Dogwood Gatherings and Events Serving Summer Wedding Inspiration at Oakland Farm
By Marie Muir
jHagan Photography 
Styled Garden-Inspired Summer Barn Wedding
Many couples refuse to host a summer wedding in North Carolina due to the sweltering heat and humidity. Addie Thompson, owner of Dogwood Gatherings and Events, gladly accepted the challenge. On July 11, 2021, Addie and a team of event professionals brought the cool elegance of a garden-style party inside Oakland Farm to create refreshing summer wedding inspirations.
Located on 18 acres of forest and pastures in Bear Creek, North Carolina, Oakland Farm has multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces that can accommodate up to 400 guests in total. Couples can opt to celebrate with friends and family on one of the farm’s two patios. Or say “I do” in either the grand outdoor pavilion or inside the heated and air-conditioned barn. Oakland Farm’s beautiful barn with plenty of rustic detail offered an ideal spot for this styled summer barn wedding.
Oakland Farm’s exposed wood and exposed stone fireplace looked lush on this hot summer day with flowers and decor in shades of soft peach, muted oranges, textured whites and bright lime green – a color palette not often selected for barn venues.
Real-life couple Chelsea Tucker and Brittany Tucker have been married for three years. The couple got to play newlyweds for a second time as models for this styled summer barn wedding planned by Dogwood Gatherings and Events.
“We specifically wanted to bring a modern [and] elegant style to this shoot to show couples the versatility of a barn wedding – it doesn’t have to be all rustic and burlap,” Addie explains. Another one of Addie’s goals was to assemble a team of vendors and models who celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Fresh Fashion
Chelsea looked stunning in a fitted lace wedding dress with elegant train designed by Angel Rivera from White of Raleigh. Chelsea held a stunning, lush pink bouquet including white roses was designed by KatieDid Florals. It popped against the white gown and a modern five-piece peach and blush backdrop from Revel NC.
Brittany wore a bespoke vest and pantsuit by Joseph Abboud in a light color – a classy and comfortable outfit for an outdoor summer ceremony. Jennifer Hagan of jHagan Photography captured the couple’s chemistry on camera. Chelsea and Brittany strolled from the outdoor ceremony at the pavilion to an indoor reception inside the barn.
Green floral linens, rose gold flatware and white fine china, all provided by CE Rental, adorned round tables inside the barn. Additional details included Champagne-toned napkins twisted into the shape of a rose. KatieDid Florals added greenery dripping off an antler chandelier and adorning the stone fireplace. A neon sign that read “Better Together” also hung above the mantle. Last, but certainly not least, a five-tier wedding cake by Edible Art Bakery & Dessert Café. Creamy white and spring green layers also featured a gold lattice design on the first tier and a waterfall of peach and vendela roses on the upper two tiers. The elegant show-stopping cake was the icing on top of this styled shoot’s garden theme.
Addie of Dogwood Gatherings and Events expertly styled this summer barn wedding at Oakland Farm. But, Addie enjoys working with couples to create their dream weddings all year round! Check out Sarah and Taylor’s winter wedding in downtown Raleigh planned by Dogwood Gatherings & Events.
