Melinda Moore + Chas Chapman

Melinda Moore and Chas Chapman are a couple of cool and laidback hair stylists, and their marriage proposal reflected that.

“Hey, you wanna get married?” Chas asked Melinda sometime near the end of 2022.

“Absolutely,” she replied.

A short five months later, on March 3, 2023, the couple tied the knot at Soirée on South, right near Chas’s salon, Create Studio, on South Street in Aberdeen.

For their big day’s theme, Melinda and Chas went without one and just included things they like.

“Our wedding was about us and our love for one another, so we just played off of that and let it inspire us,” Melinda says. That meant a free-flowing evening of blue-pointed heels, sunglasses, and guests wearing whatever clothes made them feel most beautiful, so they could have a great time.

“I honestly don’t think we would have changed anything,” Melinda says. “We had a small, private wedding with guests who meant a lot to us, and we had a great time celebrating.”

photographer: Holly Kearney
ceremony: Soirée on South
reception: Soirée on South and Create Studio
dress: Sherri Hill
shoes: ASOS
hair: Tucker Cinalli
makeup: Morgan Richards
wedding rings: Alexis Russell Jewelry
bridesmaids: Anthropology
groom: Highsnobiety x Dickies, blazer
Doc Martens, shoes
cake: C.Cups Cupcakery
catering: The Workshop Tavern
flowers: Thistle & Moon

2024

Emily Ivey + Kyle Varner

Emily Ivey has always called Moore County home. Kyle Varner, on the other hand, moved to the area in 2018, which worked out well for the pair. Later that year, Emily and Kyle met at a Live After 5 concert in Tufts Memorial Park, Pinehurst.

By December, the two were dating, and three years later, Kyle proposed to Emily in the park where they first met. A photographer captured the special moment as family members watched from nearby.

Exactly one year later, on December 17, 2022, Emily and Kyle tied the knot at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, in Aberdeen.

“This church is very special to me,” Emily says. “I worked at the preschool here, and as a young girl, I played in piano recitals here. I knew this church was the one for our wedding.”

After the nuptials, which were briefly interrupted by a furry, four-legged wedding crasher, the Varners and their guests moved to Pinehurst’s Fair Barn for a Christmassy celebration.

“Instead of a guest book, we had guests sign ornaments,” Emily says. “We cannot wait to put these on our tree.”

photographer & videographer: Timeless Photography
wedding planner: Southern Oak Events
ceremony: Bethesda Presbyterian Church
reception: The Fair Barn
dress: Lucy’s Bridal
hair: LIFT Hair Salon
makeup: Carmen Bufmeyer and Brittany King
wedding rings: Neil Lane
diamond earrings: Kay Jewelers
bridesmaids: Anthropology
groom & groomsmen: Men’s Warehouse
cake: Kat’s Sweets & Treats Bakery
catering: Elliotts on Linden
flowers: Ivey & Vine Florals
rentals: Ward Productions and Richmond Rentals
transportation: A Ride Transportation and Sandhills Trolley Company

2024

Heather Wood + Carl Thomas

HEATHER WOOD + CARL THOMAS

Photographer: Bekah Leanne Photography Wedding Planner: Soirée Pines

Both in the veterinary field, Heather and Carl met on a blind date set up by a colleague in 2016. The couple immediately bonded over their love of animals and, four years later, took the next step toward marriage. Heather’s favorite place in the world is the historic Biltmore Estate, so when Carl wanted to propose, he knew exactly where to go to secure a “yes.”

The venue was just as easy to choose. Heather grew up two blocks away from the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities and would often walk there with her family, catching tadpoles in the pond as a little girl. On the big day, Heather and Carl’s guests dined in the Great Room of the historic Boyd House. The couple collected antique, colored glasses and goblets that complemented the vintage room and the wedding’s 1920s vibe.

“Our day suited us perfectly,” Heather said. “I would not change a thing! If you ask Carl though, he says that he wished he could have had more time to eat our delicious food and cupcakes.”

