1. Real Weddings

A Romantic, Whimsical Farm Wedding at Yesterday Spaces in Leicester, North Carolina

Abigail Wharff (a marketing manager) met Mark Rosenblum (in equity research) at a bar in Durham, North Carolina. She was in the middle of a heated dis

Abigail Wharff (a marketing manager) met Mark Rosenblum (in equity research) at a bar in Durham, North Carolina. She was in the middle of a heated discussion with friends after a tense MBA student basketball game between rival schools Duke and the University of North Carolina. “Mark just walked up and strategically inserted himself into our conversation,” Abigail says. “He started talking about his cooking skills and, long story short, that was the beginning of forever.” For their wedding, Abbie and Mark kept things light and relaxed at Yesterday Spaces, a farm in Leicester, North Carolina, about 20 minutes from Asheville. “Asheville is such a fun town, and as a new couple we visited many times,” Abbie says. “We wanted to share that energy with our guests.” The day’s main colors were deep, silvery blue accented with pops of pink, plum and lots of greenery. When a rainstorm threatened their outside ceremony for 150 guests, the couple moved it into the property’s dairy barn, which was already decorated with bunches of hanging dried flowers. The indoor reception boasted numerous greenery-rich arrangements—the showstopper was a large garland that hung above the banquet table. Abbie’s advice to brides: “When you find yourself getting bogged down by something, ask yourself, Do I remember the (insert object) at any of the weddings I attended? If the answer is no, let it go.” —Carolyn Meers

"I wanted to keep the process stress-free for me and convenient for my bridesmaids, so I picked a dusty blue color, gave them a few examples that conveyed a casual-chic vibe and let them pick their own dresses," Abbie says. "Done and done!"
"Mark’s wedding band belonged to his grandfather, who passed away a few months before our wedding," Abbie says. "It’s a classic gold band with a long history and years of love. My engagement ring was custom from Mark’s uncle, Neal Rosenblum Goldsmiths."
"My bouquet was meant to be full, with an organic shape," Abbie says. "I wasn’t overly concerned with symmetry since I wanted all the florals to reflect the rawness of the farm."
When a rainstorm threatened their outdoor ceremony, Abbie and Mark moved it to Yesterday Farm's dairy farm. "At first I was disappointed, but it ended up being amazingly perfect, intimate and warm," Abbie says. "The barn was already decorated with hanging dried flowers, so we really didn’t need to do much."
"I collected old wedding pictures of our parents and grandparents, and we hung them on chairs along the aisle," Abbie says.
Abbie and Mark's invitation suite and escort cards were custom designed and hand painted by Momental Designs. "They were influenced by colorful Haitian art. This was my way of incorporating my family’s culture into the mix," Abbie says.
The indoor reception was filled with stunning floral arrangements. "Tyler and Lissa of Flora created an amazing hanging display that served as the focal point of the reception and added lush impact," Abbie says.
"I wanted to send our people home with something personal. Mark's mom and grandma make the best cookies every year," says Abbie, who asked them to share two recipes, which were then crafted by the cake bakers. "We packaged them in a simple box, threw them in a tea bag and added a note with the story of the cookies attached."
At the indoor reception at Yesterday Spaces in Leicester, North Carolina, Flora crafted lush greenery-rich centerpieces sat atop tables with blue damask linens.
At the reception at Yesterday Spaces in Leicester, North Carolina, guests were invited to make take-away bags of popcorn in unusual flavors, like dill and sriracha.
Tyler and Lissa of Flora crafted greenery-rich centerpieces and a long, hanging garland display over the long banquet table at Yesterday Spaces in Leicester, North Carolina.
Abbie and Mark served each guest a tasting trio of cake paired with ice cream from the Hop Ice Cream Cafe in Asheville.
Abbie and Mark incorporated several elements of their faiths in the day, including dancing the hora to honor Mark's Jewish heritage.