Rustic Fall Wedding at the Piazza at Portofino

It’s Wedding Feature Wednesday at Southern Bride & Groom! Today, we’re excited to share Meagan and Christopher’s rustic fall wedding at the Piazza at Portofino in Clayton, NC.

Meagan and Christopher are high school sweethearts who dated through college and were engaged during Meagan’s last semester of graduate school. Chris proposed at their favorite vacation spot on Lake Gaston, NC.

With a vision to have a very rustic, yet natural theme to their wedding, the couple were immediately drawn to the beautiful views and rustic setting of Portofino – a residential community, equestrian center, and event piazza located in Clayton, NC. “We loved the fact that the ceremony and reception could be held on the same property but in a different location,” says Meagan, who also appreciated having the upstairs of the barn suite to get ready and stay in the night of the wedding.

To top it off, they were very impressed with the help they received from Sandra Thompson, the event coordinator at Portofino. “She was so welcoming and inviting the first time we met her, we couldn’t imagine working with anyone else,” Meagan shares. “She went above and beyond to make sure our wedding day was perfect and something we would never forget. We are very fortunate to have crossed paths with such as caring and genuine person.”

The color palette was classic – rich navy blue, cream and white. The flowers were prepared by a florist from Harris Teeter in Cameron Village in Raleigh and the bride was thrilled with how the white hydrangeas and roses added elegant accents to the barn-like setting.

Of course, the equestrian center and the ground of Portofino provides many beautiful backdrops for photographs. Diane McKinney’s gorgeous photos below tell the story of this adorable, long-time couple and their joyous fall wedding.