastel blue hues were evident in the bridesmaids' dresses, and the groomsmen’s navy blue suits were a beautiful contrast. The color scheme flawlessly aligns with the decor and colors of the Carolina Inn itself. The delicate touches of blue complemented the venue's regal decor, creating a cohesive look that was both refined and timeless. With the delicate use of color, the Carolina Inn's beauty was enhanced to provide an enchanting background for the couple's nuptials. As the soft blue tones gently blended with the natural surroundings, the guests were transported into a dreamy world of pastel beauty, setting the perfect tone for the first look, full of light, that would capture the couple's love and joy.

The bride in her elegant gown and even more elegant scent of Chanel No. 5 stole the show that day. A fun fact! We have many brides that choose to wear Chanel No. 5 on their day and there is no surprise why with its classic, soft, floral and feminine scent. It is the perfect scent for any classic bride.

The First Look, Full of Light

As the bride and groom prepared for their first look, the Carolina Inn's breathtaking surroundings provided the perfect setting for a magical moment. The soft pastel blue tones that had been so thoughtfully incorporated into the wedding's decor blended seamlessly with the lush greenery of the Inn's gardens, seen through the windows, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. The sun was shining bright, casting a warm glow over the entire space and providing ample natural light for the couple's first glimpse of each other. The anticipation was palpable as the bride made her way towards her groom, the light illuminating her classic and elegant gown. I also have to mention her Swiss dot veil that was maybe overlooked by some, but the detail and elegance of it caught my eye. It was such a beautiful and simple, unique touch. The couple beamed with joy as they locked eyes for the first time that day, their love and happiness radiating in the fullness of their embrace. This beautiful moment, full of light and love, set the tone for the entire celebration that followed, creating an unforgettable wedding day that will be cherished for years to come.

A veil to remember

Bridal Party and Ceremony Details

The bride's bridal party was dressed in stunning floor-length gowns in a light shade of blue that perfectly complemented the wedding's color scheme. Each dress had been carefully chosen to reflect the bridesmaid's unique sense of style, yet the cohesive color palette brought them all together seamlessly. The groomsmen looked equally sharp in their classic navy tuxedos was such a nice compliment.

As the ceremony began, guests were welcomed by a beautiful rose petals sprinkled along the sides of the aisle. The couple chose to say their nuptials in the courtyard between two buildings and in front of a grand tree on the Carolina Inn’s property.

The bride and groom chose to walk down the aisle together. With the brides arm through her soon to be husband’s, the couple made their entrance together. The bride carrying her late parents photos within her bouquet of elegant white and red flowers, paired with beautiful greens.

Custom Cake Toppers and Signature Cocktails

As guests arrived at the reception, they were greeted with photo books of the couple throughout their relationship, a unique guest book and a signature cocktail. The guest book was a phone that guests could speak a message into for the couple to listen to later. With a guest list of only 89, I thought this was the cutest idea to really hear what the guests were thinking and what they wanted to share with the couple of their special day.

The signature cocktail was a highlight of the evening. It was a drink named after the couple’s beloved cat Linguine, the “Gin-guine” a cocktail with gin, champagne, lemon and simple syrup. Very refreshing!

You can see Linguine again with the bride and groom, on their custom cake topper. This is another simple touch that can show the couples personality in a unique way. On top of an elegant cake and fun ways to showcase the couple, they hit it out of the park with their menu. Setting up “entree stations” is an excellent way to offer variety, as well as making sure there is something for everyone! They included Beef Tenderloin, Shrimp and Grits, Butternut Squash Ravioli and Penne Pasta with Sausage. Their cake was a light lemon flavor. Perfection.

As the night came to a close and the lights dimmed, the newlyweds took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. The room was filled with love and happiness, and it was clear that this light blue and classic wedding at the Carolina Inn was a day that would be remembered for years to come.

The light blue and classic wedding at the Carolina Inn showcased the power of simplicity and personalization in creating an unforgettable event. From the choice of venue to the unique cake toppers, every detail of the wedding was carefully chosen to reflect the couple's personality and style. As you plan your own special day, remember that it's the simple touches that can make all the difference. Incorporate personal elements and add a touch of creativity to make your wedding truly one of a kind. After all, as Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Make your wedding a reflection of your love and personality, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Photographer // Sarah, Fancy This Photography

Reception Venue // Carolina Inn

Planner // Lafete Planning & Design

DJ + Videography // Island Sound + Video

Florist // English Garden, Raleigh

Makeup // Reign Beauty NC

Cake // Capital Cakes

Caitlin and Dan

A Summer Carolina Inn Wedding in Chapel Hill, NC

“We are absolutely LOVING the gallery - I’ve looked through it at least 4 times now so I can just relive it all over again. The photos are just incredible!! We’re truly in awe of some of the moments you were able to capture.

We’re trying to decide on some favorites to display in our new home and it is SO HARD. I love all of the post-ceremony shots of me and Dan - the joy we were feeling just radiates through. And Dan really loves how the sparkler exit shots turned out! Plus all of those little candid family moments, and some serious gems from the reception...to say we are thrilled with these photos is an understatement. I also love the lighting/color variations (even though it makes it even harder to choose), and I’m grateful for all the details shots (florals, bar setups, etc) because some of those things I didn’t even get a chance to see in person!

I promise I’m not just saying this - choosing you as our photographer was one of the best wedding decisions we made. We are so happy with how everything turned out and we’ll definitely be ordering some prints/wall art once we can finally narrow down our very favorites!!”

— Caitlin, the Bride

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Caitlin and Dan’s wedding had this classic charm to it. They kept things simple, and focused more on the agenda items that mattered. For instance, their wedding party consisted of just the two of them; which, is probably my one of my favorite details about the wedding. Friends and family flew and drove in from all over. It was such a treat to see all of their people in one place at this time.

They married one another at United Presbyterian Church on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. It was a stunning scene as Caitlin was walked by here dad down the aisle. The tufts of white in the florals, mixed with those beautiful brass from the organs was just such a beauty to see in person. The church even had the sweetest of courtyards—which we used for family photos shortly after the wedding. It was lush and green, and with these two in the middle it made it all the merrier.

Their reception took place at the stunning Carolina Inn. It was dassled with lush florals curated by Wild Flora Farm, and decorated with the sweetest of linens and details that matched quite perfectly. It was a night to remember, not just from these details, but by the love that was radiating from guests and the couple.

Honored to know these two, and so happy to have been able to document their sweet day.

Special thanks to all of their vendors!

Venue // The Carolina Inn
Planning // Becca with C and D Events
Rentals // CE Rental
DJ // Joe Bunn with Bunn DJ Co
Videography // Wrinkled Blanket Media
Dessert // Slice Pie Company
Paper Products // Mason Dixon Designs
Hair and makeup // Tease and Blush
Florals // Wild Floral Farm
Ceremony Venue // United Presbyterian Church