Romantic Warehouse Wedding at Market Hall Raleigh by Sally Oakley Weddings & Events Planner
Even after an epic engagement and wedding, Jasmine still has her husband saved as “Clark Milk Bar” on her phone. That’s what happens when you fall for a handsome stranger at the Milk Bar in downtown Raleigh. After hours of sharing tacos and what makes each other “tick,” Jasmine and Clarke knew they had something special together. And what better place to celebrate a classic Raleigh romance, than at the historic Market Hall at City Market Raleigh? Surrounded by cobblestone streets in downtown Raleigh, Market Hall is a warehouse wedding venue with a warm southern atmosphere. Market Hall was the perfect venue for some of Jasmine and Clarke’s wedding guests to experience NC for the first time.
Jasmine and Clarke hired Kathy Swope of Sally Oakley Weddings & Events to plan their romantic glam Raleigh wedding. From linens to lighting, Kathy decorated Market Hall’s industrial chic interior with elegant elements of royal charm.
“My planner knew me so well,” said bride Jasmine, “I trusted her through the entire process and she brought my princess dreams to life with all the whites, golds and greenery.”
Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Wedding Planner
My venue comes with a coordinator, so I don’t need a wedding planner, right? Wrong! The venue coordinator’s role is helpful, but limited to organizing in-house details. Such as directing vendors on where to set up and making sure lighting and air temperature are just right. So at the very least, you will still want to hire a month-of wedding planner. However, full service wedding planners are super heroes in disguise. Professionals like Kathy Swope from Sally Oakley Weddings & Events are essential from day one ’till the sparkler exit. Here are our top reasons for hiring a NC wedding planner:
Save your money – A professional planner will help you set the budget and stick to it
Save your time – Too busy with work or life? A planner schedules meetings, venue tours, tastings, open houses and more for you
Experience is everything – Wedding planners know the most reliable and best quality NC wedding vendors in town
Skip the stress – Enjoy your day and avoid becoming a bridezilla or groomzilla by hiring a wedding planner
Style and expertise – Planners will translate your wedding vision into reality
Heavy lifting – Planners handle the ceremony to reception room flip, clean up, and any other wedding day set up
They’re working for you – A planner isn’t your best friend or mom, which means they won’t argue with your choices or requests
Perfect timing – Perhaps most importantly, your planner will set and execute your wedding timeline with beauty and grace
In the morning hours of their wedding day, Jasmine and her bridesmaids gathered together to get ready. The ladies wore matching pajama sets, the bridesmaids in black and the bride and pink. We love the thoughtful idea of bridal parties wearing matching getting ready outfits – especially when they are cute and comfy at the same time! After snapping cute group photos, your best friends will love getting to take those pajamas home as a special gift. Raleigh beauty team, Makeup for Your Day helped this party become bridal. With alternating up-dos and loose curls, each bridesmaid looked beautiful with their unique style. We absolutely love the elegant hair and makeup look that Makeup for Your Day gave bride Jasmine. She is glowing with beauty and confidence in every photo! Wearing Carolina blue floor-length gowns, the bridesmaids helped Jasmine step into her timeless, white wedding dress.
What you’re about to witness, is groom Clarke digging up a bottle of bourbon. Why is he doing that you ask? In the name of tradition! Southern tradition that is. According to folklore, burying the bourbon is a tradition that, if done correctly, is supposed to ward off rain the day of the wedding. Want to try this age-old tradition for yourself? Visit the venue exactly one month before the day of your wedding and bury a full bottle of bourbon upside down (you MUST get permission of your venue to do so!). If you don’t want to ruin the landscape, bury your bourbon in a flower pot or hide it in the bushes. Finally, on the day of your wedding, dig up your bottle of bourbon and share it with your friends and family! As you can see, Clarke and his groomsmen took special care to make sure this Southern tradition was executed properly. What if I bury the bourbon, and it still rains on my wedding day? Drink the bourbon anyway! Raise a glass to the love of your life, rain or shine.
Clarke deserves a trophy for his heart-winning surprise marriage proposal. Jasmine waved goodbye to Clarke one ordinary Friday, as he climbed into an Uber heading to the airport for a weekend work trip to Atlanta. From a hotel in Atlanta (aka the RDU Marriott Hotel), Clarke facetimed Jasmine. Like the sweet grandson he is, Clarke asked Jasmine to stop by his Grandma’s house and check-in on her. When Jasmine arrived at Grandma’s 222 acre horse-farm she found a note, “go to the barn.” Inside the barn, Clarke got down on one knee and waited patiently for his best friend to arrive. Amid flowers, bistro lights, and candles, Clarke asked Jasmine to spend the rest of her life with him. After the shock, Jasmine said yes, only to be surprised again by a celebration of both their immediate family members at the house! “I could relive the proposal over and over again!” Jasmine said.
Just like their love story, Jasmine and Clarke’s wedding was unlike any other. For their ceremony at Market Hall, Clarke’s dad officiated and Jasmine’s Aunts performed a special Hindu wedding tradition. We love when couples honor their families and upbringing in personal wedding rituals. As you can see, Market Hall is the perfect industrial chic blank canvas for any event. Airy drapery, warm lantern lighting and stunning flower arrangements at the altar whisper romance. Petal & Oak florist company took classic white blossoms and greenery and created a look that could not be more beautiful. Don’t forget to look up! Modern gold chandeliers are dripping with greenery in a way that can only be described as whimsical.
Romantic Glam Market Hall Raleigh Wedding Reception
After their ceremony, Jasmine and Clarke welcomed their guests to a reception in the Market View room at Market Hall. The Market View room can host up to 350 seated with a dance floor. It’s white exposed brick walls, high ceilings and ample natural light make it beautiful during the day and night. Kathy Swope of Sally Oakley Weddings & Events listened to her bride and groom’s vision and brought it to life. White and gold linens and flatware on each table from CE Rental looked magical in twinkle lights. Petal & Oak’s incredible floral arrangements were the focal point of this gorgeous reception. Market Hall catering team provided a delicious onsite meal for all of the wedding guests to enjoy. Bride Jasmine loved working with Kathy Swope of Sally Oakley Weddings & Events,
“She was my angel! She kept me calm, cool and collected the entire 9 months leading up to the big day and went above and beyond her duties.”
Throughout the evening guests were entertained by a live band, cigar roller and ZimZoom Photo Booth! After their first dance, Clarke surprised Jasmine by requesting a live performance of the song “Helpless” from Hamilton the musical. Just in case you thought Clarke couldn’t be any cooler, he had Ice-T (actor from Jasmine’s favorite tv show Law and Order SVU) do a customized video message wishing the couple well in their marriage!
Believe it or not, this incredible wedding day at Market Hall gets even better. For the afterparty, Jasmine and Clarke rented out the top of Trophy bar in downtown Raleigh. Local musician, Autumn Nicholas, performed at their afterparty as the newlyweds danced the night away among family and friends. Cheers to these newlyweds! We wish you joy and many many more celebrations.
Want to see another real wedding at a warehouse wedding venue in downtown Raleigh? Click here to see Heidi and John’s winter wedding at The Stockroom at 230.
Downtown Raleigh Wedding Venue Guide Welcome to our downtown Raleigh wedding venue guide! Weddings in the heart of the downtown Raleigh are known for offering Southern charm and hospitality. From
