Windy Hill Farm is a versatile wedding venue in Cedar Grove, North Carolina. The lush land and inviting architecture make it an amazing place to get married. It was perfect for Dan and Caitlin’s wedding, which focused on sustainability and community. Check out these creative images from one of the highlights of my summer season!

A Windy Hill Farm Wedding

Windy Hill Farm is a unique wedding venue because it’s an operational farm. They produce honey, figs, berries, and even goat’s milk soap that they sell at the Hillsborough Farmers Market. The farm has existed in various capacities since the nineteenth century. As a wedding venue, Windy Hill Farm was designed with history and the environment in mind.

Wedding reception tables are set with green and pink glasses and floral arrangements.

The farm emphasizes sustainability through its use of solar panels. These panels produce over half of the energy that the farm uses. That alone would appeal to anyone who wants to design a more environmentally-conscious wedding.

As exciting as the cutting-edge technology is, Windy Hill Farm maintains a cozy feeling. The historic farmhouse includes getting ready spaces that are sunny and welcoming. The warm wood furniture is tasteful with plenty of space to move around.

Caitlin walks towards Dan who is facing away from her.

When it comes to beautiful spaces for photos, the real gem is the sunroom where Dan and Caitlin had their first look. Lush plants fill the room. The combination of architecture and nature makes it a wonderful place for portraits.

A bride and groom pose for individual wedding portraits.

An older man helps assemble the chuppah for the wedding ceremony.

Guests gather on benches to wait for the wedding ceremony to begin.

A Windy Hill Farm wedding is mostly an outdoor experience. Ceremonies take place on a wide lawn with gorgeous cedar benches. Receptions are held in the open-air pavilion. The coverage takes some stress off the possibility of evening showers without ruining that fresh, airy feeling that you get when you’re celebrating out in the country.

Caitlin hugs her parents after they walk her to the chuppah.

Caitlin and Dan hold hands during their Windy Hill Farm wedding.

A Focus on Sustainability

One of the reasons Dan and Caitlin chose to get married at Windy Hill Farm is that they love animals. The farm is home to goats, rabbits, cows, and cats. The couple’s dog was also able to attend and be part of the ceremony and portraits that followed.

Dan and Caitlin smile while their officiant speaks.

A family member reads into a microphone.

Dan is a solar developer, so you can guess how much Windy Hill Farm’s focus on solar power appealed to him. The couple really wanted to center sustainability in their wedding. Since exits are a big source of waste at weddings, Dan and Caitlin distributed dried lavender for guests to throw at the end of the ceremony. It looked and smelled lovely with the added benefit of not requiring any cleanup afterward.

Dan steps on a glass wrapped in a cloth.

A bride and groom laugh under a chuppah.

At the reception, Dan and Caitlin made some choices around dishware that cut back on waste as well. They used reusable cups, for example. The pink and green glassware added rich splashes of color that complemented the floral arrangements.

Dan and Caitlin kiss at the end of the North Carolina wedding ceremony.

Wedding guests cheer as a couple walks back up the aisle.

Caitlin and Dan hold hands as they walk away from their wedding ceremony.

Pine State Flowers did a great job of making the evening feel special with bright, seasonal arrangements. White, pink, and green flowers added a touch of elegance to the reception tables. Windy Hill Farm is so beautiful as it is. It didn’t take much to create the right atmosphere for Dan and Caitlin’s celebration.

In the distance, a bride and groom embrace under a tree.

Caitlin and Dan embrace beside a split leaf philodendron.

Caitlin and Dan stand side by side outside the farmhouse with a large floral bouquet.

Celebrating Community in the Ceremony and Reception

Everything about Dan and Caitlin’s wedding was intentional. Not only did they consider sustainability but they brought family into every part of the day. During the ceremony, various family members spoke. I could see by the genuine smiles and loving tears just how genuine their relationships are. The candid photos from the ceremony are just as meaningful as the posed portraits that we took later in the evening.

Caitlin walks into a field and looks over her shoulder.

A bride and groom hold hands and run through a grassy field.

Guests gather around wooden tables for an outdoor wedding reception at Windy Hill Farm.

Caitlin and Dan’s community arrived ready to celebrate! They hit the dance floor early and stayed there late into the night. The hora ended up being a highlight of the reception. Guests lifted Dan and Caitlin in chairs and danced in a circle. Caitlin and Dan’s expressions are priceless in these photos. Their guests were just as enthusiastic to join in this tradition.

Guests start gathering in the pavilion for dinner.

Caitlin and Dan touch foreheads during their first dance.

A bride and groom cut a wedding cake at a dessert table.

It’s always a joy to photograph people as in love as Caitlin and Dan. Their candid wedding photos show how natural they are with each other. Even their posed portraits feel genuine and intimate because their love is so tangible.