It’s not often a bride-to-be finds the perfect wedding venue while in an emergency room. But when you’re an Emergency Room Resident Physician, anything can happen, including getting a wedding planning tip from somebody under your care. Shares Jordan, “I was newly engaged and taking care of a patient in the emergency room who noticed my ring. As I was closing a complex laceration that took a little while, we got to talking. He asked where I was planning on getting married, and I told him that we had been looking but had not found the perfect location yet. He told me that I HAD to check out the most beautiful wedding location he had ever been to out in the mountains, called Overlook Barn. I was a little skeptical about wedding advice coming from a random older gentleman whom I just met by happenstance. But I went back to my workstation, Googled the venue, and filled out the inquiry form from there. The next week I was able to make the trip out to mountains. Overlook is gorgeous and charming. After seeing the property, I knew it was the one. The rest is history. If you have ever been to the NC mountains on a summer or fall day, there is nothing like it! And we owe finding our wedding venue to a generous stranger!”
The stars aligning is something of a theme for Jordan and Scott. In high school, he was one of her brother’s friends who she helped out by setting up his Twitter account…and making sure he followed her. After that, they were near inseparable.
Even Jordan’s wedding gown was meant to be. Over a girls’ weekend, she, her mom, and her grandmother all went to Bellissima, a bridal boutique she’d noticed and knew she had to visit. The appointment took place during an Astrid & Mercedes trunk show, and the second shop owner Monica helped Jordan into Devoted, she knew it was the one. “Compared to every other wedding decision filled with indecisiveness, I made the decision that day and never looked back. I still am so obsessed with my dress! OH, and did I mention my gown HAS POCKETS?!”
Get more details about Jordan and Scott’s stunning fall wedding in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains from our wonderful bride below.
How did you and Scott meet and get engaged?
“Our adventure started in high school over ten years ago. I made Scott a Twitter account and made sure I was the only followed profile. Back then, he was just one of my brother’s friends, but we quickly became more. It was during those teenage years that our love originally blossomed. From school dances, beach trips, and driving around singing in the car, we could never get enough of one another. While we spent a few years apart during college, our love for each other never stopped. Thankfully, we were able to find our way back together. Since then, we have added to our family with our dog Hayes. We moved from New Jersey to North Carolina to start new careers. Most importantly, our love and friendship continue to grow.
In July 2021, on a hot summer day hiking Mount Mitchell just outside of Asheville, we found an isolated off-trail spot to take a break. Scott got down on one knee and asked for forever.”
wedding dress: Astrid & Mercedes Devoted via Bellissima | photographer: Traci Whitworth Photography | scroll down for full vendor list
Tell us about your outfits! How did you choose your gown?
“Ever since I moved to Winston-Salem, NC, I knew I had to buy my wedding gown at Bellissima. It is the cutest storefront and by appointment only. So, I invited my mother and grandmother down to Winston when I got my appointment for a girls’ weekend. I was interested in various gowns at Bellissima but especially Astrid & Mercedes, as it was a trunk show. Monica (the store owner) had them ready for me to try on when I got there. I think I knew the second I tried on my Devoted gown that it was the one. The brocade, A-line, the satin waistline, high neck, and open back, and because it was during the Astrid & Mercedes trunk show, I could add a few satin buttons on the back—I was IN LOVE. The Devoted gown was the third dress I tried on, and I was hooked.
Compared to every other wedding decision filled with indecisiveness, I made the decision that day and never looked back. I still am so obsessed with my dress! OH, and did I mention my gown HAS POCKETS?!
My husband had very few opinions on wedding planning. Mostly “whatever you want is perfect.” HOWEVER, he insisted that he wear an olive-green suit, as it was his favorite color and his dream. We found the perfect suit with Indochino, where he could customize the inner lining, buttons, cut, and fit. It was the perfect addition to our day. I am so glad we found the olive suit!”
Tell us about your day!
“I was able to get ready with my entire bridesmaid squad consisting of friends from elementary school, high school, college, and medical school, in the house on the property. There was plenty of space to spread out and get our hair and makeup done. We were able to sing and dance to Taylor Swift up until we walked down the aisle.
My best friend from college is a pastor and was able to marry us. She created the most special ceremony for Scottie and me—completely customized and took some special details from the letters Scottie and I wrote to her on why we wanted to marry one another. I could not have imagined a more perfect moment. It was so special to have all our grandparents and parents walk down the aisle during our ceremony. At the reception, I loved not having a sweetheart table and just having one large family table to see our closest family during dinner. I had the best vendor team making my Pinterest boards full of candles and flowers come to life!
Scottie and I love to dance. So, it was important to us to make sure the main event after dinner was the dance floor! We hired Emerald Empire Band to keep the crowd going, and that they did. The best part about our day was that it was one large celebration we got to share with the people that mean the most.”
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
“The most important thing for me was that I could customize things! I have seen plenty of cookie-cutter country club weddings, and I wanted to steer clear of “wedding packages.” I loved being able to plan every last detail. My venue and all my vendors allowed me to do just that.”
What was the funniest moment of your day?
“The funniest moment of my day was when Scottie went to say his vows and definitely messed up a few words in the process. It was the cutest thing that could have happened. I was nervous and ready to burst into happy tears from all the emotions. This instantly put a smile on my face and gave us something to giggle over afterward!”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“Because neither of us could take a ton of time off work, we went on a mini-moon and are planning a larger honeymoon to Italy in May. After the wedding, we traveled to Asheville and stayed at the Omni Grove Inn for a few nights. It was the perfect getaway for some time at the spa, with good food and more perfect views of the fall leaves and mountains!”
Any tips for couples getting married?
“Yes!
1) Enjoy every second of being engaged, planning, and all of the emotions leading up to the wedding. It can be stressful, expensive, and tough putting it all together, but at the end of the day, it is the most special day of your life, and it will all turn out perfect.
2) Get a planner, a coordinator, or whatever you can fit into your budget! I felt relatively stress-free leading up to the wedding, knowing someone was doing a lot of the heavy work and organization. Everyone kept asking me how I was feeling with the wedding coming up, and mostly all I felt was excitement! It was worth every penny to have enjoyed that time.
3) Never forget that this day is about you as a couple! Put your needs first always.”
wedding dress: Astrid & Mercedes Devoted via Bellissima | photographer: Traci Whitworth Photography | planner: Knot Common Events | venue: Overlook Barn | hair + makeup: Bella Bridal Artistry | florals: Thistle and Twig Flowers | catering: Gadabouts | rentals: A Bushel and a Peck, Miss Match Rentals
