A Joyful Fall Wedding in the North Carolina Mountains

Set against the rolling mountain landscape of THE FARM AT OLD EDWARDS in Highlands, North Carolina, Rachael and Eric’s wedding unfolded as a celebration of connection, colour, and joyful energy. Captured by Magnolia Rouge Vendor DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY and beautifully brought to life with planning by ALTATERRA EVENTS, the day blended rustic elegance with thoughtful detail — from lush florals by PETAL AND FERN to a reception that never once lost its momentum.

Rachael and Eric first crossed paths in Chicago while attending Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law — though at first, Rachael had no idea who Eric was. During her first law school exam, her friend Cristina famously asked, “Where’s Eric?” to which Rachael replied, “Who is Eric?” (a moment that has since become part of their shared lore).

As it turns out, Eric had noticed Rachael — her dedication to actually attending class and speaking up didn’t go unnoticed. With a little help from their friends (read: strategic group plans and conveniently timed run-ins), their story shifted. Their first official date unfolded over a full day of St. Patrick’s Day bar hopping along Chicago’s green river — green beer, green food, garlic-heavy pesto included. From that day on, the two were inseparable. Ten years later, they gathered their favourite people in the mountains to celebrate a love shaped by friendship, laughter, and shared history.

Eric proposed in Chicago while the couple were back in town for a friend’s wedding. Wandering through old haunts and along the riverfront — the very river that had been dyed green on the day of their first official date — he got down on one knee and asked Rachael to marry him. It was simple, meaningful, and beautifully full circle.

Though they booked THE FARM AT OLD EDWARDS initially sight unseen, the venue immediately felt like the perfect blend of their worlds: Eric’s New York-rooted elegance and Rachael’s love for fall mountain coziness from her East Tennessee upbringing. The setting offered rustic charm with refined detail — formal without feeling stuffy, warm without sacrificing sophistication.

The bridal party got ready in the Farmhouse, where champagne flowed and the soundtrack ranged from ‘90s throwbacks to Taylor Swift’s album, released that very day. Surrounded by her wedding party, Rachael soaked in the excitement — a calm, joy-filled start to a big day.

Rachael chose to share first looks with both her father and Eric — tender, emotional moments that blurred together in the rush of nerves and excitement, but were preserved beautifully in photographs to relive later.

Rachael wore a gown and overskirt by SUZANNE NEVILLE, paired with STUART WEITZMAN heels and custom Etsy robes for getting ready. Her reception look was a chic Milly dress from Saks, while hair and makeup by ANARIE BEAUTY completed the refined aesthetic.

Sentiment was woven throughout the fashion details: the flower girl wore a gold dress Rachael once wore at the same age, and bridesmaids selected their own styles in carefully matched tones for a cohesive yet personal look.

Florals by PETAL AND FERN were nothing short of showstopping — from the lush chuppah and entryway garden to the floral chandelier installations overhead. Each element tied seamlessly into the fall palette, enhancing the venue’s natural beauty and adding drama and romance to every space.

Before the ceremony, Rachael and Eric signed their Ketubah with their Rabbi, surrounded by family and friends — a meaningful, grounding moment. The ceremony itself blended two faiths beneath a beautifully adorned chuppah, concluding with the traditional glass stomping — heartfelt, symbolic, and deeply personal.

From a ceremony quartet by DEAN’S DUETS to a high-energy reception with THE BUSINESS (via EastCoast Entertainment), music carried the celebration from emotional to electric. Rachael walked down the aisle to River Flows in You, and by nightfall, the dance floor was full and stayed that way.

The reception was a non-stop celebration — first dances to Moondance and My Girl, followed by incredible food from Old Edwards, espresso martinis, an ice cream and dessert station, and late-night wood-fired pizza made to order. Every detail, thoughtfully executed by ALTATERRA EVENTS, created a night that felt elevated yet endlessly fun.

Rachael and Eric closed the chapter with two unforgettable weeks in Japan — a journey that even made its way into the wedding details, with folded paper cranes incorporated into the reception and cake topper. A meaningful nod to what came next.

Rachael and Eric’s wedding at THE FARM AT OLD EDWARDS is a beautiful reminder that when elegance meets warmth, and tradition meets joy, the result is a celebration that feels timeless, deeply personal, and full of life — the kind of day that lingers long after the last song plays.