As we bring this incredible year to a close and prepare for all the couples that will be saying “I do” at Oakland Farm in 2020, we thought we’d ring in the new year with a sweet couple who are celebrating their first anniversary on December 31st! 2019 started with a bang celebrating Halie and Bobby becoming one! How cool is it that they were our last wedding of 2018 and the first in 2019!? Their story started on a phone – they swiped right! They met in person for the first time at The Oxford, a former bar in Raleigh, and instantly knew they were the perfect match!

The Proposal: Halie surprised Bobby with a trip to Montreal, Canada for Christmas 2016. This trip was already going to be a special one, because Bobby is originally from Ottawa, Canada. In January 2017, the couple made the trip north where it was -16^o F. Halie said, “It was the coldest place I’ve ever been on Earth.” And we think a North Carolina winter is cold! They rang in the New Year together, and on the last evening, New Year's Day 2018, they were getting dressed up for a nice dinner at a place Bobby's parents used to dine. When Halie came out of their hotel bathroom expecting to head out for dinner, he asked her a question she’ll never forget! She said “yes,” and before leaving for dinner, they Facetimed their loved ones to share the good news and show off her New Year bling! Halie and Bobby kicked off celebrations in Canada, and brought the fun to Oakland Farm for New Year’s Eve!

The Party: On December 31, 2018, the Barn was filled with black and gold New Year’s glam! Halie and her best ladies stayed Friday night in the Farmhouse to celebrate her last evening as a Miss. The morning started with lots of coffee and champagne to prep these beauties for makeup, hair and pictures. The bridal party wore the coziest monogrammed flannel outfits and had the most fun kicking off Halie’s wedding morning.

From flannel to gowns, Halie’s bridesmaids wore gold satin floor length dresses with black bows. Her honorary bridesmaids wore tea-length black satin cocktail dresses. The bridal party wore big smiles and small tears when Halie walked out in her Grandmother’s wedding gown, tailored specifically for her. Her gown was her “something old,” to compliment the new year and new last name that was to come that evening! In the Barn, after Bobby buttoned his cummerbund and tied his bow tie, it was time for his first look at his soon-to-be-Mrs. This was one of their favorite moments, being alone together in the chaos of their wedding day. Bobby literally ran to Halie when he saw her in white!

After pictures with family, the bridal party jetted off to Jonesboro Methodist Church for the ceremony. Love radiated throughout the ceremony keeping everyone warm and cozy in the sanctuary as Bobby and Halie promised each other forever. Once Bobby kissed his wife, guests donned in their New Year’s Eve best, black ties and evening gowns, headed for the party at Oakland Farm.

Glimmering fir trees lining the inside of the Barn welcomed guests with a warm glow. Throughout the tables you’d find touches of gold, black and clocks galore. If you looked up, you’d even find balloons ready to drop at midnight! Food was shared, champagne was poured, Elvis made a surprise appearance, and the band kept the party going until the countdown begun – “10, 9, 8, 7, 6 . . . .” Halie and Bobbie shared a New Year’s kiss to kick off their many adventures to come as Mr. and Mrs.!

Advice to Future Brides & Grooms: Halie and Bobby have two golden pieces of advice to those of you preparing for your own wedding – Be present, and be organized! Sometimes it can be easy to say “don’t stress,” but a lot harder to actually change your mindset. Something that helped Halie stay worry free was keeping a notebook for wedding planning. She had packets of instructions for her large wedding party which kept everyone on time and in the right place on their special day. If you’re a bride that tends to stress over the tiny details, don’t let the worry steal your joy! You won’t notice if something isn’t quite perfect, and your guests won’t either! Halie says, “Be present on that day and smile. Take moments to just be quiet and look around you at all of the people there celebrating you.”

A huge thank you to all the vendors that made this New Year’s Party unforgettable! Halie and Bobby said, “Our vendors were amazing. The food was picture perfect. Our band played the greatest songs. Our photographer and videographer did exactly as we wanted and we have precious memories to treasure.”

Halie + Bobby: A New Year's Eve Anniversary