Some weddings are elegant and fancy, some are more traditional or cultural… and then there are weddings like Jillian and Damon’s: a full-on, carefree celebration built around laughter, music, and the people who matter most. Their Charlotte wedding with karaoke at Pleasant Grove Farm was less about perfection and more about soaking in every moment surrounded by friends and family.

Pleasant Grove Farm in Charlotte, NC turned out to be the perfect setting for that kind of celebration. Nestled just a few miles from the city, the 20-acre property blends rustic charm with timeless Southern beauty. The main house on the property not only served as a getting ready space, but also the backdrop to Jillian and Damon’s ceremony! They held cocktail hour by the pool and the barn offered a cozy atmosphere for the reception. Outside, open fields and quiet corners created endless possibilities for photos.

When it came to photography, the couple’s goal was simple: to look great, but not feel staged. They didn’t want to spend the day posing for the camera or worrying about getting every shot on a checklist. Instead, they wanted photos that would spark memories and be full of energy and emotion.

Preparing for the Party

The morning of the wedding unfolded quietly and meaningfully. Both Jillian and Damon got ready surrounded by their siblings, family, and close friends. They chose not to have a formal wedding party, but just to include those that mattered most to them. The time was filled with small moments and conversations that set the tone for the rest of the day: relaxed, personal, and real. Along those same lines, they shared a first look where they exchanged what they described as “love notes” and had that intimate moment together.

Traditional Wedding Ceremony

While many aspects of Jillian and Damon’s wedding day were more modern, the ceremony really focused on tradition. The couple had a binding ceremony where close family and friends placed ropes over their joined hands, which were then bound together. Some say this is the origin of “Tying the Knot”! Additionally, Jillian always dreamed of tying cans to the back of her car and driving away with “Just Married” painted on the back window. They did a faux-exit from their ceremony so that they could get some cool photos in and around the car, driving away, and people waving. The sound of clinking cans followed them down the road (as did we)!

Karaoke Wedding Reception

Jillian and Damon kicked off the night with a choreographed first dance and then opened up the floor for everyone else. But after just a little bit of dancing, they added a twist that perfectly reflected their personalities: karaoke. Karaoke turned their reception into a full-on performance night, where guests took turns at the microphone, cheered each other on, and filled the barn with laughter. Between the karaoke and dancing, the loft selfie booth, and a cozy lounge area for breaks, every corner of Pleasant Grove Farm buzzed with energy. Jillian and Damon’s Charlotte wedding with karaoke was a reminder that sometimes the most memorable celebrations are the ones that let go of formality and embrace fun. It was about real moments and the unmistakable joy of being surrounded by the people you love most.

Venue: Pleasant Grove Farm | Planner: Crafted Charm Wedding Planning | Catering: QC Catering | Florals: Malaya Floral | DJ: FMG Event Company | Hair: Spacehead Salon | Makeup: Megan Oliveri Artistry | Videography: A Thousand Cranes Productions | Wedding Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero | Wedding Dress Purchase Location: Bedazzled Bridal | Wedding Dress Tailor and Enhancements: RCB Fashion | Rings: QC Custom Jewelers | Suits: Indochino