Bespoke Barn Wedding

By Marie Muir

any couples refuse to host a summer wedding in North Carolina due to the sweltering heat and humidity.

Addie Thompson, owner of Dogwood Gatherings and Events, gladly accepted the challenge. On July 11, 2021, Addie and a team of event professionals brought the cool elegance of a garden-style party inside Oakland Farm to create refreshing summer wedding inspirations. Located on 18 acres of forest and pastures in Bear Creek, North Carolina, Oakland Farm has multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces that can accommodate up to 400 guests. Couples can opt to celebrate with friends and family on one of the farm’s two patios, or say “I do” in either the grand outdoor pavilion or inside the heated/air-conditioned barn.

Oakland Farm’s exposed wood and rustic stone fireplace looked lush on this hot summer day, with flowers and decor in soft peaches, muted oranges, textural whites and bright lime green - a color palette not often selected for barn venues. 

Heart of NC Weddings Vendors Planner Dogwood Gatherings and Events | Venue Oakland Farm | Photographer jHagan Photography Rentals CE Rental | Dress White of Raleigh | Cake Edible Art Bakery & Dessert Café

Real-life couple Chelsea Tucker and Brittany Tucker, who’ve been married for three years, got to play newlyweds a for a second time as models for this styled shoot.

“We specifically wanted to bring a modern/elegant style to this shoot to show couples the versatility of a barn wedding - it doesn’t have to be all rustic and burlap,” Addie explains.

Another one of Addie’s goals was to assemble a team of vendors and models who celebrate diversity and inclusion. After three years of marriage, real-life couple Chelsea Tucker and Brittany Tucker got to play newlyweds for a second time as models. Chelsea looked stunning in a fitted, lace wedding dress

designed by Angel Rivera from White of Raleigh. Her bouquet, designed by KatieDid Florals, popped when held in front of the dress and a modern five-piece backdrop from Revel NC. Brittany wore a bespoke vest and pantsuit by Joseph Abboud - a classy and comfortable outfit for an outdoor summer ceremony.

Jennifer Hagan of jHagan Photography captured the

couple’s chemistry on camera as they strolled from the outdoor ceremony to the indoor reception.

Green floral linens, rose gold flatware and white fine china, all provided by CE Rental, adorned tables inside the barn. Additional details included Champagne napkins twisted into the shape of a rose, greenery dripping off an antler chandelier and a neon sign that read “Better Together” hung above the fireplace. Last, but certainly not least, a five-tier wedding cake by

Edible Art Bakery & Dessert Café featuring a gold lattice design on the first tier and a waterfall of peach and vendela roses flowing down the top two tiers was the icing on top of this styled shoot’s garden theme.

Additional Vendors Curve Beauty Design, Poppy & Co., Joseph Abboud, Revel NC, Minted, Decoraciones Sonia, Vintage Scoops, KatieDid Florals, Something Tousled

ABOVE The couple enjoys sweet treats from Vintage Scoops ice cream trailer. BELOW Addie Thompson, owner of Dogwood Gatherings and Events, sets the table for the styled shoot at Oakland Farm. KatieDid Florals designed the flower arrangements and CE Rental provided the flatware, china and linens, including Champagne napkins twisted into the shape of a rose. LEFT The five-tier wedding cake was created by Edible Art Bakery & Dessert Café.

Chelsea Tucker stands in front of the stunning fireplace at Oakland Farm in a fitted lace dress designed by Angel Rivera from White of Raleigh.