Griffin & JT - a wedding at the Bald Head Island Club!

It was almost 14 months ago to the day when Griffin first contacted me about having her wedding at the Bald Head Island Club. She sent me an inquiry, I responded. We had a back and forth relationship via email for abour 24 hours before she booked her flight from NYC and made arrangements to meet with me on Bald Head. There was something about her that I loved from the get go. Something about her friendly demeanor, her excitement about her upcoming wedding and her calming, easy-going attitude. I remember offerinig to pick her up at the airport and bring her over to Bald Head - that's not something I do often (or ever really), but I just rmemeber feeling like we were old friends from the minute we first talked.

When she arrived at the club, I sensed it even more. We hit that easy stride that you feel with only a rare few people in your life. They're the kind of friends you meet for coffee perhaps months since the last time you saw or spoke to one another, and yet you pick right back up where you left off. I was so excitied for Griffin & JT's wedding, from that first day she contacted me to the day it finally arrived this past October.  It was everything she dreamed it would be and everything i hoped her day would be. It was... perfect.

It was October 15th, one of those perfect days on the island in the fall when it's no longer humid, still nowhere near cold, but somewhere right in the middle of a beautiful, warm fall day. Griffin & JT were married on the grounds of Old Baldy Lighthouse on Bald Head Island amongst nearly 200 of their friends and family members. The light was absolutely amazing and Rachel Barker of Millie Holloman Photography captured so many stunning moments, views and emotions from their wedding to a T! Here's a few:

Their reception followed at the BHI Club with florals and decor design by the always amazing Kim Fisher Designs. I loved the dark cranberry colors with the taupes of the bridesmaid dresses and the creams in the bouquets & linens. And the mahoganny chiavari chairs added that perfect complimentary touch of color that looked great with the dark reds in the centerpieces.

And hello.... is this not the most gorgeous wedding cake you've ever seen in your life? Bryan & David with Flower & Flour put their blood, sweat and tears into every single decadent dessert they create. They really try to customize and personalize the dessert choice specific to each bride or each couple. But this one really takes the cake for me. They even included a broach from the bride's gown as part of the design and it was truly spectacular. I wish their photographer Rachel could have captured a picture of Griffin & JT's guests, staring in amazement at this glorious cake. It was quite the site to see.

Oh, and ps, the macaroons and other treats were phenomenal too.

Griffin & JT arrived to their reception and danced their "first dance" to Tuepelo Honey by Van Morrison -  which just may be one of my favorite "first dance" choices ever.

And PS... loved these gorgeous chandeliers from Steve Peterson of High Performance Lighting. They completely set the mood for a romantic and celebratory evening.

The real fun came when the Liquid Pleasure band took the stage who are just absolutely phenomenal - the complete entertainer. They had this wedding litterally dancing all night long - they even included a costume change halfway through. I honestly cannot recommend this band enough.

And when the end of the night came, and Griffin & JT drove off in their decked out golf cart, I know they both were absolutely thrilled with how it all came together. There was a glow about the two of them the entire night. She was blissfully happy and radiant to say the least and he was in awe - of Griffin mostly, but also of everything they'd just done and all the people who surrounded them on this amazing day. I am so happy to share with you all, the wedding of Griffin & JT!

xoxo

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

"The Knot Best of Weddings Pick" for 2012! Bald Head Island Club!

The Bald Head Island Club was thrilled to recieve word this week that we'd been selected as The Knot's "Best of Weddings" Venue for the state of North Carolina for 2012! The official list will be published in early January but I am just too excited to keep this to myself!

We have such an amazing and talented team of professionals here at the Bald Head Island Club. It has been an absolute honor for me, having the opportunity to work with each and every one of them, through every wedding, rehearsal dinner, welcome party, bridesmaid luncheon or brunch we've hosted over the last year. But I would be remiss if I didn't mention all the wonderful women - those beautiful brides - I've had the opportunity to work with over the last year as well. Because they are the real reason why we received this amazing award!

I love ALL our couples who have married at the Bald Head Island Club and honestly, they're like my children... i can't pick a favorite. Each one of them are wonderful human beings, beautiful couples and after getting to know them, I can truthfully claim them all as dear friends. Here's what they had to say about us:

Bald Head Island Club was the IDEAL venue for our reception. From the planning, to the staff who went above and beyond to customize our menu, to the little extras that they did to make my day the most perfect day I could have ever imagined.  - Tabbetha Powers

photo courtesy Rebecca Schielman of Millie Holloman Photography

I was blown away with the professionalism, creativity and thoughtfulness that each member of the staff displayed throughout both my engagement period and the actual wedding.  - Griffin Mauk

The BHI Club is beautiful and the staff and food were beyond amazing! My husband said he could not have pictured a more perfect setting and theme!  - Jennifer Rawlings

photo courtesy Anne McGowan of Anne McGowan Photography

Bald Head Island Club exceeded all expectations! The staff and event coordinator really went out of their way to ensure all of our special requests were carried out. - Laura McGill

photo courtesy Justin Cook

We won't ever be able to thank Shauna and the staff from the BHI Club enough for all they did for the wedding. - Kelly Newton

photo courtesy Brent & Amanda of Millie Holloman Photography

Because of this fabulous venue, Shauna, and the members of the culinary team and wait staff our reception exceeded all of our expectations- and that is exactly the way it should be!! I am very thankful to the BHI CLUB :)  - Georgiana Wester

Photo courtesy Scott Piner Photography

Everyone at the Club was so helpful in the planning process and made the whole experience fun. We really would not change a thing and felt like the BHI Club went the extra mile to make everything perfect for us.  - Julie Jackson

Photos courtesy Anne McGowan Photography

Everything ran smoothly throughout the reception and it was all due to the fantastic staff at the Bald Head Island Club. They helped make our special day that much more memorable and we will forever be grateful for their wonderful expertise and generosity.  - Natalie Sweeley

 

We were delighted with our experience from start to finish. The team at the club helped us through every stage of planning and did a fabulous job of handling everything the weekend of the wedding so we could relax and enjoy it. The club is beautiful, the food was amazing, and the customer service provided to our family and guests was exceptional. - Cameron McLaughlin



Bald Head Island is a fairytale venue for any bride and groom to choose - but Bald Head Island Club sealed the deal for us. It has the perfect location on the island, stellar service, and beautiful facilities. Our guests were wowed by how beautiful the location was - and throughout the wedding weekend we used every inch of space the Club would allow us to have! I can't brag enough about the staff - how friendly and accomodating everybody was.  I would highly recommend brides go and visit BHI and the BHI Club - if I had everything to do over again, I wouldn't change a thing. - Anna Medley

Photo courtesy Kellie Kano Photography

To see more kind words from our lovely brides, click here:

Thanks again to all of you who voted the BHI Club as your top pick for The Knot's Best of Weddings! We are honored and thrilled! xoxo