An early fall celebration filled with warm tones, emotional vows, and the sweetest high-school-sweetheart love story.

A Modern Boho Wedding at One of North Carolina’s Most Charming Barn Venues

Nicole and Cody tied the knot at The Historic Wakefield Barn, a beloved North Carolina wedding venue known for its rustic charm, sprawling grounds, and warm, inviting atmosphere. The moment Nicole stepped inside the barn during their tour, she cried — a sign they had found the place that felt like home. Their September wedding embraced the rustic beauty of fall, blending modern boho details, natural textures, greenery, and rich warm tones to create a celebration that felt personal, cozy, and timeless.

This wedding is full of beautiful inspiration for couples planning a fall wedding in North Carolina, a modern boho wedding, or searching for Historic Wakefield Barn wedding photography and videography team.

High-School Sweethearts With a Decade-Long Love Story

Nicole and Cody’s story began more than 10 years ago when they met through mutual friends in high school. Weekends spent at bonfires, lake days, dinners, and movies grew into a friendship — and eventually into something deeper. They describe their relationship as one where they “grew up together, trying to learn what love was,” a sentiment that filled their wedding day with profound meaning.

They officially realized they were in love during a summer weekend at the lake. While their friends stayed inside, they raced each other to neighboring docks, laughing and jumping off diving boards until they shared their first kiss. It was the beginning of forever.

A Warm & Earthy Modern-Boho Wedding Design

Nicole and Cody envisioned a wedding that felt natural, warm, and reflective of early fall. Their design incorporated:

Warm wood textures
Greenery and earthy florals
Wicker and boho elements
Rustic oranges, tans, and greens
Soft, cozy fall touches throughout

They didn’t follow a specific Pinterest board — instead, they created a day that genuinely felt like them, blending subtle boho style with the natural beauty of the season.

Wedding Timeline & Meaningful Moments:

A First Look With Her Dad

Nicole and Cody chose not to do a first look with each other, saving the moment they saw one another for the ceremony. Instead, Nicole shared a beautiful first look with her dad — an emotional, intimate moment that set the tone for the day. Her father’s reaction was heartfelt and full of pride, making it one of the most touching parts of the pre-ceremony timeline.

A 3:30 PM Ceremony

Their ceremony took place onsite at The Historic Wakefield Barn. With 16 total wedding-party members — including bridesmaids, groomsmen, and a ring bearer — the aisle was filled with their closest people.

Reception Highlights at The Wakefield Barn

The reception began at 5:00 PM, transitioning seamlessly into an evening full of joy, laughter, and celebration.

Nicole and Cody incorporated a mix of traditional and modern reception elements, including:

Grand entrance
First dances
Cake cutting
Bouquet and garter toss
Private last dance

The entire evening flowed beautifully thanks to an incredible vendor team, thoughtful planning, and a reception space that perfectly complemented their warm, boho aesthetic.

Favorite Wedding Details

Nicole and Cody shared that some of their favorite details were:

The flowers and greenery throughout the venue
Their table arrangements, which tied their theme together
Nicole’s dress, a breathtaking moment everyone had been waiting for

Seeing all their choices — from décor to food to music — come together exactly as they’d imagined was one of the most rewarding parts of their wedding day.