Enchanting True Love Story and Winter Wedding Inspiration at NCMA Raleigh
The North Carolina Museum of Art, lovingly known as NCMA by locals, has brought our state modern and ancient art from every corner of the world. Friends, families and sweethearts explore NCMA’s galleries each week to take in new beautiful perspectives on life’s greatest mysteries. This is where Allison Bonner and Michael Bogart’s love story comes into the picture. On their first date, drinks on the Durham Hotel rooftop, they came to a realization — Allison and Michael had both recently gone to visit NCMA at the same time, on the same day. Still not convinced of true love or star-crossed lovers? How about the fact that they both graduated from UNC Chapel Hill the same year, and had multiple friends in common. And yet, as Allison said, they kept missing each other like two ships passing in the night.
Three years later, Allison and Michael returned to the art museum. But this time, they met in those symbolic art galleries as soulmates instead of strangers. Surrounded by family and friends, they made sacred promises to one another, and left the NCMA as husband and wife. Allison and Michael said “I do” on a romantic day in December. Their winter wedding was filled with enchanting colors such as greenery, gold, claret, blush and cream. From the bride’s white fur stole to the red floral arrangements, this real NC wedding is filled with incredible winter wedding inspiration that we just can’t wait for you to enjoy.
Planning a Winter Wedding at NCMA Raleigh
On average, Allison spent three hours a night planning for their winter wedding at NCMA. As an excited new bride, it’s easy to understand why anyone would want to be so involved in planning their wedding. After it was all said and done, she had to admit that it felt like having a second job and now understands how people choose wedding planning as their full time career! Thankfully, all of her hard work paid off. Allison’s vision of an elegant winter wedding at the NCMA came to life beautifully.
We love that more and more NC couples are choosing museums as their wedding ceremony and reception venue. The NCMA’s expansive open-air galleries and spectacular outdoor sculpture gardens and trails make it a dream wedding and event landscape. Couples like Allison and Michael are able to choose from NCMA’s multiple event spaces, each equally as beautiful and unique as the next. The icing on top? NCMA offers the assistance of their onsite special events staff and chefs of the Museum’s Iris restaurant. Bride Allison raved about the museum’s professional staff,
“Morgan and Brittany made all of my wedding vision come to life. I’m a Type A bride and they were the only two I would have trusted to execute on all the details. They were a dream to work with!”
Winter Wedding Fashion from Lana Addison Bridal
Allison looked stunning in a custom Martina Liana wedding dress from Lana Addison Bridal in Raleigh. Her choice is proof that you don’t have to wear a wedding dress with sleeves if you get married in winter! While taking wedding portraits in the NCMA’s outdoor sculpture garden, Allison donned a classy white fur stole to stay warm. We love that the bridesmaids wore matching black halter-top dresses. This fashion statement looked altogether cohesive and utterly beautiful on everyone. Not to mention, black bridesmaids dresses are truly dresses they will be able to wear again!
Before moving on to the men’s formalwear, we want to highlight the mother of the bride’s elegant gown. Her rose gold, floor-length dress from Kannon’s Clothing in Raleigh is absolutely gorgeous. We believe that the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom should feel beautiful on the day of their child’s wedding. Kannon’s Clothing is just the place to find that special occasion attire! Now, no one can deny that Michael and his groomsmen looked handsome in classic black and white tuxedos. Their dapper bow ties and top-notch attire fit NCMA’s setting perfectly. Red bouquets and boutonnieres designed by Watered Garden Florist popped elegantly against the all black and white bridal party fashion.
First Look by Bronwyn Duffield Photography at NCMA
Like many modern couples, Allison and Michael chose to do an intimate first look of one another before the wedding ceremony. Their first look was a miniature private ceremony, in which Michael gave Allison the first of her two wedding bands. Bronwyn Duffield Photography helped them capture this emotional moment.
Breathtaking photos of Allison and Michael’s first look beside the NCMA’s outdoor reflecting pool and whimsical art sculptures look straight out of a movie (Pride and Prejudice, 2005 anyone?)! Hear what the bride had to say about working with NC wedding photographer, Bronwyn Duffield,
“She captured all of the special moments of our big day — the photos were gorgeous and we’ll treasure them always!”
Winter Wedding Ceremony Inside the NCMA
Allison and Michael held their wedding ceremony inside the gorgeous halls of the NCMA. Warm wood floors and elevated ceilings give the indoor event space an awe-inspiring ambiance. Two extraordinary red floral arrangements designed by Watered Garden Florist framed the ceremony altar. Everything about their wedding ceremony was personal — the pastor was the bride’s high school youth minister and the couple’s only surviving grandparent (the bride’s grandfather) gave a heartfelt prayer and blessing over the marriage. Carefully selected poems by Emily Barrett Browning and Pablo Neruda, as well as hand picked bible verses were read.
Amid the crazy, wonderful chaos of your wedding day, you’ll find quiet moments of love and peace. For bride Allison, that moment came just before walking down the aisle with her dad,
“I knew everyone my husband and I loved and held dear were in the same room, under the same roof (probably for the only time in our lives), and the love of my life was waiting for me to marry him. Everything in that moment was still and peaceful – and I was so grateful for that evening and the life ahead of us.”
Winter Wedding Reception at the NCMA
Following the wedding ceremony, Allison and Michael Bogart invited their guests to enjoy an evening of celebration at their NCMA reception. With walls already covered in artistic masterpieces, this winter wedding reception design was simply elegant. Gold and cream linens from CE Rental graced the tables along with fresh winter greenery, wood and candles. Watered Garden Florist designed additional delicate floral arrangements that featured winter greenery as well as splashes of blush and red. After a delicious feast, supplied by NCMA’s onsite catering team, the bride and groom danced the night away to ECE: EastCoast Entertainment’s live band Bantum Rooster. Bride Allison says that Bantum Rooster brought the house down,
“We had blinky tambourines and glow sticks and all the right tunes — from beach music to Top 40! They even let me jump up there to join them for a song!”
After all that dancing, guests were tickled to go home with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts in hand. Allison and Michael left NCMA with unforgettable memories and love in their hearts. Today, the newlyweds reside in Raleigh with their dog Bailey, where Allison works in marketing and Michael is a pharmacist.
Want to see another amazing real NC museum wedding? Check out Kassy and Brandon Brino’s Museum of Life and Science wedding here.
