It’s Wedding Feature Wednesday at Southern Bride & Groom! Today, we’re excited to share Alex and Danny’s spirited UNC Chapel Hill Wedding at Kenan Football Stadium’s Blue Zone.
Danny and Alex met through mutual friends while attending UNC – Chapel Hill. Danny was a wide receiver on the football team and Alex was a diver on the varsity swimming & diving team. Danny proposed to Alex on their four-year anniversary after the two had spent a weekend apart with their families. When Alex returned home the morning of their anniversary, expecting an empty house and several hours to get ready for a “casual dinner out” which they had agreed to, she was instead greeted with flowers and candles scattered throughout the house and John Legend’s All of Me playing in the background. Danny nervously got down on one knee, expressed his love and desire to spend the rest of their lives together, and asked Alex to marry him. Through tears, Alex, of course, said yes. Instead of presenting Alex with a ring, Danny handed her plane tickets to San Francisco. Danny explained that he knew San Francisco was her favorite city, where her favorite jewelry store (Derco) was located, so he booked a trip to take her there so she could pick out her dream engagement ring! The week was filled with trolley car riding, Ghirardelli sundaes, and lots of diamonds. It was a girl’s fantasy-come-true!
With two Carolina athletes getting married and seven of the 12 members of the bridal party also UNC alums and athletes, getting married in Kenan Stadium on the UNC campus seemed fitting. It was also a unique way to capture the groom’s personality. Danny’s groom’s cake was even made to look like his old football jersey!
The Blue Zone’s exclusive caterer, Rocky Top Catering, presented delicious bites throughout the evening, such as pan-seared crab cakes and leg of lamb.
The night of Alex and Danny’s wedding happened to be the UNC football team’s “Freak Show” which is a recruiting event for players and their families on the field. This provided great entertainment for the guests and was a fun opportunity for all the old football players in attendance to tell their stories from back when they were a part of the team.
Neil and Beth of Neil Boyd Photography captured every amazing moment from getting ready to breaking it down on the dance floor. “Neil did such a good job capturing everyone’s candid genuine emotions throughout the night,” says Alex. “Looking through the pictures and seeing a lot of the day that I missed was such a treat. Neil doesn’t miss a thing! I relived the day and the full range of emotions all over again when viewing the photos, which I’ll cherish forever.”
CEREMONY VENUE The Franklin Hotel | RECEPTION The Blue Zone at Kenan Stadium | CATERER Rocky Top Catering | REHERSAL DINNER City Kitchen | PHOTOGRAPHER Neil Boyd Photography | GOWN Hayley Paige Emeryn from Hayden Olivia Bridal Boutique in Charlotte | BRIDESMAIDS Ralph Lauren Cocktail Collection from Nordstrom’s | JEWELRY Haute Bride Design, San Jose, CA and Swarovski Bella | FORMALWEAR Savvi Formalwear | HAIR & MAKEUP The Makeup Culture | REVEREND Robin Renteria | FLORIST Kelly Odom Flowers and Interiors Inc. | CAKE Cinda’s Creative Cakes | PHOTOBOOTH TapSnap | MUSIC Joe Bunn DJ Company | RENTALS CE Rentals | TRANSPORTATION Raleigh Dream Limos
