A Rustic Chic Wedding at Snipes Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Blind dates can get a bad rap, but for Matney Murad (26 and a boutique manager) and Ben Gaddy (28 and a consultant for the Department of Energy) it's what brought them together and eventually led them down the aisle. Their best friends, who happened to be dating, convinced the two to meet and despite a bit of scepticism, Matney and Bend hit it off. Exactly two years later, Ben proposed with a grand scavenger hunt. "I knew we were having dinner to celebrate our 'anniversary' that night and we always went back to our first date spot, but I had no idea what was in store for the rest of day," says Matney. "After a day of surprises, we finished the night at the end of a dirt road in the middle of the woods. There was a clearing that overlooked the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. He said lots of sweet things and as soon as his knee hit the ground, the fair shot off fireworks! He couldn't have timed it any better! He proposed with a ring that had been my grandmother's." When it came to planning their wedding, the couple chose Snipes Farm in Chapel Hill, NC as their venue, which not only offered a breathtaking setting set on acres of pristine pastures, but an indoor space that the couple could use as a backup in case of rain. "I had always loved the idea of an outdoor wedding," says Matney, "but was anxious about the North Carolina summer weather — lots of thunderstorms." Matney and Ben wanted the affair to feel laid-back and casual, so their guests could let loose and truly enjoy the festivities. To achieve this, they kept the decor simple, decorating the rustic barn at Snipes Farm with arrangements of ivory and pink flowers, eucalyptus and blueberries and pillar candles set on silver candlesticks. To highlight the season and tie into the day's rustic vibe, Matney's mother made the two-tier naked wedding cake using her grandmother's sour cream poundcake recipe, plus 200 poundcake cupcakes for guests as part of a build-your-own strawberry shortcake table.