I Thank My Lucky Stars for Kelly & Stephen!

As the end of 2011 quickly draws nearer, I find myself looking back on all the amazing couples I've had the opportunity, pleasure and distinct honor to work with this past year. It was a busy wedding season for the Bald Head Island Club, but by the close of November, we were able to look back on all our wonderful couples, our tremendously memorable weddings, our superb staff and our beautiful island location with a great sense of pride, fulfillment and pleasure. And although I love all my couples, all my weddings and all my staff equally, i have to admit that the wedding of Kelly & Stephen this past August is one I will never, ever, ever forget. And it's only partially due to their uninvited guest... Hurricane Irene.

I could tell you the long, drawn out tale of how Hurricane Irene threatened to turn Kelly & Steve's wedding upside down, but that's not what I remember and that's not what Kelly & Steve and their wonderful family and friends took away from their wedding. So instead, I want to tell  you about two of the most gracious, loving, wonderful people I know. Who happened to find each other in this great big world of ours and who decided to say I do on this wonderful little island called Bald Head.  

Because Irene seemed dead set on crashing their wedding, Kelly & Steve decided to throw a wrench in her plans. On Thursday morning, two days prior to their scheduled date to marry, Kelly & Steve woke up to a beautiful sunrise and said to each other, "let's get married." Although some guests were unable to get to North Carolina due to flight cancelations, the majority of their guests were already on the island or at least in route to getting to the island. And it was a gorgeous day for a wedding - not a gust of foul weather in site.

Kelly & Steve were content with their decision because after all the planning and all the schedules, at the end of the day these two just really wanted to be married... to be able to celebrate that union with family and friends... and to know that no matter what life throws at them, they'll conquer it together.  And as luck would have it, they had chosen some of the best vendors in the industry who were all able to change their schedules and arrive for the wedding two days early.

Jennifer and  her team at Salt Harbor Designs worked an absolute miracle, having all the flowers and decor ready to go for this wedding two days earlier than originally planned. And it was actually one of my favorite looks I've ever seen here at the club!  Together with Kelly's vision, Salt Harbor created a light green and cream, travel themed reception. 

Table names and menu cards featured maps to some of Kelly & Steve's favorite vacation destinations such as London, Aruba, Costa Rica and Aspen. Old Baldy vintage black and white post cards were used in place of a guest book and vintage suitcases decorated the guests tables. I absolutely loved it.

Kelly & Steve's bridal party looked amazing, but beyond that, they were amazing. They were there to help the couple accomplish every last little detail to make sure their wedding day was a success.

This is them doing their best "blown away" pose. It helps if you can laugh about it I think :) 

and these two little guys... absolutely adorable. I could not take my eyes off of them. Look at those cheeks!

and who could forget this little beauty. I remember these three having hallway races while the adults danced the night away. They were having their own version of fun and it was such joy to watch.

Kelly & Steve had a very powerful effect on me, our staff and the rest of their vendors that day. These two made us remember, that truly, Love is all you need.

And as long as you have love, might as well have some delicious food & drinks...

some sweet treats (Courtesy of the delectable guys at Flower & Flour) ....

 

  Off the charts dance music and entertainment (courtesy of DJ Professionals Rock Star Eric)...

 And two amazing photographers like Brent & Amanda from Millie Holloman Photography, who are there to capture it all. This blog post could seriously turn into a "Priceless" commerical any second now.

Congratulations again to the two newlyweds. I am so happy that your dreams were able to come true that evening back in August and every day since. It's couples like you that make me thank my lucky stars.

xoxo