Caroline and Jake had an absolute stunning and SUPER FUN Grove Park wedding. We chatted with Caroline via Skype but did not officially meet her and Jake until their wedding day. Michael and I instantly liked them. Caroline was super laid back and so full of joy. She laughed so much on her wedding day and capturing that joy in our photos was so special. Jake was as nice as they come and Michael had a blast getting hanging with him and the fellas.
The reception though… as you will discover in the photos below, had us talking about it for several days following! Michael and I are still laughing about the wildness that occured.
More of that to come but for now here is a bit from the bride and groom!
A bit about Caroline: 30 yrs old. I train and compete hunters/jumpers horses professionally so I travel a lot for my job. I have been competing since I was 9 and turned pro about 6 yrs ago. I also work alongside my parents.
A bit about Jake: 31 yrs old. Works for his dad as a industrial contractor. He played basketball in high school and college. He is the sweetest man I have ever met!
How did you meet? Mutual friend
Describe your first date? At the beginning of our relationship we hung out a lot with friends together and when on double dates but for our first actual date Jake took me to the beach for a week and it was there we finally had our real first date!
How long have you been together? Going on 9 years.
What are your favorite hobbies and activities to do as a couple? We love to travel and visit our friends as much as our schedule allows us. We all live in different areas but we try to see each other as much as possible.
Who popped the question and HOW? Jake popped the question! He asked me at home.. I knew something was up earlier in the day because he had made dinner reservations at my favorite restaurant (Print Works) in Greensboro and I’m usually always the one who makes the reservations, LOL! But he came home with flowers and my favorite champagne and asked me to marry him! Then we decided to wait and tell family and friends until the next day so we could enjoy that moment together.
Why did you pick Asheville and The Grove Park Inn? The Grove Park is very important to my family and we lost my Grandfather earlier this year so it just felt that much more important to us and my mom because she vacationed a lot there with my grandparents when she was younger! As soon as Jake and I arrived at the Grove Park we knew it was perfect!
What adjective best describes your spouse on your wedding day? For Jake he said beautiful and sexy for me, LOL and for me Jake looked so happy and extremely handsome! It was an incredibly emotional day for Jake and I and all of our friends because we have been together for so long and the day was just perfect! We didn’t have one thing to complain about and nothing went wrong.. it’s hard to put into words how special this day was for us.
What tangible detail of your wedding day did you love the most? For Jake he said it would have to be my dress .. he said it couldn’t have been more perfect! And for me, it was definitely my bouquet which had my Grandfathers dog tags pinned to it! The memory table that Jake and I had set up was very important also. It had photos of both of my grandfathers and Jake’s uncle. Also Jake really loved his groom’s cake that I had made for him. He got it the night of our rehearsal dinner! It was a giant rainbow trout (he loves to fish) and he didn’t want to cut it, LOL.
How many guests attended the wedding? Around 80
What did you and your guests eat at the reception? Our salad was hand harvested greens, merlot poached pears, goat cheese, and champagne vinaigrette. Our entree was pepper crusted filet miginon with demi glacé and jumbo lump crab cake, roasted tomato risotto with asparagus and baby carrots.
What is the one of the funniest things that happened on your wedding day? For sure our reception.. especially once the music started!! A few of our groomsmen left without their shirts!!
What was your first dance song and why did you pick it? “For A Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett – one of our favorite’s
What stood out to you the most when you think of your wedding? For me it was our ceremony! It felt like it was just Jake and I up there with Tim. It was amazing!! We were also able to hold our emotions in except for a few small tears but once we walked out and around the corner of the fireplace we both just started crying and once we got back into the room we hugged and cried and laughed. And as our bridal party started to come in the room behind us they were all crying too and it was just a really special moment! Something I will cherish forever.
What is on your “bucket list” to do together as a married couple? We definitely want to travel a lot but we also want to start a family at some point! We are really just excited for this new chapter in our lives and just so excited to see what the future holds for us.
Shout out to Alex. Not only was he a groomsman but he did the bride’s hair, tied a lot of ties and bowties, and had his twin children in the wedding. He made us laugh SO much during the reception as well. (see photos below!)
What a beauty!
Caroline told me she did not want any “fake laughing shots” so all of this laughing is FOR REAL folks. This was a jolly group to be sure and there was a lot of jokes floating around about Dallas. 😉
Those bridesmaids knew how to make this girl laugh.
Mr. GQ.
Mrs. Vogue.
The back of Caroline’s dress was incredible!
Caroline with her parents. Her dad knew just how to make us all laugh.
Da Fellas.
We loved the use of benches at this wedding! They were a nice touch to this beautiful setting.
Flora and their mad flower skills.
Hurricane Matthew brought loads of rain to our area two days prior. The rain washed away all the haze and made this view awesome. We were all glad to see the sun! Not a cloud in the sky!
Such joy!! Congrats to Caroline and Jake!
Cocktail hour was held out on this veranda.
Grove park nails it with the food. This cheese, fruit, and jam spread is to die for.
This bridal party was so much fun. There was loads of laughing and cheer to go around!
Caroline and Jake have wonderful chemistry. As you can tell by the photos below!
We loved how the cake matched the tables and benches at the ceremony and the decor!
We love this “find your seat” sign!
And now introducing….
Caroline and Jake’s first dance was choreographed! We loved it.
The sun was coming in just at the right angle lighting up these two as they danced together.
The beauty of the Grove Park at twilight. My favorite time.
Toast time!
A word from Caroline and Jake ended in this sweet moment.
In memory.
These two and their awesome smiles.
Jake and his mom.
Lets get this party started!
As Caroline said… the shirts came off!
Thanks again Caroline and Jake! Congratulations!!!
Shout out to these professionals that made this wedding amazing.
Wedding coordinator – Stephanie and Sarah with Verge Events
Venue coordinator – Sarah with Grove Park Inn
Where you purchased your dress – Divas Bridal of Greensboro
Makeup artist – Jamie Surgeon
Hair designer – Alex Stevens
Floral designer – Flora
Caterer – Grove Park Inn
DJ – Mr C’s Mobil DJ
Officiant – Tim Lolley with Blue Mountain Weddings
Cake designer – Tina from Grove Park Inn
Rental company – Classic Event Rental and 7ton
