August isn't only for football kickoffs and children returning to school. We celebrated the start of our fall wedding season with our first Open House on Thursday, August 22nd. We were honored to host so many talented, local vendors and welcome excited guests through our Barn doors!

Despite the rain, guests were able to stroll through our indoor and outdoor venues while enjoying food, fun music and meeting wedding vendors of all kinds! Our design used light fall colors, including linens from Party Reflections Greensboro in Ocean Panama and Autumn Leaf. The blue linens brought out the colors in our ceiling-high fireplace and contrasted the beautiful natural features of the Barn. The light peach accents had guests craving the start of cooler fall weather and the colors that come with it!

Guests (and I) were stuffed leaving Open House because some of our favorite local caterers brought a spread of goodies! City BBQ's mac and cheese bar was the first stop for many with toppings galore! Cafe 121 shared a southern staple - sweet potato biscuits with pimento cheese and tomato. Our Bear Creek neighbors, The Old Place, spoiled us with roast beef, marinated chicken, mini cupcakes, and more. In the center of the Barn, you couldn't miss Angie Mundy with Gigi's Creations boasting the charcuterie spread of your dreams. Guests made several stops for both cheese and dessert at her booth (I had 3 banana puddings at minimum)!

There was no shortage of sweets as guests mingled throughout the Barn. Enchanted Moments Sweet Shop served hundreds of mini cupcakes in red velvet, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. The Chocolate Cellar from downtown Sanford sampled the yummiest chocolate truffles, and Millie's Mama Bakes showed off some of her unique cookie designs for bridal showers, weddings, bachelorette parties and more. You couldn't make your way around the Barn without stopping at least twice to sample her cookies!

Guests took wedding planning tips home from friendly and experienced event planners including Nicole Smith from Vision Events, Jordan Hayes with Jordan Hayes Weddings & Events, and Crystal Smith from Deep River Charm. We had the wonderful opportunity to view some of the work of the best local photographers and learn more about their shooting style. Sonder Photography even offered a fun photobooth with fresh florals!

Next to Sonder Photography, Ted's Flower Basket showed off beautiful blooms and tabletop floral designs, including a gorgeous cascading bouquet. Ted's had guests enter a contest to receive a discount on floral packages and a free portrait bouquet! KatieDid Florals joined Vision Events showcasing a gorgeous fall floral and raffled off fresh flowers cut straight from her yard! Katie Thomas, with KatieDid florals, has a passion for using nature in her floral designs which make for gorgeous, organic designs unique to each bride and groom.

Not only did guests tour Oakland's Barn, outdoor Pavilion and Farmhouse, but each attendee received tickets to enter our Open House giveaway! The basket included a discount on a wedding cake order from Enchanted Moments Sweet Shop, a coupon for floral designs by Ted's Flower Basket, a t-shirt from Heather Gunter Photography, a complimentary engagement session from Nicole Danielle Photography, a Kate Spade tumbler from Jordan Hayes Weddings & Events, an Oakland Farm candle, a complimentary dinner from City BBQ, and a Southern Bride & Groom magazine! Our big winner was a newly engaged guest, Whitney Love!

We cannot thank all of our wonderful vendors for making our Open House such a fun-filled night. We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate summer engagements and kick off the Fall wedding season than spending it with all of our friends at the Farm! Cheers to cooler weather, upcoming gorgeous weddings and all the new friendships formed at Oakland Farm's Open House!