Elyse and Austin said “I do” in October of this year at Carolina Grove in Hillsborough, NC. Theirs was a gorgeous study in understated autumnal vibes, a hint of bohemian chic, and they chose a perfect spot for it. Carolina Grove is a lovely option for both indoor and outdoor weddings, because it is loaded with spots for textured, earthy, but elegant portraits.

The Couple

Elyse found herself in the dating world through an app called Coffee Meets Bagel. One evening, her family created a profile and Austin was one of the first people to pop up. “For only having been on my phone for 24 hours, that app turned out to be quite the life changer for me.” After many dates, dreamy moments, laughs, challenges and togetherness, this couple was ready to become husband and wife.

The Preparations

While Elyse said there was no specific wedding theme, she did mention that they wanted the atmosphere to be simple, minimal, but creative. The florals, along with the wedding party’s attire, indoor decor, copper altar and special natural details set the tone. And the bride’s gown: SHOW STOPPING. I loved capturing images of Elyse, especially of her from the back. She loved her gown and I understand why.

A First Look

The couple fell in love “at first site” with Carolina Grove, which is located in the Raleigh area. It was important to them to be married in the area where they met and their story unfolded. Their first look took place outside the large modern barn space and it was a truly special moment. Elyse: “At first, I was very hesitant to do one, but now having lived it, I am so glad we made the decision to do a first look. It was intimate and wonderful to get to share that moment just between the two of us.”

The Ceremony

The new husband and wife also took communion together after saying their vows. They wanted to begin their marriage by incorporating their faith. “This was an incredibly intimate and wonderful moment - shared between us two and our Heavenly Father - and was the best way we knew how to spend our first few minutes as a married couple.”

The Details

The reception dinner was held indoors and the table settings were classic, minimalist and beautifully coordinated. Elyse shared that there were three special moments on her “dreamy, perfect” day. The first look was one and sharing communion was the second. The third was dancing with their grandparents. Austin danced with his grandmother and Elyse with her grandfather and it was a memory that said they would never forget. Brides and grooms: if you bring multi-generational elements to your big day, you’ll not regret it.