Chapel Hill Wedding Vendors Create Romantic European Scenes at Lavender Oaks Farm
Folks on Franklin Street might not know that just a few miles away, purple blooms blanket the fields of Lavender Oaks Farm for several weeks every June. The Orange County wedding and event venue is not far from downtown Chapel Hill, but is reminiscent of the countryside of southern France. Last year, local wedding vendors gathered together there to create a romantic styled wedding photo shoot inspired by blooming lavender fields. The result is something magical. Lavender Oaks Farm lent itself perfectly to this European-inspired wedding styled shoot.
Triangle Area Wedding Vendors Gather at Lavender Oaks Farm
Susan Langford, owner of Raleigh-based wedding dress shop Gilded Bridal, lifts the train of a Tara LaTour gown for a model. The bride walks through rows of flowering lavender plants toward a table set with doilies and Antoinette Bleu china at this European-inspired Chapel Hill wedding styled shoot. A chorus of harmless, albeit drunk, bees hum happily above fields of purple blossoms. They’re interrupted only by an occasional squeal of joy from one of the styled shoot’s participating vendors.
Chapel Hill Barn Wedding Venue – Lavender Oaks Farm
In the fading sun, the scene looks as if it were taking place in a field in the south of France. But Lavender Oaks Farm is nestled in the trees of Chapel Hill. Karen Macdonald and Robert Macdonald purchased the property in 2015 to start their own lavender farm. The couple was inspired following a trip to the countryside of Provence. They brought European inspiration back with them to the Triangle, and began bringing their dream alive on the 60-acre farm.
Today, Lavender Oaks Farm is a local wedding and event destination sought out for its refurbished historical barns and forest setting tucked away in Chapel Hill’s trees. The farm is home to nearly 4,000 lavender plants. There’s also an on-site shop filled with farm-made lavender goods. The venue’s design and amenities were carefully planned by the Macdonalds to meet a couple’s needs on their wedding day. Comfortable outdoor spaces compliment luxury getting-ready suites and the spacious barns. There’s even a white folly gazebo – named for its decorative structure and design – that is perfect for sharing vows or intimate dances under its curving limbs.
While Lavender Oaks Farm is home to rows of fragrant lavender plants that bloom for just a few weeks in early summer, don’t fret if you have your heart set on a spring or fall wedding date. The farm stays lush and green for many months of the year. This Chapel Hill wedding venue is sure to please any couple seeking a tranquil setting for their North Carolina wedding.
Summer Wedding Inspiration
Arika Shelest of Arika Jordan Photography captured Diane Joyal and Lily Joyal’s vision of a late June wedding at Chapel Hill’s Lavender Oaks Farm. This mother-daughter duo is the heart and soul behind Bowerbird Flowers & Apothecary. They created floral arrangements with natural movement and organic composition. The florals accentuate the natural beauty of the farm. Shades of mauve, blush, buttery yellow, pops of pink and, of course, lavender, consumed the camera. This proved a perfect palette for Arika, who is admired locally for her bright, colorful photography style. Spanish pottery, taper candles and antique linens from American Party Rentals enhance the rustic-chic ambiance of the overall design.
Flavorful Menu by Beau Catering
Dressed in a cornflower blue suit from Durham’s Bernard’s Formalwear, the groom raises a glass to toast to his bride. Her hair and soft romantic makeup look effortless thanks to Pinup Studio. Meanwhile, Arika’s camera captures a colorful spread from Beau Catering. Vibrant dishes like grilled peach crostini, roasted summer squash, stuffed peppers and steamed mussels from Carteret County, North Carolina, add flavor and fun. A fresh tomato salad is garnished with sprigs of lavender from Chapel Hill’s Lavender Oaks Farm. Rosy drinks finish off the romantic meal. How else could a French-inspired table be complete?
But before any imaginary guests can dig into this delicious meal, they must take a moment to read a line from the poem “Union” by Robert Fulghum. The text decorates round dinner menus made by Ashley Triggiano. “Look at one another, and remember this moment in time.”
Celebrating Chapel Hill Wedding Vendors
As the sun sets and market lights begin to glow, the group of wedding vendors gathers to celebrate the success of this European-inspired styled wedding photo shoot. Raising a toast with Champagne, a sense of camaraderie filled the farm. Each vendor’s skill set is remarkable on their own, but truly magical memories are made when they come together. It’s hard to imagine a more fitting embodiment of French-inspired summer wedding inspiration than this styled photo shoot.
Love the look of this Chapel Hill wedding venue Lavender Oaks Farm? Then be sure to view our full list of North Carolina barn and farm wedding venues.
