A Romantic May Wedding at Haywood Hall House & Gardens
Connor Anderson and Emily Sartori went from trading fleeting glances as NC State University undergraduates to sharing loving gazes – the pair connected years after graduating during a trivia night after being introduced by a mutual friend. After Connor planned a thoughtful proposal in Fred Fletcher Park on Christmas morning, the pair connected with Something Fabulous Weddings & Events to start planning their Raleigh wedding with classic details. On May 15, 2025, the couple exchanged vows during an outdoor ceremony at Haywood Hall House & Gardens.
Classic Spring Wedding Planned By Something Fabulous Weddings & Events
The pair “took tons of inspiration from the venue itself, envisioning an Old World garden party,” Emily says, which aligned with the feel of the historic home and paid homage to her Italian roots. Something Fabulous helped the pair host the celebration of their dreams, which focused on sentimentality and personal details rather than “what you are supposed to do at weddings,” Emily says. “We tried to focus on what we wanted versus what the internet tells you a wedding should be.”
Romantic Wedding Details
The whole day was a thoughtful reflection of the couple and their love story – one built on joy and connection with an emphasis on enjoying every moment rather than just documenting them. “I enjoyed the ceremony the best because it just made me so happy to stand up there with Connor in front of all our loved ones,” Emily says. “My second favorite moment was finally eating dinner.” Reception tables were adorned with candlelight and greenery as well as floral-patterned china, glassware and linens from Curated Events Raleigh.
Guests enjoyed catering from Donovan’s Dish, sipped on beverages from On My Way Bartending, and shimmied along to songs performed by Emerald Empire Band. A sweet creation by Durham-based baker S. Richardson Cakes, featuring vintage Lambeth-style piping and accents in pale blue, green and pink, matched the wedding’s overall color palette.
Customized details included a guest book featuring the couple’s cat, Figg. Additionally, the newlyweds continued Emily’s family tradition of taking photos as they piled into the getaway car at the end of the night. “We’re glad we chose documentary style photography – we spent the majority of the day enjoying the event rather than standing for photos,” Emily adds.
