Weddings in North Carolina » Hillsborough wedding vendors

Great wedding photographer in Triangle Area: Elizabeth Larson

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:45:05 +0000

My daughter’s photographer got pregnant and realized her due date was around the time of my daughter’s wedding, so she got her fellow professional photographer Elizabeth Larson to take the job. (I took the picture above.)

Elizabeth met us at Duke Gardens in Durham NC recently to do some engagement photos. She said it might take as much as two hours but we were done in 45 minutes and her images are wonderful. You can visit them at her blog: Elizabeth Larson, wedding photographer in NC. I love the choices she made when posting to her blog, here are a couple of samples:

My daughter and her fiance, Elizabeth Larson photographer

My daughter and fiance, photo by Elizabeth Larson

Wedding cake trends – seen at the Carolina Inn Bridal Fair

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:46:55 +0000

I went to the Bridal Fair in Chapel Hill today – it was postponed from last weekend because of snow. Here are some of the cakes I saw there…

Tall fondant cake from Swank Cake Design, Chapel Hill NC

Swank fondant cakes: black and green, black and white, ribbon design

Wedding Cakes from Sugarland, Chapel Hill NC

I’ll be featuring these “cake shooters” (above) in the next post. And here’s detail on Sugarland’s adorable Indian bride and groom:

Cake topper, not sculpey but fondant, for an Indian wedding

Perfect wedding favors, buy local! Matthew’s Chocolates

admin — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:13:20 +0000

Matthew's Chocolates Hillsborough NC

My daughter turned me on to the “Wedding Bee” forums where I discovered that via many polls the brides have discovered that their guests’ favorite favors are edible, specifically: chocolate presents.

So today when a friend took me to Matthew’s Chocolates cute little storefront shop on Churton Street in Hillsborough NC I immediately thought: wow, these chocolates would make the BEST wedding favors! He makes them right in the back of the store, you can’t get more local than that.

Best catering in Raleigh Durham: Jazmin Mediterranean Bistro (Lebanese and Near Eastern food)

admin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:35:15 +0000

Now that my daughter has signed a contract with Nawwaf Said of Jazmin middle eastern restaurant and our day is secure, I’m willing to tell you: after all the weddings I’ve played at, I think the catering from Jazmin restaurant is the best in the Triangle. We met with Nawwaf today and now I’m impressed, not just with his great food, but with his professionalism, courtesy, and intelligence. He really has a handle on how the flow of guests and servers and rental agencies and food must work together for maximum efficiency – and fun.

My daugher’s getting married at Duke Gardens and they make new vendors jump through a lot of hoops to sign up, so we’re glad Nawwaf was willing to go through the process. Duke also has lists of approved rental people – there are no chairs or tables on site, we must rent them all – and Nawwaf is going to help us coordinate that.

We’re getting a very nice spread of Near Eastern food – pita and hummus and grape leaves and salads and lots of stuff including chicken and steak kebobs and felafel – and a range of soft drinks and teas etc. – with an appetizer course outside (to keep guests happy while pictures are being taken) and a buffet luncheon inside – for $28 per person. He will take care of hiring servers for us who will do set-up and break-down; we are going to provide the wine and beer but Nawwaf’s people will serve it. His people are going to cost $25/hour and it takes quite a few of them.

Anyway, I wanted to give this experience, so far, my heartiest recommendation. I first met Nawwaf when Mappamundi was playing at the wedding of a very picky bride. I told him at the time it was the best food I’d had at a wedding and asked, “Has the bride called you as often as she’s called me?” He smiled. He made her happy, so I’m sure he can make you happy too.

Jazmin now has two locations: 2430 Hillsborough Road in Raleigh, the food court in the Cary Towne Mall, and the one where we met him today, the newest, at 1624 Walnut Street in Cary, right at the highway exit. Go have a meal, you’ll like it!

Video of Camp New Hope for weddings

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:08:10 +0000

Sorry about the unprofessional videography. Do not hire me to shoot your wedding…

Video of Snipes Farm for weddings

admin — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:05:29 +0000

I made this for my daughter, but I may as well share it!

Pine Lake Pavilion, Mebane NC

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:03:40 +0000

Pine Lake Pavilion approach

I recently got a chance to take some pictures at this lovely outdoor venue, near the Triad and the Triangle, on 138 acres with a 7 acre lake.

Pine Lake Pavilion: Fountain

Set up for an outdoor wedding at Pine Lake Pavilion

Here you see the chairs in place for an outdoor wedding that weekend. It would be lovely if the weather were good. If it’s hot – there’s no shade. If it rains – you’re a long way from a roof. Just saying.

The Pavilion itself

The Pavilion is a giant tent, open to a back patio.

Patio, Pine Lake Pavilion, Mebane NC

Behind the tent at Pine Lake Pavilion

The patio overlooks the lake.

