We’ve planned dozens of weddings in the Raleigh/Durham area, and let me tell you, we absolutely love any wedding at The Hartwood in Selma, NC! It is based in Johnston County, and it has all the elegance, charm, and modern feels that any couple could wish for.

When our clients Sarah and Nick book their wedding at That Hartwood, it was actually under construction! But they trusted the owner’s vision so much that they decided to go for it. And man – a year later it really paid off! With the help of our Full Service Wedding Planning and an awesome wedding venue like The Hartwood, their wedding day perfectly went off without a hitch.

Sarah and Nick’s wedding at The Hartwood was one for the books. As their full-service planner, we got to help bring their vision to life – and it definitely reflected their love story – centered around their faith, family, and having fun!

From the start, Sarah and Nick wanted their wedding to feel personal, and we made sure of that. Their burgundy and navy wedding color palette gave the whole day a rich, cozy vibe – perfect for a winter wedding at The Hartwood. But we made sure to make sure it did not feel like a Christmas Wedding – as the bride was adamant about that!

Nick’s vows were absolutely adorable. Not only did he make promises to Sarah, but he also said vows to her 9-year-old daughter, Kenzie. There was more than one person that was joining the family! It was one of those emotional wedding moments that made everyone in the room tear up a little. You could definitely tell that Kenzie was excited about her momma’s new match.

They also did a unity cross ceremony, symbolizing their family coming together in faith and love. To top it off, their friends sang live during the ceremony. The combination of live music and heartfelt vows set such a beautiful tone for the rest of the day.

Cocktail hour was a total hit. Sarah and Nick brought in a squeeze-the-day lemonade stand from the Clayton Farmers Market, where they go every weekend. I loved that they incorporated something that felt so “them.” Sarah’s favorite was Pickle lemonade haha! Yes, you read that right – pickle. Trust me, it’s better than it sounds! It was such a fun and quirky cocktail hour idea that had guests talking (and sipping) the whole time. The line for that lemonade stand was absolutely out the door!

The reception kept the fun going. Sarah wowed in her ceremony dress but surprised everyone with an outfit change halfway through. Nick was so surprised as he had no idea what was coming! Instead of the usual bouquet and garter toss, they did a t-shirt toss that guests got to wear during the dancing!

And for the daddy-daughter dance, get ready to tear up again. Nick danced with Kenzie, and Sarah used this moment to honor her dad, who had passed earlier in the year. She invited all the dads to join their daughters on the dance floor, creating one of the most heartfelt wedding moments of the evening. It felt less like a formal wedding moment and more like a true celebration of family.

Oh, and let’s not forget the dessert bar provided by Captivate Cake. It was massive and had something for everyone – from classic treats to fun, unexpected sweets. There were even little fruit cups – Kenzie’s favorite! The dessert bar was the perfect way to end the night and left guests raving about the wedding at The Hartwood.

Sarah and Nick’s wedding at The Hartwood was unforgettable, and being part of it was such an honor. It’s couples like them that remind me why I love this job – creating weddings at The Hartwood that feel as good as they look. When you can walk away knowing the day wasn’t just beautiful but also packed with love and memories, you know you’ve done something right.

If you’re planning your own wedding at The Hartwood or looking for a full-service wedding planner to help bring your vision to life, we’d love to chat! Let’s create a wedding that is completely and uniquely you!

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Shoutout to the awesome vendors that supported us!

Megan Nicole Photography

Sixteen 9 Films

Comfy Florals

Ambitious DJs

Curated Events

Captivate Cake