Molly and Neil’s summer wedding at the Proximity Hotel was one for the books. We’re honored they chose to get married at the Proximity, and so happy to share the tale of this amazing couple and their beautiful wedding.
She was a waitress at the time, and of all the tables in the restaurant, he was seated at hers. They’d never met, and little did they know they actually attended the same high school several years earlier. Sparks flew, and Neil asked Molly out for coffee the very next night. From that fateful first date onward, they were inseparable. One night a few years later, Neil took Molly out to dinner at their favorite restaurant, Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen. Molly had been studying for law school finals, and was in need of a much-deserved break. They sat outside on the veranda, and Neil surprised her with a proposal. Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen has become their place, so it’s fitting that it is also their favorite restaurant in town for celebrations.
Clockwise: Molly and Neil’s wedding program, which featured a stamped skeleton key and lock insignia — an ode to the wedding’s theme, “the key to a happy marriage,” and also Molly’s affection for skeleton keys. Molly carried a romantic bouquet of peonies and roses in soft blush tones. Molly and her good friend Mallory Chick made the wedding invitations together, and Molly made the white lace envelopes for them; It was important to Molly that her father and grandfather who passed away would be remembered on her wedding day, so she carried their pictures with her bridal bouquet; Molly’s ethereal wedding dress hangs in the window of a Proximity Suite; Molly and her flower girl Violet do a mirror check before getting the show on the road!
Choosing the Proximity Hotel was an easy decision for Molly and Neil, because of all the happy memories they’ve shared at sister restaurants, Green Valley Grill, Print Works Bistro and Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen. They’re from Ohio, but they knew they wanted to have their wedding in North Carolina. They envisioned a small wedding with a lot of heart and soul, and sentimental touches. Combined with their creativity and steadfast adoration and love for one another, we can definitely say they accomplished that.
Clockwise: Molly’s devoted crew help her with her dress and veil; Molly prepares to surprise Neil in the porte cochere of the hotel, for their first look — something they were originally wary about, but after some encouragement from their photographer, they agreed. They both were so happy with their decision!
Clockwise: Molly and her bridesmaids share smiles outside the hotel. Molly’s main color was sea foam green, with accents of charcoal and blush pink, so her bridesmaids wore long, charcoal dresses with chunky sea foam green necklaces; Local violinist Wayne Reich serenades guests with Broadway tunes; The blushing bride coyly peeks out from behind a wall, just before walking down the aisle; Violet carefully flutters rose petals down the aisle; The bridal party is all laugh as they pose in the hotel’s Bluebell Garden.
Violet is the daughter of one of Molly’s close friends, and she stole the show in her adorable sea foam green tutu!
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Social Lobby as Molly and Neil were wed.
Clockwise: Molly and Neil share a romantic kiss outside the hotel; The couple playfully run away together; The look of love; Happily ever after.
Clockwise: Skeleton keys were a prominent image throughout the wedding (Molly loves them and their home is full of them)! A little box contained tea-stained paper tags, (also made by Molly), for guest to write advice and well wishes for the newlyweds. They would then tie their tags with baker’s twine, to the couple’s “wishing tree,” which served as a beautiful, alternative guestbook; Molly also made escort cards with little skeleton keys, so guests could find their seats; The theme of the wedding was “The key to a happy marriage,” so guests were encouraged to impart their advice on what makes a happy marriage.
Molly and Neil’s wedding was full of lovely and unique paper-centered DIY projects that added handcrafted touches of charm and grace — practically all of which were designed by the bride herself. Their wedding had a timeless, vintage romance feel, with a soft color palate, cursive script, lace, roses and hydrangeas, and antique skeleton key details. After making the paper goods for their wedding, Molly began getting other requests for similar items for other weddings, so she opened a paper goods shop on Etsy, called Modern Vintage Romance.
The bride chose mercury glass candle votives and vases, which held cream roses and hydrangeas. Tables were dressed with white linens and sea foam green table runners. Molly hand-wrote the place cards for each setting.
Clockwise: Almond-crusted risotto fritters await guests; Dreamy hydrangea pomanders made by the bride herself suspend over the gorgeous four-tiered wedding cake, by Whole Foods; Guests shared words of wisdom and well wishes on tea-stained, skeleton key-stamped tags, and used baker’s twine to tie them to a “wishing” tree, as a fun and interactive guestbook; Warm Gougeres cheese puffs were passed during cocktail hour.
Custom Designed Menu by Print Works Bistro
Cocktail Hour:
- Gougere
- Almond Crusted Risotto Fritters
- Crispy Zucchini Chips with Red Pepper Pesto
- Mini Burgers on Baked Gougere
Reception Menu:
- Seasonal Greens with House Vinaigrette and Creamy Herb Dressing
- Chicken Paillard with Mashed Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
- Filet with Diane Sauce with Mashed Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
- Herbed Gnocchi with Marinara and Farmers Cheese
- Baguettes and Butter
Clockwise: Molly’s maid of honor’s and matron of honor’s speeches; Neil’s brother gives a moving toast to the happy couple; The couple are all smiles during toasts from family and friends; Molly and Neil share their first dance to Benjamin Gibbard’s “Where Our Destination Lies.”
Clockwise: The love birds steal a kiss in between dancing; Molly and Danielle cut up on the dance floor; Everyone had a blast, dancing the night away to an eclectic mix of tunes.
Clockwise: Since most of Molly and Neil’s guests were coming from out of town, it was important to the couple that they send their guests home with a little piece of North Carolina, so they each took home vintage-style bottles of Cheerwine. The newlyweds are beaming as they make their way into the night; Neil scoops his beautiful bride into his arms for a kiss, before they make their getaway!
Guests give the happy couple a candlelit sendoff in the Proximity Hotel London Taxi, before they’re whisked away.
The morning after the wedding, the couple hosted a special send-off breakfast in a Proximity Suite to honor their out-of-town guests. They served fresh fruits and pastries, and this event allowed people to savor one last hug from the bride and groom before making their journey home.
THE WEDDING MAGIC MAKERS
- Ceremony Venue: Proximity Hotel, Social Lobby
- Reception Venue: Proximity Hotel, Weaver Room
- Chef Designed Menus: Print Works Bistro
- Officiate: Dr. Reverend Janet Fuller
- Wedding Director: Alaina Chepke (bride’s aunt)
- Ceremony Musician: Violinist Wayne Reich
- Florist: Brenda McLamb (with Proximity Hotel)
- Bakery: Whole Foods (yellow cake with raspberry filling and buttercream icing)
- DJ: Aaron Kinney, with Anything Music
- Photographer: McCardell Photography
For more information about planning your wedding or event Greensboro, North Carolina, please email our wedding and event specialists or give us a call at Proximity Hotel: 336-478-9111 or O.Henry Hotel: 336-478-9112.