And so the wedding series continues…
Today, I’m sharing photos from our intimate wedding dinner overlooking Lake Toxaway at the Greystone Inn. In my mind, it was exactly what I had dreamed it would be. Since it had been raining all day, the trees were extra green, the skies were purple, and fog hovered over the mountains. It was the most romantic spot! This wasn’t where we were initially going to have our dinner, but it was our backup plan since the rain decided to show up. But for a backup plan, it was surely beautiful!
Photography by Amanda Castle
It was a blast designing this wedding table. Since I only had twelve guests, it was much easier to be hands-on. I kept a lot of the decor budget-friendly by shopping at Hobby Lobby, Amazon, Etsy, Homegoods, and a few antique stores. 
When I first saw the dinner table with all the details together, I wanted to try. It was my dream!
The wedding cake was so elegant and simple. I found this beautiful blush pink cake holder at Homegoods, and it felt like I had hit the jackpot! Kyle and I had traveled up to our venue a few weeks before the wedding to drop off our wedding decor so the vendors could use them. This cake was one of the most delicious cakes I have ever eaten. I’m ordering a mini version of this exact cake for our anniversary this year! It’s from Blue Ridge Bakery in Brevard. It was my favorite flavor, almond!
Ivory Taper Candles / Pink Taper Candles / Crystal Candle Holders / Clear Crackled Candle Jars / Pink Mandala Glass Candle Jars/ Small Candles / Chargers (I hand-painted the dots with shimmery rose pink acrylic paint)/ Napkins / Name Placements/ Chiffon Ribbon / Chiffon Table Runners
If you’re interested, I can write up a blog post about how I went about designing these table settings. I have so many photos documented from the process! I couldn’t share them before.
When the glass chargers arrived in the mail, I loved them! The only problem is that the pink was more of a coral/reddish color! I decided to dedicate an entire Saturday hand-painting each dot on the chargers to match my wedding decor. It was worth the neck pain and hand cramps! I loved how they turned out.
As it got later into the evening, the glow from the candles set the most romantic mood. 
As a coffee lover, I ordered adorable espresso cups and chargers to go on the dessert table. I figured ending the evening with cake, custom treats, and espresso was right up my alley.
I spent weeks searching for the perfect set that fit my budget. I couldn’t believe it when I found these on Amazon! I bought two sets, and I plan to use these in case we ever have guests over. They look adorable in my pantry on my dish shelf.
I loved the idea of having custom cookies and macaroons made for the dessert table. I had a local baker, Made By Megan Jayne, create these, and they were delicious and so beautiful sitting next to the cake. I loved having pops of blush everywhere. 
We kicked off the dinner with champagne and appetizers. We did a farm-to-table style menu, and everything tasted amazing! If I could eat this meal all over again, I would. The chefs at Greystone Inn knocked it out of the park by designing this menu.
Farm to Table Wedding Menu
hors d’oeuvres
amuse bouche- foie gras mousse, pistachio
granola, caramelized citrus supreme, grilled brioche
house pappardelle- truffle egg yolk jam, shaved pecorino
salad
salad- baby arugula, micro aromats, lemon cured figs,
thyme infused chèvre, roasted macadamia, elderberry vinaigrette
entrée
salmon- sugar snaps, caramelized baby carrots,
vegetable ash ravioletti, sweet pea purée
dessert
almond wedding cake, vanilla
buttercream frosting, espresso, & champagne
Floral Design / Party Rental
We had the best night. 
If you plan to do taper candles, make sure to purchase double if your dinner goes on longer than a few hours. The staff went above and beyond and would change the candles once they got low. I also highly recommend shopping Hobby Lobby candles when they are 50% off, which is often! They were under $1 when I purchased them all. They have so many colors, so you’ll be able to match them to your wedding. I also paired them with mini candles to tuck into the flower garland. 
Speeches are my favorite! 
My dad made these boxes for the wedding ceremony, and I purchased the beautiful large honeycomb vases at Ballard Designs. 
A few cell phone shots! The guests were at the cozy bar located inside the Greystone Inn, next to our ceremony spot, before heading to dinner! 
Kyle’s Tux / Leo’s Tux / Wedding Gown
My mom looked absolutely stunning. (her gown)
The salmon entree was the star of the show and cooked to perfection.
Kyle and I did the first dance together after dinner.
We had spent almost a year creating the perfect wedding dinner playlist, so let me know if you’d like me to share it with you!
Even though we didn’t do a traditional reception with dancing, I think this moment was special, and I’m happy we didn’t leave it out.
Dancing with my dad was one of the most memorable moments. We danced to the song “The Way You Look Tonight” by Tony Bennett. It’s been one of my favorite songs since I was a little girl watching My Best Friend’s Wedding repeatedly.
I loved these photos our Photographer captured. 
After dancing, we cut into the most delicious wedding cake.
We had a no-smashing cake in the face agreement. 
After several servings of cake and the most delicious espresso, we headed back to the Inn for the night.
The forks said, “I do,” and the other fork said, “Me too.”
Sparkler send-off! 
I took some time after dinner to take off my wedding dress, my makeup, and get my cozy pajamas back on! We headed down to the lobby to enjoy a glass of wine with family by the fireplace. June 9th was the best day of my life, and it was even more magical than I had ever imagined.
Questions for you!
- Let me know if you’d like me to add a few other wedding posts (welcome bags, wedding dresses I tried on but didn’t buy, decor planning, etc..)
- What was your favorite memory at your wedding?
- Did you freeze your wedding cake?
Your wedding looks like an absolute dream! What was your first dance song?
Thank you, Lina!
