The Farm at Old Edwards | Highlands, NC
Creating a Weekend Full of Colorful Mountain Elegance
Highlands, North Carolina is a town that exudes charm and natural elegance, made even more special by the iconic Old Edwards Inn and Spa. So, when the Maddux family, one of our very special LLC Events families (we planned her sister’s stunning coastal wedding in Ponte Vedra in 2023!), came to us to design Liz and Dylan’s wedding weekend, we knew we were in for something magical.
From the very beginning, Liz and Dylan brought a joyful, contagious energy to the planning process—full of warmth, personality, and a deep appreciation for the little things. Liz shares our love for curated, intentional details, so we knew this weekend would be as thoughtful as it was vibrant. Together, we dreamed up a celebration that blended colorful elegance with luxury mountain charm, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of The Farm at Old Edwards. The festivities began with a heartfelt ceremony at the Orchard House and continued just across the property with an unforgettable reception.
Designing the reception space was an absolute joy. Working closely with the couple, their families, and our incredible vendor team, we brought their vision to life in The Pavilion—a stunning 4,900-square-foot venue where guests enjoyed a seated dinner, live music, and a packed dance floor. Every moment of the weekend reflected Liz and Dylan’s vibrant personalities and thoughtful style, seamlessly combining meaningful touches, bold design, and warm hospitality that made this destination wedding feel like home.
As part of our full weekend planning services for this destination wedding, we worked hand-in-hand with the couple to ensure every moment—from the rehearsal dinner to the final dance—was tailored, meaningful, and memorable. Keep reading to see how this Highlands wedding came to life in the most colorful and joyful way, and to discover the design details that made it so special.
Vendors
Planner: LLC Events | Venue: Old Edwards Inn and Spa | Catering: Old Edwards Events | Florals: Canaan Marshall | Cake: Mrs. Sugar Booger | Band/DJ: Big Bling and the Funk Machine | Photographer: Vaile & Co | Videographer: Paros Films | Hair & Makeup: Brittany Massey | Rentals: Party Bound | Ice Sculpture: Ice Mill Studio | Ceremony Music: Allegro Music | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Invitations/Paper Suite: Magnolia Boone Paperie | Escort Cards Artist: Janea Spillers
Orchard House Ceremony and Cocktail Hour
Liz and Dylan chose the beautiful Orchard House as the setting for their ceremony, and it could not have been more perfect. With its expansive glass windows and classic white shiplap walls, the space radiated the bright, airy feel we love. Tucked among lush, English-style gardens, Orchard House provided the sweetest backdrop for their vows.
To make the ceremony even more meaningful, Liz brought a cross and candlesticks from her home church in Georgia—a heartfelt way to bring a piece of home with her to the mountains. The entire moment felt romantic, deeply personal, and overflowing with love.
Following the ceremony, guests made their way across the street to The Farm at Old Edwards for cocktail hour and the reception. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a striking floral arrangement featuring a taxidermy pheasant. Pheasants and feather details were a playful nod to Dylan’s South Dakota roots and appeared thoughtfully throughout the weekend.
As guests walked through the breezeway, they encountered one of our favorite details of the day: the escort card display. We collaborated with artist Janea Spillers to create custom landscape paintings of places that hold special meaning for Liz and Dylan. Scenes included their honeymoon destination, a sunflower field on the family farm, and the lake where Dylan proposed. The result was equal parts thoughtful, artistic, and completely one-of-a-kind—not to mention the perfect take-home keepsake for guests.
And just when the experience couldn’t get any better, guests were welcomed with glasses of champagne served by fabulous ice butlers—a detail that quickly became a crowd favorite. Cocktail hour unfolded beneath the breezeway and inside the warmly appointed fireplace lounge, affectionately known as The Barn. Guests mingled over signature Old Fashioneds, complete with branded orange peels, and settled into plush green velvet and leather seating while soaking in the inviting atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Liz and Dylan stepped away for a private first look at their reception space—and their reaction said it all.
Old Edwards Wedding Reception at the Pavilion
As guests entered the space, they were welcomed by a scene that perfectly captured colorful mountain elegance layered with luxury lodge charm. Framing the entrance was a breathtaking arch of blooming branches and greenery, natural, wild, and effortlessly romantic.
The focal point of the room was the stage, and it quickly became one of our favorite design moments of the weekend. This custom installation featured a lattice structure we dreamed up and built, paired with a bespoke toile backdrop by Magnolia Boone Paperie. The artwork told Liz and Dylan’s story through illustrated details including their dogs, a glass of their favorite cocktail, their home, and meaningful locations from their venue. Lush florals framed the stage, adding color and dimension, and the entire space was grounded by a birch checkered dance floor—the perfect foundation for a night of celebration.
When it came to the tablescapes, our goal was to layer color, texture, and personality in a way that felt both artful and intentional. A curated mix of velvet blue, patterned green-and-white, and embroidered ivory floral linens brought depth and richness to the room. Golden chargers, soft candlelight, and custom menu cards shaped like the Highlands mountains tied the look together with subtle nods to the setting. Florals by Canaan Marshall were the perfect finishing touch—vibrant, full of movement, and styled to pop against the layered linens while glowing beautifully in the candlelight.
After dinner, the energy shifted and the dance floor came alive. With a killer band, playful props, and a guest list that knew how to celebrate, the evening quickly turned into the best kind of party. Liz and Dylan’s reception was everything we love—thoughtful, joyful, beautiful, and overflowing with love.
A few more special details from this Old Edwards Wedding that we just have to highlight:
- That custom toile we mentioned earlier? It made appearances throughout the wedding: from the matchbook favors to the save the dates and even the day-of paper goods. It was the perfect thread that tied everything together.
- We also worked closely with Liz and Dylan to curate thoughtful welcome gifts for their guests. Each wooden box, tied with green ribbon, included everything needed to craft an Old Fashioned (a nod to the couple’s favorite cocktail), salty snacks, truffles from a local Highlands chocolate shop, and a custom illustrated map and weekend guide. It was the perfect way to greet guests and offer a warm welcome to their wedding weekend in the mountains.
- And of course, we can’t forget the wedding cake—a stunning tiered design by Mrs. Sugar Booger, featuring scalloped green detailing and vibrant florals that tied in perfectly with the rest of the reception design.
Still swooning over this wedding like we are? You’re in luck. Our incredible bride, Liz wrote her own blog post about the big day that we highly recommend checking out!
Inspired by this colorful, luxurious celebration in the Carolina mountains? We’d be honored to help bring your vision to life. From the Southeastern coast to the Highlands of North Carolina, LLC Events curates elevated, highly personalized wedding experiences that are as intentional as they are unforgettable. Let’s begin imagining the celebration of your dreams- reach out, and let’s create something extraordinary together.
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Cheers, LLC Events
