They Said Yes! Now What?

Love in the air for you or someone you know? Wedding planners from the city’s top venues share their best wedding-day advice.   THE BARN AT REYNOLDA VILLAGE Choose a venue with dynamic photo opportunities... recommends Tabatha Renegar, sales manager at The Barn at Reynolda Village. “Right on our scenic property and all within walking distance, you have this compelling history of the Reynolds family during the Roaring Twenties era. You can visit the historic Reynolda Village, wander through the lush, formal gardens, tour the 1917 historic home — now housing Reynolda House Museum of American Art — and then stay overnight at our sister property, Graylyn Estate, a 1932 historic home-turned-hotel.” Tabatha Renegar, reynoldabarn.com   HANOVER PARK VINEYARD Keep the wine flowing... Inspired by their own honeymoon in the south of France, Amy and Michael Heltons' Yadkin Valley vineyard and historic farmhouse is extra special on wedding days. Brides-to-be often ask the Heltons for advice on how to budget for the right number of glasses. “A good rule of thumb is one-and-a-half glasses of wine per guest,” Amy suggests. Amy and Michael Helton, hanoverparkwines.com   THE HISTORIC BROOKSTOWN INN Provide a sense of culture... Especially if you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, choose a location that gives people a sense of the local culture, suggests Allison Watts, sales manager at The Historic Brookstown Inn. “Built in 1837, our venue has a wonderful historic feel with twinkling lights and a brick courtyard,” says Watts. “We’re also right next to Old Salem, which provides hours of entertainment for visitors who want to explore shops and restaurants. The Arts District is also close and has a fantastic restaurant scene.” Allison Watts, brookstowninn.com   KIMPTON CARDINAL HOTEL Find a hardworking venue... Consider a venue that works double-duty, making life easy for you and your guests. At the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, located downtown inside the historic R.J. Reynolds building, couples can choose from luxurious rooms for the rehearsal dinner, wedding, and reception. Director of catering and conference services at The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, Dana Williams partners with couples to create spaces and backdrops that reflect their dreams. “It’s not about what other weddings are like, regardless of popular trends,” she says. “It’s about what’s important and special to each individual couple and creating a personalized experience.” Dana Williams, thecardinalhotel.com   WINMOCK AT KINDERTON Have your backup handy... “Always have a backup plan,” said Rebecca Kearns, who formerly managed weddings at WinMock at Kinderton, an 80-year-old country estate – complete with indoor and outdoor settings, including their popular Loft option with wrought-iron chandeliers suspended beneath original 32-foot soaring wooden beamwork. “We often find that brides are worried about the weather. At WinMock, we offer a backup plan, where ceremonies can take place indoors without weather negatively affecting an incredible experience. This has been such a stress-reliever for our couples!” Rebecca Kearns. winmock.com   *Originally published in the 2020 Official Winston-Salem Visitor & Relocation Guide. Written by: Laura Lee