We danced to Can’t Help Falling in Love by Boyce Avenue!
These shots are gorgeous! Makes me want to do a vow renewal with just a few people.
Please do more wedding content! I love it!!
Thank you so much, Janet! & you totally should!
This is all so stunning! My dad and I danced to that song at our wedding 32 years ago–but the Frank Sinatra version! I love you and your mom’s dresses and all of the decor you designed and picked out. It looked like the perfect wedding!
Ahhhh I love it!!!
Thank you so much, Heather!!
I’d love a post on the wedding dresses you didn’t end up choosing – the dress you chose was perfect!
I may do that next week! I found some of those photos and it was so fun to go back and look at them!
What a beautiful wedding! You both look so very happy and gorgeous! Leo looks just dashing too! My fav memory is my new husband dancing to Staying Alive 🕺🏻(He does not dance but he cut a rug and we got a pic to prove it thankfully). Yes, we froze our wedding cake. It was fun and still delicious on our 1st Wedding Anniversary. (We will celebrate our 25th in November). Followed you for a long time….Thanks for sharing! Love seeing you so happy! You deserve it! Congratulations! 🥂
Thanks so much, Melissa!
Leo was a little star!!⭐️
That is so funny that a non-dancer decided to cut a rug to Staying Alive 😂
xo xo
Would love to hear more about the nursery prep and getting ready for baby (like are you taking classes, have you packed your bag, stuff like that) instead.
We didn’t save the whole top of our cake, we ate that when we got back from our honeymoon. But we did save a slice. Never ate it on our 1st anniversary so it’s still in our freezer…13 years later lol.
Hi, Jenn!
I’m not finished with the nursery, haven’t packed a bag, and yes we are taking classes. Those are things I’ll eventually blog about when the time gets closer.
It’s in your freezer 13 years later? OMG 😆
Oh my gosh, My Beat Friend’s Wedding was also one of my favorite movies growing up! My husband and I did The Way You Look Tonight for our first dance.
Also, we did freeze 2 pieces of cake for our 1 year, and they still tasted pretty good. Plus it was nice to have a little piece of that magical day to enjoy again.
Oooooo I’d love to see more of those other photos! I really love looking at wedding dresses so I’d love to see the ones you didn’t pick!
My favorite memory was after we’d both gone back home, actually LOL it was like we finally sat down (with our mcdonalds) on the couch, and I just felt so at peace knowing we were finally married and together forever officially 🙂 Especially after all the covid drama and whatnot that ensued throughout the year.
We did not freeze our cake – we had a small non-tiered cake, so we ate it in a few days LOL
I think that would be such a fun blog!
I love that, and it’s even better you made the McDonald’s stop! lol Oh gosh the covid situation for brides! ahhhh I get it!
lol we did too. It was TOO GOOD to not eat.
Your wedding looked so dreamy and cozy!! 🙂 I did freeze our top layer but we only froze it for a couple of weeks and then took it out to have as a Christmas dinner dessert (we got married mid December)-it was delicious! Did you keep any cake, cookies or macaroons for later?
Thank you, Doraly!
We didn’t end up freezing our cake because there was pretty much none left 😂 We sent the rest of the cookies and macaroons home with our photographer and some of the staff since we were headed to our honeymoon the next day.
We plan to buy a cake at the same bakery for our anniversary!
Absolutely lovely! I love weddings—that picture of you & your mom, and I bet your dads toast was so sweet 🥰. Not one detail missed—just absolute perfection!! I love weddings, and I love, Love!❤️ Thank you for sharing these!!❤️ And congratulations to you two!!💕🥂
Thank you so much, Lindsay!
xo xo xo
Thank you so much for this! All the details are beautiful! As someone newly engaged, I would love the playlist if you are able to share.
Absolutely & congrats on your engagement! ♥️
Your reception was absolutely gorgeous! Loved how the plates turned out. It was the smallest detail to paint them yourself but it made them extra special! Everything looked so beautiful..!
Would love to read more wedding blogs. I enjoy this content very much. And would love to know if you felt different after becoming Mr and Mrs? Some of my friends say it does feel different, others say it feels pretty much the same as before. Would love to hear your take on it.
Congratulations again on everything <3
Thank you, Tatiana!
It truly didn’t feel too different since we kind of did things backwards with the house and having such a strong partnership, but it does feel more special to call someone your husband and celebrate your love with family.
XO XO
Thank you so much for sharing! Your wedding was absolutely beautiful and you look SO happy! 🙂
I would love it if you shared the other planning posts you mentioned (dress shopping, decor planning, etc.). I’m getting married this year and I love reading all the wedding content! ❤️
Hi, Jen!
Thank you so much 😊
Congrats on your upcoming wedding!
Those pictures are amazing, I love the table décor and I absolutely love your wedding dress! Also, your Mom looked stunning in that dress 🙂
I would love to see other wedding posts, especially about wedding dresses you tried on but didn’t buy. It can be interesting 🙂
Also, can´t wait for you to share the dinner playlist!
Thank you so much, Milena! ♥️
I will for sure do that blog!
Please show other dressed you tried on but did choose! And any planning tips! <3
Great idea!
I was so happy when The Greystone Inn was reopened a few years ago. It has such a long history.
Such a romantic dinner setting on the lake. Just beautiful!
Hi! I’m a little late to the wedding content but we want a small wedding and yours is inspiring. 🙂 I was wondering how did you go about finding a venue that had this private outdoor space? Any websites you used or simply google?
Also did the venue hook up the music for you or did you bring your own speaker? Also I’d definitely be interested in seeing your Spotify playlist. Thank you so much!