Discover Walnut Hill Wedding Venue 

There’s something special about a curving country road, baby blue skies and pastureland as far as the eye can see. We love the hustle and bustle of downtown Raleigh, don’t get us wrong. But, at Walnut Hill wedding venue, couples receive rustic romance without compromising the convenience of downtown Raleigh. Located just 20-minutes from the heart of downtown, Walnut Hill is one of North Carolina’s best barn wedding venues. 

Alexa Cotton and Eric Howe chose Walnut Hill wedding venue as the backdrop for their big day for this reason and many more. The couple invited friends and family to a ceremony and reception in the Carolina countryside on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2021. Fancy This Photographer, Sarah Martin, says the weather that day was perfect for an indoor-outdoor wedding. 

Sarah has documented a total of four weddings at Walnut Hill wedding venue. She used a Sony A7RIII camera to capture each magical moment of Alexa and Eric’s day. Every wedding Sarah witnesses at Walnut Hill feels comfortable due to tons of space and diverse photo spots. And yet, each Walnut Hill wedding has its own uniqueness. 

“No two weddings photographed [at Walnut Hill] have had the same flow nor the same placement of wedding parties and ceremony space,” Sarah says. “There are two houses for the couple to get ready in as well as two possible ceremony spaces. This makes each wedding seem special and unique to the couple’s tastes.”

Keep scrolling for more inspiration from this stunning Walnut Hill wedding planned and coordinated by The Gathering Co. 

Getting Ready at Walnut Hill

There are two separate houses for each respective wedding party to get ready in. The Estate House is perfect for brunch and beauty preparation. On the opposite side of the pond (literally), you’ll find the Hill House. This farmhouse is stocked. Guests of the Hill House get to enjoy a full kitchen, living room, private back porch, game room (with foosball table and air hockey) and three guest rooms.

First Look at Walnut Hill Wedding Venue 

Most of us have heard about the “first look” trend by now. Just in case you’re new here, a first look is when a couple decides to see each other alone and dressed in wedding attire before the ceremony. First looks are intimate and generally filled with raw emotions, candid reactions and romance, duh. 

For some, a first look relieves stress and pre-ceremony jitters. For others it’s a great way to get wedding photos done before festivities. Typically, first looks are coordinated by the wedding photographer and planner in tandem.  

Have you ever considered doing a first look with other friends or family members? First looks shared between father and daughter and bride and bridesmaids are growing more and more popular. Alexa chose to do a first look with her father instead of the groom. 

After The Makeup Addict finished Alexa’s bridal beautification, she met her father outside Walnut Hill wedding venue’s Estate House. The moment was magical. Alexa’s father’s face was filled with pride and joy at the sight of his daughter in her wedding dress.   

Interested in planning a first look(s)? Let our team at Fancy This Photography know. We’re happy to help you take care of the details. 

 Outdoor Ceremony at Walnut Hill Wedding Venue 

Alexa and Eric’s outdoor ceremony at Walnut Hill wedding venue began at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2021. A young ring bearer and flower girl led the procession, which entered from the Estate House. Alexa was glowing as her father escorted her down a grassy aisle covered in white rose petals. 

Eric could not stop himself from smiling at the sight of his beautiful bride. A simple piece of white cloth draped from the branches of an enormous oak tree marked the altar. The white cloth caught the October breeze as NC wedding officiant, Hardison Perry, began the ceremony.

Fancy This Photographer Sarah Martin’s favorite moment from the day was taking photos of the couple after the ceremony. 

“While taking photos of Alexa by herself, Eric would stand off by himself just absolutely infatuated with Alexa, watching her have her photos taken,” Sarah says. “I was able to snap a few photos where you could see him doing so in the background.”

Meet Alexa & Eric’s Wedding Party 

Eliza Jones - Matron of Honor

Elisabeth Crawford - Bridesmaid

Katie Pullen - Bridesmaid

Elizabeth Howe - Bridesmaid

Blaire Howe - Bridesmaid

Jon Woodhull-Smith - Best Man

Zach Howe - Groomsman

Seth Howe - Groomsman

Patrick Frank - Groomsman

Mary Marshall and Copeland Howe - Flower Girls

Jackson Howe - Ring Bearer

Romantic Reception at Walnut Hill Wedding Venue

Following ceremony and cocktail hour, Alexa and Eric invited guests to a reception in the barn at Walnut Hill wedding venue. The newly built, white barn can seat up to 200 guests comfortably. Large windows and wood beams shine beneath the barn’s lights. One of the coolest things about this barn is that one entire wall can be opened to create an indoor-outdoor reception. Alexa and Eric’s sweetheart table was placed right in front of the open side of the barn. 

Each table was decorated in white and blue party rentals from Party Reflections in Raleigh. Cook Shack Catering provided dinner and guests enjoyed a diverse array of desserts by Edible Art Bakery & Cafe. Guests danced the night away to music by DJ Dow Oak Events.

We love Walnut Hill wedding venue! Click here to see Cassie and Jess’ special day.

Photographer //  Fancy This Photography
Venue // Walnut Hill 
Planner & Coordinator // The Gathering Co.
Caterer // Cook Shack Catering
DJ // Dow Oak Events
Cake // Edible Art Bakery & Cafe
Florist // Teacup Floral
Rentals // Party Reflections
Hair & makeup // The Makeup Addict
Officiant // Hardison Perry

Oh my sweet goodness! I am so so happy to have Courtney and Danuels wedding images ready for you guys to view! I met Courtney a few years ago at our Alma Mater, NC State. We became instant friends from the beginning, and I have been so thrilled to share with her many memories on her wedding day.

The day started out at Courtney's sisters house near Bear Grass, NC. If you have never been to northeastern North Carolina, it is a part of the country that has one of the best steakhouses in America--Deadwood. Seriously, it's amazing and you should definitely check it out if you are in the area! Afterwards, Courtney met her parents for their very own first look. Courtney and Danuel wanted to keep with the tradition of only seeing one another at the altar, however her parents were another story! I loved this little detail. It gave the parents that first look of their baby girl in her wedding dress--it was precious to watch.

The venue set upon the Roanoke river in Williamston, NC and had the best views imaginable. The venue, Moratoc Park, was a sacred place to Courtney as her grandfather use to take her there to go fishing. Danuel wanted her to have there wedding day at this very special venue to incorporate her Grandfather since his passing. He was definitely there in spirit!

All in all, the wedding was beautiful and in every way Courtney and Danuel! This couple has grown so much to my heart--its been a dream collaborating with this sweet couple from beginning to end. I, sincerely, wish the two of you a lifetime of love and happiness.

Cheers!
 

There are some things that make me gushy with excitement... If you have been following my blog you've noticed my love for bridals. I. just. cant. help. it! I mean, look at the bride?! Brittany is absolutely gorgeous with her beautiful skin and long red hair; her beauty team must have thought of her as an absolute dream! And the gown?! Lazaro always makes ravishing gowns that seem to just be the perfect fit for my brides. And this venue, oh this venue always blows me away! I absolutely adore the Carolina Inn. If you have never walked its hallways, I highly recommend it. It is the perfect blend of traditional with modern hints. It's a dream.

All in all, this session came out beautifully! I can not wait to hear your thoughts on this gorgeous little beauty I'm presenting to you! Happy wedding day!

Venue: The Carolina Inn
Beauty: Makeup For Your Day
Bridal Salon and Florist: Tre Bella
Gown Designer: Lazaro