Chad and Kaylyn's Wedding in Purlear, North Carolina

The venue at Sky Retreat was absolutely gorgeous, we were a bit nervous because we didn't know if it was going to be sunny or rainy or even snowy! And the day before the wedding we visited the venue to set up and do the rehearsal, and the weather was absolutely crazy! You couldn't see 20 feet in front of you from the mist and the wind was so strong and cold we couldn't practice walking down the aisle outside. But on our wedding day the weather was absolutely perfect. The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I know the venue itself can't control the weather but it just made the day feel so much more perfect especially since the weather was so much different the day before. What the venue could control was the inside and everything was absolutely perfect and as I had planned it to be. They have a great site which allows you to work on the seating chart so you can envision your day during the planning process. It was so helpful for someone like me who worried about every little detail. Then the day before the wedding, everything was set up just as I had asked it to be. They even gave us upgraded chairs for the reception for free! Which was just an extra special touch.

My dress and veil were also just perfect. I felt like it fit me exactly how I imagined, grown up but still giving me that princess feel I think every bride wants on her wedding day. The length, veil and sleeves helped me have the traditional feel that I wanted, but since I was able to remove them I also was able to party freely for the rest of the night. The staff at the bridal gallery helped me piece together the dress, giving me sleeves and a custom layer of sparkle that didn't originally come with the dress, and made sure it fit just perfectly on me. It even made my husband and father cry which in turn made me cry and gave me that fairytale moment I was looking for.

Lastly, the food from Ciao Y'all and Sun of a Cake really made the night special. Everyone was so impressed with the food and were even able to go back for seconds we had so much food left over. The steak and pork were cooked perfectly and the pasta bar made it to where everyone got exactly what they wanted. They even gave us a salad for free, which we hadn't initially been able to afford. The cake and extra desserts we ordered from Sun of a Cake really highlighted how unique and special our day was. We didn't go for traditional flavors, and instead leaned into the fall season. We got a three tier cake that featured pink lemonade cake and icing in one tier, pumpkin and mocha French buttercream in the second, and chocolate coffee cake with raspberry mousse and French buttercream on the outside. We also ordered an anniversary cake with the chocolate coffee cake and raspberry mousse. They were all truly divine and we are so looking forward to our anniversary cake. the French buttercream is just a lighter not as sweet version of the American buttercream and is just truly special and mouth watering. The extra desserts that we ordered were definitely just as good and gave guests an extra something for those who don't enjoy the usual wedding cake.