Nestled high in the picturesque mountains of Highlands, North Carolina, a breathtaking wedding celebration brought together classic Ralph Lauren-inspired aesthetics, personal family traditions, and refined Southern elegance. Planned meticulously by Erika of Maready & Co Events, the celebration took place at the renowned Farm at Old Edwards Inn, where every carefully curated detail found its rightful place in a deeply personal design narrative. From the custom paper suite featuring subtle pheasant and plaid motifs to the rustic church pews lining the ceremony space and the lush, layered botanicals, the event reflected an exquisite balance of rustic charm and timeless sophistication. Harwell Photography, a member of the exclusive Little Black Book, captured every single moment of the stunning day, immortalizing the memories right down to the carrot and chocolate salted caramel wedding cake.
The Planning: Design, Vibe, and Vision
The overarching vision for the wedding was to create a deeply personal touch woven seamlessly into a sophisticated, Ralph Lauren-inspired aesthetic. Because the groom’s family harbors a deep love for hunting, the planning and design team incorporated subtle yet striking nods to this passion, featuring a pheasant and a gorgeous plaid pattern throughout the custom paper design crafted by Catherine Crandall Calligraphy. Meanwhile, the bride’s personal passions were honored just as thoughtfully. Because the bride loves gardening, she intentionally integrated beautiful gardenias into her bouquet to bring a tangible touch of home and familiarity to the mountain setting.
To elevate the atmosphere further, the design team embraced well-loved traditional styles by bringing in authentic wooden pews from Palmetto Pews for the ceremony seating, adding rich overlays to the reception tables, and keeping the floral arrangements remarkably symmetrical and uniform. The planning process was characterized by a meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every small element was intentionally planned and flawlessly executed to reflect the couple’s unique personality and shared history.
The Fashion
The wedding fashion was nothing short of haute couture, blending high-end designer pieces with bespoke tailoring. For the main ceremony, the bride wore an exquisite gown by Berta, renowned for its dramatic silhouette and intricate detailing. Her ensemble was elevated with luxury footwear by Manolo Blahnik, while her accessories included a custom veil and delicate hair pins sourced from Mandi Jackson Bridal Salon. For the evening reception, the bride transitioned into a chic and contemporary dress by ALC, allowing her to move and celebrate with ease throughout the night.
The bridal party matched the high standard of elegance, with bridesmaids outfitted in sophisticated dresses from Bella Bridesmaids, creating a cohesive and visually stunning wedding party. On the other side of the aisle, the groom donned a custom-tailored tuxedo crafted specifically for him by Bespoke & Co. out of Tampa, Florida, completing his sophisticated look with classic leather shoes by Ferragamo. Every sartorial choice underscored the polished, timeless vibe that defined the entire celebration.
The Details: Food, Drink, Florals, and Confections
The culinary experience at the reception was designed to impress even the most discerning palates, beginning with an inventive selection of passed hors d’oeuvres. Guests enjoyed custom fried pimento cheese fritters, buttermilk fried lobster tail lollipops glazed with a Jack Daniel’s-honey reduction, and meadow herb-dijon mustard crusted lamb chops served with a fragrant lavender jus.
Following the cocktail hour, guests gathered for a formal plated dinner menu. The meal commenced with a bakery basket filled with house-made rolls, corn muffins, and buttermilk biscuits accompanied by seasoned butter. This was followed by a warming course of wild forest mushroom soup served with savory cornbread croutons. For the main course, guests were treated to an impressive entrée duo featuring pan-seared medallions of beef tenderloin with mushroom marsala and fried morels, alongside piment d’espelette-seared diver scallops complemented by a rich chardonnay cream and micro arugula.
The accompaniments were equally elaborate, featuring butternut squash ravioli tossed with caramelized apples, dried cranberries, and parsnip chips; an oven-baked fingerling potato variation seasoned with rosemary and sage; a kohlrabi and scarlet turnip gratin enriched with cardamom and aged Manchego; and vibrant tri-colored carrots accented with dill and Meyer lemon.
The floral and decorative elements played an essential role in defining the ambiance of the day. The bride envisioned hydrangeas, gardenias, and roses as the primary blooms, accented gracefully with trailing ivy and touches of magnolia. This vision was brought to life through a lush, timeless, and refined floral design executed by Simple Stems, which felt deeply romantic without ever slipping into being overly formal. The soft beauty of the hydrangeas, gardenias, and roses created an undeniably elegant and romantic atmosphere, while the ivy and magnolia introduced a distinct touch of Southern charm that beautifully complemented the sprawling, manicured grounds of The Farm at Old Edwards. The bride remained actively involved throughout the entire floral planning process, ensuring thoughtful attention to detail from beginning to end.
The celebration culminated in a stunning dessert presentation crafted by the Frosted Pumpkin. Rather than opting for a single traditional flavor, the wedding cake featured two distinct and delectable profiles: a spiced carrot cake and a rich chocolate salted caramel cake, providing a sweet and memorable conclusion to an unforgettable mountain celebration.
