What made Fearrington Village the place to say “I do?” How did you hear about us?
My husband, Jay, and I both grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, so Fearrington Village has always been a familiar and beloved part of our community. But we didn’t realize just how meaningful it would become to us until we got engaged.

Jay’s parents were actually married at Fearrington in 1999, and my own family has deep roots in the Chapel Hill/Pittsboro area, going back generations. In fact, my mother’s maiden name is Farrington (Fearrington), which made the connection to the venue feel even more special and personal.

When we began exploring local venues, Fearrington was not the first place we toured— but once we did, it immediately felt like the right choice. The stunning gardens provided the perfect setting for our outdoor summer ceremony, and the beautifully restored barn offered a warm, elegant space for our reception.

Fearrington also offers an all-inclusive experience that made the planning process so much easier. From the on-site chef who prepared our delicious meals, to the talented baker who brought our cake vision to life, to the attentive bartenders and set-up team—everything was thoughtfully handled. They also provided tables, linens, and so many design elements that helped us bring our vision to life. In my opinion, there’s no other venue in the area that offers this level of service and charm.

But what ultimately sold me was Fearrington’s seasoned wedding coordinator, Gilda. From our very first meeting, I knew I wanted to work with her. She has a kind, calming presence, a wealth of experience, and a genuine enthusiasm for making each wedding special. Throughout the entire process—whether we were meeting in person or exchanging emails—Gilda was organized, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful. She helped bring my dream wedding to life, and I truly could not have done it without her.

What was the best part of wedding planning? The most challenging?
As someone who definitely leans Type A, my favorite part of wedding planning was getting to dive into the details and stay organized. I created a comprehensive wedding binder throughout the entire process—complete with design inspiration, day-of timelines, menus, floral mock-ups, photography ideas, music selections, and more. I poured a lot of energy into it, and on the big day, it gave me peace of mind knowing that everything was outlined and accounted for in one place in case anything unexpected happened. Planning also allowed me to tap into my creative side, which I absolutely loved. I made several DIY elements, including our save-the-dates, invitations, place cards, a slideshow for the reception, and even customized reception shoes. It was so rewarding to see all those personal touches come to life.

One of the best parts of the process was getting to plan alongside my mom. She’s a natural wedding planner—thoughtful, organized, and someone who has an incredible eye for detail. While I managed the vendor communication and logistics, she helped refine the vision and make decisions feel less overwhelming. Her instincts were spot-on, and having her by my side made the experience not only smoother but so much more special. It truly became something we could share together.

The most challenging part, hands down, was managing the guest list and RSVPs. Deciding who to invite without hurting anyone’s feelings is incredibly difficult. And once the invitations go out, getting accurate RSVPs can be its own stressor. You’re constantly balancing unknowns—who will attend, who might not, and who might show up without having RSVP’d at all. Since guest count affects everything from table numbers to florals to catering, it made planning trickier than I anticipated. In the end, it all came together perfectly, but during the process, it definitely added a layer of pressure.

What was the most memorable part of your special day?
It’s nearly impossible to choose just one moment from such a meaningful day—so many parts hold special significance for me. But if I had to pick, it would be our grand entrance into the reception.

That moment was filled with the deepest sense of relief and joy. I had just married the love of my life. We had shared an incredibly intimate moment together in the Garden House, exchanging our private vows. I had watched our parents and wedding party—some of our favorite people in the world—make their entrances full of laughter and celebration. And then, for a split second, it was just Jay and I, standing there, soaking in the love and support of everyone who had gathered for us.

It was the first time I could fully take in everything I had envisioned for the past eight months—and it was even better than I had imagined. The Barn was absolutely breathtaking. The string lights shimmered above us like stars. The room was filled with family and friends—old and new—all together for the first time. The floral arrangements were stunning and vibrant, exactly how I had hoped they’d be. The DJ was up on the stage hyping up the crowd, the cakes were beautifully displayed on the dance floor, and the aroma of dinner filled the space in the warmest, most comforting way. The energy was electric.

Then we were announced for the first time as husband and wife and had our first dance to Joy of My Life by Chris Stapleton—a song Jay had dedicated to me. We had been practicing a choreographed routine to that song for five months, and getting to perform it together in front of the people we love was such a surreal, joyful, and unforgettable experience.

What is your advice for other Fearrington couples?
My biggest piece of advice for other Fearrington couples is to build a strong relationship with Gilda. She has over 30 years of experience and an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to weddings. Gilda is an absolute gem and an invaluable asset when planning your dream day—she truly cares and goes above and beyond to make everything run smoothly.

I’d also recommend sitting down early in the process with your partner—and if your parents are involved, include them too—and talk through what matters most to you. What are your priorities? Is it the food? The cake? The atmosphere? Knowing what elements are most meaningful to everyone involved will help guide your budget and decisions, and it makes the entire planning process feel more manageable.

One of the most helpful things we did was bring everyone to our initial meeting with Gilda. That first meeting is where you can discuss expectations, budget, and design ideas. It gives everyone a chance to voice their opinions in a supportive setting, and it can help avoid miscommunications or surprises later. Having that kind of alignment early on really helped us move forward with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.

What do your guests still talk about?
Not to sound boastful, but during and after the wedding, so many guests came up to us and said it was the best wedding they’d ever attended. That meant the world to us—it told us that the entire experience, from start to finish, was something they truly enjoyed.

Guests told us they found the ceremony incredibly heartfelt. From the processional music to the wedding party’s attire and the beautiful floral arrangements, everything came together in such a meaningful way. Our officiant—my cousin, Jeff Toomer, who is not only a minister but also a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army—gave such a personal and powerful message. People especially loved our Unity Cord ritual. Jay and I were both raised Christian, and through our pre-marital counseling (which was led by our officiant), we learned the importance of keeping God at the center of our marriage. The Unity Cord was the perfect way to symbolize that commitment.

During cocktail hour, guests raved about the atmosphere and entertainment. They loved the live music from the violinist—our officiant’s son—who played beautifully throughout the evening. The signature drinks were also a big hit. Mine was The Bitter Southerner, a cocktail from The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill, which is our favorite date-night spot. Jay chose a Transfusion, a classic golf course drink that reflects his love for the game. Those personal touches made the night feel even more “us.”

At the reception, everyone loved the food stations and the variety they offered. Guests are still talking about how good the food was, and how stunning and delicious the cake turned out. Our DJ kept the energy high and the dance floor full all night long—it really felt like a celebration from beginning to end.

More than anything, it felt like the perfect night—not just for us, but for everyone who came to celebrate with us. That’s what we had hoped for, and based on what we’ve heard, it really came true.

Credits:
Wedding Gown- A&Be Bridal Shop (Raleigh, NC) Designer: Jenny Yoo
DJ- Jordan “DJ Showout” from Fusion Sound & Lighting (Greensboro, NC)
Photographer- Heather / Videographer- Cody; both from Once Like A Spark Photography
Florist: Watered Garden (Raleigh, NC)

See images from the wedding HERE.