Taylor and Thad put on the most gorgeous fall wedding at VanLandingham Estate, full of magical jewel tones, overflowing emotions, and so much LOVE. Make sure you read allll the way to the end so you can see their mouthwatering cookie table, surprise live saxophonist, and… giant cat heads on the dance floor?!

Taylor & Thad’s Fall Wedding at VanLandingham Estate

Rich tones, richer emotions

I’m not sure there’s any color scheme I love more than deep jewel tones oozing with shades of autumn. Taylor and Thad’s wedding took place in early October, so it only made sense for them to capitalize on all the beauty of the season with purple, burgundy, and plum galore. Their florist, Seeded Events did the most phenomenal job balancing the richness and elegance of plum tones with whimsy and lightness — every element was truly soulful and absolutely timeless. 

The nearlyweds got ready for the day next to their best friends and family members, Taylor with her girlies — who wore the CUTEST matching purple PJ’s and white, fuzzy slippers — as they popped champagne, cheersed to the bride, and got all glammed up. I always get excited when couples invite their wedding parties to coordinate their getting ready outfits (robes, PJ’s, etc.), because it makes for such fun photos! 

And the details that Taylor and Thad added into the mix? Mmm my creative soul was sated, thank you very much. Their gorgeous invites covered in floral illustrations, Taylor’s white leather purse with a pearl handle, and the ribbons that draped gently down from her floral bouquet were all *chef’s kiss.* Thad came to play, too, with his dapper bowtie, vibrant purple boutonniere, and classic black tuxedo!

First looks & vows in the garden

The ceremony garden at VanLandingham Estate is probably one of the most picturesque I’ve ever seen, with such a lush, peaceful setting in the trees. Taylor shared an emotional first look with her dad out in the garden just before the ceremony, and the emotions continued once she walked down the aisle! Thad’s reaction to seeing his bride had me tearing up behind the camera, as well as everyone else who was watching. The overcast light we had that day really made the colors pop, from the purples of the bridesmaid dresses to the unreal floral arrangement at the altar. And a moment for Taylor’s gorgeous veil, please!

Cats, cookies, & checkered dance floors

So far, every little detail of Taylor and Thad’s day was a blast for everyone involved — and their reception was no different. But before we got to the dance floor, I pulled these two cuties away for some portraits in the garden, and I am STILL not over how jaw-droppingly beautiful they were. The floral arrangement in the background, the bride and groom beneath the green trees, Taylor’s veil and train draping across the gravel like she was an actual princess… they made my job easy, to say the least. 

Finally, it was time for the real party to begin! After a bit of mingling during cocktail hour, we made our way into the reception tent, where we were met with an amazing array of tablescapes covered in burgundy table runners, sleek gold candlesticks, and the prettiest bud vases & floral centerpieces. Taylor and Thad made their grand entrance as a surprise live saxophonist introduced them as newlyweds (how fun?!), and were onto the checkered floor right away for their sweet first dance.

The rest of the evening was spent sharing stories over toasts, eating a delish dinner, and enjoying the time-honored tradition of the Pittsburgh cookie table. One of the best moments by far was when Taylor and Thad pulled out big heads of their cats, Annie and Ferguson — who are their whole WORLD, and of course had to be a part of the party with them. It was such a hilarious and thoughtful way to celebrate with them in spirit, and invite their guests to be a part of it!

Toward the end of the night, Taylor changed into not a little black dress, but a Little White Dress (LWD?) — the most adorable, lacy number I have EVER seen. Her bridesmaids joined her in the bathroom for the outfit swap, hyping her up along the way because she looked phenomenal. I’d say Thad agreed, given the shocked look on his face when she came out looking so fab! 

And there was no better way to end it all than with a bubble exit outside, guests sending off the bride and groom through an abyss of bubbles, cheers, and claps. Truly one of the most fun days I have gotten to be a part of — congrats to the new Mr. & Mrs.!

Vendor team

Photographer: Katelyn Christensen Photo | @thehazelclubphoto

Planning + Design: Lucky Day Events Co. | @luckydayeventsco

Venue: VanLandingham Estate | @vanlandingham_estate

Florist: Seeded Events | @seededeventsanddesign

Rentals: Party Reflections | @partyreflections

Caterer: Best Impressions Caterers | @bestimpressionscaterers

DJ: Split Second Sound | @splitsecondsound

Cake: Cake Expressions by Lisa | @cakeexpressionsbylisa

Signage: Calligraphy by Carole | @calligraphybycarole

Hair + Makeup: Beauty Asylum | @beautyasylum

Photo Booth: ShutterBooth Charlotte | @shutterboothclt

Transportation: CLT Express | @cltexpressllc

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About VanLandingham Estate, a Timeless Charlotte Wedding Venue

It wouldn’t be right for me to leave without giving you more info about this GORGEOUS Charlotte wedding venue, because who wouldn’t want to get married here?!

VanLandingham Estate is a dreamyyy venue located in the heart of Charlotte, set on historic grounds that will have your jaw on the dang floor — or on the very beautifully-manicured grass, for that matter. Taylor and Thad chose it for its perfect blend of timeless charm and modern comfort, as it offers both fairytale romance and practical amenities to make your day a breeze. 

Now can we take a moment for the multitude of incredible settings this venue has to offer?! First and foremost, you’ve got the estate gardens, filled with all the luscious greenery you could ask for and a truly elegant space to say your vows. Then there’s the open-air patio, where you can host your cocktail hour before heading into the tented reception space for the rest of the night: it’s elegant, it’s versatile, and you bet it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Literally every single corner provides a stunning photo opp for newlywed portraits, with amazing architecture and character everywhere you look.

How many guests can VanLandingham Estate accommodate?

The estate can host anywhere between 100-300 guests, so don’t worry about having to cut your guest list down just to fit everyone at the venue. You’ll have plenty of room to mingle around, explore the grounds, and dance the night away without being stretched for space. 

For reference, the tented setting measures approximately 50’ x 82’ — so keep that in mind when planning your reception! It’s seriously an ideal blank canvas, designed to be customizable and flexible for exactly the party you’re envisioning. 

Does VanLandingham Estate provide catering?

YES! One of the best parts about getting married at VanLandingham Estate is the in-house, full-service caterer. They’ve partnered with Charlotte’s premier catering company, Best Impressions Caterers, for over 30 years to provide events with the most exceptional dining, bar service, and rentals you could ask for. They’ll help you craft a fully-custom menu, a team of expert caterers with you every step of the way to make the entire process seamless (and delicioussss).

How much does it cost to get married at VanLandingham Estate?

The VanLandingham Estate website doesn’t currently list starting prices, but here’s what every package includes no matter what:

• Indoor & outdoor flexibility between the garden, patio, and indoor tent
• Dedicated getting ready suites
• On-site parking for you and your guests
• Vendor & catering coordination

Contact the team at VanLandingham Estate here for further pricing details!

VanLandingham Estate Wedding Photographer

Okayyy, so: are you ready to admit that you’ve fallen in LOVE with VanLandingham Estate, and want to host your own wedding there? 👀 Because honestly, same.

I’m Katelyn, a Charlotte-based wedding photographer. I’m SO thrilled you’ve found your person — and now, maybe even your venue. Next up on the agenda is finding a photographer you’re obsessed with, and that’s where I come in!

If you’re looking for someone to capture you and your love honestly, give you artwork that feels like you, and support you in planning your best day ever… then congratulations: you’ve found your girl. Get in touch here and let’s get the party started, yeah?!

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Wanna see more of this amazing venue before you go? Take a peek at this VanLandingham Estate Bridal Session!