Some weddings feel like events—and others feel like experiences. Haylee and Will’s celebration at The Bradford, planned and designed by Lionhouse, embodied the kind of intimate, upscale dinner party wedding that so many East Coast couples are dreaming about right now. Instead of a big ballroom, they chose an outdoor ceremony and an al fresco reception that felt effortless, refined, and deeply personal. The day unfolded like a beautiful evening at home with your favorite people—only elevated with layered design, thoughtful hospitality, and a setting that looked like a European garden.
The Vision: An Upscale, Intimate Dinner Party Wedding
From the first moments of getting ready, the tone was set for an editorial-meets-documentary day—clean lines, modern textures, and meaningful details that photographed as beautifully as they felt. Haylee’s accessories were a love letter to timeless style with a twist: delicate gold jewelry, a custom green-and-white invitation suite, and chic green wedding shoes that quietly became the anchor of the color story. Her bridesmaids wore rich chocolate brown dresses, a bold yet classic choice that played beautifully off the soft stone and greenery of The Bradford. It’s the kind of palette that will look just as elegant decades from now.
The Outdoor Ceremony
The ceremony took place outdoors on the lawn, framed by gardens and that soft, romantic light The Bradford is known for. The design was minimal, letting the landscape breathe—no towering arch needed, just intentional florals and a layout that brought guests close to the heart of it all. When Haylee walked down the aisle, there was a quiet stillness before the joy, an emotional beat that reminds you what a wedding truly is. Surrounded by their closest people, they exchanged vows in a setting that felt both intimate and expansive.
Portraits Filled With Personality
After the ceremony, we wandered the property for portraits, leaning into a blend of natural movement and an editorial eye. The Bradford offers so many textures like stone walls, winding pathways and sculpted greenery. We kept the energy relaxed and connected, capturing those in-between moments that say as much about a couple as the classic hero shots. It’s my favorite way to photograph: give people space to be themselves, then layer in just enough direction to make it artful. If you love this approach, you can see more of my editorial-documentary work here: https://imagesbyamandaleigh.com/portfolio.
The Dinner-Party Reception in the Courtyard
The reception design distilled the entire vision into one unforgettable scene: long banquet tables under open sky, patterned linens adding texture and personality, low florals, and candlelight warming the courtyard as the sun went down. String lights created a soft glow overhead, pulling the whole space together without competing with the architecture. Guests sat close enough to talk and laugh without shouting, and courses came out at a pace that encouraged conversation. More than a “reception,” it felt like being invited to the most beautiful dinner party you’ve ever attended—curated, comfortable, and elevated in all the right ways.
One of my favorite parts of this intimate, upscale wedding dinner party wedding was how intentionally the guest experience was designed. From the way seating was arranged to the music and pacing, nothing felt rushed. Signature cocktails were sipped slowly, toasts were heartfelt and unrushed, and there was always time for another conversation before the next moment began. This is the new luxury for East Coast weddings—fewer distractions, more meaning. Not bigger, but better. Not louder, but more intentional. If you’re planning a dinner party–style wedding in PA, NC, DC, NY, NJ, or anywhere up and down the coast and want photography that balances beauty with honest storytelling, let’s connect: http://www.imagesbyamandaleigh.com/contact.
The End of The Night
As golden hour settled over the courtyard, we stepped away for a few portraits in that soft, painterly light. The property glowed; it’s one of those locations that truly comes alive in the evening. We returned to a room humming with conversation and the easy rhythm of a great party. First dances gave way to a lively dance floor under the lights, with guests moving in and out of the courtyard, lingering at tables, and savoring the last moments of the night. It was stylish but never showy, intimate but never simple—proof that a smaller guest count can create a richer experience when design and hospitality lead the way.
What I loved most about Haylee and Will’s day is how authentically it reflected them: warm, welcoming, and quietly sophisticated. They focused on connection, on design that served the experience, and on creating space for real moments to unfold. That’s the heart of my work—photography that feels editorial and elevated, but still undeniably true to the people in the frame. If that sounds like your vision, I’d love to help you craft a day—and images—that feel like art and memory combined. Start here: http://www.imagesbyamandaleigh.com or reach out to begin planning: http://www.imagesbyamandaleigh.com/contact
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Vendor Team (credit and gratitude to the incredible partners who brought this vision to life):
Venue: The Bradford – https://thebradfordnc.com
Planning & Design: Lion House – https://lionhouseweddings.com
Linens: Reverie Social – https://reveriesocial.com
Tabletop Rentals: Something Vintage Rentals – https://somethingvintagerentals.com
Specialty Rentals: Cottage Luxe – https://cottageluxe.com
Additional Rentals: Curated Events – https://curatedevents.com
Florals: Mood Fleuriste – https://moodfleuriste.com
Catering: HL Catering – https://hlcatering.com
Beauty: The Beauty Tribe – https://thebeautytribenc.com
Content Creator: AB Social Studio – https://absocialstudio.com
Live Artist: Mary Kane Paints – https://marykanepaints.com
DJ: DJ Brian B – https://djbrianbofficial.com
Cake: Sugar Euphoria – https://sugareuphoria.com
Transportation: North Hills Transportation – https://northhillstransportation.com
