Posts Tagged ‘raleigh wedding planning’
Downtown Raleigh Wedding Venues
Weddings in the heart of the city are popular these days, and one good reason is that with the downtown revival, restorations and growth, everything is close by or within easy walking. Restaurants, parks, museums, churches and late night bars are plentiful for the weekend entertainment.
Tie the knot at All Saints Chapel before moving on to a fabulous downtown reception. This is a beautiful, nondenominational chapel for the modern bride who wants to walk down the aisle.
The venue choices range from grand hotels like the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, and the Marriott Raleigh City Center, that offer a choice of luxurious banquet spaces along with the convenience of room accommodations with special rates for all wedding guests. It’s so nice for both the host and the guests to have their “room away from home” central to the weekend events.
Unique event spaces have opened in downtown that appeal to the bride who is looking for lots of personal choices to display distinct style. Cobblestone Hall, stands out in historic Moore Square at City Market. The all-red brick building has 20-foot high ceilings and an Old World look. Another new favorite is The Stockroom, an urban venue with big city “loft” flair situated on the second floor at 230 Fayetteville Street.
Although the name implies the past, sophisticated or avant-garde might well describe the grand three-story lobby and curved staircase, soaring granite columns, cathedral ceiling and glass walled entrance of The North Carolina Museum of History. Views encompass the State Capitol and other downtown landmarks. The Museum of History should also go on your recommended lists of activities for guests no matter which downtown venue you choose.
Elegance abounds in downtown Raleigh with the distinguished sister clubs, Cardinal Club and Capital City Club, each designated as “downtown’s best views to say I do”. Our newest “old” club is the just opened Grand Ballroom on 16 Martin Street, a 1930’s historic men’s club newly refurbished and ready for wedding affairs on the penthouse floor.
Caffe Luna creates great Italian wedding menus and offers top-notch service in their three art-filled private event rooms as well as specializing in off-site catering.
These many beautiful event choices above, paired with the excitement of the downtown capital city gives any couple the chance to enjoy their own unique day.
Top photo by Neil Boyd Photography; Other two by Brian Mullins Photography
SB&G Launches Summer/Fall Cover and Shares the cover couple’s story!
This cover couple is Jill and Dave Padilla, who were married in Raleigh last fall. The moment was captured by Stacy Borelli of Swank Photo Studio as the newlyweds rode from their wedding ceremony to their reception at Solas on the back of Jill’s father’s 1964 cadillac.
Jill is seen in the cover image wearing a stunning bridal gown from Alexia’s Bridal Boutique with a gorgeous bouquet by Fresh Affairs. Her hair was done by Bella Trio and her jewelry is from Bel Canto Designs. Dave wears a tuxedo from Bernard’s Formalwear.
To read more about Jill and Dave’s Real Raleigh wedding, and see a full slideshow of images, click here!
Congrats to Stacy of Swank Photo Studio for being the 2012 Summer/Fall cover photographer!
SB&G Photo Shoot Contest for Triangle NC Couples
We are looking for a loving LOCAL couple who is engaged or recently-married. We want to hear your story- how you met, fell in love, and got engaged! We also want to see your on camera chemistry since you’ll be SB&G models for the day!
To be considered for this photo shoot, submit your story via the “FEATURE MY WEDDING” tab at the BOTTOM of the REAL WEDDINGS Page. When submitting, make sure to check “Yes” to the box that asks if you’d like to be considered for the Photo Shoot Contest (one of the last questions). Then, email a few wedding or engagement photos of you and your boo to info@southernbrideandgroom.com.
Photo below from last year’s couples’ shoot, by Neil Boyd Photography.
Solas Raleigh Event Showcase
SB&G will be there, and giving away a special prize! RSVP to events@solasraleigh.com ASAP!
SB&G Discusses its 25 Years on UNC-TV
A big thanks to UNC-TV for hosting us!
Follow SB&G for News on Triangle NC Bridal Shows & Wedding Events
Follow our Blog, Facebook and Twitter for a feed of what’s coming up where and when! Also check our website’s Wedding Shows page regularly for a quick snapshot of upcoming events you don’t want to miss! Finally, subscribe to our newsletter for monthly bridal news!
Below are a couple of photos of Publisher Donna and Art Director Patricia at Forever Bridal‘s January 2012 show. Thanks to Fresh Affairs for the stunning floral display, and Photography by Walters & Walters for the images.
SB&G Launches Sortable Venue Guide on Website
Always trying to improve our offerings for our brides, SB&G has just launched a digital version of this chart on our website, which is sortable by category. Even better, once you sort to your preferences (say: Durham area, over 200 seated, outside catering allowed, and has outdoor space), you can click directly on the websites of the venues that match your desires!
Brides will still be able to browse through all of the SB&G venues as well, but hopefully, this option will allow for even simpler and more effective planning!
Belk Engagement Parties
5:30-8:30PM
On Thursday, all of the Triangle Belks are hosting an Engagement Party! Just stop by the Bridal Registry Area for all kinds of fun. If you have not registered for your wedding yet, you are in luck – register during this event to be in the drawing for some amazing prizes! There will also be music, refreshments.
If you are near Southpoint, the event there is being treated to delicious fare provided by The Siena Hotel.
For a full list of the local Belk, visit our Bridal Registry Page.
Celebrity Event Designer Matthew Robbins on My Carolina Today
Top celebrity event designer Matthew Robbins will be on the 11AM show, promoting his new book, “Inspired Weddings.” He will also be teaching Sharon and Valonda how to create a tabletop design based on various budgets!
Robbins has worked with Martha Stewart, Tina Fey, Vera Wang, Whitney Houston, Sade and more, so he is an event expert. If any SB&G readers have a question for Matthew, email it to us at info@southernbridandgroom.com by Friday, Feb 3 and we’ll submit it to My Carolina Today!
Girls Night Out Bridal Bash at Sparians
Maria Scheel Invitations & More created glitzy custom invitations that were sent to the bride and her guests. The English Garden Florist created wall mod-chic wall decor and bowling ball topiaries. Sparians served signature pink cocktails, and heavy hors d’oeuvres, and Gigi’s Cupcakes provided cupcakes that looked like actual bowling balls! Island Sound enhanced the ambiance with special lighting, and entertained the group of gals with 60′s mod live music. We also played old episodes of “Laverne & Shirley” on the Sparians’ TV screens to add to the theme!
F8 Photo Studios photographed the event, which was featured in SB&G 2012 on pages 70-71. Their sister video company, F8 in Motion, filmed the special occasion, and we’re happy to share that video with you here. Enjoy!
Lauren and Zach Heath were married on October 29, 2011. Congrats!
