An intimate wedding was something that appealed to Ali and Jonathan, but it was their decision to host their event at a restaurant that really solidified their decision to limit their guest list to 75 people. Making meaningful choices, such as having Jonathan’s dad officiate the ceremony and Ali’s cousin play violin, also made their day extremely special.

Here’s what photographer A.J. Dunlap  had to say about Ali & Jonathan’s wedding:

“Walking into their ceremony felt like stepping into The Secret Garden. The intimacy of their day matched the feel of the venue perfectly. Their ceremony and reception were filled with soft hues of mint and blush. Calm and beautiful. Her full length bridesmaid gowns were the perfect compliment to the pink peonies & hydrangeas. Their first look, oh my. Those emotions under that tree were too much for this photographer’s heart.”

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0041

Ali, 32 & Jonathan, 31

Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Wedding Date: May 30, 2015

First Wedding or Second Wedding for the bride? First

First Wedding or Second Wedding for the groom? First

Number of Guests: 75

Wedding Cost: Approximately $20,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Weathervane

Wedding Reception Location: Weathervane

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0001

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0008

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0059

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0061

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0013

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0029

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0034

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0038

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0033

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0046

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0056

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0051

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0068

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0086

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0096

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We knew we wanted a unique location for the ceremony and reception and so we found our location first which did somewhat limit our guest list. Having a smaller size helped us to connect with our guests and not feel like we were on display. We were able to be ourselves and really be in the moment.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0010

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0011
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0009

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0002
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0007
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0006

What are some the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding?

The biggest challenge was limiting our guest list to fit the space. In the end, however, we loved that we got to sit down and talk to all of the guests. The location being a restaurant had a few challenges and so we worked closely with Lauren, the wedding coordinator at Weathervane, to help make it feel more intimate and private.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0016
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0015  Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0014

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0018

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0019

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0027

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0026

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0028

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0036

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0035

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

We were honest with our parents from the beginning about the size limitation and definitely got their approval first to make sure that we didn’t leave any family out. We were really lucky that we didn’t have any issues about our guest list.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0030

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0020

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0021

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0022

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0023

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0024

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0043

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0042

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0040

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0032

What were the highlights of the ceremony?

We tried to make the ceremony personal. Jonathan’s dad officiated the wedding so that was really special to have him standing up their with us. Ali’s cousin, professional violist, played the ceremony music.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0059

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0060

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0063

 

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0076

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0069

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0070

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0072

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0071

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0073

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0074

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0075

What were the highlights of the reception?

One of the things we really wanted to have was good food and cake and we were not disappointed! Our DJ, Brian Darocha, was great and got everyone out on the dance floor and also helped facilitate the night. We were able to go to every table and spend time with all of the guests, which meant a lot to both of us. Also, everyone we worked with was talented, professional and experienced so that we were able to relax and enjoy the night without worrying what to do next. Our photographers, AJ and Kyle Dunlap, were fabulous. Beyond taking amazing pictures of the day, they also were key players in helping the night go smoothly.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0067
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0066
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0065
Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0064

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0088

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0087

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0085

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0082

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0081

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0080

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0078

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Knowing that we had a special connection with everyone that attended the wedding. Throughout the whole event we felt that we were sharing a genuinely joyful experience. The intimacy really helped us feel connected to our guests. There was a moment near the end of the reception that the two of us were dancing in a circle surrounded by our family and friends. Seeing how happy everyone was for us was a moment we will never forgot.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0057

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0055

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0047

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0050

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0049

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0048

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0053

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0052

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding?

Wedding planning will inevitably be stressful at times. The one thing that we continued to remind ourselves during those moments was no matter what happened that day at the end we would be married to the loves of our lives. That’s really all that matters.

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0090

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0091

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0093

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0092

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0094

Chapel-Hill-NC-intimate-restaurant-wedding-jonathan-ali-0095

Vendors:

Venue: Weathervane

Photographer: A.J. Dunlap Photography

DJ: Brian Darocha, Unlimited DJ Service

Cake: Simply Cakes

Hair & Makeup: Stephanie Sevilla

Florals: Southern Season Floral

Dress: Alfred Angelo

Shoes: Adrianna Papel

Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas