A SPRING WEDDING AT IL BELLA GARDENS IN ALBERMARLE, NC
You could say that it all started with a fruit snack. Yup, that’s right…one of those ooey-gooey snacks that we all adore (even though, we all probably outgrew them many years ago!) Jennifer and Eric first met at Coyote Joe’s while attending a Wednesday night line dancing class. When Eric offered Jennifer a fruit snack while on the dance floor, it was love at first sight. The best part — Jennifer only liked the orange ones and of course, accepted Eric’s offer as long as it was the orange ones only. Since then, it’s been 619+ days since Eric had first offered Jennifer those fruit snacks while on the dance floor, and their fairy-tale wedding was just a wonderful start as Day 1 of their marriage.
First off, let me tell you about Jennifer! She is truly amazing y’all and such a DELIGHT to have worked alongside with these past few months while planning for the wedding day. Plus, it makes it SO much easier to love Bride and feel like her best friend when both of your Mama’s were Besties in their young adult life! That’s right, my mom and Jennifer’s mama were inseparable back in the day, so it was so natural for Jenn and I to just completely hit it off when we met for the initial consultation (we’d met once before back when we were early pre-teens! So it’s been quite a while!) Jennifer is such a doll and one of the most genuine people I have ever met, and she is head over heels in love with Eric, that is certain!
Jennifer and Eric had quite a romantic (& very random!) way of meeting each other! When they were telling me how they met, I thought it sounded straight out of a movie or something! And it seems like their romance is just as strong from the night they met to the day they were married! These two just are super cute and it was such a delight to finally see these two say ‘I Do’ in front of all their families and friends!
Their wedding day was so magical and literally felt like a fairy-tale! First off, their venue was AMAZING! The pair were married at Il Bella Gardens in Albermarle, NC and y’all when I tell you it was truly SO BEAUTIFUL, I mean it! Walking up to the ceremony site felt literally like walking into a fairy-tale forest and I’m sure that’s how Jennifer felt when she was walking down the aisle towards her Prince Charming-Eric!
Of course, there were WAY too many of my favorite moments from their wedding day, but I’ll leave y’all with just a few of my most favorites:
+Normally, on a wedding day, I find the Bride first and say hello to her! However, their wedding day was a bit different! When I first arrived at Il Bella Gardens, I was greeted by Jennifer’s Bridesmaids who welcomed me like family. Then it was the groomsmen all hanging around and drinking a little bit who said hello to me next. THEN it was the wedding planners, the venue coordinators, and the videographer who all said hello and literally made me so happy! I hadn’t even put down my gear and here is all these amazing vendors and the nicest wedding party greeting me with lots of happiness! It’s easy to say that the day definitely started out on a high note for me!
+Jennifer and her girls decided to get dressed out on the back porch where the lighting was better than inside the Bridal Suite (which I was SO thankful for!) It was such a sweet moment watching the girls help Jennifer into her dress.
+Jennifer shared a First Look with her Dad and there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere to be found after seeing her Dad’s reaction. Y’all…I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Don’t take those sweet moments between your Dad for granted…especially on your wedding day. Seeing him loose his breath at the sight of his beautiful daughter…oh it gives me goosebumps even now! What an amazing memory to share with your Daddy!
+We wrapped a satin blindfold around Eric and had him wait patiently for Jennifer to come towards him for their “First Touch”. I don’t do these too often, so it was quite a treat! We just used the Blindfold to make sure Eric wouldn’t be peeking any! He said he didn’t want to ruin his surprise (what a keeper!) so he even assured us that he kept his eyes closed as well! He waited to roll up his sleeves until he got her help because he didn’t know how she wanted them! SO CUTE! Can’t you just imagine seeing her roll up his sleeves 50 years from now?! He just wanted to make sure that she was happy with how he looked…I think that is SO SWEET!
+As the Grandparents were being seated, they let out some enormous laughter as they sank into the antique couches there for them to sit on. Grandmas were just laughing away! It was SO precious!
+In lieu of a unity candle or sand ceremony, Jennifer and Eric put together a wooden cross that Eric had made by hand. SO cool!
+Walking up the aisle after they were pronounced “Husband and Wife”, Jennifer and Eric ran through a petal toss and it was AWESOME! Then being able to enjoy a few seconds alone with them as they made their way up the long aisle from the ceremony site was just SO cute! They were on Cloud Nine!
+We had SO much fun during the Bridal Party Portraits! Their Wedding Party was such a delight to be around! Thanks for making the day so much better for us y’all!
+Jennifer’s Dad gave a speech about “tying the knot” and why it’s important and what it represents during the reception. He then surprised all of the guests and even Jennifer and Eric with hand-tied knot bracelets that he made FOR EVERYONE there! (Even US! It was SO SPECIAL!)
+Their wedding cake was made by Jennifer’s Grandma and had a cake topper that had been used in two other family weddings before them — her grandparents and parents! What a neat heirloom to pass down! Plus, the cake was SO good too!
+Sneaking Jennifer and Eric out of their reception (during their dinner, might I add!) meant that I had sometime to take some AMAZING sunset photos of them! These turned out to be some of my favorites from the entire day! I’m so thankful to have such AMAZING Brides and Grooms who trust me enough even enough to pull them away from their dinner! You guys rock!
Here’s their beyond GORGEOUS wedding day at the beautiful Il Bella Gardens! Enjoy the images from their fairy-tale day!
Jennifer+Eric- Y’all…I truly can’t express how honored I was to be able to capture your sweet, sweet love story. Your wedding day was straight out of a fairy-tale and I was so happy to be able to be a part of it! Thank you so much for welcoming me into your hearts, family, and wedding day! You both made me feel so welcomed and I will never forget your kindness! I wish you two many happy years together filled with so much love and laughter…and lots of fruit snacks! 🙂 Congratulations y’all! XO! -Emma Loo
Jennifer+Eric’s wedding day came together so fabulously! Their fairy-tale love was complete with a fairy-tale wedding! A HUGE thank you to their AMAZING wedding day vendors who helped make their wedding day so perfect!
Venue: Il Bella Gardens
Wedding Day Coordinator: Kim Mcilwaine w/ Il Bella Gardens
Hair+Makeup: Madison Mcilwaine
Dress: Casablanca Bridal
Dress Purchased From: New York Bride & Groom
Rhinestone Belt: Ingenue B
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bride’s Robe: Plum Pretty Sugar
Bridesmaids Robes: Le Rose Gifts
Bridesmaid Attire: The Peppy Studio
Groom+Groomsmen attire from: Pants and Vest- Belk ; Bowties-ElenaAndChris ; Suspenders-SweetNSwag
Rings: Diamonds Direct
Florals: Herr Fresh Flowers
Invitation Design and Couple’s Website Designed: Kelly Reno
DJ: Joey Gathings
Video: Adam Clayton
Catering: Elizabeth Fudge
Cake: Bride’s Grandmother
Reception Design: Kim Arrowood & Jordyn Pagan
See Jennifer & Eric’s Engagement Session HERE!
See more WEDDINGS HERE!
See Jennifer’s Bridal Portrait HERE!
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