It’s wedding season, which means that couples across North Carolina are coming together to demonstrate their love for one another and commit to a lifetime together. This special day is a wonderful opportunity for couples to also showcase love for their hometown through supporting small, local businesses and products. Check out a few of our suggestions below and start planning the local accents that will make your wedding day sparkle.
Book a local farm wedding venue
A venue is often the first thing on the checklist of a bride-to-be. In recent years, barn venues have become a trend among Southern brides, but did you know that many working farms also offer their properties as a wedding venue? Not only can you be surrounded by the beauty of N.C. agriculture on your wedding day, including farm animals and flowers, but also know that the money you are spending for the venue is going to a local farmer. We’ve listed a few recommendations below, but be sure to look for farms in your area!
Twin Oaks Barn: Garner
Twin Oaks Barn is located on Umstead Ranch in Garner. It is currently a working beef cattle and hay farm that also raises pygmy goats and miniature horses. In March of 2020, the Umstead family broke ground on Twin Oaks Barn as a wedding venue. Trees for the barn were cut and milled on-site, giving it an added touch of the families farming legacy. Their barn offers beautiful scenery as well as a small town local feel.
The Barn at Nooherooka: Snow Hill
The Barn at Nooherooka is located in Snow Hill alongside the Benjamin W. Best Inn Country Inn & Carriage House. The Farm to Barn venue will host up to 400 guests inside and is fully handicap accessible. The site is still a working family farm and provides a rustic and scenic atmosphere in the heart of our state
The Cotton Barn: Winterville
The Cotton Barn is located on Brock’s Farm in Winterville where the family produces fresh berries and other produce each year. Not only do they offer pick-your-own berries, but they have other seasonal events, such as a fall pumpkin patch, and offer field trips to local schools. The Cotton Barn not only provides that quaint and country atmosphere many brides love, but also offers beautiful farm scenery for wedding photos.
The Barn at Royal Gait: Trinity
The Barn at Royal Gait is a Century Farm that has a strong legacy of farming in Trinity. With nearly 170 acres of farmland, the Royal family continues to raise black angus cattle, Morgan horses and hay. In 2018, the family opened their beautifully restored barn as a wedding venue for guests across the state and beyond to enjoy. From its beautiful and pure white appearance to the legacy of farming it speaks too, the Barn at Royal Gait is the perfect venue for couples to showcase their love for each other and agriculture in N.C.
Use a Local Caterer or Incorporate a Local Ingredient
Providing a delicious meal for guests to enjoy is a very important part of wedding day. Whether you choose to bring in catering or have a family member or friend cook a dinner entrée, local food can be incorporated and enjoyed.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting local restaurants has become increasingly important to our community and state. No matter if you and your spouse-to-be love barbecue, Italian, Mexican or downhome southern cooking, North Carolina has a plethora of options to consider for your special day. Simply look for small town restaurants in your area that meet your culinary desires.
Our state farmers markets also have a variety of seasonal ingredients that can be incorporated into an entrée dish for the evening. Stock up on your favorites, including tomatoes, strawberries or peppers, and request that your caterer or cook for the evening make a dish that highlights that ingredient. You could even include the farmer you purchased it from on the dinner menu if one is provided.
Hire a local florist for wedding flower arrangements
Flowers are something beautiful that are often native to the area that they inhabit. Not only can you showcase a bit of seasonality through them on your special day, but by supporting a local florist or even a bouquet maker at a local farmers market, you can give back to the community and show off the beauty of our state flowers on your special day. Check out a couple of our suggestions below and look for florists in your area to book one today!
Mountain Visions Florist: Newland
With over ten years of experience, Mountain Visions Florist in Newland offers beautiful bouquets and arrangements for your special day. In addition to weddings, the flower shop also services a variety of other events each year, including birthdays, holiday parties and proms. Located near Banner Elk, this florist will give off N.C. mountain vibes on your wedding day.
Sedgefield Florist: Greensboro
Sedgefield Florist in Greensboro is a family owned and operated flower shop that caters to your special day. Not only do they design beautiful arrangements, bouquets and corsages, but they also offer on-site decorating services to set up the flower arrangements at your wedding venue. Their flowers also showcase the seasonality of horticulture in North Carolina, but provide a different vibe from the heart of the piedmont region.
Coastal Blooms Florist: Manteo
Coastal Blooms Florist in Manteo gives off ocean vibes with their exquisite flower arrangements and bouquets. This florist is also family owned and operated with many years of experience in the industry. When you visit their shop, be sure to check out their other unique offerings, including silk flower arrangements, fruit baskets, candles and more!
Stock the bar with local beer, wine and liquor
North Carolina is full of local wineries, breweries and distilleries that would be more than glad to service the bar on your special day.
From the mountains to the coast, our state wineries not only offer red and white options to satisfy your guests, but also many champagne options for the toast. Duplin Winery, Iron Gate Winery and Biltmore Winery are just a couple of suggestions, but there are many others. Check out the N.C. Wine website to find local vineyards in your area!
Local distilleries and breweries offer a variety of options for the guys to enjoy on wedding day, including Crystal Coast Brewing, Fullsteam Brewery, End of Days Distillery and Muddy River Distillery. From lagers and ales to whiskey, tequila and rum, our state is home to all your favorites that will keep the celebration going. For craft brews in your area, check out the map on the N.C. Beer Guys website.
Give your guests local wedding favors
Leave your guests with a little local love from your wedding day with favors from a nearby business! While favors are a fun way for guests to remember your day, they can also be a way to showcase the variety of products made in our state. Check out the list below for a few ideas of what to look for in your area, or come up with an idea of your own. No matter what you choose to do, show your North Carolina pride to all your family and friends in a special way on your special day.
- Hand Sanitizer
- Mini Hot Sauce Bottles
- Mini Coffee Bags
- Local honey, jam or jelly
- Cookies from a local bakery
- Candles
- Succulents or mini-plants
- Garden seeds from a flower shop or farmers market
No matter how you choose to showcase your local, North Carolina love, we wish you and your spouse the best and most memorable day ever!