If you are looking for an excuse to throw a party especially with a French accent, Bastille Day is right around the corner. Such fun details (which can also parlay into a chick Fourth of July dinner party) and I got to harbor my inspiration from my dream of living in France. I say every year that I’m going to take the summer off and go study at Le Cordon Bleu but in the meantime I’ll just settle for being a stateside Francophile. This shoot (shot by Nickie Cutrona) can also be seen in Lonny Mag.
Think of different ways to display apps or snacks. A sideboard from our clients home was easily transported outside, and fashioned for an upscale “cheese cart”.
You may have seen our Facebook Live video with Southern Living last week, here is a great idea/trick to steal- I found a great striped rug on sale at Target, which made a perfect table runner!
I don’t like using bread plates, etc on table because it can seem cluttered… Here, individual baguettes are preset with vellum menus and tied off with butcher twine for a nice detail. Try playing with flavor profiles in your olive oil- herbs, citrus, etc.
A single tier coconut cake looks straight from the French countryside with a solo sunflower bloom. For a variation for Fourth of July, try blue hydrangea blooms.
The bride chose a Guipure lace covered gown by Vollaro available through Maddison Row here in Charleston, SC. Bring a traditional Southern bride, we chose to monogram her satin bouquet wrap in her favorite “something blue “color.
Being that it was a summer wedding, hearty boutonierres were best… And, since the bride’s family owns an angling store, locally made 
The wedding ceremony took place at the church that the bride grew up attending, St. Philip’s (which also happens to be my church). An illustration of the historic steeple graced the cover of the classic ceremony programs.
Afterwards the bride and groom received guests at Lowndes Grove Plantation… True Southern sports fans, we flew flags for both alma maters- Clemson University, and The Citadel. And, custom cornhole boards for both schools graced the front lawn for those wanting to squeeze in a quick round during cocktail hour.
Charleston’s “haint” blue, also the bride’s favorite color, was chosen as the palette. Luckily the perfect dresses were available at 
Each bridesmaid carried a custom monogramed bouquet.
Guests enjoyed classic favorites like prosciutto wrapped melon and tasteful sips at cocktail hour.
Where else can you enjoy a lawn party than a glorious home overlooking the river banks than Charleston? A hanging swing bed allowed guests a fun take on al fresco seating…
Jim Smeal’s sweet cake was perfectly pretty for a Southern garden with gum paste flowers and an elevated basketweave…Of course displayed on a garden table with fresh greenery.
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