Feature Weddings
 Fall-Winter 2011
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 Fall - Winter 2010
 Spring - Summer 2010
Sarah & Neil
October 16, 2010 at Chinqua Penn Plantation
By Monica Young  |  Photography by Punam Bean

Ceremony & Reception Chinqua Penn Plantation
Officiate Reverend Robin Renteria
Photography Punam Bean, New York
Wedding Director Coordinated
Invitations Present Company
Gown & Bridesmaids’ Dresses English’s Bridal & Formalwear
Hair Mimi Perper, Figaro’s Salon
Make-up artist Herita Jones, Ltd. Cosmetic Face Design
Formalwear Gordon’s Menswear
Flowers Designs North Florist
Catering Above & Beyond Catering
Rehearsal Dinner Oso Tavern
Cake Maxie B’s
Music/Entertainment K2 Productions
Rentals Grand Rental Station
First Dance Song Taj Mahal’s “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes”
Accommodations Proximity Hotel
Honeymoon/Travel Nevis, British West Indies
Transportation Uptown Limo
Getaway Car Classy Transportation
Favors Chinqua Penn Plantation Tours

And the bride wore black. Simply because, in Sarah Franzheim-Chase’s grandmother’s words, Sarah looks “like death on a pale horse in white.”
 
“I tried on a lot of dresses in a lot of colors, including white. It just felt odd to start my married life in a color I never, ever wear. I think some of the older crowd was a little shocked. My dad, who was afraid it would be garish, said it was very classic.”

From the start, Sarah Franzheim and Neil Chase wanted a wedding that reflected their own sense of fun and spontaneous style. They opted to forego many staid Southern wedding traditions and actively sought vendors who embraced their vibe and vision for their special day. The couple, who began dating (lust at first sight, Sarah exuberantly admits on her part) while students in 2005 at Western Carolina University, planned their wedding for over a year.

They opted to hire an out-of-state photographer after visiting Punam Bean’s blog.

“There was just one photo I saw, and I just knew she would get us.”
 
Photography, according to Sarah and Neil’s rationalization, is the most important element since all that is left are memories and photographs.
A myriad of mishaps and misfortunes could have ruined their special autumn day. Just three weeks before the wedding potential problems with their chosen venue arose. Wedding planners Susan Marie Cook and Summer Harpold of Coordinated worked tirelessly to iron out issues while securing back-up facilities.

“On the very first wedding we did, we had to find a new reception hall the day of the wedding. The pastor’s wife decided the night before the wedding that she didn’t think secular music and dancing was appropriate in the fellowship hall. We took care of it and thought that if we could handle this, we could handle anything,” said Cook.

This level of confidence, professionalism and listening to their vision made Sarah and Neil feel comfortable with Susan Marie and Summer, who offer wedding planning packages for every bride’s budgetary needs.

“We believe that nothing is off limits for what a couple wants. We advise on etiquette but we don’t discourage ideas. There are no set rules, and we like new and different,” said Susan Marie.

Sarah’s flowers, designed by Designs North Florist in Greensboro, surpassed anything she dreamed that they could be. Lush red roses spiraled in a tight arrangement that incorporated her late maternal grandmother’s locket, something that Sarah opened and shut incessantly as a child. A gold elephant charm that her paternal grandmother gave Sarah after taking her on a safari to Africa when Sarah was 13 was also included. This personal touch ended up being even more poignant than Sarah could imagine when planning the flowers.

Her paternal grandmother had slipped into a coma the Monday before the wedding. She died the morning of the event, and family members were told 20 minutes before the wedding began. Collectively, they decided not to tell Sarah until the next day.

“It was the best decision they could have made. I couldn’t have made it through the wedding. In a way, though, I think it was how she made it to my wedding.”
 
Sarah felt the presence of her grandmothers in the singing of the birds as the Reverend Robin Renteria pronounced Sarah and Neil as husband and wife.
 
While at first it appeared otherwise, luck was on Sarah and Neil’s side when it came to getting a room at the luxurious Proximity Hotel in Greensboro before they jetted off to the British West Indies for their honeymoon. When they made their reservations eight months before the wedding, Sarah and Neil discovered that High Point’s fall furniture market would be taking place at the same time; and no vacancies remained, even so far in advance. Sarah and Neil’s names were put on a waiting list. Six weeks before the wedding an opening popped up, and the couple was ecstatic to spend their first night in such a posh atmosphere.

Sarah and Neil opted to forego the bridal bouquet toss, a garter toss or traditional parent dances. Instead, they danced to a rendition of blues song Taj Mahal’s “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes” that Sarah’s songwriting cousin and uncle adapted and performed. Fun-loving Neil promised Sarah 60 seconds of serious for photography’s sake and then they spent the rest of the song twirling, adding a few do-si-dos and laughing.

After visiting plenty of drive-through windows after less than satisfying wedding receptions, Sarah and Neil knew that they wanted hardier fare for their guests. So, they opted for fried chicken and pot roast along with other soul food selections prepared by Above & Beyond Catering.
 
While the entire wedding was all Sarah and Neil hoped it would be, one special moment stood out for Neil. Before the wedding, Neil and Sarah had a special moment to see one another for the contemporary “first look” tradition. They basked in each other’s preparations for the ceremony.
 
“It was pretty amazing. It was a hint of a culmination of a year and a half of planning.”
 
Sarah, who her wedding planners say had the most specific vision of any bride with whom they have worked, was not afraid to look beyond tradition. This took finding vendors who appreciated her bold style.
“We loved working with them. We were so impressed with Sarah’s style and choices. Everything meshed together,” said Susan Marie.

“I would advise brides to go with their gut when it comes to choosing vendors. Don’t just go with the first vendor you meet, and don’t be afraid to change if someone doesn’t get it. There are a lot of vendors who want to make you happy and want to make you feel great about what you want,” said Sarah.