Happy Wedding Day to Matt + Abby!!
I have known Matt since I was young. We were in all of the same classes throughout high school and are great friends who also happen to love to argue (Duke v. Carolina!) We were voted “Most Likely To Succeed” together in high school, and all of our classmates have joked for years that political Matt Compton would be president someday. He isn’t far off because he actually works in the White House!
I’ve known Abby since she and Matt started dating years ago and these two are truly the perfect match. She is sweet as can be and works in Washington for Share Our Strength.
After the gorgeous ceremony (I honored the “please no photography” request), we headed to the Carolina Inn for a lovely reception.
Beginning with a snazzy first dance
We sampled a few passed apps, such as this fried green tomato + pimento cheese!
Cocktails –
A mix of pineapple + grenadine + lime for me and the babe
Matt’s mom, Marcia, is a loyal KERF reader : ) I brought her some Cville Cluster granola, which she loves!
We were starving by the time dinner was served and the food tasted amazing!
Southern style with a twist – cheddar ham biscuits, crawfish hushpuppies, goat cheese + artichoke balls and lamb.
Plus the main stations of prime rib, shrimp + grits and antipasto
Lots of dancing followed!
Until it was time to rumble the cupcake mountain!
Matt and I actually went to high school with the owner of The Cupcake Shoppe in Raleigh who did the ‘cakes for tonight!
And these ‘cakes were AWESOME!
Matt and I tried a vanilla and a chocolate. The buttercream was fabulous and the cake part moist and sweet. I especially loved the fondant hat! This wedding cake lover was very happy!
Matt let me hold his champagne during the toasts so I’d feel cool : )
I loved all the North Carolina themes at the wedding, including party favors of Krispy Kreme and Cheerwine!
We didn’t dance the night away, as Matt has been up since 4 in the morning and was ready to head back on the earlier side, but we had a great time and wish Matt and Abby the best!
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
Her dress!!!!! I love that she works for SOS.
i love your wedding posts.
that food looks amazing, and mmm cheerwine!
cute wedges, btw!
That looks beautiful
I love weddings, those cupcakes look delicious
…and love your cute green dress, even see a little tummy there ;]
Love the Cheerwine party favor! Never had it until DH’s family brought it to the beach when I first met them. I was like “cheer what”? I like the original; not the reformulated though.
Oh my gosh, so beautiful! I’m from Illinois but I’ve actually been to a wedding at The Carolina Inn in that same room! Ahhh these pictures brought back memories! That food was absolutely amazing, and LOVE the Krispy Kremes. Are you guys going to stop at Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen for breakfast?! Thanks so much for sharing Kath!
So…whenever I see you eat pimento cheese, I try to rack my brain about a food that we have out west that wouldn’t be found in other parts of the country…
The only Two I can come up with (and these are super regional to the inland northwest) are finger steaks and fry sauce!
love the color of your shoes with that dress
mmmmm cupcakes and donuts, looks delicious! Looked like a fabulous time
What does the tag say on the Cheerwine bottle? Great pictures & I love her wedding dress!
It was a quote about cheer, but it’s blurry : (
What a gorgeous wedding! Congrats to the happy couple!
Loved the party favors! Looks lovely.
it’s a beautiful wedding
like the idea of krispy kreme 
love the idea of serving cupcakes at a wedding!
I love your dress!! Is it possible to share where you bought it from?
Thanks, it’s yet another loehmanns find
The bride looked beautiful and way to rock your green dress with baby inside
I was my sister’s maid of honor when I was about 24 weeks I’d say, and I bought the dress when I was about 13 weeks, thinking there’s no way that I won’t be able to fit into it….well, I was thankful that the wedding was the weekend it was, because by the next weekend, no telling if I would have been wearing the intended dress 
What a great post! Congratulations to the happy couple!
She looks absolutely stunning!! So classic. And the whole wedding looks beautiful. Hope you had fun!
That cupcake tower is SO gorgeous! Genius idea – that, and the Krispy Kreme donuts! Perfection.
What a beautiful day! And I love the cupcake idea. They are so cute.
Can you send me some of those goat cheese + artichoke balls?
wonderful that you got to spend such a special day with your long-time friend.
love those cupcakes!! nothing beats a perfect buttercream when it comes to frosting.
wishing matt and abby the very best!
