An Organic, Modern Wedding at Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina

Lauren Wilson and Mark Marré fused a neutral color palette and classic blooms with acrylic touches and clean lines to give their romantic Southern wedding a punch of modern flair. The pair hosted the sophisticated soiree at Duke Mansion in Charlotte, North Carolina, drawn to the idea of juxtaposing the venue’s old-world elegance with a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. “Our wedding’s style is sort of oxymoronic. I would describe it as traditional glamour mixed with modern minimalism,” Lauren says. “I loved the old South, classic style and history of the Duke Mansion; however, my personal style is clean and streamlined. I wanted to find a way to blend both of these into our day.” With a bit of help from the planning pros at The Graceful Host, the pair was able to bring their vision to life. Lauren and Mark took advantage of the good weather and the Mansion’s perfectly manicured gardens to host an alfresco ceremony and reception. The couple said “I do” under a stately columned archway, then joined their guests for dinner and drinks on the terrace. Pale gray linens lined with flickering pillar candles and sleek vases filled with overflowing white blooms set a romantic tone for the evening, while ghost chairs put a modern twist on the décor. As the sun began to set, the clear reception tent mimicked the night sky, with brightly lit strands of bistro lights standing out against the darkness. "From waking up to a relaxing private yoga session, to walking through a tunnel of streamers at our grand exit, I was surrounded by so much love and such a positive energy. I can't even begin to describe how amazing it felt walking into the beautiful vision that was stuck in my head for so many months in reality!" Lauren says.