Alessandra Gironda + Matthew Beausoleil

Alessandra Gironda + Matthew Beausoleil

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Alessandra Gironda married Matthew Beausoleil in a Cinderella gown after a very Cinderella proposal. On a vacation to Disney World for Alessandra’s birthday in 2022, Matt chartered a private cruise that stops in front of Cinderella’s Castle to watch the fireworks display.

“The second that the first firework shot into the air, Matt was down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” Alessandra says. “Best birthday gift ever!”

Fourteen months later, on October 14, 2023, Alessandra and Matt got married on the Pinehurst No. 2 golf course, followed by a fairytale reception at the Pinehurst Country Club Outlook Ballroom.

During the reception, the newlyweds performed a choreographed first dance, and Alessandra, who worked as an NFL cheerleader, reclaimed her Carolina Panthers pom-poms for a special routine with her teammates.

Then at the end of the evening, a Cinderella carriage rented from Southern Breeze Carriages pulled up to the venue and picked up the bride and groom, with “the cutest black horse ever” leading the way.

“He loved my dress as much as I did, although maybe for different reasons,” Alessandra says. “He thought it looked like a tasty snack!”

photographer: Kaitlyn Blake Photography
videographer: Carolina Wedding Films
wedding coordinator: White Tie Planner
ceremony & reception: Pinehurst Country Club
dress: Ross by Rita Vinieris
shoes: Badgley Mischka
bridesmaids: Bella and Bloom Boutique
groom & groomsmen: Bunbury Custom Clothiers
cake & catering: Pinehurst Country Club
flowers: Jack Hadden Floral & Event Design
rentals: Ward Productions and Rock It Productions
custom crest: The Wedding Crest Lab, Etsy
transportation: Sandhills Trolley Company and Southern Breeze Carriages

Lisa Nines + Matthew Bettencourt

Lisa Nines + Matthew Bettencourt

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Lisa Nines and Matthew Bettencourt bonded over turtles, snakes, and old architecture while clipping branches and removing debris from Hitchcock Creek to prepare for the Sandhills Children’s Center’s annual Duck Derby fundraiser.

“It was like getting together with an old friend you haven’t seen in ages,” Lisa says.

The two began dating and eight years later, while hiking through Morrow Mountain State Park with their faithful Dachshunds, Carnage and Kona, leading the way, Matthew dropped to one knee and proposed. Less than a year after, on October 14, 2023, the couple wed at Rubicon Farm, West End.

In lieu of bridesmaids and groomsmen, Carnage and Kona served as the wedding party, complete with flashing collars so guests wouldn’t step on the dogs while dancing the night away.

“Kona didn’t disappoint,” Lisa says. “He slipped his collar and decided to assist my son in walking me down the aisle.”

Besides the canine wedding party, the Nines-Bettencourt wedding was full of other special touches. Lisa wore a vintage monogrammed heart necklace from her mom, who passed away in 1988; the aisle was fashioned from the couple’s cowhide rugs; and the couple transformed a retro Volkswagen bus into a photo booth.

photographer: Auston Photography
wedding coordinator: Elizabeth Sugg, Rubicon Farm
ceremony & reception: Rubicon Farm
dress: Citrama, Etsy
hair: Defined Lash & Brow
makeup: Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar
groom: ElegantWearsStudio, Etsy
catering: Thyme & Place Catering and Carolina’s Kitchen & Catering
flowers: Carol Dowd, Botanicals
rentals: Rubicon Farm

Larissa Lycholaj + Griffin Ray

Larissa Lycholaj + Griffin Ray

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Larissa Lycholaj and Griffin Ray met in Garmisch, Germany, where they were both attending a military language course. At the time, Griffin was in the Marines, and Larissa was in the Army. The two became fast friends while traveling Europe on their weekends off.

“We had our first date in Venice, Italy, mostly by accident,” Larissa says.

She wanted to see the world-famous glassblowing on Murano Island, and Griffin was the only other person in their friend group who was interested.

