Jeremy & Alexa’s Rainy Wedding at Merry Hill

The weather forecast for Jeremy & Alexa’s wedding on Saturday looked terrible all week, and I think just about everyone was prepared for a full on rainy wedding, and the day definitely started that way. It was raining so hard as we were driving into Mebane that John & I stopped so I could buy a raincoat. I’m pretty sure I’m magic though, because that’s about when the really heavy rain stopped (at least for the morning/afternoon).

There was some drizzle as everyone finished getting ready, but it cleared up in time for Jeremy & Alexa to have their first look in the clearing behind the reception site, where they also exchanged private vows before the full ceremony. The rain continued to hold off through the ceremony and cocktail hour; we just had some threatening looking clouds hovering over our heads.

Those clouds made good on their threat eventually, but it was only later in the evening, after everyone was under the reception tent, so people stayed more or less dry. The newlyweds were totally game for some rainy wedding photos though, proving that you can have tons of fun regardless of what Mother Nature throws at you.

The Merry Hill rainy wedding team:

Venue: Merry Hill
Coordinator: Lynn Sample, friend of the couple
Hair & Makeup: The Bardot
Wedding Gown (with pockets!): Davids Bridal
Invitations: Paper Culture
Florals: Fallon’s Flowers
Officiant: Pastor Jody Welker
Caterer: Southland BBQ
Cake: Wicked Sweet Cakes
DJ: Steel Impressions
Photos: Kivus & Camera, of course!

The Merry Hill rainy wedding images:

Getting Ready

I loved that Alexa had her grandmother’s prayer book as her something old. It was clearly well-loved. Another fun detail were all the custom beer mugs Jeremy had gotten for himself and his groomsmen.

Having photos of your pets as your wedding decor is the absolute best. There were photos of the pair’s dogs and cat all over the place – in their getting ready locations and also as prominent reception decorations.

I don’t know if they liked the rainy weather or what, but the Merry Hill peacocks were really active this weekend. We’ve had several weddings there now, but this was the most I’ve seen of them. One even made his way up to the second floor window to peek in on Alexa getting dressed.

First look and personal vows

Alexa & Jeremy wanted to have a private mini-ceremony before the full ceremony, where they exchanged more personal vows, so we headed into the “fairy forest” behind the reception tent for a first look and those vows.

(if you notice a heavenly glow, it’s definitely that Alexa looks angelic and not just that our lenses were fogging up in the post-rain humidity)

Portraits

How gorgeous are these two?! They make being stressed about the weather all week look amazing. And their wedding party was awesome too. Everyone took the whole day in stride and just had the time of their lives, which is exactly what you’re supposed to do on your wedding day.

Ceremony

And then it was time for the big ceremony with all their friends and family (and some peacocks)…

The actually rainy wedding reception

The sky was growing progressively darker with a little thunder rumbling in the distance, but by that time, everyone had made it under the reception tent. Check out the beautiful portraits of Jeremy & Alexa’s pets. Jeremy, a talented photographer (and cinematographer) himself, took those.

By the time dinner was over, a little misty drizzle had begun, but the Merry Hill team was able to get the fire going for a short window. We snagged that time for some real quick portraits before heading back in for toasts, and it’s a good thing we did it when we did, because midway through the toasts, the rain (and wind) gained some serious strength.

Everyone kept right on going though, toasting and dancing and having a great time.

The newlyweds danced with one another and then with their parents, and then their parents danced with each other <3.

That rain up there can’t stop this party.

And if this isn’t the face of a bride having the best day ever, I don’t know what is.

Thank you so much to Jeremy & Alexa for being so amazing, having such wonderful attitudes, and having such a great group of family and friends! We really loved spending time with y’all and are thrilled to share these images with you.