Victoria Eick + Parker Chang

Victoria Eick and Parker Chang wanted a backyard wedding at a family house in Pinehurst, but they kept running into setbacks. When the couple panicked and called the Weymouth Center only a few months before their wedding to see if the venue still had availability — and it did — the bride and groom knew they were meant to be married there.

“It had the feel of the backyard wedding we had envisioned, just on a larger scale,” Victoria says.

The couple didn’t have a strict theme for their April 6, 2024 wedding, but they were inspired by the cherry blossoms in Washington, the city where Victoria and Parker met and lived.

“Cherry blossoms are not the easiest flower choice for a wedding because they bloom for such a limited and somewhat unpredictable period of time, so we took inspiration from their colors and textures, the spring season and the architecture at Weymouth,” says Victoria.

After a ceremony the bride and groom helped write, Elliotts on Linden catered a family-style meal that incorporated Chinese flavors to honor Parker’s heritage. An almond wedding cake magicked up by the Bakehouse sent guests home happy, with full stomachs.

photographer: By Colette Photo
wedding planner: Vision Events Wedding & Event Planning
ceremony & reception: Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities
dress: Anthropologie Weddings
shoes: Alterre
hair & makeup: Retro Studio Bar
groom: Suitsupply
flowers: Thistle & Moon
catering: Elliotts on Linden
invitations: The Perfect Present
transportation: Kirk Tours & Limousine

2025

Lizabeth Lohmann + Carson Riley

Lizabeth Lohmann and Carson Riley met at a piano bar in Asheville, North Carolina. Liz was in town for a girls weekend, and Carson was there for a bachelor party — how prescient.

After the pair became engaged, Carson took his future bride to visit the village of Pinehurst. He played college golf, loves visiting the Sandhills to play all the courses and knew Liz would love the area, too.

She loved it so much that the couple chose to share the special location with their family and friends. Liz and Carson got married on the West Lawn of the Carolina Hotel, followed by a reception on the Carolina Terrace, on April 6, 2024.

The couple wanted to get married outdoors, and the lawn fit the bill. It also proved to be a great choice for cocktail hour.

“The guests were able to play the putting green, which fit perfectly for the golf-themed weekend,” says Liz.

The lush outdoor venue looked timeless with classic black-and-white details, including black tuxedos and dresses for the wedding party; white flowers, linens and a cake; plus, a checkerboard dance floor that the bride and groom just didn’t want to leave.

“We didn’t want the night to end,” Liz says.

photographer: Krista Stevens Photography
videographer: Avery Wooten Fine Art Films
wedding planner: Hannah B Events
ceremony & reception: West Lawn & Carolina Terrace, Carolina Hotel
dress: Alexandra Grecco, Lovely Bride
shoes: Bella Belle
hair & makeup: Chelsea Regan Beauty
bridesmaids: Show Me Your Mumu
flowers: Poppy Belle Event & Floral
cake & catering: Pinehurst Resort
invitations & programs: Tavern Creative
rentals: Curated Events

2025

Colleen Estes + Hugh Shepard

What happens when an inflatable dinosaur meets a Ninja Turtle? They fall in love, at least that’s what happened when Hugh Shepard (the dinosaur) met Colleen Estes (the turtle) at a Halloween party in 2019. Three years later, Hugh proposed to Colleen while they hit range balls at the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course, in Charlotte. Colleen said, “Yes,” and the bride and groom got married at the Village Chapel on March 23, 2024.

Colleen walked down the aisle in her grandmother’s wedding dress, which was altered and modernized for the big day.

“My mom also wore the dress for her wedding, so it was extra special,” says Colleen.

After the wedding bells rang, the Sandhills Trolley Company shuttled the party across town to a reception at the Fair Barn. That’s where guests boogied down to the high-energy music of Emerald Empire Band. On the way out, they took home bottled honey from Hugh’s beekeeping as souvenirs.

