Most of our clients become friends, but not all of our clients become the police officers who patrol the neighborhood you live in. That status has only been achieved by Joe, and that’s just the start of our awesome friendship with him and Erika. After sharing Honeybear Bake Shop cookies together and having the best time with them during their engagement session, we knew that their wedding at Vesuvius Vineyards was going to be absolutely incredible. And we were so right.

Vesuvius Vineyards is a really cool place to have a wedding. When you choose this venue, you get:

• Main house with two separate spaces for a couple to get ready
• A gorgeous lawn for a ceremony
• Indoor and outdoor areas for cocktail hour
• Large covered dance floor
• Access to the entire grounds including a covered a bridge and a stream

Throughout the day, we were able to take advantage of all of these places, but MOST of all, we had the BEST time celebrating with Erika and Joe, who we are so thankful to consider close friends now.

Getting Ready at Vesuvius Vineyards

Erika and her crew started her wedding day in the upstairs room of the main house at Vesuvius Vineyards, where we had way too many sour gummi worms and sang the Bananas in Pajamas theme song together.

Joe and his guys shared some really nice bourbon (some of my favorites!!) while they shared stories of weird municipal laws. You can learn a lot just from listening, and now I know that I can’t get naked in my own house in Virginia. So there’s that!

Personal touches are the BEST way to add personality to your wedding day. Erika’s shoes featured a quote and a scene from Disney Pixar’s Up, which was just too freaking sweet.

Erika and Joe chose to do a first look down by the river, where they shared their vows to each other privately. It was incredibly serene, just watching them be themselves together, about to have the best day of their lives (so far). Because they did a first look, we had some time to explore the property for some gorgeous portraits in the woods, which we think turned out pretty good!

Ceremony and Reception at Vesuvius Vineyards

Following a sweet ceremony, Erika and Joe had a live band to keep them partying into the night. Between an amazing group of friends, strong family connections, and a hell of a sweet brass lineup, the energy on Erika and Joe’s wedding day was kept high all day long.

Venue: Vesuvius Vineyards | Catering: Lake Norman Catering | Florist: Sweet T Flowers | Cake: Publix | Cookies: Honeybear Bake Shop | Band: Coming Up Brass | Hair and Makeup: J Booth Salon | Wedding Dress and Suit Source: New York Bride and Groom | Bridesmaid’s Dresses Source: Azazie