“We had wine and seafood by the water, watched the glassblowing, and caught the last ferry back to the mainland when a storm blew in,” Larissa says. “During the ferry ride, Griffin wrapped his arms around me to keep me warm, and I just melted — we were basically living out the plot of a Hallmark movie!”

After Griffin proposed at 1895 Grille during a birthday dinner for Larissa, the couple tied the knot in an outdoor ceremony at Duncraig Manor and Gardens on October 8, 2023.

As a thoughtful touch, the newlyweds wrote personalized thank you notes ahead of time and placed them at each dinner setting.

“We wanted our guests to feel loved and appreciated even if we couldn’t spend a lot of time with everyone who came to celebrate with us,” Larissa says.

photographer: Kristin Guynn
ceremony & reception: Duncraig Manor and Gardens
dress: Vow’d Raleigh
shoes: Loeffler Randall
makeup & hair: Sunshine Beauty & Bliss
groom & groomsmen: Lile’s Clothing Studio
cake: Willabee Market
catering: Duncraig Manor and Gardens
flowers: Reverie Hill Farm
thank you cards: Paper Source

Sarah Lenahan + Michael Wallace

Sarah Lenahan + Michael Wallace

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Sarah met Michael Wallace Memorial Day, 2019. While vacationing to their respective family beach homes on the Jersey Shore, the two met at a local watering hole known for its matchmaking. Mike saw Sarah from across the bar, introduced himself, and before the night was over, the two had a date set up back in New York City, where they both lived.

A few years later, Mike popped the question oceanside. After Sarah said “yes,” he walked his future bride back to her family beach house where all their favorite people were waiting to celebrate.

“Mike thought out every detail,” Sarah says, “professional photographer, oyster bar, music, food, drinks and even surprise fireworks at the end of the night.”

When it came time for wedding planning, the Wallaces chose to get married in Moore County, where the bride’s parents live. As for the venue, Sarah and Mike exchanged vows at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, on September 23, which is also the bride’s parents’ wedding anniversary and the mother of the groom’s birthday.

photographer: Virgil Bunaou
wedding planner: Vision Events Wedding & Event Planning
ceremony: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
reception: Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities
dress: Mark Ingram Atelier
shoes: Loeffler Randall
hair & makeup: Blushed Bridal NC
cake: The Bakehouse
catering: Elliotts on Linden
flowers: Jack Hadden Floral & Event Design
rentals: Curated Events
invitations & programs: Minted Weddings and Jones Printing Co.
transportation: Kirk Tours & Limousine

Emily Good + Tim Kenny

Emily Good + Tim Kenny

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Emily Good and Tim Kenny met on Hinge in 2019. Little did they know, Emily’s grandparents and Tim’s great aunt and uncle had been lifelong friends since they met on a flight to Bermuda for their honeymoons nearly seven decades ago.

Two years into dating, Emily and Tim were hosting friends and family for a Fourth of July barbecue. “I ran around for weeks getting the menu together and the decorations and yard games ready,” Emily says. On the day of, Tim pulled out a ring box and dropped to one knee. “I had unknowingly planned my own engagement party,” Emily says.

The following July, the bride and groom said “I do” at Emily’s childhood church, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Pinehurst. The bride’s uncle Mark, who is a priest in Charleston, South Carolina, traveled north to marry his niece.

After the wedding mass ended, the Sandhills Trolley Company shuttled guests across town to the celebrate the newlyweds with an evening of dinner and dancing at The Fair Barn.

photographer: Jennifer B. Photography
videographer: Story Focused Weddings
wedding planner: Vision Events Wedding & Event Planning
ceremony: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
reception: The Fair Barn
dress: Landon by Amsale
shoes: ASOS
hair & makeup: Lindsey Webster, Brush and Beauty
bridesmaids: “Reception Dress” by ELLIAT
groom & groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse
cake: The Bakehouse
catering: Elliotts on Linden
flowers: Hollyfield Design Inc.
rentals: Ward Productions and Greenhouse Picker Sisters
invitations: The Knot
transportation: Sandhills Trolley Company and Kirk Tours & Limousine

Kristiana Wade + Teno Benitez

Kristiana Wade + Teno Benitez

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Kristiana Wade and Teno Benitez grew up in Moore County and met in high school theater class in 2015. Six years later, Teno asked Kristiana to marry him while touring the sprawling grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.

