Business Details
40 Years
experience
Your North Carolina Wedding Planning Resource
Heart of NC Weddings was founded in 1986 as Southern Bride and Groom, the first regional wedding magazine for North Carolina. Our mission has always been to connect engaged couples with trusted local vendors while supporting small businesses in the event industry. In 2019, we rebranded to better reflect our inclusive values and expanded role as a comprehensive wedding planning resource. As a family-run business now part of Triangle Media Partners, we combine decades of industry expertise with modern digital tools to serve couples across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the entire state. Our team of wedding experts curates vendor directories, produces inspirational content, and organizes community events to make wedding planning joyful and accessible.We prioritize inclusivity, quality assurance, and local knowledge in every recommendation we make. Through our annual print magazine, digital guides, and online platform, we help couples discover venues, photographers, florists, and other specialists who align with their vision. Our editorial team also showcases real weddings and provides practical planning tips tailored to North Carolina's unique venues and seasons. With a legacy of service spanning over three decades, we remain committed to being the Triangle's most trusted wedding planning partner.
Services
Wedding Planning Resources
Vendor Directory
Venue Guide
Digital Magazine
Real Wedding Features
Event Listings
Planning Guides
Inclusive Vendor Network
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of experience connecting NC couples with trusted vendors
- Our team personally vets all featured vendors for quality and reliability
- We provide exclusive access to local wedding planning expertise since 1986
- Our inclusive approach celebrates all types of modern weddings
- We combine print magazine tradition with innovative digital planning tools
Services
Wedding Planning Resources
Access comprehensive wedding planning resources including checklists, budget guides, and seasonal tips tailored to North Carolina venues. Our expert-curated content helps couples navigate every stage of planning, from initial inspiration to final execution. Resources are available through our print magazine, digital editions, and online blog.
Vendor Directory
Discover pre-vetted local wedding vendors across North Carolina in categories like photography, florals, catering, and entertainment. Our directory features detailed profiles of businesses that meet our quality standards and commitment to inclusivity. Vendors are personally reviewed by our editorial team for reliability and excellence.
Venue Guide
Explore our comprehensive venue guide featuring North Carolina's top wedding locations with filters for capacity, amenities, and settings. From historic estates to modern rooftops, each venue listing includes verified details about availability, pricing tiers, and special features to help couples find their perfect match.
Digital Magazine
Access our annual wedding magazine digitally with interactive features showcasing North Carolina's best vendors, real weddings, and planning advice. The digital edition provides searchable vendor listings, inspirational galleries, and downloadable planning tools accessible from any device throughout the wedding planning process.
Event Listings
Find local wedding-related events including vendor meet-and-greets, trunk shows, and open houses across North Carolina. Our event calendar helps couples connect directly with service providers while offering opportunities to experience venues and vendors firsthand before booking commitments.
People
Jenna Parks
Multimedia Publisher + Director of Client Digital Strategy
Jenna Parks leads client digital strategy and multimedia content creation. With over a decade of experience in wedding media, she transitioned the publication to Heart of NC Weddings in 2019 to better reflect its inclusive mission.
Morgan Cartier Weston
Multimedia Content Director + Executive Editor
Morgan Cartier Weston oversees content strategy and editorial direction. She ensures all published material maintains high standards of quality while providing valuable, actionable information for engaged couples planning North Carolina weddings.
Meagan Culkin
Creative Producer
Meagan Culkin manages creative production for both print and digital content. Her work focuses on visual storytelling that highlights North Carolina's unique wedding venues and vendor talent through photography and video.
Renee Ambroso
Managing Editor
Renee Ambroso directs editorial operations and content management. She coordinates vendor submissions, wedding features, and planning guides to ensure accurate, up-to-date information for couples across North Carolina.
Melissa Cooley
Account Executive
Melissa Cooley manages client relationships and advertising partnerships. She helps local wedding businesses connect with engaged couples through strategic marketing solutions within the Heart of NC Weddings platform.
Questions
How do I find local wedding vendors through Heart of NC Weddings?
Search our online vendor directory by category to discover pre-vetted local specialists in photography, florals, catering, and more across North Carolina.
What areas do you serve for wedding planning?
We specialize in the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) but feature vendors and resources statewide across North Carolina.
Is your wedding magazine available for free?
Yes, our annual print magazine is available for free at local distribution points, with digital editions accessible online.
How are vendors selected for your directory?
All vendors undergo our personal vetting process to ensure quality, reliability, and alignment with our inclusive values.
Do you feature real weddings in your content?
Yes, we showcase real North Carolina weddings submitted by couples and photographers to inspire future brides and grooms.
