A Winter Industrial Wedding

Loray Mill Event Hall, Gastonia, NC

On a chilly, beautiful winter day in January 2025, Hayley and Aaron said I Do surrounded by 60 family members and friends.

On the morning of the wedding, Hayley got ready on site with her mom, then welcomed the rest of the ladies in her and Aaron’s families to join her as they relaxed before the big day.

Pre-Ceremony

The couple chose to lean into the industrial wedding aesthetic and brought on vendors who could elevate the structure of the venue and add personal touches so that the day was uniquely theirs.

Before the ceremony, the bride did a first look with her dad, stepdad, and with the groom himself.

After the first looks and some family photos, the Rabbi arrived for them to sign the Ketubah, the marriage contract signed at Jewish weddings, while their loved ones looked on.

The ceremony was held indoors with a Chuppah, handmade by the groom’s family. The Chuppah was decorated with floral swags that matched the bride’s bouquet.

Ceremony

The family (including their sisters who stood next to them) walked down the aisle to “Such Great Heights” by Iron & Wine. Hayley was escorted down the aisle by her mom, and they walked in to “January Wedding” by the Avett Brothers, Hayley’s favorite song and the whole reason she and Aaron were getting married in January.

The ceremony was short, sweet, and tied in the important Jewish wedding elements like the drinking of wine and breaking of the glass.

The couple and wedding party recessed out to “January Wedding” (again), then the couple took a few minutes to themselves to soak it all in.

Cocktail Hour

While the bride, groom, and their families took pictures in the ceremony space, guests were invited into the museum part of the venue where they could enjoy light bites, drinks, or get their picture drawn by a caricature artist - how cool!

Reception

The reception started off with the newlyweds entering the room into their first dance to “January Wedding” - I wasn’t kidding when I said it was her favorite song! This was followed by a dance with Hayley and her mom, Aaron and his mom (they were ahead of the “Say a Little Prayer for You” trend), and a dedication to Aaron’s late father.