2023

Hannah Dahlem + David Symmes

Hannah Dahlem and David Symmes met at West Point in 2017. Three years later, they were engaged, and two years after that, they were married in Pinehurst, on October 8, 2022. The bride’s parents had retired to the Village, and her sister’s family is stationed at Fort Liberty, so a Moore County wedding made sense.

If only all the big-day decisions had been so easy to make.

Hannah organized the wedding without the help of a professional planner. Given a do-over, the bride says she might spring for a pro, so she could relax and enjoy the planning process.

“I was balancing moving, changing jobs, selling a home, buying a home, and finishing my MBA,” she says, “all while planning the wedding.”

Despite the distractions, the wedding went off without a hitch. Hannah walked down the aisle of the historic Village Chapel in a long-sleeve lace gown with jewelry from Mom and an aquamarine ring, her “something blue,” from Grandma. Meanwhile, David waited for his bride in a classic black tuxedo.

To close out the whirlwind day, the newlyweds celebrated with guests at the Pinehurst Country Club Outlook and Veranda Room, which was decorated in the jewel tones of fall.

photographer: Sayer Photography
ceremony: The Village Chapel
reception: Pinehurst Country Club
dress: Annalise Bridal
hair: Paige Stryker
makeup: Rhonna Parker
bridesmaids: Birdy Grey
groomsmen: The Black Tux
cake & catering: Pinehurst Country Club
flowers: Steven Graves

2024

Kellyann Miller + Christopher Irwin

KELLYANN MILLER + CHRISTOPHER IRWIN

Photographer: Jessica Steddom Videographer: The Axtells: Wedding Photography and Films

Kellyann and Chris had mutual friends, but they met the modern way — with a swipe right. The pair dated for over five years while living in New York City, where they would spend Fridays working together in their oasis in the big city, a little garden behind the High Line Hotel. After moving to Texas in 2020, Chris took Kellyann back to their NYC garden spot and got on down on one knee to propose.

Born and raised in the Sandhills, Kellyann couldn’t think of a better place to get married than the Weymouth Center. A classic palette of black, navy, and white completed the big day. Kellyann didn’t have bridesmaids, but she asked close friends and family to wear navy.

“The day was absolutely perfect — a dream come true,” Kellyann said. “We are so lucky to have had all of our family and friends in our sweet town of Southern Pines to celebrate.”

2023

Kate Morris + Shane Medlin

KATE MORRIS + SHANE MEDLIN

Photographer: Sayer Photography Videographer: Steve McKenzie, The Village Chapel Wedding Planner: Rebecca & Will Wright, Hillside Florist Wedding Coordinator: Deborah Davis, The Village Chapel

Shane first saw his future bride, Kate, when he went to his sister’s dance recital in 2014. Shane attended Union Pines, while Kate attended Pinecrest, so he had to reach out on social media to break through the rivalry and date his high school sweetheart.

The couple stayed together through college and eventually bought a house in Pinehurst. That’s when Shane and Kate became members of The Village Chapel. When they had to choose a ceremony location, they didn’t think twice.

On the big day, Kate wore eponymous “Kate” heels from Christian Louboutin and the pearl earrings her mother wore at her own wedding. Together, the newlyweds cruised to their reception at Aberdeen’s Soirée on South in a family classic car, a lavender 1955 Dodge Le Femme.

When the couple’s Punta Cana honeymoon was canceled due to a hurricane, Shane and Kate audibled, choosing to start their marriage with a getaway to Williamsburg, Virginia, and a return trip to the site of the proposal, the Outer Banks.

2023

Millicent Womble + Holden Poole

MILLICENT WOMBLE + HOLDEN POOLE

Photographer: Kelsey Nelson Photography Videographer: The Family Films Wedding Planner: Vision Events Wedding & Event Planning Wedding Coordinator: Deborah Davis, The Village Chapel

Millicent and Holden started dating while attending East Carolina University. “One of our first dates was a sorority social of mine,” Millicent said. Once Holden survived that (and chose to stick around), Millicent decided he was a keeper.

