A Wedding At The Bradford | New Hill, NC | Mandie and Eric
A wedding at the Bradford, is a different kind of wedding. It has a different feel. Takes you to a different place. It's like taking a trip without leaving home. It feels like a French chateau, but placed in the suburbs outside of Raleigh. But what I love most about it is that has such an appeal of family comes first, which makes sense as it is run by the dynamic sister duo, Courtney and Dana of C&D Events (also, this weddings phenomenal planners).
So when I first spoke with Mandie and Eric about their wedding at the Bradford, they both really got into how important family is to them. How Mandie and her mom talk every day and how they spend every Christmas together even though they are now on opposite coasts. But most of all it was hearing how much she wanted this wedding, her wedding, to be special for her parents too. And then hearing from Eric, how close he is with his family. How his grandmother raised him, as his parents were working hard to provide a beautiful life for he and his sister when they were growing up. How their hard work and attitude of "the harder you work, the luckier you get" sticks with him to this day. How he intended to include his parents and even his grandmother, who still lives in the Philippines, in the wedding day in some fun ways.
For me, family and friends are everything. They are who you have to lean on in tough times, and who will ask to lean on you as well. It's the inner circle that I often talk about, such as here in this Intimate Oregon Destination Wedding or as part of this Beautiful Fall Wedding at the Merrimon-Wynne. So this sense of the attention not being all about them or this detail or that detail, really resonated with me, and I knew their wedding at the Bradford was going to be amazing.
While their rehearsal dinner and reception would be held at the Bradford, their ceremony took place in downtown Raleigh at the Sacred Heart Church, a gorgeous Gothic styled church that was once one of the smallest Catholic cathedrals in the US. The church was a big part of their wedding day, as were some of the traditions, both American and Filipino representing both Mandie and Eric.
While we were expecting a hot late spring day, we were lucky and got some cloud cover for their cocktail hour which was filled with great signature drinks, delicious hors d'oeuvres, wonderful music and a cooling breeze which was spectacular.
Once the reception started, so did the water works!
Both Mandie and Eric's parents speeches were beautiful and not only had family in tears but friends as well...and maybe a photographer. And the good words didn't stop there as toasts were given by a few of the wedding party folks, all while Eric had his grandmother watching live via Facetime from her home in the Philippines. Such an awesome way to include someone who has meant so much to him and his family.
Then it was time for Ryan of Spin DJs to turn it out and get people dancing and there was no problem there as the dancing and fun went well into the night. Sweat was flying, wigs were flying (true story), and all the kids were showing off the floss of course.
It really was a beautiful wedding at the Bradford, but you probably want to see pictures now. So without further ado...enjoy!
Wedding Vendors
Big thanks to all who made this wedding at The Bradford such a momentous one for Mandie and Eric:
Rehearsal Dinner and Reception Venue - The Bradford
Ceremony Venue - Sacred Heart Cathedral
Wedding Planner - Courtney of C&D Events
Officiant - Father Chris Ryan
Florals - Bushel and Peck
Cocktail Hour Music - Fabius Page
Reception Music - Ryan of Spin NC
Caterer - Beau Catering
Cake - Details Cake Design
Linens and Rentals - CE Rental
Hair and Makeup - Wedding Hair by Liz
Lighting - Get Lit Special Event
Lounge and Accessories - Greenhouse Picker Sisters
All paper products - Dana of C& D Events
Wedding Illustrations - Vincent Lee
Bride's Dress - Watters from BoLee Bridal Couture
Grooms suit - Nostalgia Barong Shop and Hugo Boss
Bridesmaids dresses - Jenny Yoo
Bride's shoes - Jewel by Badgley Mischka
Grooms hat - Hats in The Belfry
Groomsbuds Hats - Mucros Weavers
Ice Cream - Andia's Ice Cream
Tent - Grand Rental Station
Engagement Ring - T Palm Jewellers
Wedding Bands - Neil Dahl Jewellers
Second Photographer - Artemas Photography
Did you love the feeling and look to this wedding? Or do you simply just dig the overall style of my work? I would love to talk to you about your wedding, just reach out below!