Heidi & Keith’s Rickhouse Wedding (feat. Wool E. Bull!)

This was not our first Rickhouse wedding, but it was our first wedding with Wool E. Bull! Like all good Durham residents, Heidi & Keith love to spend summer nights at the DBAP watching America’s favorite minor league baseball team, The Durham Bulls. Given that love, and the fact that the Rickhouse is right next to the old Durham Bulls Ballpark, Heidi planned an amazing surprise for Keith by arranging for the Bulls’ mascot Wool E. Bull to stand in at the first look. It was perfection. Wool E. even had a suit jacket and a bouquet! Plenty more images below, but first:

The Team

Venue: The Rickhouse
Planner: Emily Katherine Events
Photography: Kivus & Camera
Catering: Picnic
Serving Team: Top-Off Events
Dessert: The Parlour & The Secret Baker
Florist: Springwell Gardens & Design
Rentals: American Party Rentals
Photobooth: Triple T Entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Kristina Overton
Officiant: Kayelily Middleton
DJ: Elevation Entertainment
Chalkboard Art: Chalkboards by Julie
Dance Instruction: Arthur Murray Durham
Rings: John David Jewelers
Gown: Maggi Bridal
Alterations: Bridal Alterations by Juliana
Bridesmaids dresses: JJ’s House

Time for images!

Heidi & co. did most of their getting ready at Heidi & Keith’s house in Woodcroft. Keith’s sister made that “est 2019” pillow for the couple. I wish I had crafting skills like that! And then the middle picture features Heidi & Keith’s cat Mervin, who was a tad overwhelmed with all the goings-on, so he just hung out under the bed. But he did get some love from flower girls, so he didn’t miss out on all the fun.

Around 2, it was time to head over to the Rickhouse, where setup was in full swing.

Meanwhile, Keith & co. started the morning with a visit to the Lemur Center before heading to the Marriott downtown to get ready. 

Before we knew it, it was time for the first look. Even without a surprise tied in, first looks require a good amount of logistical planning. Managing to get a goofy bull into place added another layer, but Wool E. did great and Keith was thrilled to see him, and of course thrilled to see Heidi hiding behind the Bulls mascot.

Success!

I love Wool E. batting at Heidi’s veil! It was definitely breezy on Saturday and that veil had a mind of its own. But it was beautiful! And the sky was SO blue. 

Time to get married!

See the paper & string backdrop softening the glass backdrop between the Rickhouse and the distillery? Heidi & Keith made that!

The final pronouncement by Reverend Kayelily and they’re officially official!

Reception decoration time! It wouldn’t be a Rickhouse wedding without chalk art. I can barely write a word on a chalkboard, but Julie did this!! And how sweet are the centerpieces? Books plus little vases <3  Springwell Design did a fantastic job.

And of course, this lady was planning it all! So much love and credit to Emily with Emily Katherine Events. 

Heidi & Keith’s first dance was sunkissed and perfectly choreographed. That dip!!

A quick jaunt out to the patio for evening portraits – no pinks or purples with Saturday evening’s sunset, but the deep deep blue right after the sun dips below the horizon always works for a dramatic portrait. 

Then back inside for toasts and cake & ice cream.

Shannon from Elevation Entertainment opened the dance floor with an anniversary dance, which Heidi’s grandparents — married for 57 years! — won.

When you’ve got a patio and something to celebrate, you light up a cigar; that’s just a rule. 

And you dance like no one is watching; that’s also a rule. 

The night ended (almost) with an exit through bubbles, with assists by flower girls 😀

The exit is usually the end of the night, but Heidi & Keith had the idea for photos of the end of the night – being exhausted and full of dessert. So they enjoyed what was left of the sundae bar (mostly melted ice cream at that point) and fell into a sugar coma, the sure sign of a great day.

This was a fantastic wedding, and not just cause John & I got a great photo with Wool E. Bull for the Kivii Life archives. Here’s to more Rickhouse weddings (and more weddings with mascots!)