I met Michelle, funny enough, over a bachelorette weekend in Savannah, GA back in 2021, and boy was that an introduction (what happens in Savannah, stays in Savannah). But ever since that weekend, our mutual friends and I were counting down the days until David popped the question, and when he did, their initial consultation was scheduled very shortly thereafter.
Michelle and David are a very active and athletic couple who moved from Charlotte, NC to Washington D.C. for David’s job back in 2020. But Charlotte was the place that they met, and consequently fell in love.
In true Just Us Weddings fashion: the couple was planning from Washington D.C., the wedding was to be held in Charlotte, NC, and I was planning from southern California. Destination wedding planning is what we do best, y’all!
When looking for the perfect venue, these two knew instantly that the Mint Museum Uptown was the ‘one’ for their cocktail hour and reception space. For their ceremony, the oh-so lovely Romare Bearden Park, located just a few blocks from the museum and directly in the middle of uptown Charlotte was also, the one.
From the very beginning of their initial consultation, until they left the reception for their after party, these two were constantly making me laugh. They are incredibly funny and witty, but even more than that it was apparent to anyone in their vicinity as to just how perfect these two were for each other.
After they contracted Just Us, we dove right into their design plan. Since the wedding was to be just two weeks after New Year’s, Michelle knew right away that she didn’t want anything that resembled the holidays, but she wasn’t sure beyond that what she did want. So, after reviewing her Pinterest board and getting to know both Michelle and David better, Just Us Weddings presented the couple with a whopping 5 design plans to consider: these ranged from creamy neutrals, to modern black & whites, to jewel tones and even pastels – but the design that sold these two was entitled “Berries & Cream”. The palette was inspired by just that, berries & cream, and consisted of shades such as plum, cherry, sugared cranberries, and apricots with pops of bright white and luscious greens.
After 6 or so months of planning, it was finally wedding weekend! The festivities started with a very cold and soggy ceremony rehearsal in Romare Bearden Park, followed by a warm and inviting Welcome Party held at Midnight Mulligan Brewery.
Come wedding day, The Posh Palette (hair and makeup) greeted Michelle and her best gals first thing to start the wedding day glam. Not long after, the Just Us Weddings team arrived at the Mint Museum Uptown to begin our setup, which included luxurious table linens by none other than BBJ LaTavola, along with the always fabulous Lily Greenthumbs (florist), and Martha My Dear (furniture rentals and custom wall)
After a few hours had passed, it was time to get things in motion, which was kicked off by The Axtell’s Photo + Films (photographer). Both Michelle and David stayed at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, just two blocks from the park for their ceremony, which also proved to have some of the most stunning backdrops for a few of their pre-wedding pictures, Michele’s first look with her dad, both of them getting ready, and wedding party pictures are taken there.
Before long, we were headed to Romare Bearden Park to get these two married! Emily Chatham, a violinist with the Carolina Chamber Players set the mood, while family friend, Father Kyle, officiated the ceremony. And although we all practically froze to death, the pictures were so worth the chills.
After the ceremony concluded and family pictures were through, Michelle and David took a walk around uptown to find a few more photo spots with The Axtell’s, while Just Us Weddings and Lily Greenthumb moved a few ceremony items to the reception. When we returned to the space, we thawed out a bit, and were greeted by East Coast Entertainment’s DJ Ben Felton and Best Impressions Catering, who would be handling all of our food and beverage needs that evening.
The couple made their way to their reception space and were truly wow’d, and before long guests were making their way into the space, too, being greeted with personalized disco ball tumblers and a welcome cocktail!
The newlyweds joined in on cocktail hour, and kicked off the reception with their first dance as husband and wife. After a welcome toast by David’s parents, guests enjoyed a delicious action-style dinner, and then Michelle and David indulged in macaroons from the famous Amelie’s French Bakery, with guests quickly joining in on the fun.
DJ Ben Felton truly brought down the house that night, as Michelle and David simply loved to party, and so did their friends and family.
I was so happy to have been a part of not only this planning journey, but also in getting to know two incredible human beings and am genuinely sad that their planning had to end; but I love watching these two grow (and travel) and wish you nothing but newlywed bliss!
XOXO Courtney & the Just Us Family
Vendors:
Planning & Design – Just Us Weddings (Courtney)
Photography – The Axtell’s Photo + Film
Florist – Lily Greenthumbs
Catering & Bar – Best Impressions Catering
Ceremony Entertainment – Emily Chatham/ Carolina Chamber Players
Reception Entertainment – East Coast Entertainment/ Dj Ben Felton
Table Linen – BBJ LaTavola
Rentals – Martha My Dear Rentals
Beauty – The Posh Palette
Invitation Suite – Minted.
Ceremony Venue – Romare Bearden Park
Cocktail & Reception Venue – Mint Museum Uptown