Cara and Travis
April 26, 2014: Bald Head Island Club
Photographs by Millie Holloman Photography
This spontaneous couple got engaged during a shopping excursion in St Maarten. Happening upon the perfect engagement ring, Travis Stutts dropped to one knee in the middle of the street to propose, and a steel drummer serenaded them with “Going to the Chapel.” Cara Abe said yes, and then the couple scrambled to make it back to their cruise. “We almost missed the ship!” laughs Cara.
She always wanted a beach wedding and loved that guests stayed for the weekend to fish and play croquet at Bald Head Island. A steel drummer played Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” as Cara walked down the aisle in her ruffled waterfall mermaid gown by Wtoo from J. Major’s Bridal. The bride’s aunt, Susan Pate Greenwood, officiated under a seaside wedding arbor by Design Perfection.
Market lights, ship lanterns, and a fragrant canopy of roses and hydrangeas added romance to the outdoor reception, decorated in crisp navy and white with natural touches of seagrass and nautical ropes. The club’s chef wowed guests with chicken Marsala and New York strip, roasted garlic and chive mashed potatoes, and sautéed baby greens with wild mushrooms. DJ Brian Hood brought the newlyweds out for their first dance to “All of Me” by John Legend. But the mood switched suddenly when Cara’s Honey Bees teammates took to the dance floor to dance to “Proud Mary.” The couple left in a wave of bubbles for a weeklong stay at the beach.
The bride, in property management with Greystar and a dancer for the Charlotte Hornets Honey Bees, found her tulle mermaid gown and veil from Watters Wtoo at J. Major’s Bridal. The groom, branch manager with Enterprise, proposed during a shopping excursion in St. Maarten.
During the wedding weekend, the bridal party traveled Bald Head Island on bicycles and golf carts.
The four-layer cake by One Belle Bakery came in coconut, strawberry, and amaretto flavors.
Design Perfection created the chic wedding arbor, complete with seashell chandeliers.
The seaside reception had a nautical theme, with navy and rope accents.
Design Perfection created the florals, which featured blush and cream roses, white lilies, hydrangeas, and peonies.
Bridesmaids wore jade green chiffon gowns by Alfred Angelo
from WeddingtonWay.com.
The groom sported a Kenneth Cole suit in postman blue, and his
groomsmen coordinated in blue checked shirts by Nautica and Kenneth Cole vests and trousers with blue on blue diagonal stripe neckties.
