In a restored Victorian manor, where European elegance meets Southern tradition, an office romance bloomed into a weekend celebration that honored heritage and modern love. Through Cliche Photography‘s artistic lens, every detail, from surprise visits by their golden retriever to champagne toasts in Italian-inspired gardens, was captured with editorial sophistication and intimate warmth. As summer light filtered through historic windows onto handwritten place cards and vintage china, the story of these two consultants transformed into something timeless yet wholly their own.
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Style: European, intimate, elegant
Time of planning: 9 months
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Hotel
Season: Summer
What began as a successful office romance at The Link Group became a love story spanning consulting projects and weekend escapes. For Elizabeth and Mike, both proud UNC Chapel Hill alumni, their connection grew stronger during annual trips to Ocracoke with their golden retriever, Kenzie. Against the backdrop of Silver Lake Harbor at the infamous Jolly Roger Pub, Mike proposed there as locals cheered from nearby balconies.
Location & Planning
Jessica Alexander Events understood that Heights House would be more than just a venue – it would be the heart of their wedding weekend. The boutique hotel’s Italianate architecture and contemporary comforts provided the perfect canvas for a celebration inspired by European summers, where every corner could host meaningful moments between loved ones.
Bridal Look
The bride’s custom wedding dress was a stunning creation, handmade by her cousin, Claire Brooks. The gown exuded romantic elegance, featuring a fitted strapless bodice and cascading chiffon. Elizabeth paired the dress with minimalist silver jewelry, also handmade by Claire, and classic Badgley Mischka pumps. Her bronzed makeup look and soft waves completed the effortless, glamorous style.
Groom's Fashion
The groom complemented the bride’s chic look with a classic Calvin Klein tuxedo and black bowtie. His boutonniere, a blend of white cosmos and wildflowers, added a colorful charm to the couple’s neutral palette. His custom cufflinks showed a personalized touch, featuring an engraved image of the couple’s golden retriever.
First Look
Before the ceremony, Elizabeth and Mike shared a private first-look moment in the courtyard. Surrounded by historic architecture and lush greenery, the couple had the chance to soak in the gravity of the day and exchange tender words before publicly committing to one another.
Ceremony
The couple created an intimate ceremony on the front lawn, using cobblestones from the original house to form a circular arrangement. Breaking tradition, they chose a “reverse” ceremony format—instead of walking up from behind the guests, Elizabeth and Mike entered from the house’s front door. “This allowed us to share the joy of looking directly into the smiling faces of all our loved ones,” Elizabeth explained.
Breaking from traditional ceremony formalities, the couple chose Mike’s brother-in-law as their officiant, who brought personality and joy to the proceedings. His delivery was filled with abundant jokes and lighthearted moments that had guests smiling throughout.
The couple deliberately chose this relaxed approach to reflect their personalities and set a casual, joyful tone for the celebration. Rather than having a formal wedding party stand with them, Elizabeth and Mike opted to keep it simple – just the two of them at the altar, surrounded by the love and laughter of their guests.
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour on the hotel’s front lawn. The talented Will Bryant created custom signature cocktails for the couple—a refreshing blend of Blanco Tequila with Grapefruit Liqueur for Elizabeth and a smooth Bourbon-blackberry mixture for Mike.
Cliche Photographers captured the natural joy and connection between friends and family. The European photography duo Yoan and Juliette moved seamlessly through the crowd, documenting candid moments and genuine interactions. Their artistic approach perfectly matched the venue’s elegant architecture. A highlight was their capture of Kenzie’s surprise appearance, which brought extra smiles and spontaneous moments to their reportage.
Decor & Setting
Hathaway Floral Design brought the couple’s European summer vision to life with warm-toned wildflowers in pinks, oranges, and yellows. The outdoor dining area is set under a clear tent with twinkling lights, featured tables adorned with citrus fruits, colorful china from Curated Events Raleigh, and natural wooden chairs.
In a heartfelt gesture that personalized each place setting, Elizabeth took the time to handwrite individual place cards for all 120 guests. She carefully selected high-quality paper from Paper Paper Co. that complemented the European-inspired tablescape and spent several evenings perfecting each card.
"I wanted every guest to feel specially welcomed at their seat, each card was a small way to show our appreciation for them being there."
Reception
The couple paused on the Heights House steps before their grand entrance. Sam Hill Entertainment performed inside the front sitting room while the dining space transformed into a vibrant dance floor. Their rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “You Make Lovin’ Fun” kicked off an evening of celebration.
Night Celebration
The evening seamlessly transitioned between indoor and outdoor spaces, with dancing taking place in the hotel’s elegant rooms while some guests enjoyed the cool evening air on the grounds. The couple had thoughtfully created the night’s playlist featuring the first dance songs of all married couples present, adding another layer of meaning to the evening.
Throughout the evening, the couple found quiet moments in Heights House‘s intimate spaces, allowing them to connect and absorb their celebration. In a private tradition, they shared their wedding cake, which was presented on the bride’s parents’ wedding tray and her great aunt’s vintage china. For their guests, a vintage Italian ice cart from Sweet Water Ices offered refreshing treats on the front lawn.
Greenhouse Picker Sisters provided comfortable lounge areas where guests could pause between dances, while Donovan’s Dish ensured the European-inspired menu matched the sophistication of the setting. Cliche Photography‘s artistic eye captured these details with the same reverence they gave to the venue’s architectural elements, creating a collection of images that felt both editorial and deeply personal.
A Joyful Send-Off
As the celebration drew to a close, Elizabeth and Mike made their grand exit in a classic white convertible provided by Gina Classic. Against the backdrop of Raleigh’s twinkling city lights, the newlyweds shared kisses and laughter in the back of the vintage car, with Elizabeth’s white reception dress catching the glow of the street lamps.
The night air was filled with their happiness as they stood in the convertible, Elizabeth throwing her hands up in celebration while Mike couldn’t take his eyes off his new wife. Fuzzy dice swung gently from the rearview mirror, adding a playful touch to their stylish exit. Their joy was infectious and spontaneous – a perfect reflection of their relationship and the celebration they had just shared with their loved ones.
Advice from the couple:
• Create intentional moments alone amid the celebration – they become the memories you cherish most.
• Let your venue’s natural beauty guide your design choices rather than overshadowing it.
• Focus on how you want your guests to feel, then plan every detail with that intention.
PHOTOGRAPHY Cliche Photographers | PLANNER Jessica Alexander Events | VENUE & CATERING Heights House Hotel | FLORALS Hathaway Floral Design | MUAH Bliss Styling, Rose Beauty NC | DRESS Claire Brooks Custom | SHOES Badgley Mischka | SUIT Calvin Klein | DESSERTS The Cupcake Shoppe Raleigh | DECOR Curated Events Raleigh, Capital Events NC | LOUNGE DECOR Greenhouse Picker Sisters | STATIONERY Paper Paper Co | MUSIC Sam Hill Entertainment | VINTAGE DESSERT CART Sweet Water Ices | TRANSPORT Gina Classic
