Today is the first installment of our series with photographer Martha Manning.  A couple of weeks ago, I announced that Martha would be sharing her perspective on some of the best places to tie the knot, acquired over her 10+ years of experience shooting weddings around the Triangle.

First up, the Carolina Inn!  This historic icon in the heart of Chapel Hill embodies all things Southern – grand antebellum architecture, stately magnolias and a reputation for unbeatable hospitality.  No wonder it’s so popular for weddings!  Certainly the Carolina Inn is not an “undiscovered” gem, but that doesn’t make it any less of a gem.  They have gorgeous, drama-free weddings down to a science there, and that counts for a lot in my book.

From Martha:
Perfect for: Those longing for a definitively Southern (and a bit more traditional) wedding.  And of course, those who bleed Carolina blue!  The Inn’s association with the University and on campus locale have long made it a popular wedding site with UNC alum.  Translation:  peak months book up early (frequently over a year in advance).  But do yourself a favor and consult the football and certainly basketball schedule before choosing your wedding date! Traffic can be brutal otherwise making for a potentially late start to your ceremony.

Must take shots: Candid shots among the large magnolias on the side of the Inn are a must, as are some formal images in the The Colonnade hall with its famous and striking checkered floor.  And of course, with the Inn’s close proximity to iconic campus landmarks, be sure to get out for a walk to the Old Well.  Just your stroll through the gorgeous campus will produce some amazing shots.

Where to wed: Certainly the Bryan Courtyard at the Inn is a popular location but consider also the Newman Catholic Center, the University United Methodist Church and even the Forest Theater at the University Botanical Gardens for great alternatives all within close proximity to the Inn.

And of course because nothing tells a story like beautiful pictures, Martha will be back in a few with a gorgeous real wedding at this magical place.

No, you are not seeing things.  The timeless and ever stylish chiavari chair has long been a staple at wedding ceremonies and receptions.  Some more hip rental companies have been offering the chairs in custom colors for some time…but lucite?  I was on a flight back to Raleigh when I first opened House Beautiful and saw this lovely staring back at me.  When I showed my hubby and exclaimed “WE NEED THIS” he quickly reminded me that a. we are already married and have no need for chiavari anything (boo!) and b. I’m on the verge of living in an all lucite world.  Did I mention I own and am obsessed with the Kartell bourgie lamp?  Whatevs.

So…do you love it?  Or is he right and I just have an unhealthy obsession with high end plastic?

{Photo credit:  Ruby Beets}

I am beyond excited for today’s real wedding. #1 it features the work of one of my absolute favorite photographers. Millie Holloman and her staff produce some of the most consistently jaw-dropping work you will find anywhere, but I am so proud to say that they reside right here in North Carolina.  #2 it is a perfect example of how something wonderfully personal can be incorporated and extrapolated into a complete design motif for a wedding.  Working with the amazing ladies at Salt Harbor Designs, Tiffany + Alan were able to craft a uniquely personal, totally “them” affair.

From Jennifer:
“One of our challenges as event designers is to help couples think past what some might consider “wedding traditional” and embrace that which makes them unique as a couple.  Tiffany and Alan are both fanatical sports fans and after several consultations, it became clear that their die hard love of the Red Sox was begging to be incorporated into their event.”

By taking a vintage inspired angle on America’s pass time, Salt Harbor was able to create a wedding-worthy, totally non-cheesy aesthetic while still incorporating the bride’s preferred Tiffany blue color palette.  The result is so effortlessly chic. All the details are just to die for!

On a personal note, as a lifelong Red Sox fan myself, this wedding instantly made me smile.  And as a Red Sox fan who inexplicably ended up married to a Yankee fan (his family is from Connecticut…the evil side), this post is my own little attempt to squelch all the Yankee love going around these days (bleh!).  Desperately needed since it’s October and the Sox have hung it up for the season!

Yup…this is pretty much perfect in every way.  And this is really the tip of the iceberg for the wedding greatness that the Millie/Salt Harbor team regularly creates.  Don’t believe me?  Spend a little while on their blogs (Millie’s + Salt Harbor Designs’).  I am so hoping to have more from these wonderful ladies on White Thread in the future as they are fantastic examples of the talented vendors and artists that we have here in the Carolinas.

And to Tiffany + Alan, thank you for letting us share in the love of your wedding day (and go Sox!).

Any recap of bridal fashion week would not be complete without a look at Vera Wang’s newest creations.  So I am delaying today’s real wedding post to this afternoon so we can all “oooh” and “aaaah” over her most recent pretties.

Vera has been designing wedding gowns since 1990 and has since remained a powerhouse in the wedding fashion industry.  More recently her empire has expanded into a lifestyle brand that includes everything from fragrance and china to mattresses and jewelry, even  expanding into a line for Kohl’s department store!  And while Hollywood’s red carpet types have recently cooled on Vera’s designs in favor of Marchesa, J. Mendel, et al. she still appears to be a mainstay with traditional Carolina brides.

Her latest collection of 17 gowns is full of strikingly modern black accents…even one all black gown!  Her inspiration? The “cinematic beauty, daring, and drama of Cecil Beaton’s My Fair Lady.”

{Photo credit: Coutorture}

I am loving these first two gowns from the latest collection.  The voluminous, tissue paper like fabric on the mermaid silhouette and lovely pleating at the hemline of the ballgown are so pretty, modern and wearable.  Maybe I’m far too practical but I am all about wearable dresses.  It’s fun to see some crazy creations come down the runway, but let’s face it, no one is wearing some of these dresses right?

{Photo credit: Coutorture}

So I’m curious…after nearly 20 years of designing bridal gowns, does Vera still make your heart go pitter-patter? Or are you over it?  Take my little survey below.

Phew!  It’s been a crazy week here on White Thread with all the excitement of bridal market wrapping up.  So many great dresses…would love to hear if you have a favorite out there.  After all the time you spend finding just the right dress, how does one…um…y’know…

Have a great weekend everyone!  xoxo

{Photo credit:  Dixie Pixel}