I love some good wedding pictures! The bride is absolutely stunning and her dress is amazing – simple and gorgeous.
What a beautiful wedding! Love the cupcake tower! I am going to something along the same lines for my son’s graduation for his classmates…he has a peanut/tree nut allergy and he would not be able to eat anything ordered from a bakery so I have offered to bake them something special!
cheerwine and donut party favors, so cute! great photos.
What great food! You’re probably one of the few who doesn’t have a post-wedding headache, ha! Some of the benefits of pregnancy…
Apparently yesterday was a big day for weddings—I know of three people who got married last night! Glad you guys had a great time; looks like a beautiful wedding!
Kath, it seems as though you attend several weddings each year. Do you have a favorite gift you give to couples? My good friend is getting married this summer and I am searching for a great wedding & shower gift, do you have some suggestions? Thanks!!
I always buy off registries because those are the items the couples want most. And I usually pick foodie items – often 2-3 medium priced things to add up to a fun gift.
Just wondering why you have decided to start moderating the comments?
It was just time.
Are you moderating them all? I had noticed mine were being moderated and wondered about it but maybe you are having to do them all. I have noticed some very critical and unkind comments in the past.
Yeah I am. It was a workflow change, but it’s also very refreshing and I’m glad I started doing it.
Kath, I love that green dress!! You look beautiful!
I love the idea of the cupcake “cake.” Looks like a fun wedding!
Gotta love moist, yummy cupcakes!
Cheerwine must be a southern thang, because I have only heard about from you
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
looks like a beautiful and fun wedding!! i just have to say that i absolutely love your green dress and wedges!! very cute!
Looks like a fun time!
Love the chevron print donut holders, I spot it in the end.
I’ve only been to weddings here in Cali and I would love to attend a wedding from your area…it’s looks so cozy and quiant
i love the carolina inn! i live just two blocks away
Kath, you seriously should consider going into wedding photography! You have a gift for catching the best non posed moments and highlighting the beauty of the subjects and the event! Gorgeous!
Oh thank you. It sure it hard to get shots once the sun sets! My photos aren’t grand, but most couples like seeing the recap up by the time they wake up the next morning
Mmmm….Krispy Kreme…..So it seems the wedding was at Duke and reception at UNC….huh?! Whose side is he on?
No, it was all at UNC. He’s all Carolina! Ours was at Duke though
I’m not a wedding-crazy female by any means, but this post is gorgeous! The food especially looks amazing! I love the southern fare, I’m guessing it was a buffet?
Yes, and stations
How did they request no photography? I’m thinking of doing this for my wedding and am unsure the best way to do so.
It was in the program, although I doubt many saw it. They requested no applause too but people still clapped
Aww what a beautiful wedding! I love weddings. Her dress is beautiful
The weather was perfect for a wedding yesterday – not so much today! Carolina Inn receptions are incredible, aren’t they?
What a beautiful wedding. The bride’s dress is INCREDIBLE!!
Kath, what a beautiful recap of your friends’s wedding! Thanks for sharing! I love your navy blue wedges! Would you mind sharing where you bought those?? Thanks!
I believe I got them at Rack Room. They are super comfy
i have never had grits…but those look good! have you ever done a post on making them? if not, i would LOVE a tutorial from you! i am headed to the south next month and can’t wait to try true southern food!
I’ve cooked them plenty of times but there’s not too much to it if you follow the instructions on the package. It’s a lot like cooking oats, millet or oat bran
I was so happy to see you and your pictures are great, The food was wonderful but my cville crunch was and still is great, Hope to see you again soon, MUCH love Marcia
We had a wonderful time! Glad we could be a part of the day
I had your granola sitting in my kitchen for a few days and almost opened it a handful of times it was so tempting! I had to go get my own bag this week
I am having a southern style wedding next February. We are also planning on having Cheerwine as a favor and in googling a cutsie saying, I ran across your blog. Do you know what is says on the tag?
Unfortunately I don’t remember and I can’t read it
“Small cheer and merry welcome makes a merry feast” -Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors
Sorry…that should be “Small cheer and good welcome makes a merry feast”