Carolyn & Sam

Sam & Carolyn enjoying the moment. Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

Every wedding has its special moments, but rarely is Mother Nature in on the plan. On a steamy August day, Carolyn walked toward Sam at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in the midst of a rousing thunderstorm. As the rain drops fell, guests were ushered into the church. Carolyn's sorority sisters were offered a single iris stem, their sorority’s signature flower, in honor of their Kappa bond. After a beautiful ceremony and exchanging vows, the couple’s pronunciation of husband and wife was met with a resounding clap of thunder! How about that for nature’s stamp of approval!

Carolyn getting ready with her "sisters". Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

The irises and Kappa Kappa Gamma song for the maids. Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

Artfully Arranged created adorable monograms for outside the church doors. Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

Since Carolyn is a civil engineer, the Nature Research Center in downtown Raleigh was the perfect fit to incorporate her passion for science and with a chic, yet preppy setting for the reception. To create a more classic feel in the museum, Gather Together worked with Watered Garden to include clean and modern vases with southern flowers with accents of navy and white stripes. The details enhanced a more traditional feel amidst the sleek and modern venue.

Striped ribbon set the stage for a classic and preppy reception. Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

As soon as the first guest stepped through the door, the party began. Rocky Top Catering created a dynamic menu that offered heavy hors d’oeuvres and kept the crowd mingling throughout the museum to view the exhibits.

The couple had their first dance on the main floor of the museum for all to see! Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

Following a beautiful cake cutting, family and friends were invited into the Daily Planet for dancing! This is not ordinary dance hall, we are talking about dancing inside a World Globe. The party feel was enhanced by a blue light show and SPIN spinning tunes all night long!

What an incredible cake by Sugarland! Photo by Brian Mullins Photography

By the end of the evening, a Virginia Tech inspired bouquet had been tossed, sparklers were a-glow and koozies distributed. Carolyn and Sam boarded their getaway rickshaw dripping bedecked with florals and ribbons. They were a picture of perfection drifting into the Raleigh skyline.

Carolyn insisted on bouquet the colors of Virginia Tech, her alma mater, for the bouquet toss! Photo by Brian Mullins Photography