A Classic Church Ceremony and Joyful Celebration at Sacred Heart Church and The Matthews House Cary| Arianna and Josh

Arianna and Josh’s October wedding was built around moments that mattered quietly and deeply. Not the loudest details or the biggest statements, but the feeling of two families coming together, traditions being honored, and joy unfolding naturally across the day.

Their celebration began at Sacred Heart Church and continued at The Matthews House in Cary, creating a wedding day that felt grounded, elegant, and full of warmth. It was a day shaped by intention and emotion, where the focus stayed on people, connection, and the story being written in real time.

Why a Church Ceremony Mattered

Sacred Heart Church was not Arianna and Josh’s home parish, but it held deep significance for their family. A church wedding was especially important to Arianna’s father, rooted in traditions and values that extended beyond geography and across generations.

Walking down the aisle was one of the most meaningful moments of the day for Arianna. It was not just about the ceremony itself, but about the weight of everything that led her there. The years together. The challenges navigated. The decision to choose each other again and again.

That moment, framed by the beauty of Sacred Heart Church set the emotional tone for the entire day.

Capturing the Moments That Matter Most

From the very beginning, Arianna and Josh shared that they cared deeply about the small moments.

They wanted to remember how the day felt.
They wanted to see the joy on their guests’ faces.
They wanted images that told the full story.

That meant capturing tradition and emotion alongside laughter and movement. A mix of guided portraits and candid moments. Bright, honest imagery where people looked like themselves and looked happy.

It also meant prioritizing family.

Family at the Center of the Day

Bringing two families together was one of the most important elements of the celebration. Arianna’s family traveled from Chapel Hill. Josh’s family came from Charlotte and Rochester, New York. Many guests were seeing one another for the first time.

After the ceremony, we completed formal family portraits at Sacred Heart Church, ensuring every important grouping was thoughtfully documented. From there, everyone moved to The Matthews House in Cary, where the day shifted into celebration.

Back at the reception space, we continued with wedding party and couple’s portraits, as well as extended family photos. The atmosphere was relaxed and unhurried, allowing genuine interactions to unfold naturally.

This pacing gave Arianna and Josh space to actually be with their people, not just pose with them.

A Reception That Felt Like Home

The Matthews House was the perfect complement to the ceremony. The property’s natural beauty and classic character created a welcoming environment that encouraged conversation, movement, and joy.

Guests were greeted with thoughtful details and warm hospitality, including live music by harpist Anita Burroughs-Price. Catering by Southern Harvest Hospitality Group and sweet treats from Milonga Bakery anchored the evening, while coffee from Café Don Pablo kept guests lingering and connecting.

Florals by Blooms and Thorns Floral added texture and softness, complementing the home’s architecture rather than competing with it. Linens from American Party Rentals layered in subtle refinement.

Every design choice felt cohesive, intentional, and quietly elegant.

A Dance Floor That Brought Everyone Together at the Matthews House Cary

If there was one moment that defined the evening, it was the dance floor.

Music by Stylus Events and DJ Mez kept the energy high, drawing guests of all ages into the celebration. Multiple generations danced together, laughed together, and fully embraced the joy of the moment.

This was not a wedding where people stayed on the sidelines. It was a celebration where everyone felt invited in.

Those are the moments Arianna and Josh wanted to remember. The fun. The movement. The shared experience.

A Wedding Rooted in Warmth and Story

Arianna and Josh met during a time when the world felt uncertain. Their first date was meant to be a museum visit, but because of COVID restrictions, they ended up walking around outside instead. That simple beginning set the tone for a relationship built on presence, adaptability, and finding joy in the moment. Before their wedding, we met at the same museum for their engagement session.

Their wedding reflected that same spirit.

From the church aisle to the packed dance floor, the day felt bright, emotional, and full of heart. It honored tradition without feeling rigid. It celebrated family without feeling formal. And it told a story that felt honest and enduring.

Vendor Team

Ceremony: Sacred Heart Church
Reception Venue: The Matthews House
Photography: Him & Her Photography
Videography: Jon Warlick Media
Hair and Makeup: Minas Studio
Florals: Blooms and Thorns Floral
Catering: Southern Harvest Hospitality Group
Sweet Treats: Milonga Bakery
Coffee: Café Don Pablo
DJ: Stylus Events, DJ Mez
Linens: American Party Rentals
Harpist: Anita Burroughs-Price

Click HERE for another beautiful celebration at the Matthews House in Cary, NC.