Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s an opportunity to start a new chapter without having to wait until January 1st. The trees shed their old leaves to prepare for a new life come the spring. Oakland Farm in the fall is particularly beautiful with reds, oranges, and yellows bursting through the deep green of our pines and pastures. With Autumn being the most popular time to get married in North Carolina, thanks to the perfect weather and beautiful foliage, at Oakland Farm we get the pleasure of seeing many couples begin a new chapter as married partners. Sarah + Forbes were one of those sweet couples that began their new chapter as husband and wife on November 5, 2023.

Their story began at the church where they grew up, which also happens to be the same church where they were married in Sanford, NC. Having known each other for much of their youth, they would occasionally run into each other at college events and friends’ weddings. It was at a mutual friend’s engagement party where they really started talking and realized that they might have a future together. Forbes asked Sarah to be his date to a wedding a few days after.

The Proposal: After a few years of dating, Forbes made dinner reservations in Downtown Raleigh to celebrate school dismissing for winter break; Sarah is an elementary school teacher, so surviving school in the days leading up to Christmas is absolutely deserving of a celebration. She was worried they would be late for their reservation, so she was hurriedly walking to the restaurant. When they rounded the corner to cross the street, Forbes stopped and reminded her this was the same spot they had their first kiss. Sarah says, “I'm pretty sure he said some other things too, but I can't remember. All I do remember is he then dropped down to one knee and asked me to marry him.”

The Church Wedding Ceremony

Just like her stunning engagement ring, Sarah’s vision for her wedding day was simple, timeless, and elegant. Because Sanford, NC is only minutes from Oakland Farm, they chose their home sanctuary, First Baptist Church, as their ceremony location, with the reception to follow in our barn venue. Sarah and her favorite gals enjoyed mimosas and breakfast inside our Farmhouse while having their hair and makeup done by Blushed Bridal. Sarah chose champagne, blush, wine and deep greens in her beautiful fall wedding color palette, which beautifully complimented the bridesmaids gowns from Bella Bridesmaids. She stepped into her sleeveless, a-line, satin gown with lace detailing by Maggie Sottero gown from New York Bride & Groom, and the excitement of wedding day began! She shared an emotional first look with her soon-to-be husband under the fall foliage at Oakland’s Farmhouse, and then the wedding party hopped onto a bus to head to the church where the couple would exchange vows and be pronounced husband and wife.

The Outdoor Cocktail Hour

Guests arrived at the reception venue, where they were greeted with cocktails and appetizers from Catering by Design. Passed appetizers, Manhattans, and Moscow Mules, kept guests entertained while Sarah, Forbes and their bridal party wrapped up photos during golden hour. The bride’s favorite part of wedding day was when she and Forbes returned to Oakland Farm after the ceremony where they enjoyed a private moment together to see the venue transformed. They soaked in the excitement of being newly married as they explored the perfectly decorated venue, taking in all the details of their elegant fall wedding day. After enjoying a sip of their specialty cocktails, and exchanging another kiss, they were ready to kick off the wedding reception!

The Barn Wedding Reception

After cocktail hour, guests were invited inside Oakland’s barn wedding venue for dinner and dancing. Guests’ eyes were immediately drawn to KatieDid Design’s, crawling smilax mantle design, complete with mounds of pumpkins on the hearth. Guest tables were decorated with simple, gold compote centerpieces, with linens and place settings from Curated Events Raleigh. Upon welcoming the wedding party, and introducing the first dances, Freeman Productions started the dance party when dinner was complete. To end the night, Sarah & Forbes enjoyed a bite of cake by Enchanted Moments Custom Cakes, shared a private dance, and exited amongst rows of twinkling sparklers.

In reminiscing on her wedding day, Sarah advises recently engaged couples to “have fun and enjoy the process. [Wedding planning] can be super stressful at times but, when you find your perfect vendors, it will all fall in t0 place. Also, don't forget each other while this is going on. Take a date night every now and then where you don't talk about anything wedding at all. It really helps to take a mental break from the for both of you!”

Dreaming of a simple, elegant, fall wedding day like this? Schedule a tour with us so we can work with you to make your dream day come true!

“We were so please with everything on our day! However, having our reception at Oakland Farm really tied everything together. From the location (which is so stunning in the fall!) to the amazing venue host. It made for the perfect day!”

— Sarah, 2022 Bride

Sarah + Forbes: A “Garden & Gun”-Inspired Fall Wedding

The Church Wedding Ceremony

The Outdoor Cocktail Hour

The Barn Wedding Reception