WEDDING IDEAS

Heather wore a netted Russian veil given to her by one of her bridesmaids. She also wore an ivory feather clip in the back of her hair. The bridesmaid dresses were from J.Crew, as was Heather‘s gown. Heather also had four flower girls who wore ivory, floor-length dresses with dupioni bodices and flowing silk and chiffon skirts. A thick layer of Tiffany blue dupioni wrapped around the empire waste with an ivory rose fastened in the back. Her one junior bridesmaid wore a short, sleeveless dress with a layer of beaded lace over it.

Heather held a clutch-style bouquet of cream roses tightly wrapped in black ribbon.

Guests were given dark chocolate–covered almonds wrapped in paisley print paper and sealed with a Tiffany blue, circle-shape sticker stamped with "Merci".

Tables were covered in Tiffany blue, floor-length satin tablecloths, topped with small square vases filled with roses and red hypericum berries.

The menu featured a buffet of treats including a carving station, chicken skewers, and marinated baby new potatoes. There were also two trees made out of strawberries for the guest to nosh on as well.

Heather and Andrae’s cake was five round tiers of chocolate cake with raspberry filling and light blue-color buttercream frosting, embellished with chocolate brown fondant circles of varying shapes and sizes.

Heather‘s bridesmaids held a small clutch of red roses.

The ceremony took place under a covered awning, which was decorated with hanging red and white paper lanterns of all shapes. The white lanterns also featured a ribbon hanging from the bottom, each scripted with the name of a deceased loved one who would have been there with the couple on their special day. In fact, loved ones played a role in almost every part of the day, from the friends who sang at the ceremony to Andrae’s old roommate snapping the photos. “It was quite short, but intimate and sweet -- just what we had wanted,” explains Heather.

The day’s theme also extended to Heather’s choice of gown. She opted for a strapless, ivory style that was pleated down the back and opera-length gloves, a look she describes as “very Audrey Hepburn.” Andrae wore a Tiffany blue shirt, black tie with a paisley print, and a black pin-stripe suit. The groom also insisted on wearing his black cowboy boots from his favorite local vintage store, The Rat’s Nest.

Heather & Andrae in Charlotte, NC

Heather and Andrae planned a colorful, family-oriented wedding in Charlotte, NC.

Photos By: M. Ray Photography, Charlotte

Location: The Terrace at South Tryon Square, Charlotte

Heather Jenkins has no problem admitting that she’s been planning her wedding day since she was 16. "I grew up flipping through wedding magazines and clipping out pictures of possible gowns," she remembers. "I had my ideas set!" So when her boyfriend of one year, Andrae Bergeron, proposed, Heather was more than ready to start planning.

The Bride Heather Jenkins, 25, a nanny
The Groom Andrae Bergeron, 24, a student
The Date September 24

Heather quickly decided on an "uptown chic" theme with a style that would remind guests of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The couple chose The Terrace at South Tryon Square as the site for their ceremony and reception, along with the colors black, deep red, and Tiffany blue.

-- Linda DiProperzio