Wrightsville Manor Wedding | Kelsey & Ray

Oh this wedding season could not have kicked off with a better wedding!! Kelsey and Ray’s Wrightsville Manor Wedding was AH-MAZING!!!!! Think everything white, bright and light!! I was in hog heaven! Kelsey’s love for all things luxury and eye for design made this one of my favorite weddings to date. Every detail from those beautiful Valentino shoes, to the perfectly executed florals to LOADS AND LOADS of post wedding delights was done to perfection. Amy, lead planner of Do Me A Favor Events, was Kelsey and Ray’s key component to pulling off this gorgeous affair. Amy acted as Kelsey’s right hand while planning this Wrightsville Manor Wedding in Wilmington, since Kelsey is based outside of Raleigh.

Wrightsville Manor Wedding – First Look

To start the day, Be Pretty’s Sabrina and team came in and beautified Kelsey and Crew, while Ray hung with his guys at their beach house for the week. This laid back crew was nothing but fun as they kicked back, drank champs and enjoyed their morning of pampering. Just after Kelsey was perfected, she was greeted with a surprise arrangement from her hubby to be, and a note from Ray professing his love for her. True to his Romeo like nature, his timing could not have been better as it was the perfect preparation for their first look. Kelsey and Ray met underneath the most beautiful tree and exchanged their first look, while Kelsey’s girlfriends watched from afar!

Wrightsville Manor Wedding – Bridal Party Portraits

One of the many benefits to doing a first look is not only the 40% more portraits delivered, the calming of nerves, or the fact that it is truly one of the ONLY times during the entire day that it is just the two of you, but also – the ability to have all your bridal party photos, family photos if you choose, etc done PRIOR to the ceremony, giving you more time at your cocktail hour! You would never know how cold this day was from these amazing photos. With the weather being as FREEZING as it was, we wanted to knock out bridal party photos ASAP and get everyone back inside where it was warm (in fact – we stopped multiple times post ceremony during our couple portrait session to warm up Kelsey and Ray because it was THAT cold – thank God for first looks so we had the extra time to do so!!)

Wrightsville Manor Wedding – Ceremony

Can we talk about a more dreamy setting to have a ceremony? Wrightsville Manor is crisp, beautifully lit and that fireplace – wow! It was and is the perfect backdrop for a couple to say ‘I do’ in front of. Kelsey and Ray’s ceremony is was sweet and romantic, they exchanged vows in front of 120 closest friends and family, and can we talk about the ring bearers and flower girls?! Omgoodness they were adorable.

Wrightsville Manor Wedding – Couple’s Portraits

Ahh, my most FAVORITE part of the day!! I love love love couples portraits, and it is obvious why. There is nothing more amazing to photograph in my opinion. A couple who is so in love, on the happiest day of their lives will ALWAYS be may favorite subject!! I will let the pictures do the talking here folks…

Wrightsville Manor Wedding – Reception

With a quick flip of the room, the reception was ready to kick off! The night was full of love, laughter and of course – lots and lots of dancing! Kelsey and Ray surprised guests with serious late night delights, including Chik-fil-A, Wake n Bake Donuts, Cake, Donut Cakes, etc, while the DJ brought down the dance floor. I just love Kelsey and Ray and cannot wait to see what life brings them. As a couple who started via a Facetime conversation, we certainly left as friends! I am so honored to have been part of your day Kelsey and Ray. I wish you a lifetime of happiness, laughter and babies!! I can’t wait to continue to follow you on this journey!