Old Edwards Inn Wedding in Highlands, NC | Aubrey & Patrick

Aubrey and Patrick’s Old Edwards Inn wedding fell on Fourth of July weekend, and Highlands was in full swing for it. Family flew and drove in from all over, the town filled with holiday energy, and for two full days we watched two people who clearly adore each other soak up every minute. Highlands is home for us, and weekends like this one are a good reminder why.

Highlands in the summer has its own rhythm. Main Street fills with visitors on vacation, porches are full, and there’s a steady hum of people out enjoying the season. During the Fourth of July, Old Edwards Inn hangs red, white, and blue bunting along its balconies, which always makes the whole town feel a little more festive. The mountain air turns crisp once the sun goes down, even in the middle of summer, and that shift is part of what makes an evening here feel so good. As North Carolina wedding photographers, getting to photograph a wedding weekend against that backdrop, with the holiday energy still in the air, made Aubrey and Patrick’s celebration feel even more special.

Rehearsal Dinner at The Old Edwards Inn Spring House

Our weekend started on July 4th with a rehearsal dinner for Aubrey and Patrick at Old Edward’s Spring House. Speeches came from both sides of the family, including Patrick’s father and Aubrey’s twin brother. There’s something special about this couple: both Aubrey and Patrick are twins, and the two of them met through Aubrey’s friendship with Patrick’s twin sister, long before anything romantic started. Aubrey’s maid of Honor was Patrick’s twin sister Barrett, and Patrick’s best man was Aubrey’s twin brother Keaton. A super special part of their wedding was their twin connection. Patrick’s brothers also stood up to share a few words. Tears and belly laughs filled the room as friend after friend shared how special Patrick and Aubrey are to them. After the toasts, we took a few family photos before everyone walked down the hill for the welcome party.

Welcome Party at Piermont Cottage

The welcome party took place at Piermont Cottage, just below The Spring House, another Old Edwards Inn Wedding Event Venue. Guests were greeted with passed hors d’oeuvres, a few rounds of croquet, and plenty of laughter. Her friends surrounded Aubrey, Patrick was surrounded by his, and the whole evening had that easy, celebratory feeling of a holiday weekend kicking off a wedding.

Getting Ready at the Farm at Old Edwards Inn

July 5th brought the wedding itself, held at the farm at Old Edwards Inn. Aubrey and her bridesmaids got ready in the farmhouse. It was an easy morning spending time with her best gals as they got hair and makeup done. While Patrick and his groomsmen stayed in town at Old Edwards Inn, making sure bow ties were straight and sharing old fashioneds in the Hummingbird Lounge. Aubrey got dressed alongside her mom, glowing the entire time. Aubrey’s Kelly Faetanini gown was perfection for her.

First Looks on the Farmhouse Porch

Before the ceremony, Aubrey had a first look with her dad on the farmhouse’s back porch, a shaded, green space that made for a tearful and joyful moment. She was gifted a new piece of jewelry to wear that day, then shared additional first looks with her twin brother and her bridesmaids.

A Private First Look on the Farm Bridge

Aubrey and Patrick chose to see each other for the first time on the iconic Old Edwards Inn Wedding bridge overlooking the pond at the farm. They asked us to keep a distance during this moment so they could read their vows to each other privately. We used long lenses and stepped back, which let the two of them have real, unobserved time together. It’s one of my favorite requests a couple can make, and it always results in some of the most intimate images of the day.

Portraits Around Old Edwards Farm

After their first look, we photographed the couple around the property, starting at the bridge and working our way past the pond to the row of evergreens that lines the farm. It’s hard to visit the Farm at Old Edwards Inn and not take photos there. We also caught the hydrangeas around the Orchard House at full bloom, a rare treat even for peak summer season.

Ceremony at the Orchard House at the Old Edwards Inn Farm

Family portraits came next, taken in the driveway among the property’s greenery. The bridal party included several close friends and family members, along with two flower girls and a ring bearer. Guests then gathered at the Orchard House for the ceremony. Aubrey’s walk down the aisle brought plenty of tears, and Patrick’s reaction was just as emotional as it would have been without a first look earlier that day. I always tell couples not to hesitate in doing a first look. The emotion of seeing each other doesn’t disappear by the time they reach the aisle.

Cocktail Hour in the Orchard

Cocktail hour was held in the orchard itself, under low-hanging shady trees, with a full bar and passed hors d’oeuvres. We used the time for a few more portraits, something we like to build into the day in smaller moments rather than one long block.

Reception in the Barn

The wedding reception took place in the barn at Old Edwards Farm. Aubrey and Patrick got to walk in before their guests to see the room for the first time, sharing that moment with Taylor Doehrman, their planner. Guests were invited into the reception space, and first dances followed. Aubrey and Patrick started with their first dance, a father-daughter dance and a mother-son dance. Dinner was seated, with catering from the Old Edwards team. After their cake cutting, Queen City Band kept the dance floor full for the rest of the night. Aubrey and Patrick also did a traditional bouquet toss, caught by Aubrey’s brother’s girlfriend (a catch that got some knowing laughs from the crowd). The night closed with a final dance and a sparkler exit, with the couple driving off in a blue Pontiac convertible.

Why We Love Photographing at Old Edwards Inn

Highlands, North Carolina is so close to home for us, so working an Old Edwards Inn wedding always comes with a level of familiarity that makes the day easier for everyone. We know the property, we know the rehearsal dinner spots, and how to move through the day efficiently. Taylor’s planning style matched our own approach closely: calm, organized, and built around a clear timeline and spot-on planning, which is exactly what allows a couple to actually enjoy their day instead of managing it.

Looking for a wedding photographer for your Highlands wedding?

If you’re planning a wedding at Old Edwards Inn or elsewhere in the mountains, we’d love to hear from you. Look through more of our work on our home page, and when you’re ready to talk details, reach out through our contact page. We can’t wait to hear your story.

Aubrey & Patrick’s Old Edwards Inn Wedding Team

Planning + Design @taydoehrman
Florist @luxeandbloomfloraldesign
Venue @oldedwardsevents
Photography @mcsweenphotography
Cake @mrs.sugarbooger
Band @qcbmusicgroup
Dress Designer @kellyfaetanini
Dress Boutique @whitemagnoliabridal
Beauty @jolieartistryco
Videographer @parosfilms
Invitations @merritt.lett
Rentals @professionalparty
Linens @bbjlatavola @nuagedesignsinc
Strings @allegromusicevents
Bridesmaid’s Attire @bellabridesmaidsatlanta