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Finding a common love for Carolina basketball in the small state of Rhode Island is about as rare as finding sweet tea above the Mason Dixon line. Yet against the odds, that is how Hadley Perry and Brian Pacheco found each other. Hadley, a North Carolina native and faithful fan of UNC basketball, found herself in the “ocean state” for graduate school. Brian, despite being a native Rhode Islander, was also a UNC basketball fan. Their common passion for the team made it inevitable for the two to grow closer, and the couple often found themselves watching the games together. But eventually, Hadley had to break some tough news to Brian: She advised that if he planned to continue seeing her after UNC had been pushed out of the 2007 NCAA tournament, he’d better ask her out on a “real date.” That was all the advice that Brian needed.

Three years later, Hadley felt it was time to move back to North Carolina to join her family business, Perry’s Fine, Antique & Estate Jewelry, and it was decided that Brian would leave his home state to join her.

“Brian [had] suggested that we visit some of our favorite places before we made the move in a couple months,” Hadley explains. “One of our favorite places was Sakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton, R.I.”

After a wine tasting and cheese sampling, the day was topped with a visit to the nearby Sakonnet Point beach with a picture-perfect lighthouse in the distance. Brian got down on one knee and presented the engagement ring that at one time belonged to his mother. The moment was completely unexpected and beyond her imagination. “Of course I bawled like a baby,” Hadley says. “I was expecting it with the move but I wasn’t expecting it to happen then.”

Hadley recalls thinking, “I would want the [wedding] day to be just like this… perfect.”

Since Hadley grew up surrounded by the expertise of her family business, it only made sense for the couple to choose their rings from Perry’s.

It later came as no surprise when the couple chose their wedding colors to be light – or as some would call it, Carolina – blue.

Hadley found her dream wedding dress at Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery, and her bridal lunch and portraits later took place at The Duke Mansion.

A lot of out-of-town guests from all over the country joined Hadley and Brian for their big day. “We wanted to showcase why we love living here,” Hadley says.

Guests were welcomed with North Carolina goodie bags filled with state novelties such as Cheerwine soda and Lance crackers.

The wedding weekend started with a Southern bang, with a traditional spread of barbecue, collard greens and banana pudding washed down with sweet tea. Friends and family continued to enjoy the weekend with visits to museums and uptown nightlife.

After the church ceremony, the reception at a nearby hotel brought the couple’s blue vision to life with rentals from Connie Duglin Specialty Linen. Carolina shag and beach music kept the party going, and a highlight of the night was Hadley and Brian’s singing debut on stage alongside the band. “Getting on stage was pretty awesome! We felt like celebrities,” recalls Hadley.

Indigo Photography captured every special moment. “They made sure we got great pictures throughout the day,” Hadley raves.

Wedding favors given at the end of the evening consisted of homemade pecan pies made from her father’s own special recipe, and Trolleys of the Carolinas transported the guests back to their hotels to end the night.

After a perfect wedding day, Hadley and Brian’s photos and memories will always keep Carolina on their minds.

Featured vendors

Bridal portrait location
The Duke Mansion
704-714-4400
www.dukemansion.org

Photography
Indigo Photography
704-335-0948
www.indigocharlotte.com

Rental provider
Connie Duglin Specialty Linen & Chair Cover Rental
704-849-0466
www.CDLinen.com

Rings
Perry's Fine, Antique & Estate Jewelry
704-364-1391
www.perryjewelry.com

Transportation
Trolleys of the Carolinas
704-348-1200
www.trolleysinc.com

Wedding Gown
Mecklenburg Bridal Gallery
704-556-7789
www.mecklenburgbridal.com

Continue reading real wedding stories! Up next: ’She said yes: Busola & Kenyatta’