Nicole & Zack’s Romantic Spring Wedding at Carolina Grove
Nicole and Zack’s wedding at Carolina Grove in Hillsborough, NC was the definition of springtime romance. With soft pastels, lush floral installations, and a serene forest backdrop, their day perfectly blended heartfelt details with natural beauty. From personalized touches to breathtaking ceremony and reception spaces, this wedding is sure to inspire couples dreaming of a North Carolina celebration.
A Love Story Years in the Making
Nicole and Zack’s journey began when Nicole spotted him at his eighth-grade graduation. After connecting on Facebook, life took them on separate paths until fate reunited them in 2018 when their offices were just a block apart. What started as casual after-work drinks blossomed into rekindled love. As Nicole shared, “We always compared other relationships to one another… and when we were drawn back together, it just felt right.”
Why Carolina Grove?
Carolina Grove was actually the very first venue Nicole and Zack toured, and they instantly felt at home. Surrounded by towering trees and just 30 minutes outside of the city, the venue offered seclusion and beauty, along with a seamless rain plan. Nicole said, “No other team truly made us feel so special and right at home. We are so grateful for the decision we made!”
The result was an elegant outdoor ceremony framed by forest views and a reception inside Carolina Grove’s light-filled modern barn.
Wedding Design & Details
Nicole had dreamed about this day since she was a child, curating inspiration for years. Their spring wedding embraced light and airy pastels with playful touches. Justine De Angelo of Sweet Love Blossoms brought their floral vision to life, filling the space with soft peach, blush, cream, and pops of blue.
Invitations and signage from Revel NC echoed the palette, while delicate details like butterfly stamps, personalized seating chart letters, and curated welcome signage tied everything together beautifully. Their guests still rave about the personalized seating chart, where each person received a handwritten letter.
The reception was accented with flowing drapery, wooden cross-back chairs, and floral centerpieces that felt fresh yet timeless.
Favorite Memories
For Nicole and Zack, one of the most emotional parts of the day was their private vow exchange without seeing each other—a raw, intimate moment they’ll cherish forever.
And in true Southern fashion, the couple buried a bottle of bourbon a month before the wedding to ward off rain. The skies stayed clear, making their outdoor ceremony even more magical.
A Celebration Surrounded by Loved Ones
With a wedding party of nine bridesmaids and seven groomsmen, Nicole and Zack’s day was filled with laughter, support, and celebration. One of the highlights was watching the dance floor come alive under the barn’s high ceilings, surrounded by florals and candlelight.
Vendor Team
Venue: Carolina Grove
Florals: Sweet Love Blossoms (@sweetloveblossoms)
Planning & Signage: Revel NC (@revelnc)
Catering: Donovan’s Dish (@donovansdish)
Gown: Simply Stunning Boutique + Elizabeth Lee Bridal (@simplystunningboutiquenc @elizabethleebridal)
Hair & Makeup: Hip Hip Hair Raye (@hiphiphairraye) + Ellevated Beauty (@ellevatedbeauty)
Music: Arioso Strings (@ariosostrings) & Mobile DJ Direct (@mobiledjdirect)
Planning Your Carolina Grove Wedding?
Nicole and Zack’s wedding is the perfect inspiration for couples seeking a romantic, nature-filled venue in North Carolina. With its forest ceremony space and bright, modern reception hall, Carolina Grove is one of the most versatile wedding venues in the Raleigh–Durham area.
At Christian Reyes Photography, we specialize in capturing the full story of your wedding day—through photography, videography, and content creation. Whether you’re planning a Carolina Grove wedding or a celebration anywhere in NC, we’d love to help you preserve the magic.
📩 Inquire today about our photo + video + content packages.
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