In Pender County, we have perfect romantic backdrops for dream weddings.
Couples travel hundreds of miles to have a beach wedding. They travel long distances to marry in the gazebo at Poplar Grove Plantation. The historic Train Depot in Burgaw is a popular setting for weddings and receptions – especially for train buffs and Civil War historians.
Trending in today’s wedding plans can be summed up in one word: personalizing.
NC Wedding Officiant Rev. Angela Kelley performs hundreds of weddings per year. Kelley most likely sees more wedding and reception trends than any other Pender County resident.
Styles for wedding parties are changing too. Florals are gaining popularity. Even wedding gowns feature more color and colorful accents.
“Metallics are making a comeback,” Kelley said. “Generally you see metallics mixed with pinks and mint green.”
Stylish grooms top the wedding site, TheKnot.com, list of trends. Locally, Harrell’s Department store offers a wide selection of tuxedo rentals for the elegant groom, best man, dads and wedding party.
Personalizing the wedding ceremony leads the trend. Couples use the ceremony to write their own vows or even incorporate their pet.
“To me what is most important is that the ceremony reflects the love a couple has for one another,” said Kelley. “Not everyone's love is the same so I don't perform cookie cutter ceremonies.”
For beach weddings, it’s hard to light a unity candle. Couples often opt for the Unity Sand Ceremony. Kelley said she conducts the Unity Sand Ceremony for brides and grooms, but she also conducts a meaningful sand unity ceremony for blended families.
Once the ceremony has concluded, it’s time to begin the reception. But wait, the bride and groom, the families and wedding parties have to pose for the photographer. Kelley said 99 percent of weddings today have a cocktail hour right after the ceremony while the wedding party has pictures taken.
TheKnot.com, which reports big trends annually, said a popular trend is the “satellite bar” and naming drinks after the bride, the groom, and sometimes the entire wedding party.
“In regard to trends, a big one is having cocktail drinks created and named by the wedding party,” Kelley agreed. “For a couple of years it was just a drink named by and for the bride and one for the groom, but now it is the whole wedding party.”
"The wedding cake generally gets a spotlight and table of its own. Collen Batson of Beanie’s Bake Shoppe in Rocky Point said the trend in cakes is elegance.
“I am finding out that brides and grooms are putting their personal stamp on the wedding cake,” said Batson. “The flashy and over the top wedding cake is out. Simple and elegant with a touch of bling is trending for the season."
Remember the traditional bride and groom cake toppers? Today’s couples are personalizing the cake topper as well.
“Each couple is choosing a topper that displays their personality and sense of humor,” said Batson, adding, “A few couples are going as far as ‘hidden decorations’ which are typically on the back of the cake and depict the groom’s interests.”
“Winery and beach themed cakes are also very popular since Wilmington and the surrounding areas have both to offer,” said Batson.
The trending colors of the season are peach, blush , grey and light turquoise, Batson said.
Locally sourced food is a popular trend at receptions. Pender County, with its blueberry fields, grass fed cattle from Old River Farms, fresh seafood, and local produce from our many markets, offers a wide array of local food fare.
"Pender County and North Carolina couples do not have to travel hundreds of miles to personalize their wedding according to their unique style and tastes," said Tammy Proctor, the county's tourism director. "If the bride and groom-to-be desire a country setting for a wedding, we have it. If they desire a historic setting, we have it. If it’s antebellum charm they seek, it’s available in Pender County. If it’s a beachfront wedding, we have the setting, and the sand, available."
To assist brides and grooms, Pender County tourism created a brochure which list businesses that brides and grooms need during wedding planning. It’s a one stop shop for all things Pender. To receive the wedding brochure, call or email the tourism office at 910-259-1278 or email tproctor@pendercountync.gov.
It’s an important day,” said Kelley. “Brides and grooms can have their day, their way.”
Photo courtesy of A River Runs By Me Photography.