“It was just the two of us surrounded by the beautiful garden,” Kristiana says.

Gardens, flowers, and the outdoors are a throughline in Kristiana and Teno’s love story. Besides their engagement on the Biltmore’s grounds, the couple designed their entire wedding day around the first bouquet Teno gave to his bride.

Hollyfield Design took that inspiration and ran with it, creating oversized arrangements of ivory, soft pink, and purple blooms, accented by trailing greenery. The floral displays, plus the lavender and gray color scheme, gave the June nuptials a fairy-tale vibe.

“Our ceremony was held at the Pinehurst Arboretum,” Kristiana says. “We chose this location because we both wanted a beautiful outdoor ceremony.”

The bride and groom exchanged vows under a flower arch before heading to the Fair Barn for dinner catered by Elliotts on Linden and a storybook evening with family and friends.

photographer: Jennifer B. Photography
ceremony: The Village Arboretum
reception: The Fair Barn
dress: Gilded Bridal
hair & makeup: Merlot Beauty Bar
bridesmaids: David’s Bridal
groom & groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse
cake: C.Cups Cupcakery
catering: Elliotts on Linden
flowers: Hollyfield Design Inc.
rentals: Greenhouse Picker Sisters
transportation: A Ride Transportation

Hallie Coburn + Daniel Corliss

Hallie Coburn + Daniel Corliss

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Virginia natives Hallie Coburn and Daniel Corliss met in high school physics class but waited until sophomore year of college to start dating. Years later, in 2021, the couple stopped at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway outside of Charlottesville.

“I thought it was silly that we were sitting in the car for 30 minutes instead of getting out and looking at the amazing view right away,” Hallie says. As it turned out, Daniel was waiting for the perfect moment. “He got on one knee just as the sun went down with the mountain behind us,” she says, adding, “It was well worth the wait!”

Though the couple is from Virginia, they lived in Moore County for five years and got married in Southern Pines before moving back to their home state. Hallie and Daniel exchanged “I dos” in a garden ceremony at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities on a blue-sky spring day in May 2023.

After an elegant reception on site, the newlyweds made their
great escape.

“Our getaway vehicle was our 1988 BMW 750iL, which Daniel found in poor condition in 2020, and spent the last three years repairing and restoring in preparation for the wedding,” Hallie says.

photographer & videographer: By Colette Photo
wedding planner: Vision Events Wedding & Event Planning
ceremony & reception: Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities
dress: Annalise Bridal
shoes: Ancient Greek Sandals
hair & makeup: Retro Studio Bar
groom & groomsmen: Generation Tux
cake: The Bakehouse
catering: Rocky Top Catering
flowers: Thistle & Moon
rentals: Curated Events and Greenhouse Picker Sisters
invitations & programs: Papeterie of Kilmarnock

Claire Councill + Adam Ellison

Claire Councill + Adam Ellison

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Claire Councill and Adam Ellison met at a friend’s housewarming party in San Francisco, where they live. The two began dating and after the pandemic squashed several proposal plans, Adam asked Claire to marry him on a snowy December morning in Lake Tahoe, California. They spent the rest of the day skiing and celebrating with friends.

Even though the Ellisons live on the other coast, Claire knew she wanted to get married in Pinehurst. Her family has been vacationing to the dreamy little village for more than 50 years, and she learned to play golf there as a kid.

With that decision out of the way, the Ellisons chose the Country Club of North Carolina for their ceremony and reception venue. They wanted to get married outside on the beautiful terrace before dancing the night away in the ballroom. Thanks to an old Southern superstition to keep bad weather at bay, Claire says, they were able to.

