We love getting a new Charleston Weddings Magazine in the mail. We’re often too busy planning or traveling for weddings, we miss some of the new and exciting stuff going on in Charleston… But, we’re even more grateful to receive the mag when we have a feature in it!
Stay tuned for more details from this wedding with tons of entertainment (think Drag Queens, arielists, and marching bands), and a major transformation of the space, on a future blog post…
Today’s wedding Wednesday comes in the form of a traditional glamorous affair from the archives. The classic colors of black and white with a golden touch were the perfect palette for this formal affair. Held at Lowndes Grove Plantation and photographed by Liz Banfield, we hope you enjoy a glimpse at this soiree as much as we enjoyed producing it.
A letterpress invitation by Lettered Olive didn’t stay too far from traditional but added some glam updates like die cut edges and a metallic champagne belly band.
Throughout the wedding, all white lush and fluffy blooms were used. Monograms were a huge part of the design, so everyone from the bride to bridesmaids, to the Mother of the Bride and Groom (MOB and MOG) carried bouquets with hand tied and monogrammed ribbons.
With both the ceremony and reception at Lowndes Grove Plantation, guests received a true gracious Southern welcome from the beginning. Guests were escorted to the ceremony seating down an aisle lined with live orchestral musicians. Pre ceremony Champagne was served with custom printed napkins also doubling as the ceremony programs.
This stunning ceremony took place on the front lawn with gorgeous views of the river. A custom monogrammed aisle runner led the bride to the “alter” which was defined by huge hanging floral chandeliers from the limbs of a grand oak.
Take a note from the antique interiors of the house, Chandeliers were an essential design element used throughout… Dinner escort cards were die cut chandeliers we had caligraphied and hung from real chandeliers in the cocktail hour area.
Guests then made their way under a tent for dinner. We had a small custom monogramed dance floor adjacent to a sweetheart table… it was a surprise to guests that a live Jersey Boys cover act performed during dinner and also for the bride and groom’s first dance -which was what they did on their first date!
The tent was aglow due to the overhead chandelier lighting and masses of gold candles (from Creative Candles). Long tables were draped in champagne silk and satin ribbon woven into chairs for a more tailored finish.
Loved loved loved this special detail surprise for our bride- a cake table linen made from real rose petals!!!!! Cake by Jim Smeal.
The after dinner lounge was a glam party set up with chandeliers, velvet lounge seating, custom pillows, and a theater type stage set up for the band.
Our bride had a killer second Little White dress for dancing and it looked so amazing on her, with lace detail and champagne satin ribbon- a perfect fit for her party!
Guests enjoyed a variety of late night food from pulled pork biscuits, to fries in self serve containers, and candied praliens.
For the send off, guests got sparklers in die cut chandelier packets with custom matches…
In the bride’s family, all of the cars have customized license plates, so for the just married sign we made a little nod to this tradition.
Oh, how I miss doing weddings at Drayton Hall Plantation. It still remains one of my all time favorite locations, which you will see from this wedding from the archives. This wedding has a modern art deco feel, which put against the Federalist architecture of the plantation made for a really lovely juxtaposition. Liz Banfield captured all of the lovely imagery.
The art deco feel started with the details in the bride’s Carolina Herrera dress and hairstyle… an old wedding wives tale is to have all of the bridesmaids sign the bottom of the brides shoe, and whomever’s name is worn off first by the end of the night will be the next to get married (Miu Miu shoes).. This bride’s something blue was her bouquet!
On the National Register of Historic Place, what amazing photos to have, as taken in the Plantation house ballroom.
All of the letterpress printing was done by Lettered Olive. One of my favorite ideas was in the save the dates. There was a large amount of information to put in the save the dates, and not wanting guests to put it aside- we made a “tear off” piece that everyone could put on their fridge or daytimer with the date and location.
Guest welcome bags were canvas shoe travel bags making these something guests would want to leave with instead of leaving in the hotel. Custom printed snacks and waters filled the bags, along with a mini Archipelago “Charleston” candle with custom matches.
Bridesmaids carried white flowers with just a hint of color, while the bride carried the pop of color- for the bride that loves color, this is a great flip flop idea. For moms, and other special ladies who may not want something pinned onto their dresses or carry something, a bloom “corsage” tied to the wrist with satin ribbon or pinned on a purse is a great alternative!
The wedding white ceremony included a white carpet runner, a scatter of petals at the alter, orchid strands draped down the aisle, and chandeliers hung from the grand ok. An arch made of willow branches and lilac made a simply pretty focal point.
The couples two “babies” made a guest appearance at the end of the ceremony for photos…
After the ceremony, guests kicked off the reception in a cocktail lounge, and lounge seating set up on the riverbanks for a little eye candy.
A custom Boutique tent was the pretty entrance way into the dinner tent…
Playing off of the art deco look, tables were set with an array of mixed centerpieces surrounding Knoll acrylic dinner club lamps. Menus, escort cards, and other signage are made from etched acrylic… Guests wanted to keep all of the printed materials!
The amazing cake by Jim Smeal was octagon shaped and mimicked the art deco pattern on the bride’s gown. It’s hard to tell her, but it had the faintest hint of light blue and lavender shimmer playing off of the printed items… LOVE!
When guests finished dinner, we pulled back the curtains for a big reveal of the all white after dinner lounge. It was so warm and inviting with a glow that was breathtaking. All white arrangements of Oriental lilies even gave the room and irresistible fragrance.
For a truly different and festive send off, we made custom silly string containers which guests sprayed at the couple as they made their way to the getaway car.
For one take on the traditional, the couple departed in a vintage Rolls Royce tied with oversized paper flowers…
Recognized as one of the nation’s leading tastemakers, Tara Guérard has earned a widespread reputation for her ability to create spectacular settings celebrating life’s most anticipated occasions. As the visionary and founder of Tara Guérard Soirée, she is best known for her distinct style that honors the storied traditions of Southern hospitality paired with a modern aesthetic and flair for the unexpected.
