“Love, life, possibility, potential! That’s what this is all about.”
In my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined a more stunning wedding day. Every wedding at The Greenbrier is a fairy tale event and Mary Kate and John’s was no exception. While I was in love with the perfect cake (designed by John’s sister) and darling details (and the lighting at the reception is worthy of an entirely separate post) what made this day was the sweet love story of Mary Kate and John.
Not only their love for each other, but also the overwhelming love that their family and friends poured into this day, crowned by an amazing best man speech that brought everyone to years, and an incredibly creative bridesmaid speech that had everyone laughing.
Wedding Highlight Film
We don’t often share our Feature Films (mostly to cater to a social media attention span) but when you have a wedding as hands down amazing as Mary Kate and John’s, you have to share it!
Wedding Feature Film
Weddings like this are what Feature Films are made for. We honestly struggle a bit with every wedding to fit all the amazing pieces together into a short Highlight Film, but when you have several days of family and friends, along with an absolutely marvelous level of design and decor, it was about impossible. After watching (and loving) their Highlight Film, Mary Kate asked about a Feature Film, and we were so happy to be able to do it! Here are just a few of the reasons why:
- The perfect couple. Mary Kate and John were so laid back, happy, and seemed to enjoy every bit of their weekend. Every single clip we had of them was usable because they were just always smiling and having a good time.
- Amazing friends and family. Everyone was all about this wedding. Totally here for it. Happy to be a part of it, having a great time…and my favorite….ignoring the photo and video team so we could capture all the fun. No one ducking out of shots or running from the camera….or jumping in front of the camera to try and be funny (ps, it’s never funny). John’s brother had prepared a funny and heartfelt speech that left everyone in tears, sharing memories of John as a toddler, all the way up to his wedding day. Mary Kate’s cousins had crafted an entire story to share both the many talents of Mary Kate, along with the beginnings of their love story. It was an absolute home run as far as great wedding speech material.
- An impeccable design and event execution. Mary Kate and her mother, Kate, alongside the Greenbrier Wedding team and Cheryl Sullivan Events, put together something that was just spectacular. We’ve worked with Gillespies on so many weddings at the Greenbrier and in Southern WV, but they outdid themselves for this wedding. Chapel decor included a collection of fluffy pink cherry blossom trees and giant sprays of pink and white that matched the bridal bouquets. At the reception, they had one of the most beautiful wedding cakes I’ve ever seen, designed by the sister of the groom, Jane Henry, alongside a cute groom’s cake featuring their fun pup. Tables that were open circles; a subtle nod to the family’s tire business that allowed for stunning, larger than life, cherry blossom centerpieces.
- The lighting. I know this technically falls into design, but it was so well done that it deserves a category of its own. This was the most beautifully lit event that I’ve ever attended, and this one thing (lighting) made every single thing at the reception look beautiful, dramatic, and cinematic. It was beautiful to see it with my own eyes, standing in the room marveling at it, and it made for a beautiful wedding video.
The weekend kicked off on Friday. The guys enjoyed an afternoon on the golf course while the ladies gathered for a white luncheon on the croquet lawn. Bold floral tablecloths brought some color to the event. Later in the day, the wedding party gathered for the rehearsal, followed by dinner at Howard’s Creek Lodge. The evening ended with a welcome reception for all of the guests in the Cameo ballroom and patio.
The bridal party spent Saturday morning at Top Notch Cottage, one of the legacy cottages on the resort property. This cottage gave the girls plenty of room to spread out for hair and makeup, lots of places to hang dresses, and a cozy start to the wedding day. Everyone popped over to the Presidential Suite for Mary Kate to put on her dress and have a first look with her dad before heading to the chapel.
The groom and his men spent the morning at the Greenbrier firing range, before heading to the golf club to prepare for the ceremony.
The ceremony was held in the Greenbrier Chapel, the Cocktail hour was held on Colonial Terrace, and the reception in Colonial Lounge.
Of course, the day would not have been possible without this rockstar vendor team:
Video: WV MotionWorks
Photo: Hopkins Studio
Venue: The Greenbrier
Planning: Cheryl Sullivan Events
Florals, Rentals, & Design: Gillespie’s Flowers & Productions, Inc.
Live Painting: Wed on Canvas
Hair and Make-Up: Lou Stevens
Cake: The Greenbrier, designed by Jane Henry
Stationery: Momental Designs
Dress: L’Fay Bridal (Matthew Christopher Bridal)
Shoes: Kate Spade
Entertainment: Perfect 10 Band