Real Wedding Spotlight: Shower of Love

Wedding At A Glance

May 2018 Reception | 151 guests | Family Style Dinner | 6 Hour Choice Open Bar

Vendors

Everlasting Commitment

This sweet May couple got ready and shared their first looks overlooking downtown Durham at the 21c hotel. Then they were whisked away to their stunning ceremony at the infamous Duke Chapel. The collegiate gothic chapel, outfitted with all the bells, arches, and organs, was a breath-taking setting for this couple to declare their commitment and love for one another. Duke Chapel and The Cookery are a quick 5 minute drive, making the duo a perfect match to host a ceremony and reception. Once they walked down the aisle as husband and wife, they headed to The Cookery to start the reception!

Tender Moments

This couple took a loving moment outside The Cookery to take a few picture perfect photos with our over-sized cast iron skillet, Pauli Murray mural, and vintage Pepsi Co. mural.

Cobblestone Garden Cocktails

Once guests arrived at The Cookery, they were quickly greeted to craft cocktails, local beers, and scrumptious wines in the garden. Loved ones were able to sip and gather together outside in the beautiful NC May weather. The Cookery’s ballroom bar can be broken into 3 sections. This couple used one section to create a satellite bar in the garden so that drinks were mere steps away. This lovely cocktail hour also gave guests a moment to sign the guestbook and admire heartfelt photos and memories from the couple’s loving past.

Ballroom Dining

Following cocktail hour, this reception moved to the ballroom for delicious food and flowing drinks. Once seated at the romantically adorned tables, the couple’s loved ones were greeted with exquisite charcuterie boards. The evening continued with a multi-course family style dinner presented by Snap Pea. Guests were able to enjoy the meal with tableside wine offerings over sparkling conversation in the candlelight.

Words of Admiration

To kickstart the delicious meal, the father of the bride **shared a kind welcoming toast**. Our stairs leading from the courtyard down to the ballroom **are the perfect height to help project the sweet words.**

This couple rented unique and beautiful chairs and farmhouse tables to bring their wedding vision to life. We love the addition and personal touches each couple brings to our space to make it completely their own.

Following dinner is the ideal time to cut the cake! This delightful treat was baked and decorated by the groom himself. We do not have any restrictions on desserts or late night snacks, and this sugary detail is a beautiful example of the personality and unique love of this couple.

A Showstopper

To fully understand the inspiration behind this stunning piece of dangling crystal artwork, we have to go back to this loving couple’s engagement story. The groom popped the question in "The Rain Room," an interactive lighting illusion exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art in NYC. They wanted to re-create that experience at their wedding reception. They enlisted the help of the wonderful team at Get Lit Event Lighting to fabricate a custom hanging light installation crafted of hundreds of strands of crystals to create the illusion of falling rain drops. It was a spectacle that was so uniquely ‘them’ and was a striking addition to the night. The magnificent installation hung above the dance floor for guests to admire and boogie beneath all night long.