A beautiful, chic, and heartfelt wedding along the coast in North Carolina! Olivia and Walker’s day was beautifully done and reflected their love for each other in such an amazing way. Let’s dive into their day!
from the photographer: This spring wedding showcases all of the elegance a wedding could possibly bring! Some of my favorite details from this wedding includes; Olivia’s MOH rocking a floral blush gown, heart shaped sunglasses, their sweet golden retriever as the flower girl, and the most amazing florals and design by the one and only Salt Harbor. And of course, a STUNNING bride with her dashing groom!
From the illustrated invites, Bella Belle heels, a Mrs Box, and all the lush florals and greenery, the brides details were simply elevated by the thought behind every selection.
Their ceremony had so much effort and thought put into it. Besides the stunning neutral florals, they also had umbrellas to cover the guests from the hot sun, a fan to cool off, and plenty of water just a few steps away. To top it all off, a string quartet to accompany the wedding party walking down the aisle.
As for their reception, the room was decorated with all of the elegant reception details. A sweetheart table with the most beautiful arch and seating, florals on every table, and the most beautiful hand written menu and welcome sign by Southern Bee Brooke. And to end their celebration, they had cold sparklers and a getaway car to say goodbye to their guests.
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
Walker and I met at the end of 2017 through a mutual friend. I was living in Florida at the time finishing nursing school and coaching volleyball. He was planning to visit one of his good friends from college, who also happened to be my best friend in Florida, for the weekend to get away from work life. She knew him from college and we became close friends through coaching volleyball in Florida. She both knew us really well and wanted us to meet. So she planned a “party” at her home so that we could meet each other for the first time. Neither of us knew her intentions of wanting us to meet each other (we just expected there to be a party at her home). When I had arrived, there was no party. It was just me, Walker, and Amanda (who we quickly discovered had set us up)! My first impression of Walker was that I had like I had known him for a long time! We had so much in common, laughed the entire night, and there was never a dull moment. He was easy-going, easy to talk to, fun, and was like someone I had never met before. His first impression of me he says when he first saw me was “Wow, Amanda has a hot friend.” He also states he felt like he had known me for a long time and this couldn’t have been the first time we had met each other. We spent all night together talking and laughing! From that night on, we have been together ever since!
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
Our relationship has an abundance of funny stories so picking one is difficult! I would have to say that anytime we are planning a vacation, we have to pick a destination that includes a theme park and roller coasters. Walker is obsessed with roller coasters! When we first met, that was one of the first questions he asked me was if I liked roller coasters (and of course I said yes!) So now after being together for over 5 years, every vacation we have been on has included roller coasters (even our honeymoon!)
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
Not a hurdle that we have overcome but a tragedy that we had to face as a couple was the passing of my father in October 2022. Neither of us as individuals have had to face such loss at such a young age. The passing of my father was not completely unexpected as he was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 but I prayed that day would never come. Fortunately my father was able to walk me down the aisle at my wedding! When he was diagnosed in 2019, his one goal was to make it to my wedding so he could walk me down the aisle. He lived to meet that goal and passed away on October 22, 2022. Living without my father has been difficult but the love and support I have received from Walker has allowed me to keep going. Facing a tragedy has only made our relationship stronger and shows how much support we give each other day in and day out no matter what. Being able to rely and lean on your partner when you need it most is what makes a marriage strong and unbreakable.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
We had many family members who have passed away and therefore were not able to be physically present at our wedding! So in their honor, we had a heavenly table where their pictures were displayed. We displayed a sign that stated: ” We know you would be here today if Heaven wasn’t so far away”
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
I have many different parts of our wedding that mean the most to me for different reasons! The most important with walker would have to be the first look that Walker and I shared together privately before the ceremony. This is what I was looking forward to the most as we wrote our own vows that we would exchange during this time! I cherished this time the most as in that moment, nothing else mattered except for Walker and I and our love for each other! The beautiful photos that Hayley captured during this time were my favorite!
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Living and loving each other like it is your last day on earth! Life is so precious and can be taken away in a split second. Spend time and cherish the moments with the people who mean the most to you! Do not dread on things that do not matter! We have learned this together over the last year and cherish the growth we have made as individuals and as a couple!
What is your favorite thing about each other?
My favorite thing about Walker is his love for adventure! There is never a dull moment in our relationship as we are always traveling making memories together! Finding the one person you want to live your life with and make memories with is such an incredible feeling!
My favorite thing about Olivia is she is very easy-going! She is always up for all my crazy ideas no matter what! She is also the most caring and selfless person I have ever met! I am blessed and thankful to have her as my wife.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
If I was not a nurse practitioner, I would be a wedding planner! I enjoyed the entire wedding planning process from finding a venue, booking the vendors, and hiring a wedding planner to help make my wedding dreams come true! I was blessed with such an amazing mother in law who was at every appointment and vendor meeting to make sure we had the wedding of our dreams! My mother lives in Pennsylvania so it was difficult for her to be at every wedding meeting but she would travel and be with us when she could! I am forever thankful for both of their love and support during the wedding planning process. I would say my favorite part about wedding planning was finding my dress! My mother flew into town and we made a day out of it to find my dress. The first dress shop we visited just did not have anything that I loved. The second dress shop, it was the second dress I put on and I knew it was the one! We ended the day with finding my dress and celebrating over dinner and drinks!
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
My one piece of advice for other couples when it comes to wedding planning and wedding day is nothing else matters besides your love for each other. Set aside time on your wedding day just to spend with each other. The first look was the best decision we made for that day and it did not take away from seeing each other walking down the aisle!
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love is warm, captivating, but also hard work and sometimes heart-breaking but if it was not all these things it wouldn’t feel so special! Give love and receive love from those people you cherish the most and those who you may not prefer but love them anyways! Never settle and when you find your person, live and love them like it is their last day on this earth!
Photographer: Hayley Moore Photography
Venue: Airlie Gardens
Stylist / Planner / Designer: Salt Harbor
Floral Designer: Salt Harbor
Dress Boutique: Alexia’s Bridal
Dress Designer: Ines Di Santo
Cake Designer: One Belle Bakery
Makeup Artist: Alice Lawson Salon
Hair Stylist: Alice Lawson Salon
Mens Formalwear: Jos. A. Bank
Rentals: Curated Events
Stationery: Southern Been Designs
Reception Venue: Country Club of Landfall
Shoes: Bella Belle
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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