About the 2023 Cover: A New Look

We couldn’t be more thrilled to share our Heart of NC Weddings 2023 cover with you! This cover represents not only a new year and the 36th edition of our magazine, but turning a new page in our story. You’ll notice that the 2023 issue features a new logo and font. Our new and improved website also shares this refreshed look. We are so excited to share our new online vendor and venue guides with you. This website has been optimized to help connect couples with North Carolina wedding vendors so that they can shop locally for their big day and explore the best that local wedding vendors have to offer.

Heart of NC Weddings 2023 cover featuring Misty by Lazaro from White of Raleigh

The cover image itself shows off a fresh, new look for Heart of NC Weddings. This Misty by Lazaro gown is from White of Raleigh boutique and worn by model Grace Harrington of UC Models.

The image was captured by Nikki Whitt Belch (owner of Fancy This Photography) during a dazzling golden hour scene at The Meadows at Firefly Farm Preserve just outside of Raleigh. This shot was part of our 2023 fashion editorial photo shoot led by our editorial shoot director Becca Taylor. This champagne ballgown is complemented by earrings and a bracelet from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry.

Grace’s hair and makeup are by Reign Beauty, and she holds a floral arrangement by Joneswell Flowers.

Stay tuned for more looks from our 2023 fashion editorial shoot at The Meadows at Firefly Farm Preserve. We’ll share the full fashion shoot right here on our blog in January.

Meanwhile, find a free copy of the 2023 magazine near you, or browse the digital version below!

About the 2023 Cover: Misty by Lazaro Ballgown from White of Raleigh

If you’re like us, you’ve spent more than a few weekend nights on the couch binging Bridgerton and swooning over the beautifully detailed and over-the-top evening gowns. This Netflix sensation has ignited wedding fashion trends left and right. We’re totally on board with flowing trains and luxurious fabrics, and, when White of Raleigh store manager Molly Rebenski arrived to the set of our 2023 fashion editorial shoot with this unique Misty by Lazaro gown in tow, we instantly fell in love with its silhouette.

This romantic dress recalls the drama of a regency soiree. The Misty ballgown features a corset bodice with a sweetheart neckline and straps, and a natural waist. The skirt flows into a chapel train and has a high side slit. Plus, this stunning gown even has pockets!

About the 2023 Cover: Jewelry from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

Grace wears several pieces of jewelry from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry on our 2023 cover. She wears a three-row mixed shape 18-karat yellow gold diamond bracelet with 99 stones in total. Grace also wears a pair of Julie Vos Monaco statement earrings made of iridescent crystal and 24-karat yellow gold with pearls.

Heart of NC Weddings 2023 Fashion Editorial

Grace is joined here by her fellow UC Models partner, Eion Dockery. Eion wears a handsome blue suit from Bernard’s Formalwear. Bernard’s is one of the top formalwear, suit and tux stores in the Triangle. This formalwear shop based in Durham and is located on Ninth Street. We recommend Bernard’s not only because they are attentive to their clients and have a wide range of styles to choose from, but also because they’ve been serving couples throughout the Triangle for decades.

Heart of NC Weddings Fashion Editorial Captured by Fancy This Photography

Our 2023 fashion editorial photo shoot is due in a large part to Nikki Whitt Belch, the founder and owner of Fancy This Photography. Nikki is an absolute professional yet knows how to keep the atmosphere on set lighthearted, fun and calm. This is especially important on a wedding day, or during a shoot like ours when dozens of vendors and models are moving from one spot to the next and changing outfits several times. Fancy This has garnered a stellar reputation among local wedding pros, and for good reason. Nikki’s realistic style with a high-fashion element is second to none. She personally orchestrated many of the scenes you see pictured here, including our cover shot featuring the ballgown Misty by Lazaro.

Heart of NC Weddings editorial shoot director Becca Taylor led our team and gathered local wedding dress shop owners, jewelers, hair and makeup stylists, a floral designer and gathered nearly a dozen models to pull together our 2023 fashion editorial. This day takes a large amount of planning and effort on the part of all the invited vendors. The results, we hope you’ll agree, are fantastic.

Nikki and her second shooter, Sarah Gillie, scoped out locations across The Meadows property during the morning of our shoot. Under Nikki’s expert eye, we organized unique poses and created editorial magic. Her experience and talent helped us capture dozens of different looks across many of The Meadows beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces. We can’t wait to share the full editorial with you on the blog soon!

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