Inside Pine Lake Pavilion, Mebane NC

It looks nice inside, all set up.

It costs $3125-$4175 to rent the pavilion, which is 60 feet square. Catering tent, tables, 200 chairs, and dance floor are included. For more information: PineLakePavilion.com.

Toilets in trailer at Pine Lake Pavilion

They call this an “Advantage Portable Restroom Coach.” I call it a trailer and as there are stairs to get in, I don’t see how it’s handicapped accessible. Maybe they have a system.

Camp New Hope in Chapel Hill – prices and descriptions of the spaces

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:45:40 +0000

The biggest space available is the dining hall.

Camp New Hope dining hall

Maximum capacity is 200 people. Meeting space accommodates 150.
Day Use – 1-60 people: $330 per day, 61+ people: $5.50 per person, per day

The Dining Hall is a large open room with a central fireplace and a front wall of windows letting in natural light. The room is uniquely sectioned into three parts; partitions can be used to close off part of the room or left open to utilize the entire space. The tile flooring is newly re-finished! The building has central heat, air conditioning and bathroom facilities. The kitchen is closed for renovation, but a large refrigerator is accessible for rental use. The Dining Hall has a covered front porch that is the width of the building with rocking chairs and has picnic tables on its front lawn.

Fleming Lodge at New Hope Camp and Conference Center

Maximum capacity is 150. Meeting space accommodates 125.
Day Use – 1-50 people: $250 per day, 51+ people: $5.00 per person, per day

This building is 1800 square feet and is one large, open space with central heat and air conditioning, two bathrooms, and a galley kitchen. Fleming Hall boasts hardwood floors, a large fireplace, large windows and a covered front porch and open back deck.

Oak Lodge at Camp New Hope

Meeting space accommodates 50.
Day Use – 1-25 people: $135 per day, 26+ people: $5.50 per person, per day

Oak Lodge has a large open room and full kitchen. Oak Lodge has meeting space for 50, bathrooms, wood stove, piano, heat and air conditioning. Oak Lodge also has a large private back deck overlooking woods.

Dogwood Center at Camp New Hope

Overnight capacity is 23. Meeting space accommodates 40.
Day Use – 1-25 people: $135 per day, 26+ people: $5.50 per person, per day

Dogwood Center is a multi-use building that can be rented for day-use or overnight. The building is T-shaped with a meeting room in front, a kitchen at the end, and two bathrooms and bedrooms on either side. The building has heat and air conditioning, fireplace, piano, kitchen, and meeting room.

For information on other buildings and outdoor spaces at the center: New Hope Camp and Conference Center. The center is located on 86 between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. For more pictures, see my previous post.

As I pointed out in the other post, the camp has its own tables and chairs, so that saves you a considerable expense and bother. I believe there is also a discount for church-related groups.

New Hope Camp and Conference Center – great, inexpensive venue for weddings

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:27:31 +0000

Of the places we considered, Camp New Hope was my preference for my daughter’s wedding next year. It is big, informal, outdoorsy but with nice indoor space, very close to where we live, and inexpensive.

I took these pictures yesterday – it’s late August so everything is kind of burnt up from the sun.

The entrance to Camp New Hope

The guy who runs it is very kind and accommodating. I’ve played a number of weddings there and found the venue very pleasant.

Dogwood Cabin at Camp New Hope

There are two biggish cabins on site which can be rented for the weekend of your wedding, for people who don’t like to drive. The cabins have kitchens so you can settle in and have a vacation weekend!

New Hope Camp pavilion

[caption id="attachment_408" align="alignleft" width="475" caption="New Hope Camp and Conference Center dining hall"][/caption]The dining hall is large, air-conditioned, and L-shaped, so you can have one activity at one end and another at the other. Also, they have chairs and tables so you don’t have to go to the trouble and expense of renting them.

Fleming Lodge at Camp New Hope

Fleming Lodge, which is close by the dining hall, is smaller but nicer: it has a wood floor, I’ve done contradances there. It has a porch where people sometimes put food and/or drink.

Picnic Pavilion at Camp New Hope

There are several pavilions, some larger, some smaller; I’m a mentor with the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program in Carrboro NC and they sponsor family get-togethers at Camp New Hope, with volleyball on the grass and tons of people in the pavilion for a fried-chicken feast.

Also, having the pavilion means if it rains, or if it’s very hot, there’s shelter for you and your guests.

Field at Camp New Hope

My daughter decided the camp was too rustic for her, but for an informal affair it would be wonderful. The next post will give prices.

Cheap tuxedos for sale at the Raleigh flea market!

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:53:53 +0000

Cheap Tuxedos for sale at the Raleigh Fleamarket

On my way to the Bridal Show, held today at the Jim Graham Building at the NC State Fairgrounds, I happened across the weekly Raleigh Flea-market. It’s huge! And when I saw these $15 tuxedos I couldn’t resist.