Kathryn and Gabe had an intimate wedding day with a short ceremony held in St. Mary’s Chapel followed by a casual reception at Cordial (a Rooftop Cocktail Bar at the AC Hotel in Southpark). Not being ones for a lot of pomp and circumstance, this was the perfect way for the couple to participate in some traditions while keeping the day relaxed and fun!

Not only are Kathryn and Gabe our kind of people due to shared interests and values, but we’ve actually known both of them long before they reached out to us about capturing their wedding day. Kathryn and Jess used to work together and she even attended our own wedding back in 2018! We’ve all kept in touch over the years and it was actually her mom who helped us find our first home together (she’s a relator). Needless to say, it was a no-brainer to be invited into this family event to celebrate with awesome people that we know and love.

Getting Ready at the AC Hotel in Charlotte NC

To make things easy, Kathryn and Gabe got ready at the same hotel as the Cordial Cocktail Bar. All they had to do at the end of the night was take an elevator back downstairs! They got ready in separate rooms however in anticipation of a first look at the ceremony site. Gabe and his groomsmen all practiced their skills in tying a necktie and Kathryn was assisted into her dress by her mom and grandmother.

Intimate First Look and Ceremony at St. Mary’s Chapel

Kathryn and Gabe knew from the start that they wanted to do a first look. Not only can it help the timeline for getting more photos together, but they wanted that private intimate moment together. Gabe even admitted that having the first look would help him keep it together at the actual ceremony. The vows that they shared in the chapel in front of their loved ones were very personal and saying them aloud often resulted in either tears or laughter. It was a very emotional ceremony followed by a fun bubble exit and a lap around the block in a red Mustang convertible.

St. Mary’s Chapel is an adorable little church just outside the 277 loop of Charlotte. While small, it boasts gorgeous stained glass windows and beautiful grounds that are perfect for couple’s photos and formals. Check out another wedding we shot at St. Mary’s here!

Intimate Cocktail Bar Wedding “Reception”

Kathryn and Gabe both love a nice date night at a local cocktail bar, so it was important to them to incorporate some legitimate cocktails into their wedding day. In addition to their signature drinks (Manhattan for him and a Gimlet for her), they also encouraged guests to try out some other classic cocktails with some pretty custom signage at the bar. After mingling during “cocktail hour” (although the whole event was just “cocktail night”), they shared a traditional first dance, had parent dances, cut their cake, and concluded the evening with partying on the dancefloor. In addition, Kathryn and Gabe happened to choose the same date for their wedding as her parents. They surprised the parents of the bride with a private dance to their own wedding song. It was one of the sweetest moments we’ve ever seen!

Ceremony Location: St. Mary’s Chapel | Reception Location: Cordial | Getting Ready Location: AC Hotel by Marriott Charlotte SouthPark | Planner: Nicole with Above & Beyond Event Planning | Catering: Cordial | Desserts: Wentworth + Fenn | DJ: Snapdragon Entertainment | Videographer: Catawba Cinematic Events | Officiant: Julie Furr | Ceremony Music: Charlotte Strings | Wedding Dress Purchase Location: Ever’s Bridal Boutique | Bridesmaid’s Dresses: David’s Bridal | Groom’s Suit: Bruce Julian | Groomsmen Suits: Kenneth Cole