photos by: AMBER RENEA PHOTOGRAPHY
If you’re looking to add a sweet surprise to your wedding day – and one your guests will continue to rave about – let us introduce you to Happy’s Ice Cream!
You’ll meet Michael Neve and team, and immediately realize they love what they do. Michael will tell you he’s always been partial to sweets – with ice cream a top favorite.
“My wife and I love ice cream, so it wasn’t long after getting married that we started experimenting with making it at home – in a simple Cuisinart countertop ice cream maker,” he shares. “It was fun to do together and share with friends. That was around 2019.”
When the pandemic hit, Michael found more time at home, which led to making more ice cream. He received a Ben & Jerry’s recipe book as a Christmas gift, was fascinated by the company’s beginnings and decided to try making every flavor in the book. He also pondered the idea of sharing his ice cream with more and more people.
“I’m an accountant by trade, but I love entrepreneurship and the idea of opening my own business has always been intriguing,” he adds. “Looking around Winston-Salem, there weren’t many ice cream options, making me think this might be a real opportunity.”
Michael researched ice cream “schools” and completed a week-long class in High Point, before becoming the ice cream maker at Black Mountain Chocolate. When that venture closed, he was able to purchase the company’s ice cream equipment and soon began making ice cream for Washington Perk & Provisions in downtown Winston-Salem. That move was the birth of Happy’s Ice Cream!
“The launch of the ice cream cart came in late 2023 when I was asked to serve at a wedding for a bride who wanted an ice cream cart but had no local options,” Michael explains. “In the spring of 2024, I served ice cream at my first wedding!”
Since then, Happy’s has been “scooping” at weddings and special events as well as at the Cobblestone Farmers Market from the spring to fall season. While introducing the goodness of Happy’s, Michael and his wife were also growing their family – three girls and a fourth baby on the way – and maintaining a full time job as VP of Finance at The Variable.
“That’s when I brought on Jacob Gauthier and Dow Vest to help with events in late 2024,” Michael adds. “They were critical to keeping Happy’s going last summer and do a great job spreading the joy of ice cream to everyone they serve!”
Of course Happy’s Ice Cream is entirely handmade, with a number of consistent flavors available, along with seasonal specialties.
“One of my favorite parts about private events is working with customers to create the exact flavors they want,” Michael shares. “We love the atmosphere at a wedding, where everyone is having a good time. Folks are excited when they realize there’s ice cream, read the flavor board and enjoy their scoop as they walk back to join the party!”
With so many options to make your day special, engaged couples are drawn to Happy’s for clear reasons. Simply put, people love ice cream and working with the Happy’s team to choose a personalized flavor is a fun task!
“I also think the cart is an attraction on its own,” says Michael. “Having a server adds a unique touch and provides a little extra interaction with guests.”
“It’s the sense of whimsy and pure childlike joy that ice cream brings out in people,” adds Jacob.
Growing a thriving small business and a young family has helped Michael realize the importance of community.
“My wife and I have been in Winston-Salem for 10 years and have really grown to love it. A big part of what we enjoy about Happy’s is the opportunity to serve this community,” he shares.
The Happy’s team also loves serving up deliciousness at special events where there are plenty of kids around.
“One of my favorite interactions was with a boy who came up to the cart at an event, looked at the flavor board and very thoughtfully examined all six flavors. He looked up and simply said: “I’ll have some of each please!”
To book Happy’s Ice Cream for your wedding celebration, corporate party or other special event, email [email protected]. Follow their sweet adventures on Instagram @happysicecream.ws.
