Cara and Kade grew up in a small town in Mississippi and have known each other since they were preschoolers. They wanted a wedding that was unique, intimate, and felt special to them and their closest family and friends. So, they chose a destination wedding in the mountains of Highlands, NC with only 50 of their closest friends and family. Their style was intentional, intimate and classic. Their design elements included things that were not only just beautiful but also personal and sentimental, while still feeling classic and elevated. Kade’s favorite flower is the white Hydrangea, and although this flower was not a part of their overall wedding design because they opted for an array of gorgeous roses and wildflowers, we incorporated pops of these flowers in blue ginger jars that Cara’s grandmother and mother collected throughout her childhood. These types of intentional details that spoke to the heart and still kept their event classic were so important to Cara and Kade. They spared no detail when it came to their food selections, their crafted cocktails, and their décor and set the tone for a luxe weekend in the mountains for their closest friends and family to enjoy a trip full of events.
How did you meet?
We have known each other all our lives, but we didn’t start dating until high school.
What is your proposal story?
My husband proposed in Fairhope, AL! It’s such a cute town and he had the proposal all planned out. Unfortunately, a hurricane hit a week before his plans so he was SO nervous trying to find a pretty spot to propose since there were limbs and trees down everywhere. We laugh about this now! He managed to find a pretty little spot by the bay and purposed there.
Tell us a little a bit about your wedding
I knew I wanted a destination wedding. My family and I visited Highlands, NC one time during Christmas and I fell in love with the town and Old Edwards! It’s just the most perfect, romantic town. We got married in June and had the BEST weather! I wanted my wedding to be classic and timeless. I love blue and white and I wanted to tie those details in. We also tied some neutral roses in. I mainly wanted my wedding to be a weekend where my husband and I, along with our closest friends just enjoyed the weekend and we did just that! That weekend was the BEST weekend of my life. I cried so many happy tears. It was perfect and I give my parents, wedding planner, and the staff at Old Edwards all the credit.
Tell us about your attire choices.
We went with classic attire. My wedding dress was simple and classic, with a white satin half bow on the back. My husband wore a black suit and bowtie.
What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?
We wanted a weekend that was enjoyable. I didn’t want our wedding to be a big, stressful event. It may have been for our vendors, but it wasn’t for us! Haha! We had the BEST vendors. They were all so kind and willing to help.
In order to enjoy the wedding planning process and wedding day, I knew I had to hire a great planner, and Sacoya Jenkins is THE BEST! She thought of a million things that would have never crossed my mind. She took care of everything and allowed me to enjoy it ALL! She made the wedding planning process exciting and fun. She is real and personable and I love that about her. Her level of expertise is 10/10.
Our venue was highly important to us. I knew I wanted an A+ team and Old Edward’s Inn and Events is spectacular. I was very pleased with Old Edward’s and the quality of the food, event, customer service, etc.
I also knew our wedding day would come and go, but our pictures would last. So a great photographer was a must! Amy Kolo is WONDERFUL! I wanted pictures that were classic and not over-edited. I wanted wedding pictures that would look timeless and I strongly feel as if Amy achieved this. You are with your photographer a lot on the wedding day, and Amy was so fun to hang out with.
What were your favorite parts of the day?
Gosh, that’s hard to choose! Truly the whole day! It was so magical and so fun. It was also important to me that I got time with my husband on our wedding day to just enjoy the day. I loved that we got to have a private moment right after our ceremony to enjoy our drinks and appetizer,s and I also enjoyed our private last dance. We got plenty of time together during pictures and I am so thankful for that. I enjoyed everything from getting ready to dancing the night away!
Tell us about your wedding flowers.
Brittany did a fabulous job on my flowers! I told her that I loved her work and that whatever she wanted to do with my flowers was fine by me. I trusted her and I knew she was crazy talented. We agreed on keeping it neutral and I was so in love with out flowers.
Tell us about your wedding cake.
Mrs. Sugar Booger was so fun! Being 8 hours away from our venue, she sent us the cutest taste-testing kit! Our cake was so yummy. It was a blackberry-filled wedding cake with vanilla buttercream icing.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?
Book your planner first and book Sacoya Jenkins! Highlands, NC is magical and is beautiful any time of year. Book it now and book these vendors! I promise you will not be disappointed. If I could travel back in time, I would go back to my wedding weekend with my husband, closest family and friends, and vendors! Truly the best weekend.