During a weekend getaway to Charlotte — a city the couple loves — Holden proposed to Millicent in Romare Bearden Park while his sister covertly snapped photos to document the engagement.

When selecting a venue, Millicent knew just where to go: She has many beloved childhood memories from The Carolina Hotel.

“We had so many wonderful memories there,” Millicent said, “from delicious dinners to enjoying Christmas decorations or sitting on the front porch of the resort and enjoying the Pinehurst view.”

Holden loves playing golf, so when his future bride suggested a Pinehurst wedding, he didn’t need to be convinced. The pair tied the knot at The Village Chapel and then celebrated at The Carolina Hotel, just a short walk away.

2023

Kailey Osterman + Eric Parziale

KAILEY OSTERMAN + ERIC PARZIALE

Photographer: Catherine Leigh Photography Videographer: Davis Video Productions Wedding Coordinator: Jonathan Ward, Ward Productions

A tennis match, an empty ring box, and a little help from Poppy — the couple’s Boston terrier who ran onto the courts with the “missing” ring attached to her collar — made for the engagement of Kailey’s dreams. And that was only the first act of the night Eric had planned. When the couple arrived at Eric’s parents’ house, their closest friends and family were waiting to celebrate over good food.

Living on the 18th hole of Pine Needles Golf Club, the Pinehurst natives had a special connection to their wedding venue. An outdoor reception was planned, but Mother Nature intervened. Unexpected rain forced the party inside to the club’s dining room, but the queso fountain and taco bar kept the bride and groom and all their guests cheesing the night away.

2023

Allison Hand + Jordan Kral

ALLISON HAND + JORDAN KRAL

Photographer: By Colette Photo Videographer: Wayward North Films Wedding Coordinator: Mary Dutton, Forest Creek

Both collegiate athletes, Jordan, a golfer, and Allison, a softball player, met through a teammate at a college bar. After dating briefly in school, the couple reconnected a few years later when Jordan reached out.

“We talked on the phone for hours that night and pretty much never stopped,” Allison remembered.

A beach proposal secretly photographed by Allison’s cousin and a brunch celebration with friends and family made a sweet start to a Sunday. After moving all over the United States and even back to Jordan’s hometown of Windsor, Ontario, the couple settled in Pinehurst so the groom could continue to work in golf.

They held their wedding ceremony on the grass overlooking a golf course at the Forest Creek Golf Club and then moved on to food in the dining room and dancing outside on the patio. With flowers from Thistle & Moon, Allison said her modern, boho wedding came to life.

Ceremony & Reception: Forest Creek Golf Club | Dress: Elsie, Made with Love | Shoes: Vince Camuto | Hair: Kaylee Thomas, Bronde Salon & Extension Bar | Makeup: Chelsea O’Neal, Brittany King | Bridesmaids: Birdy Grey | Groom & Groomsmen: Freeds of Windsor | Flowers: Thistle & Moon | Cake & Cupcakes: Designer Cakes by: Brigitte and Southern Angel Donut Co. | Catering: Forest Creek Golf Club | Rentals: Richmond Rentals & Sales | Invitations: Shutterbug Grafix | Transportation: A Ride Transportation and Seven Lakes Transportation

2023

Hannah Whited + Roy Dixon

HANNAH WHITED + ROY DIXON

Photographer: Kelsey Nelson Photography Videographer: Pretty Films Wedding Planner: Vision Events Wedding & Event Planning

Hannah and Roy met in Chapel Hill while attending the University of North Carolina. Roy proposed to Hannah while walking by the capitol building in Raleigh, the place they’d walked on their first date five years earlier.

Roy grew up — and still loves — playing golf in Pinehurst, so when the couple had to pick a venue, the Country Club of North Carolina was first on their list. On the big day, instead of asking friends and family to sign a standard guest book, the Dixons asked their guests to leave them voicemails on a vintage rotary phone.

Looking back, Hannah wished she wouldn’t have worried so much on the big day. “It was the perfect day put together by an amazing team, and we are so grateful for all their hard work,” she said.