Windy Hill Farm is located right outside of historic Hillsborough, North Carolina in Cedar Grove. This sustainable farm is still operating and producing, all while hosting weddings on its rolling pastures dotted with happy little flocks of goats. As a member of the Green Wedding Guild, Windy Hill Farm was chosen as the location of our first Green Wedding Guild styled shoot. It was a challenge by the founders of the Green Wedding Guild, Emily Thomas and Maria Karragianis: to showcase the possibilities and logistics of planning an eco-ethical, sustainable wedding.
Four planners were each given the task of dreaming up a sustainable wedding look in different locations on the farm’s vast acreage. Each planner was assigned a team of incredible vendors, most of which were also members of the Green Wedding Guild.
The first planner was Maria Karagiannis with Kara Mia Events. Maria utilized Southern Vintage Table and American Party Rentals to begin the foundation of her look. Her tables were decorated with florals from Event Flouret and donned faux invites from minted, sweets from Sage & Swift Catering and a custom cake from Happily Desserted. A model bride wore a consigned dress from Oak City Bridal and estate jewelry from Joint Venture Jewelry, while the model groom wore a tie from Jada’s Men’s Accessories. Elyssa with Kivus & Camera captured the look.
The second planner was Hayley Singleton with An Event To Remember, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hayley utilized many spaces for her look: the base of the barn, the garden tucked in front of the house, and the loft above the open barn space. Hayley worked with Sage & Swift catering and Cupcakes D’Amour, who provided the food for staging (and snacking!). She utilized Southern Vintage Table and American Party Rentals for table, linens and cutlery, and dotted her looks with foraged florals from right here in North Carolina. Audrey from Rose Trail Images captured the look.
The third planner was Addie Thompson with Dogwood Gatherings and Events, based in Mebane, North Carolina Addie used fresh figs sourced from Whole Foods and Trader Joes, alongside florals that she both sourced from Trader Joes, or foraged herself. On the main floor of the barn, the natural greenery and the figs were placed on a table and decor from Southern Vintage Table, alongside faux invitations made by Dogwood Gatherings and Events themselves. The model bride wore a dress from White Bridal of Raleigh, and had her makeup styled by Pretty In Ink. Kevin Seifert with RTP Studio captured the look.
The fourth planner hailed all the way from Maine, Kayce Mae with KayMae Designs. Kayce’s look was a romantic twist of old and new, having her look set on a Southern Vintage Table in the field in front of the main house. She adorned the look with dried and fresh floral arrangements by Bowerbird Apothecary, and Southern Vintage Table vintage decor. The model bride wore Audrey’s reclaimed vintage lace dress from Reclamation Design Company, and her daughter wore a dried floral crown the Bowerbird dreamed up. Audrey from Rose Trail Images captured this look.
We got to go behind the scenes to interview each planner to see the challenges and great rewards that came from this achievement.
