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A Heartfelt Wedding at Proximity Hotel

“Doing Life with Us”: Rachel & Mark

Collage of wedding moments: groom waiting, couple kissing, and bride preparing to walk down the aisle.
Photos by Jordan Vines | Vines Studios

The Love Story

Rachel and Mark first connected on Facebook—two hometown souls brought together by a mutual friend request. A few days later, they had their first date. Years later, after spending 2023–2024 building their dream home on a lake, Mark proposed in the empty living room, with the first moving box at his side. “It was special, intimate, and the ultimate surprise,” said Rachel.

An Intimate Celebration with the People Who Matter Most

For Rachel and Mark Bowman, their February wedding at Proximity Hotel wasn’t just about saying “I do.” It was about celebrating their nuptials with the people who have—done life alongside them—the friends and family who’ve walked with them through everyday moments and milestones.

A Venue That Felt Like “Them”

Collage of Bride and Groom.

From the very first visit to Proximity Hotel, Rachel and Mark knew they had found the place. “We didn’t want a big, traditional-style wedding,” Rachel shared. “We wanted an intimate night just to celebrate our nuptials and enjoy the company of our closest friends and family.”

As a custom-designed luxury boutique hotel, Proximity offered exactly what they were looking for: sleek design, thoughtful service, and the ease of hosting everything in one elegant space. “It was a one-stop shop,” Rachel said. “And it felt like us.”

The Ceremony

Intimate ceremony in Proximity Hotel's Latham room. Picture with the kiss after "I do."
The Latham Room features high 12-foot ceilings and five nine-foot tall windows overlooking a lush garden, it is an airy and well-lit room. It also has a private entrance for guests.

Ceremony | Latham Room

The Set Up

  • Color Scheme: Green & White
  • Magnolia Arch
  • Theatre Seating

The wedding was a private ceremony with immediate family in the Latham Room, where the prayer, “Blessing of the Hands” was read.  This tender blessing reflects on how Rachel and Mark’s hands will be used throughout their life together – a symbol of unity, partnership, and enduring love as the couple journeys through life side by side. “It essentially vowed each stage of life and was very touching.”

After “I Do”

After the ceremony, additional close friends and family joined in the celebrations. The guests were welcomed with a cocktail hour and socialized while Rachel and Mark took photos.

Cocktail Hour | Weaver Breezeway

Guests enjoying the cocktail hour in the Weaver Breezeway
The "Weaver" in the Weaver Breezeway, is named for Quaintance-Weaver partner Mike Weaver and his grandfather Edgar (a former employee of the Proximity Cotton Mill and Print Works Mill in Greensboro.)

Rachel and Mark selected seltzers, ciders, and craft beers – plus Mark’s favorite bottled beer, Coors. House wines and assorted non-alcoholic drinks were also available.

HORS D’OEUVRES
Seared Tuna Crostini with Avocado Mousse
Short Rib Slider with Truffle Bacon Aioli
Mini Crab Cake with Remoulade

Reception | Revolution Room

Mark and Rachel were joined by their special guests for a seated dinner in the Revolution Room. The dinner was an expression of gratitude and togetherness.

Elegantly decorated reception space with white and natural green colors. Twinkling lights from candles. The space has two large dining tables as well as several soft spaces for one on one conversations.
The Revolution Room opens onto its own outdoor terrace, and is surrounded by several operable 9×9 windows, which allow natural light to permeate the space. Rachel and Mark wanted dining space as well as soft spaces for one on one time with guests. The Bistro tables in between bacchanals and the Chiavari chairs with house linens provided an ambiance intentionally designed for connection.

The Set Up

  • Two Bacchanals Set for Guests to Dine
  • Sweetheart Table for the Bride & Groom
  • House Linens and Chivari Chairs
  • Crepe Myrtle Trees, flanking front and center of room
  • Bistro Tables between Bacchanals
  • Soft Seating, for intimate one on one conversations with guests

The simplicity of white florals and fresh greenery let the beauty of the space and the significance of the moment shine through. The intimate setting allowed meaningful toasts and the entire evening was full of personal moments and shared memories.

A small but meaningful detail: each guest found their seat with a name card placed delicately on an oyster shell. “There’s a spot on the coast we love to visit that holds a special place in Mark’s heart—and oysters are always on the table,” Rachel shared.

A Menu Full of Favorites

As longtime fans of Print Works Bistro, Rachel and Mark knew the food would be phenomenal. The Lemon Chicken Paillard entrée was a favorite—and one they’ve already returned to enjoy again as husband and wife.

Chef Designed Menus

PRINT WORKS BISTRO

Mixed Green Salad
topped with Seasonal Vegetables with
Green Goddess dressing
Lemon Chicken Paillard
with shallots and preserved lemon
Pan Seared Salmon
mustard-dill honey glaze
Filet Mignon
herbed Maître d’butter
Accompaniments
Crème Fraîche Mashed Potatoes
French Green Beans
Baguettes and Butter
Dessert
Amaretti Cheesecake

Intentional Time for Connection

Rachel,

“To us, everyone who was there has played a significant role in our story. It was important to be able to spend time with each individual person and celebrate them, too—for doing life with us.”

Thoughtful Planning, Down to the Champagne Cart

“Working with Dara and the whole team was one of the best decisions we made,” said Rachel. “From the first meeting to the morning after the wedding, they handled everything. We left the planning to them, and their creativity exceeded all expectations.”

Bride and groom walking through revolving door of the Proximity Hotel.

One moment that stood out?

Rachel,

“The morning of the wedding, I was getting ready at the hotel when a breakfast cart with champagne showed up—just a thoughtful gesture from Proximity. That’s the kind of detail that made the day extraordinary.”

Rachel and Mark’s confidence in our team allowed them to focus on what mattered most: celebrating the journey that brought them here and the people who helped them along the way.

Rachel,

“The only suggestions we gave for our florals were white flowers and greenery and what we received the day of exceeded all of our expectations!”

A Photo Worth a Thousand Thank-Yous

Captured by Jordan Vines; Vines Studios, every photo from the day tells a story. But one image stands out: a group shot of all the guests taken at the end of the night. It’s a visual reminder of why they chose a small wedding—to honor the friends and family who have truly done life with them.

Group photo after wedding reception

For more information about planning your wedding or event in 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.

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Magic makers

Featured on Social

Rachel. James | On February 7th (or February 2, depending on how you read the marriage certificate) we exchanged vows with 11 family members then were joined by 50 of our closest people for dinner and drinks, and it was an absolute DREAM. I truly had the most seamless wedding process and none of it would’ve been possible without our amazing vendors- they saw my vision and made it happen (IN 2 MONTHS) so they are the true MVP’s ✨
Venue+Planning+Florals- @proximityhotel
Catering- @printworksbistro_gso
Photography- @vinesstudios
Content creation- @ladysocialcreates
Hair+Makeup- @smgbeautyco
Officiant- @revoncall
Violin+Cello duo- @sweetharmonylivemusic

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