Wedding at Amazing Graze Barn; Central NC
Updated: Aug 23, 2021
There is just something I love about Farm weddings! The Amazing Graze Barn in Louisburg, NC is the perfect place to host a celebration if you want a venue to wow your guests! Mary Catherine & Walker had an amazing vision and let me tell you - it was delivered, and I was so honored to be able to help them with this feat! See what MC said about her wedding day here.
The Venue
Amazing Graze Barn is an arm of first fruits farm in Louisburg, NC - a small rural town in central North Carolina. The owners created their non-profit to help those less fortunate, after one of the owners retired from his NFL career.
Since 2014 we have donated 1 million pounds (over 2 million servings) of fresh produce with the help of thousands of volunteers. Our motto is simple: never stop giving, never stop loving and never stop growing. Amazing Graze Barn has partnered with First Fruits Farm to financially support its food donation ministry and other community programs held at the farm. Choosing Amazing Graze Barn, means choosing to #sowmorelove. Thank you for impacting our community!
The Details
When I venue match for couples, I typically look for a few specific things:
Can each side of the wedding party get ready on site?
Are there spaces for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception on site?
Is a ceremony to reception "flip" required?
What unique aspects match this venue to this particular couple?
Well The Amazing Graze Barn checked every single one of these for Mary Catherine and Walker. Although they had their venue already contracted when they booked Bri By Design, I cannot picture a more perfect venue for this couple because of the details they put into their planning!
The guys had a separate farmhouse with lots of land on site to get ready and have a great morning - shooting guns, drinking beer, and tailgating. The ladies had a great space right at the venue location that allowed them to stay hidden from guests, while also getting photos done and enjoying the morning with coffee, jersey mikes, and relaxation.
The Ceremony
When the ceremony is planned to be outside, we always run the chance of rain - enter a rain plan. We, at Bri By Design, were monitoring the weather all weekend - like checking the radar every 15 minutes type. We had a plan of moving the ceremony inside to the lower level of the barn, but we really didn't want to do that. The time came to make a call and the radar was saying rain wouldn't start for 15 minutes after the ceremony ends - okay we're keeping it outside. And then we slowly watched the dark clouds roll in....and the radar show rain closing in quicker and quicker. We line up the processional, all guests are seated, officiant ready - we're off the races.
The clouds are moving in, the wind is picking up - *signal wrap it up* to the officiant
"Walker, You may kiss your bride"
* THE CROWD CHEERS*
Mary Catherine & Walker make it to dry land and BAM the sprinkling begins - we literally could not have planned it better! All guests get under the covered porch just in time - woohoo!
My heart was racing the entire time - omg! But that's why you hire that wedding planner or day of coordinator - we freak out for you and give the needed signals, so YOU get to ENJOY the day and everything that comes with it!
The Reception
During cocktail hour we're taking photos on the other side of the barn - still covered porch - while guests are enjoying some beverages from Burly Bartender and appetizers from City BBQ. As we're nearing that 45 minute mark, everyone makes their way upstairs to the reception space, while Mary Catherine & Walker enjoy their dinner privately in the bridal suite..
I LOVE this idea - can I tell you, its a heck of a lot more peaceful to take this private moment to enjoy your new spouse and your dinner before entering the reception. We'll keep the drinks coming, you just enjoy your private few moments.
We lined the groom's crew and bride's squad for the grand entrance on the staircase, MC & Walker finished eating and DJ Jason Jackson started the music and announcements of wedding party. We then jumped right into first dance, parent dances then the buffet opened while MC & Walker visited with every table.
Then it was time to party!
The Newlyweds
Mary Catherine & Walker were so so fun to work with as well as their wedding party and families! They had me laughing and crying and dancing throughout the entire day! They were true to who they were as a couple throughout the whole day and really made it about their love, while we took care of the rest. The last thing you want on wedding day is constantly looking at the clock to make sure you are on time - we'll keep you on time - you just enjoy the moments and transition when we tell you! Super simple and stress free not only for you but everyone in attendance and for the rest of your vendors!
Want more pretty & emotions from this day? Honeydew Films captured it perfectly - watch here.
Vendor Team
Coordinator: Bri By Design
Venue: Amazing Graze Barn
Caterer: City BBQ
Photographer: Karen Doody Photography
Bartender: The Burly Bartender
Flowers: Brandi's Botanicals
Makeup/Bridesmaid's Hair: The Makeup Addict
Videographer: HoneyDew Films
Groomsman Cake: Sherry's Cake Creations
Custom Décor/Apparel: MW Design + Co.
Photographed by: Karen Doody Photography
Karen's eye is undeniable - I mean look at these amazing photos! She was able to capture the most beautiful venue and fun couple perfectly on their wedding day - even between dodging rain clouds!