Kelsey + Dave: A Vintage-Chic Mountain Wedding at Blue Ridge Mountain Club in Blowing Rock, NC
"Dave and I met and live in Chicago, but aren’t “big city” kind of people. Any chance to get outside and away from the hustle of the city we are all over it! Our family is spread out over several states, so we had lots of options for our wedding location. My dad and step mom live in Blowing Rock NC where we have spent many holidays and shared many fun filled moments with our family. We love the mountains, especially in the Fall, and knew this was where we wanted to bring our families and closest friends to celebrate our marriage!" - Kelsey
"The atmosphere we wanted for the wedding was intimate, laid back and fun! We wanted everyone to feel like a special part of our weekend and really enjoy their time in the mountains. The gift bags (made by my mom Carol) were left in everyones hotel room with a custom map, local jams and honey, local beer, and candy." - Kelsey
"I love vintage and old things with character. The upholstered seating, farm doors and vintage accessories were provided by my sister in law, Ann King, who owns Borrow Rentals in Cleveland, Ohio. Mixing these amazing pieces with the rustic feel of the mountains was exactly what we were imagining for our big day!" - Kelsey
"The bridal party flowers were done by my Grandmother and Aunt who have a floral company, The Pedal Pushers, in Alexandria, Ohio. They even found the out of season blue and white anemones that I was set on even though they were almost impossible to find! It meant a lot to us to have family contributing and making our day that much more special..I have a pretty amazing family!" - Kelsey
"My dress was a Jenny Packham that I found at a discount designer wedding gown shop in Chicago called Glamour Closet. I immediately fell in the love with the dress. It was unique, classic, comfortable and fit the vintage feel of our wedding perfectly!" - Kelsey
"Dave and the groomsman boutonnieres were custom made fishing flies to recognize his love for trout fishing and the outdoors... It was perfect!" - Kelsey
"Dave had never tried on his bowtie before the wedding..Despite multiple tying attempts by several people, it was constantly going sideways. It made me laugh.. Everyone kept straightening his tie like he was a little kid!" - Kelsey
"The day was such a blur, but I do remember how happy I was walking into the ceremony with my Dad and thinking “Wow, this is better than I ever imagined”. I saw Dave waiting for me with his big smile and the end of the isle and it put me at ease. I was SO ready to marry my best friend!" - Kelsey
"The wedding party walked in to the ceremony to “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison and my Dad and I to “Bron-Yr-Aur” by Led Zepplin played on guitar by Owen Poteat. It made it feel less traditional and more causal. Everyone really enjoyed the music and couldn’t say enough great things about Owen." - Kelsey
"I had found a reading by Mark Twain that really touched me and I knew I wanted it in our ceremony. My sister in law, Ann King, read These I can Promise by Mark Twain. "I cannot promise you a life of sunshine; I cannot promise you riches, wealth or gold; I cannot promise you an easy pathway that leads away from change or growing old. But I can promise all my heart’s devotion; A smile to chase away your tears of sorrow. A love that’s true and ever growing; A hand to hold in your’s through each tomorrow.'" - Kelsey
"I know I’m biased, but I’m pretty sure we had some of the cutest ring bearers and flower girls! We are so in love with my nieces and nephews and couldn’t imagine our wedding without them in it. They made the ceremony even more light hearted." - Kelsey
"If it were up to us and if our furry friend Chief were still here on this earth, he would have for sure been standing up in our wedding. Dave carried his favorite picture of our beloved friend Chief in his suit jacket so he was there in spirit." - Kelsey
"We are not big cake people, so instead we had a desert table with yummy local pies by Ugga Mugga Bakery and homemade carrot cake cupcakes made by my mom. We also had some of our favorites, hard candy and Chicago popcorn, for people to snack on." - Kelsey
"All of the speeches were so amazing and heartfelt. My dad made the podium where the speeches were done. Because of my Dads goofy sense of humor, he had named the podium Thomas Jefferson due to the historic knowledge of Mr Jeffersons poor public speaking skills. He was the opposite of a poor public speaker.. He had everyone laughing and crying. I will never forget his amazing speech!" - Kelsey
"The parent dances were quite a production! My dad and I danced to our favorite artist James Taylor. It meant a lot to me because I grew up singing all of his songs with my dad. Dave and his mom danced to Rod Stewart “Have I Told You Lately”. You would never imagine that’s the song they danced to looking at the pictures! They decided to just have a good time and it was really amazing to see them have so much fun together. We ended the parent dances with me and my step dad doing his favorite dance “The Twist”. It was a great way to get everyone on the dance floor for a night of dancing!" - Kelsey
*One of my favorite quotes by Robert Fulghum that is quite fitting for me and Dave : “We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness-and call it love-true love.” - Kelsey
Venders:
Venue: Blue Ridge Mountain Club
Catering: Grouse Moor Catering
Desserts: Ugga Mugga Bakery
Flowers: Grouse Moor Catering & The Pedal Pushers
Dress: Glamour Closet, Jenny Packham
Shoes: Pilcro and the Letterpress
Hair & Makeup: Clynda Dowd from R Salon
Groom Suit: Tommy Hilfiger
Boutonniere - Tie Fly on Etsy
Officiant: Hilarie Cox
Day of Coordinator: Tara B’s Eventful Planning
Décor: Grouse Moor Catering & Borrow Rentals
Custom Paper + Designs: Bluebird Paper Company
Ceremony & Cocktail music: Owen Poteat
Reception Music: Empty Pocket
Lighting: Charlotte Event Lighting
Transportation: Blowing Rock Shuttle
Photography: Revival Photography