An Elegant, Rustic Wedding at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, North Carolina

Emily Grien (26 and a Spanish teacher) and Charles (Chase) Warden (28 and an inventory analyst) hosted a black-tie affair in a place Emily loves to visit. “My family has a house at Lake Toxaway, and the area holds a very special place in our hearts,” Emily says of how they landed on The Farm at Old Edwards Inn. Wanting to maintain the integrity of the rustic barn while adding sophistication, the pair went with twinkling lights, candles and arrangements with orchids, roses, ranunculus, lisianthus, lilies and eucalyptus. Ornate lanterns lined the aisle and accented the massive stone fireplace for the sunset ceremony. The duo wed under a chuppah with cascading eucalyptus. At the reception, strands of lights hung from the barn’s exposed beams. “I loved feeling like I was looking at the stars at the reception.” Emily says. “It really brought my fairy tale to life.” To put a fun twist on cocktail hour, Emily and Chase named their signature cocktails the Munson Mule and Peyton Cosmo after their beloved pups. After a dinner featuring North Carolina trout followed by carrot and apple hummingbird cake, the party headed outside to roast marshmallows at the s’mores bar.