Love, The Greatest Adventure of All
If there was one word to describe Karen and Edward’s relationship, it would be adventurous. After catching each other’s eye online, Karen and Edward went on a first date that was anything but boring. They went to a new local Ethiopian restaurant and an Escape Room! While some people might view the challenges of an escape room as an intimidating first date situation, Karen and Edward saw it as a positive new experience. Little did they know, this was just the beginning of a lifetime of adventures together. Since that exciting first date, Karen and Edward have expanded their explorations of the world to cooking and traveling!
Love, Fate, and The Perfect Wedding Venue
Ed knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life learning and trying new things with Karen. He planned on proposing while on a magical trip to Disney World, but alas, he could not wait! Karen said yes to Ed’s proposal in an intimate and emotional living room conversation. Off to Disney to celebrate! On the way, they randomly stopped by Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, NC. It was fate. While touring the wedding venue, the couple realized that it was the perfect match. Even better, it was available on the exact day they wanted to get married! Karen and her mom worked together to plan the entire event with light pink and white colors, and traditional Chinese wedding details.
First Look in a Pine Tree Forest at Brier Creek Country Club
Ed got a first glimpse of his gorgeous bride in the woodland landscape of the Country Club. Couples who plan their weddings at the Country Club do so because the Raleigh wedding venue has tons of natural landscape areas. Imagine taking your wedding portraits in any of these beautiful areas – on the lush green rolling golf course hills, beside the peaceful reflecting pond, or beneath the fresh pine tree forest limbs.
Elegant Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at Brier Creek Country Club
Karen and Edward could not have asked for better weather at their outdoor wedding ceremony. The sunlight filtered beautifully through the pine tree leaves and set the white and pink flower altar and chairs aglow. Karen glided down the wedding ceremony aisle on the arm of her father. With only one bridesmaid and one groomsmen, Karen and Edward’s wedding ceremony was especially intimate. The bride and groom shared their vows and took part in a special tree planting ceremony dedicated to growing and nurturing their relationship in a soil of love. Karen and Edward put an emphasis on honoring their family by giving pink roses to each of their parents. Here’s what they have to say about their Country Club wedding ceremony,
“It was such a surreal feeling seeing all of our loved ones from different chapters of our lives, all in one place.”
Wedding Portraits at Brier Creek Country Club
Following the wedding ceremony, Karen and Edward were whisked away to take more beautiful wedding portraits together on the Country Club’s estate. With bright blue skies and a verdant green landscape, the bride and groom looked resplendent. It’s impossible to not see the genuine love that Karen and Edward have for one another in these wedding portraits.
Pink and White Wedding Reception
Brier Creek Country Club’s event space is the perfect site for any elegant indoor wedding reception. Karen and Edward’s reception tables were covered in classic white linens and laid with pink napkins. Candles and fresh pink and white hydrangeas graced the center of each table. Wedding guests were guided to their tables by cherry blossom covered escort cards. Cherry blossoms are a beloved flower across many Asian cultures. If you look closely, you will notice that the table numbers include the corresponding Chinese characters.
Wedding details such as these are a meaningful form of self-expression and representation of family and culture. It’s important to find wedding venues such as this Country Club that appreciate and celebrate weddings from every culture. Karen and Edward incorporated more of their Chinese culture into their wedding cake design. Edible cherry blossoms climb up each tier of the wedding cake to meet with a Chinese symbol of “Double Happiness”.
The Symbolism Behind Karen’s Red Chinese Wedding Dress
Chinese wedding traditions are rooted in an ancient and layered history. Karen’s second wedding dress is not only beautiful, but steeped in symbolism! The bright red color of the traditional Chinese wedding dress represents good luck, happiness, and prosperity. Traditionally, brides in Southern China wear two-piece dresses called Qunqua or QunKwa (裙褂), that are elaborately adorned with gold dragon and phoenix. Karen chose to wear a white, western bridal gown as well as a red, Chinese bridal gown to pay homage to her history and ethnic identity. For Karen’s family, seeing her in a traditional red Chinese wedding dress was a very special moment.
We are so thankful that Karen and Edward chose to share their love story and the Country Club wedding with Southern Bride & Groom and you, our viewers! We wish them a lifetime of happiness and adventures. Bride Karen has some priceless advice to share,
“It’s never too early to start planning. As the day gets closer, there is so much to do, so anything you can do to plan early or think about ahead of time can only help!”
Want to see another real wedding at Brier Creek Country Club? Click here.