Its hard to believe that its already the beginning of May which means that wedding season in Charlotte is in full swing. Though marriage can be one of the most joyful times in a couples lives, it can also be one of the most stressful. Months and sometimes years of planning, tastings, fittings, and scheduling all for one day is enough to drive some people to the brink. Because nobody likes a bridezilla or a grumpy groom, we here at QCExclusive have decided to put together our first annual Wedding Guide where the number one goal is to make your journey just a little bit easier. We have compiled a list of some of the best vendors, venues, planners, and wedding professionals in the city so the journey to your special day will be smooth sailing. So whether your big day is a few months from now or a few years from now, we have got you covered.
VENUES
Banner Elk Winery
and Villa
A wedding at Banner Elk Winery & Villa is the event of a lifetime. Imagine family and friends surrounded by the majestic High Country Mountains in celebration of one of lifes most special occasions. Sites within the winery such as the elegantly rustic Enchanted Barn, the manicured gardens of the Grassy Knoll surrounding the enormous stone fire pit, the blueberry orchard, or the Scenic Vineyard each provide a picturesque romantic backdrop to exchange wedding vows. Your guests will be treated to chef-prepared meals, a magnificent reception and a farewell Sunday brunch, each utilizing a different setting on the magnificent property. bannerelkwinery.com
Vanlandingham Estate
The Estates extraordinary surroundings and historic architecture are the perfect setting for romantic wedding celebrations offering distinct character, delicious menus and most importantly, personal attention toward every detail. The estates magnificent gardens are home to several rare treasure trees, a butterfly garden, a historic lily pond and an array of dazzling plants and flowers from the Piedmont region and from around the world. Whether your style is romantic, festive or eclectic, the refreshing VanLandingham Estate Inn is the perfect place for your friends and loved ones to share your special day.
vanlandinghamestate.com
The Hampton Inn & Suites
Southpark at Phillips Place
This is an award winning venue that blends contemporary tones with classic elegance and Southern Hospitality. The level of service and personal attention to detail is unmatched and defines who they are as a hotel. Whether you are looking for reception space for your big day or a comfortable and relaxing place for you or your guests to stay, this is the choice.
hamptonsouthpark.com
SALON & SPA SERVICES
Carmen and Carmen
Carmen and Carmen is not only regarded as one of the best salons in Charlotte, but one of the best in the nation. This full service salon and day spa offers every service imaginable for brides and wedding parties from massages to manicures and makeup to cuts, colors and up dos. They even offer group discounts. If you are interested in pampering yourself and your guests for your big day, then this is the place to go. carmencarmensalon.com
RE Salon and Med Spa
Youve got the groom. Youve got the dress. Youve scheduled the band and tasted the cake. Now what? Its beauty preparation time! Whether you are looking for a full beauty make over, teeth whitening, waxing, I-lipo, day of wedding hair preparations, or a place to have a special spa party for your bridesmaids, Re provides it all! Their personalized wedding concierge takes the stress off of you and assists you in planning all of your beauty needs from head to toe. resalonandmedspa.com
Gorgeous Glo and Blo Out
Charlotte’s leaders in customized spray tanning and hair blow-outs and updos. Their organic, all natural, golden-brown tan is worn by discerning brides throughout our region, and Bridesmaid updos are one of their specialties! They offer bridal specials to accommodate all size bridal parties and have two locations (Midtown and Southpark) offering flexible weekend and evening hours.
Gorgeousglo.com | Thebloout.com
DJ/ENTERTAINMENT
Split Second Sound
Split Second Sound provides MC/DJs in and around Charlotte for wedding receptions, corporate entertainment, private parties, school events, and full Bar and Bat Mitzvah entertainment including party motivators. With over 25 years in the wedding and event business and continuously growing, they provide the perfect match of entertainment with their trained and experienced staff of over 35 exclusive DJs, MCs and party motivators.
Splitsecondsound.com
East Coast Entertainment
With over 30 years of experience serving clients from coast to coast, East Coast offers a one-stop solution for their clients. Because they have been in business for so long, they have built their database up to over 8,000 entertainers and offer a wide variety of DJs and live bands from all over the country that cover all genres to fit any musical tastes. Eastcoastentertainment.com
WEDDING RINGS/BANDS
Davids Ltd Jewelers
Davids Ltd Jewelers is known for their exquisite array of platinum, 18k gold, 14k gold, sterling silver fine jewelry, and designer jewelry collections from the industrys finest designers. They are proud to be the exclusive Charlotte representative for Hearts on Fire, The Worlds Most Perfectly Cut Diamond®. They also specialize in designing one-of-a-kind custom made pieces for their clients. Davidsltd.com
Diamonds Direct
Diamonds Directs selection of mounted and loose diamonds ranges in carat weight, diamond shape, diamond quality, and certification. This coupled with over 5,000 engagement ring mountings and wedding bands to compliment the stone of your choice makes finding the perfect ring a breeze. Should you choose to create something more unique, their custom design department will work with you to create a one of a kind piece that will be yours and yours alone.
Diamonds-direct.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Angela Cox Photography
Angela was born and raised on the outskirts of Greenville, South Carolina. Her first real job was as a local photographers assistant and office manager. She never dreamed of having her own photography business but life simply fell into place. She is now able to combine her love for people and her love for photography everyday through her work. Angela has a unique ability to photograph using natural light which really captures the essence of the moment and has an organic feel. Her work has been featured in the Wedding Row, Carolina Bride, Charlotte Magazine, and QCExclusive. Angelacoxphotography.com
BlueSky Wedding and
Lifestyle Photography
Bluesky is an energetic, life-loving wedding and lifestyle photography studio whose goal is to tell your story. Whether on your wedding day, or any day, they choose locations, interactions, and moments that are personal and meaningful to you. To Bluesky, there is nothing more beautiful than the connection between you and yours. They are documenters of beauty and emotion and they love what they do! Weddingsbybluesky.com
MENS GIFTS
Outland Cigars
For most men, there is no better way to celebrate a special occasion then a nice cigar with friends. Outland specializes in limited edition and boutique cigars that you wont find anywhere else in the city. They also offer a large inventory of smoking accessories like humidors, cutters, ashtrays, lighters and more great gifts for groomsmen or the father of the bride. Outlandcigars.com
Windsor Jewelers
If you are looking for that one of a kind gift for your groom or something special for the groomsmen to commemorate your big day, than the new Windsor Jewelers in Phillips Place is the place to go. They have one of if not the best mens watch collections in the entire state. With brands like Rolex, Tissot, Panerai, Tag Heuer, Patek Phillipe, and many more, you are sure to find something to fit anyones tastes. In addition, they have a large selection of cuff links, pocket knives, money clips, tie bars, writing instruments, and other options that would all make for a great gift idea. Windsor-jewelers.com
