An Alice in Wonderland Inspired Wedding
Morgan and Drew

Morgan and Drew’s elegant, whimsical June wedding at the O.Henry Hotel was truly like something from a storybook: Because Morgan is a dedicated Disney fan and an avid tea drinker, the couple chose Alice in Wonderland as the inspiration for their wedding. The vintage afternoon tea-style wedding featured many quirky details from the story, proving to be great fun for guests and capturing the couple’s essence perfectly. Antique china teacups and teapots, moss and roses (Morgan’s favorite flower) and vintage books thrifted from an old bookstore in Greensboro all helped set the scene for a magical day.

While fantasy elements were clear in the celebration, the couple kept things grounded by using earthy tones of peach, mossy green, and lavender throughout. And in a nod to tradition, during the wedding reception, guests sipped on a variety of teas, which were served along with their cake. Incorporating hot tea into the wedding wasn’t just a reference to Alice in Wonderland, it was also important to Morgan because she grew up having traditional afternoon teatime with her British grandparents. The teacups used in many of the table decorations were antiques Morgan has collected herself.

Morgan and Drew first met through the social networking site MySpace. After quickly discovering they shared several mutual friends, Drew invited Morgan to a party, and they began dating seriously not long after. Fast forward five years, and Drew asked Morgan to be his wife, proposing during a trip to New York City, the couple’s favorite place. They were strolling through a flea market in Brooklyn that overlooked the East River and had a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline. Once the couple made their way to the waterfront, Drew asked Morgan if she would marry him. (And of course, she said, “Yes!”)

Clockwise:  Morgan gets ready for the big day in one of O.Henry’s Magi suites; The glowing bride looks like a princess in a flowing, soft pink gown; Morgan’s mom and sister Madelyn help her with her wedding dress.

Clockwise: Drew gets ready in one of the O.Henry’s suites; The groom and his new brother-in-law shake hands in the Social Lobby.

Morgan and her mother and uncle designed and created a whimsical sign that clearly referred to the tea party scene in Alice in Wonderland.

Clockwise: The bride and her bridesmaids carried bouquets of lavender and peach roses, blush spray roses, maidenhair fern, lavender stems, dusty miller and wax flower; Photographer Marie Killen captures a sweet moment between the elated couple during the ceremony; The bride and her father make their way toward the Don Rives Cloister Garden for the ceremony; The newlyweds share a quiet moment in the garden; A black-and-white photo of the O.Henry Hotel’s facade adds to the romance and storybook quality of the day.

The couple are beaming after saying their “I do’s.”

A candid moment with the bride and her parents in the Social Lobby just after the ceremony.

The couple knew they wanted an intimate wedding in North Carolina, because they are both from the state. After visiting many venues that just felt too large, Morgan’s mother suggested the O.Henry. Morgan immediately loved the idea, particularly because she had often visited for afternoon tea with her mother and sister. She adored the Don Rives Cloister Garden and appreciated the way the spaces flowed throughout the hotel. In addition, the couple felt it was the perfect size for the number of people they planned to invite to their wedding. After consultation with O.Henry’s catering specialists, Morgan and Drew settled on a delicious menu from Green Valley Grill with light and savory summer flavors.

The Cocktail Hour featured:

• Charred Leek and Manchego Quiche
• Ham and Brie Croissant with Fig Mayo
• Blue Crab and Spinach Tart

Guests at the Reception Dinner enjoyed:

• Mixed Baby Green Salad with an array of Julienne Garden Vegetables, with Five-Herb Buttermilk and Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast layered with Herbed Goat Cheese, Lemon Garlic Sauce and Crispy Capers
• Grilled Salmon with Chive Butter Sauce
• Pork Loin with Mango Chutney
• Farro with Roasted Carrots, Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower, Zucchini and Arugula, tossed with Garlic-Oregano Dressing
• Polenta
• Green Beans

Clockwise: Savory tarts and quiche were served as passed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour; Table centerpieces consisted of moss, candle votives, wildflower-inspired floral arrangements, antique books and mini moss-filled teacups, which displayed table numbers in a Victorian font; Cocktail hour in the Cloister Garden; English china teapots stacked atop vintage books Morgan collected from antique stores held petite bouquets of lavender, peach and blush roses, dusty miller and wax flowers; Wine glasses had little “Drink Me” tags with the couple’s names and wedding date (another reference to Alice in Wonderland).

The couple even designed three thematic cocktails, two of which were inspired by Alice in Wonderland:

• The White Rabbit, a blood orange martini;
• The Baby, an old-fashioned for the guys named after the couple’s cat; and
• The Madhatter, consisting of lemonade with red wine and mint leaves, which was inspired by a drink Morgan and Drew had at a bar in New York City.

For the dinner and reception in the sun-drenched Pavilion, tables were set with cream linens, gold Chiavari chairs, tea party-inspired centerpieces and china. The couple love candles, so they placed unique, hand-poured soy candles in copper tins found on Etsy at each place setting. The tins displayed the couple’s initials and wedding date, and they served as favors for guests to take home in remembrance of the special day.

Morgan and Drew partake in a full night of dancing and celebrating with friends and family in the Cloister Garden after the wedding ceremony and dinner.

Kissing in the Cloister Garden: the bride and groom finally get their happily ever after while guests mingle and dance.

Morgan and Drew’s Wedding Magic Makers were:

• Venue: O.Henry Hotel, Cloister Garden and Pavilion Room
• Catering: Green Valley Grill
• Getting Ready Suite: Magi Suite (Bride) and Porter Suite (Groom)
• Wedding Coordinator Jenny Ford with Muse & Delphia
• Officiant Ryan Todd
• Florist Brenda McLamb with O.Henry Hotel
• Tanias Mixing Bowl Bakery (Red Velvet and Strawberry Fields)
• DJ Alex, with K2 Productions
• Russell-Killen Photography
• Michael Vest with Dolce Vita Salon