“We were expecting cold rain on our wedding day, even two or three days before, but burying a bottle of bourbon worked for us,” she says. “We had a spectacularly beautiful spring day and celebrated by passing the bottle around the whole wedding party.”

photographer: Hillary Muelleck Photography
wedding planner: Katharine Mann Events
ceremony & reception: Country Club of North Carolina
dress: Elizabeth Fillmore
hair: Missy Claire Golden Hair
makeup: Make Up by Erin
groom & groomsmen: Harper and Jones
cake: Pinehurst Country Club
catering: Country Club of North Carolina
flowers: Thistle & Moon
rentals: Stradley Davidson and Party Reflections
invitations & programs: Designed by bride
transportation: Kirk Tours & Limousine

Charlotte Owen + Daniel Tucker

Charlotte Owen + Daniel Tucker

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Charlotte Owen and Daniel Tucker have been crossing paths almost since day one. They were both born at Moore Regional Hospital and attended elementary school through college in the Sandhills. Somewhere in between, and without knowing it, the two attended many of the same Sunday morning church services and Wednesday night youth groups. Despite their overlapping worlds, Charlotte and Daniel didn’t meet until one random Sunday in 2018.

“I had seen him out the night before, and when I walked into Bell Tree and saw him sitting by himself, I invited him to sit with me,” Charlotte says. “We have been together since.”

Four years into dating, Daniel planned dinner at The Sly Fox Pub, where the couple shared their first date, and then surprised Charlotte with a walk through Weymouth Woods, where they shared their first kiss.

“We walked around, reminiscing about the last time we were there, and how I was the one who made the first move,” Charlotte says. For the proposal, it was Daniel’s turn to take charge. “Then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” she says.

Five years after officially meeting, Charlotte and Daniel got married in a sunshiny ceremony outside the Old Church of Pinehurst before moving indoors for a reception finished with soft pink, baby’s breath, and leafy greens.

photographer: Catherine Leigh Photography
videographer: K2 Weddings
wedding coordinator: Honey Bees Wedding Coordinating
ceremony & reception: The Old Church of Pinehurst
dress: Naomi by Anne Barge
shoes: Loeffler Randall
hair & makeup: Retro Studio Bar
groom: JoS A. Bank
engagement ring: Honeycutt Jewelers
cake: G. Charles Bakery
catering: Mason’s Restaurant & Grocery
rentals: Richmond Rentals
transportation: Sandhills Trolley Company

Connie Locklear + Chris Dwiggins

Connie Locklear + Chris Dwiggins

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Thanks to the modern miracle of Match.com, elementary school teacher Connie Locklear and golf course superintendent Chris Dwiggins met during the coronavirus pandemic, when the world was shut down.

Fast forward two years to June 2022. It’s just after dawn in remote Arizona. Chris and Connie are taking a once-in-a-lifetime hike through swirling sandstone formations known as The Wave. There in that otherworldly place, Chris asks Connie to marry him, and she says, “Yes.”

Back home in North Carolina, the Dwiggins planned an outdoor wedding at a private residence for April 22, 2023. April showers had different plans. Three days before their wedding, the weather forecast was calling for rain, so the couple switched venues.

“Thankfully, 305 Trackside had availability,” Connie says. “It rained the majority of our wedding day, so the change worked out!”

The couple didn’t have a theme for their day. They just wanted a cheery, colorful celebration that blended their families together into one big family of five. In execution, that meant special dances with each of the kids and pops of hot pink and fuchsia against soft greens, deep blues, and vintage furniture.

“Looking back, the wedding was perfect,” Connie says, “and we wouldn’t change anything.”

photographer: Mollie Tobias Photography
wedding coordinator: Hollyfield Design Inc.
ceremony & reception: 305 Trackside
dress: NY Bride & Groom of Raleigh
shoes: Jessica Simpson
hair: Bronde Salon & Extension Bar
bridesmaids: Lulu’s
groom & groomsmen: JoS A. Bank
cake: Kat’s Sweets & Treats Bakery
cookies & macarons: Cookies by Jay and Macarons by Nina
catering: HomeGrown
flowers: Hollyfield Design Inc.
rentals: Ward Productions and Sweet Everlasting Rentals
invitations: Truly Inspired Paper Co., Etsy
transportation: Sandhills Trolley Company