Olivia in Danielle Frankel for her Intimate, Modern & Non-Traditional Wedding

One of the things I enjoy most about publishing weddings is seeing the many different ways couples choose to celebrate. Olivia and Franklin’s wedding is a lovely reminder that a meaningful wedding doesn’t need to follow a prescribed format. Instead, they focused on the things that mattered most to them, bringing family together, sharing exceptional food and creating the kind of atmosphere where everyone could simply enjoy being together.

The couple married at Olivia’s great-grandfather’s home on Oak Island, North Carolina, a place that had already played host to family gatherings for generations. As I read through Olivia’s words, it became clear that the house was far more than a venue – itprovided the backdrop for exactly the kind of celebration she and Franklin wanted to create, with loved ones arriving over several days before coming together for one big family gathering by the water.

Photographed by Leslie DeAnn Photography, these images capture a wedding that was personal in all the right ways. Olivia wore Danielle Frankel, family history was woven naturally throughout the day and many of the details reflected the couple’s own story, from the antique ruby engagement ring passed down through Franklin’s family to the subtle references to the penny game that first brought them together.

What a huge pleasure to share this beautiful wedding with you – I’ll let Olivia take over and tell you more…

We got married at a private residence on Oak Island in North Carolina, USA.

I’ve always loved the movie Mamma Mia and the way her family trickles into town slowly, and then they all gather for a huge party. Getting married at my great-grandfather’s house really helped to bring that vision to life. The house itself has an energy about it and a very clear heirloom quality.  I really wanted it to feel familiar, comfortable, and romantic.

My bouquet was everything I had imagined, and my sister added a locket that features a picture of my dad, who is no longer with us. It was so special to have him with me as I walked down the aisle, escorted by my older brother.

We were accompanied by the sound of ‘Wild Horses’, by the Midnite String Quartet – a song reminds me of the love that my mom and dad shared.

Since my father wasn’t able to be there, it was a way I was able to honour him and surprise my mom!

Our dear friend Andrew officiated our wedding. He’s been a part of my life since I was a teenager and he’s always loved and welcomed Franklin into our big family. Andrew wrote our ceremony reading for us;

“Together, they are funny, fiercely loyal, a little unconventional, and absolutely right for eachother.

Their love is not only felt, but lived – in roadtrips and moves across the country, in dogs and water jugs and porch dreams, in laughter that follows them everywhere. Isn’t that what love is? It’s penny games and porch visions. It’s loyalty so strong that it might bite a finger or two. It’s patience through rainy birthdays, and joy in simply living the love you’ve built. It’s one more episode together.

It’s pretending your husband is the better chef, when you know your cooking is best.” Written by Andrew Bolling, our officiant”

Both our photographs and video were by USA East Coast wedding photographer, Leslie DeAnn Photography.

Those days at the restaurant were long, busy, and HOT. At some point we made a game of hiding a penny around the dining room for the other to find. That game quickly turned into dates between shifts. Crossing the bridges for a late lunch everyday felt like we were in a world created all on our own.

We must have spent every dollar we made that summer on those dates. Neither of us remember having many days off in those months but we do remember driving to the end of the island and finding secret spots under the oak trees. 

It was obvious to both of us that we were in love. By that fall it was time for me to go back to college and Franklin said he would wait for me, however long it took. The weekend that I was supposed to go back to college, I had a full-blown vision of our future together. We were older, both had white hair, and we were sitting in rocking chairs on the porch. So then we got a U-Haul and moved me back home.

A few years later, Franklin was accepted into culinary school in Boulder, CO. We decided to move to Denver so Franklin could go to school while I worked in the hospital during the pandemic. We lived there for just over two years before a brief move to Chicago, then home to Beaufort, NC in 2023.

It was during the move that Franklin got the ring from his mother. It’s an antique ruby ring that belonged to his great-grandmother from Hatteras, NC.

On my birthday in September, we drove down to Cedar Island, NC for the weekend. The weather was awful, windy, cold, and just absolutely terrible outside in the middle of hurricane season. I was keen to sit on the couch watching the Murdoch Murders on Netflix while Franklin was pacing around the house. (It’s important to note that we don’t really do presents, so I wasn’t expecting anything.) Eventually Franklin broke down and said, “Do you want your birthday present?” and I said yes. He left the room, then quickly returned, told me to “stand up, close your eyes and hold out your hands” and when I opened my eyes he was on one knee, ruby ring in the box, and he asked, “Will you marry me, will you be my wife?”

And I said “YES!”.

Our tent and rentals were hired from Perfect Touch Rental, with speciality rentals hired from Martha My Dear.

Our floral designer was Field Floral based in Richmond, Virginia – they took what little vision I could muster and turned it into the design of my dreams.

It became clear during our planning that I didn’t want the wedding to be overly decorated. I wanted the space to have a quiet and very understated but intentional feel. I wanted the florals to appear as if they’re growing out of the house and from the surrounding maritime forest. They went above and beyond, tapping into the very stream of thought I had in my head that I wasn’t able to articulate.

I loved our matchbooks and how they’re designed to be like GuestChecks, a ode to how we first met 🙂 I also LOVED our cups, which were another token for our guests to take with them. I designed them myself with a penny (another ode) and a saying that we tell each other often, “Just lucky, I guess,” which is a reflection of how we truly feel about each other and our relationship.

We also incorporated marigolds to honour my late father and all of our loved ones who have passed on.

Our caterers were Spoonfed Kitchen and the food was amazing. Since we both come from food and beverage we wanted the food to be memorable. Apart from the food tasting good, we had one request, that everything be gluten free, and I think the caterers nailed it. It was important to us to curate a culinary experience that represented us as a couple, and I think we did just that.

Ditch the bridal party and groomsmen! I really liked not having to worry about anyone else’s dress or making sure that anyone else looked exactly how I wanted them to. My best friends were there and whats even better, is that they came wearing something they felt great in and that really shows in the pictures. 

I feel like the wedding industry/social media has set such unrealistic expectations for brides with bachelorette trips and huge bridal parties. I was nervous to tell my friends and to not to elect a maid of honour. Now that I’ve been on both sides of it, the bridesmaid then the bride, I can say that your friends will absolutely understand.

I only wish that there were more hours in that day!! I wanted it to last forever. The rehearsal, the ceremony, cocktail hour, and dancing were all exactly how I envisioned, that is all thanks to the team we had helping us along the way.

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