Intimate Raleigh Rehearsal Dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Adrienne and Joseph kicked off their wedding weekend with an intimate wedding rehearsal dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. This was a nice contrast to their Umstead wedding weekend in both setting and cuisine. Sullivan’s is best known for the incredible steaks, is a comfortable and easy downtown venue for private events. They specialize in rehearsal dinners and are great if you are looking to treat your guests to a mouthwatering steak dinner or delicious seafood.
The couple did something that we highly recommend for anyone who can fit it in the budget – they had their photographer document the rehearsal dinner!
‘What a Sweet Bridal Suite’ at The Umstead Wedding
Before the wedding prep is always on top of everyone’s mind when it comes to wedding planning. Both Adrienne and Joseph had suites at The Umstead in Raleigh, where their wedding reception was being held.
Adrienne shared, “It was wonderful having our “bridal suite” and “groomsmen suite” right there in the hotel, too. It was so special for us to be able to relax and get ready with our bridesmaids and groomsmen before the wedding and even take photos on the property before the ceremony. And they’re pet-friendly, so I was able to have my dog Maggie with me on our big day!”
You Need a Raleigh Wedding Coordinator Like Grace Leisure Events
Some brides want to hand over their vision board and have a planner take it from there. Others want to take care of every step themselves and have full creative control. Adrienne knew exactly what she wanted her day to be like so she decided to hire Raleigh day of coordinator, Grace Leisure Events, to assist with the details on the weekend itself.
“Don’t underestimate the value of hiring a day of coordinator. I knew from the moment we started planning that I wanted to do everything myself, but Grace and Elise were lifesavers. There will be little hiccups on the day of your wedding, and the right coordinator will make sure you don’t have to worry about any of it,” shared the bride.
Traditional Downtown Raleigh Cathedral Wedding at Sacred Heart Church
Adrienne grew up going to Sacred Heart Church in Raleigh with her mother every Sunday morning. There was no doubt in her mind that that is where she was going to get married someday. With its stunning stained-glass windows and sky-high ceilings, Sacred Heart Church was the perfect setting for this traditional church wedding in downtown Raleigh. It was a beautiful compliment to their Umstead wedding in nearby Cary NC.
Sacred Heart Church was formerly known as Sacred Heart Cathedral. Now that the new cathedral is open on NC State Centennial Campus, the downtown location is referred to as Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral at Sacred Heart Church.
Timeless Elegance at The Umstead Wedding Reception
The Umstead Hotel has a sleek and sophisticated architectural design and is filled with stunning visuals throughout the lobbies, halls, restaurants, spa and guest rooms . . . creating the warm feeling of a nature art gallery. This is amid tranquil woodland surroundings, and its own lake and fountain facing the landscaped wedding lawn. The banquet room overlooks the lake and opens to an expansive outdoor patio area.
Beautiful bright floral table arrangements by Raleigh wedding florist, Watered Garden, brought life to The Umstead wedding reception for Adrienne and Joseph. With touches of gold places as accents, delicious five-star food by The Umstead restaurant, Herons and an elegant environment, the reception was surpassed the couple’s wedding dreams.
“We chose the Umstead Hotel for our wedding reception because it was the perfect setting for what we had in mind- the hotel property and ballroom were stunning. We also loved the idea of being able to serve delicious food from Herons! Plus, the terrace overlooking the lake was a beautiful setting for the cocktail hour and our exit at the end of the evening,” shared the bride.
