The Twenty First Night of September in The Blue Ridge Mountains

photographer | kelsey nelson

Some love stories are written in the stars, and others begin on the first tee. For Laura and Devon, it was "love at first swing" when they met in the mountains of North Carolina. "I knew from that very first day that there was something special about Devon," Laura recalls. A chance meeting on the golf course led to a heartfelt phone call just days later, proving Laura’s grandmother’s timeless advice: "If he's interested, he will call." From that moment on, their journey together was filled with love, laughter, and plenty of rounds of golf, culminating in the most breathtaking fall wedding.

Over Labor Day Weekend, Devon planned a proposal that was nothing short of magical. With the help of family and friends, he orchestrated a lakeside moment at Mountain Club, balancing on one knee in a boat to ask Laura to spend forever with him. "I couldn’t stop saying ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ It was the easiest answer I’ve ever given," Laura shares. Their closest friends celebrated nearby, popping champagne and cheering them on. The newly engaged couple returned to a warm welcome from loved ones, making for a memory they will cherish forever.

For Laura, this private Mountain Club has always been a place of deep-rooted family tradition. Summers spent there brought lifelong friendships, and both her parents and grandparents were married in the same chapel where she and Devon would say their vows. "Walking down the aisle in the same chapel as my mother and grandmother was incredibly emotional for me," Laura says. While her mother and grandmother’s wedding dress couldn’t be worn again, its lace was lovingly sewn into Laura’s gown and tied around her bouquet. Family heirlooms, including cherished toasting glasses, further wove past and present together, honoring generations of love and commitment.

Blending the natural beauty of the North Carolina mountains with an elegant English garden feel, the wedding embraced soft blues and greens. The couple’s top priorities were exceptional food, unforgettable music, and stunning florals. "I wanted everything to feel timeless but effortless, as if the flowers had just been gathered from the most beautiful garden," Laura explains. Her classic wedding dress featured a bow in the back and a French bustle, paired beautifully with heirloom jewelry and a special gold love bracelet from her parents. Devon looked dapper in a tux from Berlins, complemented by cufflinks Laura gifted him from Charleston.

The wedding weekend was packed with joyful moments, beginning with a rehearsal dinner at the Golf Clubhouse. Guests enjoyed a lakeside welcome dinner featuring a live performance by Anna Kimm, a singer the couple had discovered during date nights in Charlotte. Saturday’s ceremony at the chapel was heartfelt and intimate, with Laura’s golden retriever, Scout, serving as the beloved flower dog. "Scout stole the show—there wasn’t a dry eye when he walked down the aisle," Laura laughs.

The reception at The Greystone Inn began with a cocktail hour on the lawn, where guests enjoyed bites of crab cakes, sugared bacon, and fried pimento cheese balls. The newlyweds made a grand entrance on a vintage fire truck before indulging in a dinner of short ribs over garlic mashed potatoes and haricots verts. The wedding cake was a classic vanilla with buttercream frosting, with additional cake options for guests, including Cookies and Cream, Chocolate, and Lemon. "Devon and I couldn’t decide on just one flavor, so we made sure there was something for everyone!" Laura shares.

Laura and Devon’s first dance to "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra set the tone for an unforgettable evening. A special father-daughter dance to "My Girl" became even more meaningful when other fathers and daughters in attendance joined in. "Dancing alongside my bridesmaids and their dads was such an unexpected, heartwarming moment," Laura says. The band, "The Free" from Sam Hill Entertainment, kept the energy high, leading up to a spectacular finale—ending the night on stage singing to "September."

As guests showered them with flower petals for their grand exit, the newlyweds knew their celebration was everything they had dreamed of. "It was truly the most magical day, filled with every person we love in the world," Laura reflects. An after-party at the bar kept the festivities going with late-night snacks, and the weekend concluded with a farewell brunch at The Inn before Laura and Devon set off for their honeymoon in Greece.

Their adventure took them to Milos, Santorini, and Paros, with Milos stealing their hearts. "Milos was our favorite—everything felt untouched and so dreamy," Laura shares. But no matter where their travels take them, their love story will always be rooted in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where it all began on the first tee.