Nashvillians Dara Russell and Mike Bussard planned an intimate mountaintop wedding in Cashiers, North Carolina. Join us back on The Chattooga Club lawns to see the day's fabulous florals, delicious cuisine, and thoughtful touches.
Date: July 31, 2023. Guests: fewer than 50. Elevation: 3,484 feet. Dara Russell and Mike Bussard had an intimate summer ceremony on the highest plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We’re thrilled to revisit this dreamy mountaintop wedding in Cashiers, North Carolina.
PinDara and Mike planned a tasteful and touching wedding in the North Carolina mountains. Image: Terri Clark
“Mike and I were introduced by mutual friends in June of 2021,” Dara says. “Our first trip together was later that fall to the beautiful mountains of Cashiers, North Carolina, where we explored all the natural wonder of the area.”
Fast forward to a little more than a year later, and Mike was down on one knee proposing to Dara with the magnificent North Carolina mountains as the backdrop. When it came time to select a wedding venue, it was an easy decision. “We knew we had to get married in the place that had become so special to us,” Dana says.
PinBlue, green, and white florals and details popped against the venue’s rustic wood. Image: Terri Clark
We are grateful to all our sponsors:
Jessica Clark of Ink Nashville designed the most spectacular rehearsal dinner and wedding invitations, which provided a first glimpse of Dara’s overall design. The Chattooga Club offered the perfect setting, with its lush green croquet court set against the majestic mountains.
PinMike is originally from Tarkio, Missouri (though he’s lived in Nashville for over 25 years), and Dara is a native Nashvillian. Image: Terri Clark
“We had both the ceremony and reception here,” Dara says. They also planned a welcome cocktail party to kick off the weekend festivities. “It was supposed to be a lovely poolside evening event at The Chattooga Club. The funny thing is that the pool had a serious leak — which no one knew about until the day of our event when the staff showed up to find it completely drained,” Dara says with a laugh. “We still had our poolside cocktail party with an empty pool.”
PinCelebrating their love with their four grown children was a blessing that Dara and Mike will cherish forever. Image: Terri Clark
We are grateful to all our sponsors:
Despite Sunday’s slight snafu, Monday — the day of the wedding — flowed beautifully. Inspired by Western North Carolina’s lush landscapes, Meghan Lock worked her floral magic with light blue, white, and green hydrangeas, white and green roses, white lisianthus, and native greenery.
PinThe Chattooga Club set the most elegant mountain stage for the oversized floral centerpieces and striking mantel arrangement. Image: Terri ClarkPinThe peaceful color scheme shone through in these light blue Jenny Yoo bridesmaid dresses. Image: Terri ClarkPin“I opted for a simple off-the-shoulder Romona Keveza gown from The Bride Room in Nashville,” Dara says. We love the metallic waistline stripe and dramatic back buttons. Image: Terri Clark
“This was a second wedding for us, so we opted to keep it small — fewer than 50 total — with just family and a few close friends,” Dara says. “The highlight of the ceremony was having our four adult children stand up for us.”
PinGoing the micro wedding route allowed Dara and Mike to focus on what truly mattered: a stunning setting, meaningful music, and a dinner-party-style meal with their best friends and family. Image: Terri Clark
While Dara and Mike did exchange fairly traditional vows, they opted to skip some of the “extras” of most wedding days, like the first look, the first dance, and even the traditional wedding cake.
PinIt’s always a special touch when a guest graces the party with musical talent — especially when she’s a Nashville recording artist! Family friend Amy Stroup opened the ceremony. Image: Terri Clark
Longtime family friend and Nashville singer/songwriter Amy Stroup opened the ceremony with a heartfelt rendition of her original song “Hold on to Hope Love” accompanied by strings. Dara and Mike exchanged “I do”s, surrounded by their dearest friends and the perfect mountain scenery.
PinTime to eat, drink, and continue the merriment. Image: Terri ClarkPinA lovely cocktail hour kicked off the reception with passed smoked trout canapés and wild mushroom goat cheese tartlets. Image: Terri Clark
Cashiers is consistently lauded as a remarkable rural dining destination, and this wedding meal was no different. Guests were wowed by a three-course seated dinner by Chef Jason Whitaker. “He completely outdid himself,” Dara says.
PinWe’re smitten with the paper designs by Ink Nashville. Image: Terri Clark
“We had puréed asparagus bisque to start, followed by sautéed North Carolina mountain trout with a succotash of local lady peas and sweet white corn with a dark cove goat cheese finish,” Dara says. “And the final course was a slow-braised beef short rib with whipped golden potatoes and jumbo-grilled asparagus and tomato confit.”
PinFrom the furniture to the tablescape, every detail aligned with the delicate blue-green aesthetic. Image: Terri ClarkPinThis local trout with fresh succotash showed off some delicious seasonal flavors and plating wizardry. Image: Terri Clark
We are grateful to all our sponsors:
PinGuests got their sweet fix on assorted dessert plates of peach shortbread, banana pudding verrines, peanut butter brownies, and key lime tarts. Image: Terri Clark
At the end of the night, Dara and Mike chose to dance and mingle with guests for as long as possible, foregoing the traditional departure. They plan on honeymooning in Italy this fall.
Thank you for bringing us back to your beautiful wedding day, Dara!
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint freelance writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant since 2012. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.
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