I absolutely love it when couples opt to have the rehearsal dinner photographed. Not only is it so fun to get in on the celebration at the beginning of the wedding weekend, but I finally get the chance to put faces to the names of all the important people I have been hearing all about for months. Kayla and Joel are incredibly blessed in that regard. Not only have they hit the jackpot by finding one another (thanks to a supporting role played by Kayla’s furry friend, Atticus. More on that later…) but they are just surrounded by love–from their supportive parents to their fantastic family, friends, and siblings who came from all over to celebrate with them. One of the highlights of the night was Joel’s toast to his brother and best man, Rick. Growing up with the usual sibling rivalries, Joel said if someone had told him as a kid that as an adult he would consider his brother to be one of his favorite people in this world, he never would have believed them. “I really like my brother. Seriously, I REALLY like him!” So cute.
Joel and Kayla kicked off their wedding weekend festivities with a relaxed dinner on the side patio of Cafe 157, overlooking the heart of downtown Matthews, NC. This was my first visit to the cafe, but it is a favorite dining spot for Kayla’s parents who live in nearby Mint Hill. The guests enjoyed their choice between a variety of fresh summer salads and the option of Steak au Poivre, Scottish Salmon or Sicilian Chicken–something for everyone! I don’t normally eat at rehearsal dinners, but the restaurant had extras and insisted I take something home. An infrequent red meat eater, I chose the Steak au Poive. Why not, right? Well, it never even made it out of the to-go container onto a proper plate. When I arrived home to my husband and a glass of wine, I shared all the funnies of the night with him while we stood in the kitchen, eating my souvenir right out of the box. Classy. Hopefully the breezy open air patio of Cafe 157 will be our next date night destination, with plates and everything.
