Pivoting in the Pandemic

The couple planned an old Hollywood themed wedding at The Umstead Hotel and Spa for May 24, 2020. But coronavirus changed their plans. Through careful communication (and maybe a few tears), Monique and Preston were able to move their May wedding to July 31 and cut down their guest list count to abide by the North Carolina mass gathering mandate.

“I can’t say enough great things about how The Umstead Hotel pivoted and made us and our guests feel special,” Monique says.

The Umstead Hotel staff was extremely supportive, service oriented and safe handling this wedding shortly after the pandemic lockdown.

Dream Wedding at The Umstead Hotel

Tucked into a serene woodland setting, just a short drive from the Triangle, The Umstead Hotel & Spa draws couples in with its sophisticated ambience, artistic spirit, and natural beauty of its surroundings. Inside The Umstead Hotel, its Grand Ballroom is filled with natural light streaming in through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. The Umstead’s dedicated and experienced staff works closely with couples to help bring dream weddings to life. They also offer in-house catering through Herons with custom seasonal menus created by an award-winning team.

NC Wedding Vendors that Make it Happen

“It was stressful to consolidate our event and push our full reception to next year,” Monique says. “But we are so glad we proceeded with a microwedding and intimate dinner.”

Monique and Preston’s vendor team transformed their wedding status from panic to pivot. The Umstead Hotel’s staff offered safety protocols and exceptional customer service. But there’s one vendor who provided support from the very beginning – Images by Amber Robinson. Not only did the NC wedding photographer beautifully capture Monique and Preston’s engagement and nuptials on camera, she also provided her wedding wisdom.

Images by Amber Robinson – NC Wedding Photographer and Storyteller

Amber’s talent is obvious in her work and her images always make us smile. Not only is Amber a super talented Raleigh wedding photographer, but one of the most delightful people to be around and laugh with. Her charisma is contagious, and her ability to connect with people is part of what makes her work so great. Amber creates fun and creative portraits that tell a story.

“[Images by Amber Robinson] is more than a photographer– she is a great advisor and made sure our wedding pictures told our story,” Monique says.