The couple’s only regret? “We really wanted our grand entrance as husband and wife to be a bungee jump from the top area of the Fair Barn, but the venue wouldn’t allow it!” Colleen says.

photographer: Mollie Tobias Photography
wedding planner: Jen Schaefer, Southern Skies Events
ceremony: The Village Chapel
reception: The Fair Barn
shoes: Nina
hair & makeup: Karma Spa Lounge & Beauty Bar
flowers: Jack Hadden Floral & Event Design
cake: Publix
catering: Funky Fresh Catering and Brewmasters
rentals: Ward Productions
transportation: Sandhills Trolley Company and Carriage Tours of Pinehurst Village

2025

Ashtyn Felthousen + Stephen Sawyer Jr

When Stephen Sawyer Jr. saw Ashtyn Felthousen practicing alone on the Thistle Dhu Putting Course, he asked if she wanted to play. He lost the game but ultimately won — now they’re married.

“We did not have a ‘traditional’ wedding,” Ashtyn says. “We just wanted family and friends to party, drink, dance and have fun without any stress.”

That made New Year’s Eve 2023 the perfect date for the Sawyers’ wedding shindig. The couple tied the knot in a five-minute ceremony at 305 Trackside. The bride wore white, forgot her veil and then changed into a pearl-and-black sparkly number for the reception. The groom matched her holiday vibes with a green velvet jacket.

SoPies catered the food, which meant a spread of pizzas running the flavor gamut from buffalo chicken to veggie. Guests chased the casual meal with a vintage-style cake baked by Ashtyn’s best friend’s mom. It was flavored with vanilla and cinnamon and had a “Just Married” sign on top.

“It was the best cake we’ve ever had,” says Ashtyn.

Together, in their festive attire, the newlyweds danced into 2024 to the swinging sounds of dueling pianos. A ball dropped at midnight and guests cheered on the passing Amtrak train as “Auld Lang Syne” welcomed the New Year and a new marriage.

photographer: The Photobrief
ceremony & reception: 305 Trackside
dress: Silk Bridal Studio
shoes: I.N.C. International Concepts
catering: SoPies NY Pizzeria
accommodations: The Jefferson Inn
music: Blazin’ Keys Dueling Pianos
rentals: Ward Productions

2025

Heather McGowan + John Morgan

Heather McGowan and John Morgan regularly visit Moore County to escape the hustle of their busy life in Raleigh. So, when the couple’s elopement evolved into a last-minute wedding because their seven adult children would be home for Christmas, they knew the Sandhills would be the perfect location for their special day.

“It was kismet that Duncraig Manor was empty New Year’s Eve weekend and willing to let us take over for a micro-wedding,” Heather says.

Surrounded by their blended family and close friends, the pair got married in the manor’s living room on Dec. 30, 2024.

“Our wedding party was so small that I walked myself down the living room aisle and greeted each guest as I made my way,” says Heather. Stopping wasn’t planned, but the bride was so overcome with gratitude that the game-time decision felt right. The impromptu greetings also made for wonderful candid photographs.

After the nuptials, guests enjoyed Chick-fil-A nuggets and brownies as well as picnic-style sandwiches and cakes from the Fresh Market. But the wedding celebration wasn’t over. The McGowan-Morgan crew enjoyed the rest of New Year’s weekend together, relaxing at Duncraig Manor.

photographer: Tricia Michael Photography
ceremony & reception: Duncraig Manor
dress: Dress the Population, Nordstrom
wedding band set: WhitLauter by Leann Parker
hair & makeup: Retro Studio Bar
flowers: Bouquet: The English Garden; Arrangements: Libby Dove Blanks
cake: Sweet Heart Treats NC
catering: Chick-fil-A and The Fresh Market
programs: Anne Erickson, calligrapher

2025

Tag: 2025

Victoria Eick + Parker Chang

Lizabeth Lohmann + Carson Riley

Colleen Estes + Hugh Shepard

Ashtyn Felthousen + Stephen Sawyer Jr

Heather McGowan + John Morgan