Megan & Derek = Melrose Wedding Day!

Melrose Knitting Mill Wedding Day  |  Megan & Derek  |  August 20, 2022

I don’t even know where to start, ya’ll! Megan & Derek’s wedding stands out to us so much because of all the love they share with their family and friends!! On their wedding day, Derek and Megan went OUT of their way to make sure everyone was included, everyone felt loved, and made so many special moments for the people they loved. I’ve never seen so many family members get along so beautifully, and it was just the most special day! 🙂

From the moment we walked into the bridal suite and met all of Megan’s bridesmaids, they were some of the most warm & kind bridesmaids we’ve ever met! Not only were they genuinely nice, but they were SO helpful that both of Megan’s MOH stayed around (BAREFOOT in the wet grass) during bride & groom portraits to help with her dress & veil, to cheer them on, and encourage them! Wow!

Megan included both of her sets of parents AND Derek’s mom in everything. Sometimes Mothers of the Grooms get left out of things, but Megan was SURE to include her new MIL in all the morning festivities and photos. It was really sweet! I especially loved that Megan chose to do a combined First Look with her dad, stepdad, and her brother. The bond Megan and her brother Tyler share was just incredible to witness, and seeing him tear up over his little sister as a bride was beyond heartwarming!!!! 🙂

The ceremony was beautiful & was officiated by their friend, Andrew! After the ceremony, the whole bridal party got on the Raleigh Trolley and headed off for photos! They were having the best time jamming to music with a cooler full of drinks! I think ALL weddings need to have 5 minutes of FUN with their friends like that!!!!

After a very dark & cloudy morning, all of a sudden we had SUNSHINE for all the post-wedding photos!!! I was so happy because the sunshine just looks magical in Megan & Derek’s bride & groom photos! (My mom was back in Wilson praying for that weather for us, and I was so grateful!!!!)

A fun “Behind the Scenes” fact – we were supposed to shoot all these post-ceremony photos at a DIFFERENT part of this park! But when Phillip and I arrived early that morning to scout locations, there was a huge vendor fair setting up AND a full concert that was going on from 12:00-8:00pm!! So we found a Plan B (thank goodness for arriving places way early, haha) and when I talked with Megan about the change in plans, she handled the news in stride and totally trusted us with the new location!!! She was awesome!

The reception kicked off with a delicious plated meal, a fun photobooth, an open bar with specialty drinks, a whole table full of cookies & cake, the sweetest toasts, and LOTS of dancing (and even glowsticks!!!)

We ended the night with a sparkler exit in front of the iconic green doors at Melrose, and it was just the happiest day ever!!!!

I have sooooo many favorites to share with ya’ll below! I hope you ENJOY!!!!

P.S. A huge thanks to this vendor team who pulled off a perfect day!!!! 
Venue: Melrose Knitting Mill
Coordinator:  Southern Oak Events, Steph Smith & Nicole
Videographer: Oak Hill Media
Hair: Jade Marion Hair
Makeup: Beauty by Ashley Prins
DJ: Morse Entertainment
Officiant: Andrew Crist
Cake: Around The Table
Florist: Petal and Oak
Transportation: Great Raleigh Trolley
Photo Booth: ZimZoom
Linen Rental: CE Linens