Grace and Kahla’s North Carolina lesbian wedding was everything they described to me when we first started planning: romantic, intentional, inviting, timeless and organic. On a warm September afternoon in New Hill, they gathered 140 of their favorite people at The Bradford for a day that felt elevated and still completely like them.
Their story is the classic modern one. They met on Hinge during the pandemic, waited a couple of months for the world to open back up for a first date, and never looked back. When it came to a venue, Kahla joked that she had always wanted to get married in Europe and this was the closest thing in North Carolina. In truth, they fell in love with The Bradford the moment they pulled up to the main house, from the surrounding greenery to the ballroom to the terrace (especially the terrace).
Two Brides Getting Ready Together
Grace and Kahla got ready together in the main house at The Bradford while still keeping their dresses a secret. Both of their gowns came from a & be Bridal, a shop that made the experience easy for two brides. The team helped each of them choose a dress she loved and made sure the two looks would complement each other without giving anything away. Kahla chose hers first, and neither of them knew what the other’s looked like until the first look.
Their invitation suite set the tone for the palette: almond cream, warm beige and soft stem greens, with a little brown woven in to “enhance the natural beauty of a September day.”
A First Look and Private Vows
The moment they were thinking about most in the lead-up to the wedding was their first look. They’re best friends, so keeping their dresses (and their vows) from each other was the hardest secret they’d ever kept. They left the location up to me based on the light, and we settled on a quiet corner beside the house, framed by evergreens. They read their private vows to each other there before anyone else was in the picture.
Bridal Party Portraits at the Main House
More than anything, Grace and Kahla wanted their people captured, and their bridal party made that easy. Everyone wore black against The Bradford’s white brick, and the sunglasses came out almost immediately. Their bouquets from Wild Flora leaned into greenery, movement and asymmetry, with white blooms, anthurium and trailing amaranthus that felt organic without losing any polish. Hair and makeup by Reign Beauty kept both brides soft and glowing in the September sun.
Before guests arrived, we stole a few minutes for portraits of the two of them. The long veils, the cathedral-length lace and the shade under the trees made for some of my favorite frames of the whole day.
A Garden Ceremony for Two Brides
The ceremony took place in The Bradford’s side garden, where rows of white bentwood chairs face the white brick fireplace. Wild Flora dressed the mantel and the aisle in loose whites and greens, and The Gathering Co. made sure every detail, from the welcome sign to the monogrammed napkins, felt intentional. As guests arrived, each one was handed a glass of champagne.
Kahla made her way down the aisle first, and Grace followed on her dad’s arm. They exchanged a shortened version of their personal vows in front of everyone, and when it was time to walk back down the aisle as a married couple, every guest opened the snap fans waiting at their seats.
Golden Hour and Cocktail Hour on the Terrace
While guests headed to cocktail hour, Grace and Kahla and I walked out front for golden hour. The pale gravel courtyard and the symmetry of the main house are a big part of why The Bradford feels so European, and the low September light did the rest.
Meanwhile, cocktail hour filled the terrace with string lights, umbrellas and the start of an open bar. These two are foodies through and through. HL Catering passed five or six appetizers, and the signature espresso martini was available all night long.
A Candlelit Ballroom Reception
Inside, The Bradford’s ballroom glowed with chandeliers, taper candles and low arrangements of white roses and greenery. Green toile chargers, black napkins and gold flatware brought the timeless and the trendy together, just as the couple hoped. Their menu started with plated salads and moved to a buffet with a carving station and wine service.
After their grand entrance, Grace and Kahla went straight into their first dance and then gave a welcome toast to thank everyone for being there. Later came toasts from the bridal party and parents, cake from Sugar Euphoria, and more first dances. Then the couple slipped away for an outfit change and came back to the dance floor in their second looks.
Late-Night Bites and a Sparkler Exit
DJ Harlem kept the dance floor packed until the very end, and the sunglasses made a well-timed comeback. In true foodie fashion, boozy donuts were passed around before a late-night bite of sliders, chicken tenders and fries. To close the night, guests lined the path with sparklers and sent Grace and Kahla off.
Planning Your LGBTQ+ Wedding in North Carolina?
Every couple deserves a wedding day that is fully theirs, and photographs that tell the story the way it actually felt. If you’re considering the same venue, my guide to The Bradford has more photos and planning tips. Grace and Kahla, thank you for trusting me with a day that was so full of love, good food and your favorite people.
If you’re planning a lesbian wedding in North Carolina or anywhere on the East Coast and want photography that feels editorial, warm and true to the day, I’d love to hear about it.
The Vendor Team
Venue: The Bradford
Photography: @raemarshall
Planning & Design: Sage Johnston, The Gathering Co.
Catering: HL Catering
Florals: @wildfloraflowers
Hair & Makeup: @reignbeautync
Attire: @aandbe_raleigh
Cake: @sugareuphoria
DJ: DJ Harlem
Content Creator: Thru Gabby’s Eye
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Rae Marshall is a Raleigh wedding photographer available across North Carolina, the East Coast and for destination weddings. She also specializes in engagements, elopements, branding and more.