Claire & J = Merrimon Wynne House Wedding Day!

Merrimon Wynne House Wedding Day  |  Claire and J  |  February 25, 2023

Well friends, you’re in for an EPIC wedding blog ahead!!!!! Claire and J told us from our very first meeting together how important really being present with their friends & family on their wedding day would be – and I can tell you that they made the absolute BEST of their wedding day!! Claire had a huge smile on her face for 12 hours STRAIGHT, and they both soaked in every single second!!!! 🙂

Claire and her girls enjoyed getting glam upstairs, listening to music, eating snacks, and relaxing in their comfy pjs. I loved styling Claire’s beautiful details – and incorporating so much COLOR! Those bright pinks were such a fun POP of color, especially for a winter February wedding!!  🙂

Would you guess that it was lightly raining almost their entire wedding day? I can’t compliment Claire and J enough for their upbeat attitudes, and easy-going nature with even going out IN the rain for photos!!! If you look closely, you can see rain coming down during their portraits, yet they didn’t let that affect their moods at all. They were so go-with-the-flow, trusting us with all our ideas and just making our jobs easy. They had such a sweet First Look together, with J tearing up seeing Claire for the first time.

I just LOVE their bride & groom portraits on that iconic porch, with the colorful pink bouquet bringing such a happy vibe to a rainy day, and then the addition of their beloved pup, PEARL! In fact, when Claire told J the reason she chose a veil covered in little pearls was a nod to their pup Pearl, he REALLY teared up!!! So sweet!!!

I was OVER THE MOON when I saw the unique dresses Claire’s bridesmaids chose! The mix of patterns, pink hues, and styles was SO MUCH FUN to photograph!!! I’ve always hoped to photograph dresses like this, and it made all my dreams come true! J also made it easy on his groomsmen, allowing them to wear their own tuxes and dress shoes. (I’m obsessed with J’s shoes too – loveeee)

The ceremony was their indoor Plan B, and Claire said it’s amazing how sometimes a Plan B can be just as stunning as the original plan! A bag piper lead Claire into the processional, and led them out as husband and wife.

Merrimon Wynne’s rockstar planners (Heather and Sasha) and team + Rocky Top catering team did an incredible job flipping the carriage house FAST for 200 guests. It was amazing to watch them in action! Claire and J switched outfits, and then joined the cocktail hour to have fun mingling with guests! (They had “Pearl’s Oyster Bar” named after their dog Pearl – so fitting!)

The reception kicked off with a beautiful dance by J and Claire – they are pros! Claire and J treated their guests to delicious food, desserts & cake, and drinks. Claire’s parents shared really special toasts, which had everyone wiping away tears. Then the PARTY STARTED!!!!! The Band Punch absolutely KILLED the music that evening – but honestly we felt like we were attending the Claire and J concert instead! These two had the BEST FREAKING TIME at their reception. Claire warned us that she LOVES a microphone – and her wedding reception was no different. They made the night so much fun by singing with the band, getting on the stage, CROWD SURFING, and literally having the happiest night of their lives!!!

They had flip flops for all the guests, gave out lighted tambourines and pink sunglasses, passed Chick-Fil-A sandwiches as LATE NIGHT FOOD, and partied their hearts out!!!! All their guests had the best night ever! I saw so many posts from guests saying it was just “iconic”!!!! 🙂

It was sooooo fun to watch these two soak in every moment and have the best wedding day – rain and Plan B and all. Note to future couples – THIS is how you experience your wedding day right here!!!

I have a LOT of favorites to share with you below! We hope you’ll ENJOY!!!!

P.S. One last big thanks to the incredible vendor team:
– Planning: Heather (and Sasha), Merrimon Wynne
– Florist: Hathaway Floral Design
– Makeup & Hair: Tease + Blush
– Band: East Coast Entertainment / The Band Punch
– Wedding Venue: Merrimon Wynne
– Caterer: Rocky Top Catering
– Cake Designer: Publix
– Invitation Designer: Surcie
– Musicians: Magnolia Strings
– Pastor: Newton Cowan
– Shoe Designer: Loeffler Randall
– Ring Designer: State St Jewelers – Greensboro
– Dress Boutique: Coastal Knot, Raleigh
– Transportation: North Hills Transportation
– Bagpiper – North Carolina State University
– Linens / Rentals: CE Rentals