Sanford is a great place to say 'I do'

This article was written for our sponsor, Visit Sanford.

For engaged couples, choosing where to say "I do" is one of the biggest decisions they must make when it comes to wedding planning. The location will set the scene and create the ambience of one of the most significant days of their lives. There can be a lot of pressure to pick the perfect venue, but for those looking for a place with an array of options, Sanford is a prime wedding destination.

"The charm and the people of Sanford is what makes it a great place to host a wedding," said Nicole Smith, a local wedding planner and owner of Vision Events NC. "The people here have a heart for their businesses and you're going to get a unique experience here. We have something a little bit different than what Raleigh, for example, has to offer."

Smith, who grew up in Sanford and moved back to the area with her family in 2006, started her full-time wedding business in 2014. With a background in hotel events planning, Smith started out doing weddings on the side, but realized she "couldn't do it part-time and make her business successful."

Taking the plunge paid off because Vision Events NC has grown exponentially and Smith was even named the 2020 Wedding Planner of the Year by The Bridal Society.

"The drive to keep going is after the wedding, when it's all said and done, and the mother of the bride comes to me in tears and says, 'We could not have done this without you. This was everything that we imagined and more.' That gives me encouragement. I want my clients to feel like their wedding day is a fairytale," said Smith.

Even though Sanford isn't a large city or tropical locale, Smith emphasized it can be a destination spot for the right wedding.

"You can bring people into our little, quaint and charming town. They can stay at an Airbnb and make a weekend of it," she said. "It's a trend — couples are wanting their family and friends to come for an entire wedding weekend."

From downtown bars and restaurants, unique boutiques and shops and golfing at the country club, there's plenty to do. Additionally, tea at the famed Mrs. Lacy's Magnolia House is an especially popular activity for bridal parties.

"There's a little cafe in downtown Sanford — Cafe 121, it's got a great little spot for rehearsal dinner. And after dinner, you can walk across the railroad tracks and go out and have some drinks," said Smith. "Mrs. Lacy's is the cutest spot for a bridesmaids luncheon."

This year Sanford will host a large wedding showcase at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic and Conference Center — the first of its kind in town.

"We're doing it in August and we're bringing it to Sanford because Visit Sanford wants to encourage people to have their weddings here," said Smith who is one of the key organizers of the showcase. "Being from here, I know a lot of people get married outside of this area because they feel like there's not any options, but that's not true. And as an event planner, I can create anything a couple could want. I think Sanford is starting to gain the attention of brides, especially in a post-COVID environment where a lot of couples are wanting something more intimate and away from big cities."

With local vendors, florists, photographers and videographers, it's possible to plan a whole wedding locally in Sanford.

"We have everything here," said Jamie Wright, owner of local wedding venue, The Farm on Cotton. "Restaurants, hair and makeup artists, photographers. We have very capable, qualified vendors in our area so you can do everything within the county."

Smith said the showcase will be a great opportunity for people to come and get ideas and inspiration for their weddings.

"Panelists will talk about different topics, like why you should hire a wedding planner or why you should take engagement photos or bridal portraits before your wedding," she said. "We really hope that we can bring more attention and focus to Sanford for weddings and events. We'd really love for people to come here and check us out."

Couples who opt to recite their vows in Sanford have a plethora of options to choose from:

The Farm on Cotton

This wedding venue was originally purchased as a private residence. While the owners still live on the property, they turned the farm into a wedding venue after receiving so many requests to host events on the farm. The Farm on Cotton features a barn, an overlook, a gazebo, a bridal suite, a groom's apartment, a crepe myrtle chapel and, of course, several animals.

"In 2016 we bought the farm as a surprise for our children. We didn't tell anyone, but after the sale was official, we posted some photos on Facebook and immediately people started reaching out and asking us if they could take bridal portraits or have baby showers here. It just kind of happened," said Wright.

Hospitality runs in Wright's blood and she has fond memories of her parents hosting parties and events in their backyard when she was growing up. Now she and her husband get to do the same. The 14-acre property includes an apple orchard and several furry farm friends.

"We have a main house, which we keep completely private for our family. We do almost all of the grounds upkeep ourselves. The open air barn is a big hit with everyone and there's always deer and wildlife coming through the orchard," said Wright. "Getting a big hug from the mother of the bride at the end of the night is always so gratifying."

Daniel's Ridge at Broken Plow Farm

This barn style venue features an outdoor ceremony area and indoor reception space for up to 225 guests.

"The main space is a dream with beautiful white shiplap walls, gorgeous stained plank cathedral ceiling and lots of natural light. It is heated and cooled so you can be comfortable in any season," states the venue website. "There is a spacious bridal suite and a large prep area for the catering service with commercial stainless steel sinks and stainless steel prep tops. Finally there is a large porch that features gorgeous stained plank ceilings and is great for cocktail hour or a beautiful setting to watch the sunset."

Oakland Farm

Located in nearby Bear Creek, this property is just minutes from downtown Sanford and features a barn and pavilion that is the perfect backdrop for a rustic fall wedding or a spring or summer soiree.

Circle M City

Circle M City offers rustic barn weddings in a themed Wild West Town that is unique and fun — perfect for couples looking for something a little bit nontraditional.

Sugarneck

Featuring a pavilion, a cabin and a post office, this is a "unique venue for your southern affair" with lots of history and "is perfect for a country wedding" according to Smith.

"The Post Office is a true historic landmark on the property, as it served as the community's post office from 1886–1905. It's unknown how old the building is, though it's thought to be significantly older than the Cabin which was built in 1874," states the venue's website. "The space is ideal for small gatherings and is most often used for rehearsal dinners, farewell brunches, cocktail hour or a small ceremony. The attached covered patio provides a perfect setting for dancing or entertaining guests prior to a formal reception in the Pavilion."

Carolina Trace Country Club

The country club, which is surrounded by beautiful views of Lake Trace and two pristine golf greens, offers the perfect wedding venue for a blend of "southern and elegance."

Luminarias

A beautiful 5,000 square foot event space with capacity for 298 guests that also offers specialized event coordinator services to help with arrangements and vendors.

Depot Park

"The park includes the Railroad House, the Railroad Depot and the surrounding land, which has been shaped into a unique and inviting landscape with picnic tables, benches and fountains that encourage people to meet in downtown Sanford in a peaceful environment," states the Visit Sanford website. "The park is used for concerts, celebrations and special events."

Hawkins House

The almost 100-year-old historic home is the epitome of southern charm and is a place where you can celebrate and stay overnight with your guests.

"This is great for an intimate wedding of 10 to 25 people," said Smith. "If you're looking to do something really small and you don't want to do a courthouse wedding, this is a great fit."

Temple Theatre

Smith has planned small ceremonies at the historic Temple Theatre downtown. She said doing a ceremony on the stage and going out to a restaurant downtown for dinner afterwards is a unique take on an intimate wedding.

While this is not an exhaustive list of locations, whether you're looking to host an outdoor rustic wedding, a romantic backyard nuptial, or an intimate church ceremony, Sanford can accommodate.

This article was written for our sponsor, Visit Sanford.