Graylyn is just an awesome and magnificent mini castle in Winston-Salem. Lots of history, lots of class, and a perfect match for a very classy cool couple like Dan & Claire. I knew they were going to have a tented reception, which would be a first for me at Graylyn. I wondered about it, debating the merits of taking people out of the posh of Graylyn and putting them in a tent. As I walked up in the morning to start the day, I saw this tent, and I saw that I was wrong, and they were right.

So why start out talking about a tent? Because as I look back on their wedding I look back on it backwards. From the end of the night forward. I look back at the Gatsby-eque night which just ended which had the leaders of this night on stage as one of the greatest, most intense bands I’ve seen, blasting out theme music to the love induced energy which pumped up 250 people under the star filled sky, blending in effortlessly into the clear domed space called “the tent”.

I look back upon shirts being ripped open, shots downed, glow discs spinning and musicians on the dance floor. I look at late afternoon cocktails on the back porch at the start of summer. To a mid day ceremony in the White Garden, as the sun’s rays push through the trees while you listen to an officiant tell everyone a heartfelt story on why he is honored to be presiding over the wedding because of how Claire helped his family. To Dan and the guys getting ready as the World Cup loomed in the background on the TV.

All this couldn’t have come together without the hard work of both families, led by the cool style and presence of Becca Rose and her team, and Krisi and Paula and the staff at Graylyn. As always, photos tell it better than words, and that’s what you’re here for. So lets get to it. Cheers to Dan & Claire as they move into the end of summer together.

Cool Vendors which helped make this wedding awesome:

• Location: Graylyn Center
• Wedding Planner: Rebecca Rose Events
• Band: A Town A List
• Flowers: Amy Lynne
• Cake: Cakes by Chloe

Wedding Photography at Graylyn Center in Winston-Salem, NC