Sarah Rogers + Lance Wonder

Sarah Rogers and Lance Wonder hail from opposite sides of the country: The bride is from Ohio, and the groom, Washington. Lucky for the pair, they both happened to be living in North Carolina when they met, in 2018.

Fast forward five years, and the couple eloped at Reservoir Park, in Southern Pines, with only their parents, siblings and Lance’s son Maxwell in attendance. Almost a year to the day later, on Oct. 12, 2024, Sarah and Lance celebrated their union in front of a much larger audience at the Fair Barn, in Pinehurst.

The special day was a boho-glam blowout decorated in gold and neutrals, with seasonal touches completing the event. Out-of-town guests enjoyed fall flavors in their goodie bags, which included pumpkin dark chocolate chip scones from local hotspot Pine Scone Café.

“Just about everything on our wedding day was perfect,” Sarah says. “That is, minus a table catching fire during cocktail hour.”

Fortunately, the newlyweds had a team that expertly handled what could have been a crisis.

“Caroline and Allison, our wedding planners from Southern Polished Events, were so great I didn’t even know about the table fire until after our reception ended,” Sarah says.

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: Monisa J. Photography
videographer: TreeHouse Creative
wedding planner: Southern Polished Events
ceremony & reception: The Fair Barn
dress & veil: Made with Love
shoes: Badgley Mischka
hair & makeup: Chelsea Regan Beauty
bridesmaids: Birdy Grey
flowers: Thistle & Moon
cake: Fancy & Frosted
catering: Elliotts on Linden
beverages: Trailer: Proper Pour Events, Donkey: The Pint Sized Pasture