I LOVE color, so it was exciting to see the most recent issue of Smitten, which is all about… you guessed it, COLOR! Becky Hoppmann, Smitten‘s cretive director and I got together to photograph the lovely baubles of color and debate which were our faves.
Lover.ly even shared one of the photos we took of the sparkly polish we used, that was exciting! Have you tried Lover.ly yet? So cool! It’s like Pinterest but just for wedding inspiration. It’s completely visual and you can even search by color.
I hope that you saw yesterday’s post and got to read a little bit about Renee & Don’s intimate wedding at the Gaillard Bennett House. Today, I are showing a few of my faves from the reception, which was an alfresco dinner party.
Duvall created a light and fresh menu that began with chilled oysters, cured salmon carpaccio, a caprese salad with yellow tomatoes and an antipasto plate. As the sun went down, gusts enjoyed beef braised short rib and a lemon and herb marinated flaky fish, followed, of course, by wedding cake.
The Charleston Virtuoso string quartet played as guests ate next to the fountain and under the stars.
Congratulations Don & Renee!
Dinner in the garden
Their new title!
Their wedding cake was made by Declare
Photos of people taking photos (and having a great time!)
A yellow tomato caprese salad was one of the appetizers
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Chilled Oysters on the Half Shell, garnished with pickled leek, Red Bell Peppers and Bacon, Diced Shallots & Herbs
Venue: Gaillard Bennett House
Decor: Duvall
Catering: Duvall
Flowers: Duvall
Cake: Declare
Officiant: Rick Burton from Charleston Place
Strings: Charleston Virtuoso
Dress: From White
Renee and Don are a couple after my own heart. They held an intimate wedding ceremony and dinner at the Gaillard Bennett House in downtown historic Charleston. This is one of the most beautiful, photogenic and under the radar wedding venues in town. They had an absolutely perfect April day for their wedding. As guests arrived, they enjoyed the much loved gardens and tinkling fountains while sipping cocktails and lemonade.
One of Renee’s nephews rang a gong to signal the start of the ceremony and guests weaved through the gardens to the ceremony site. Duvall hung crystals and flowers from the trees and the string quartet Charleston Virtuoso played. Renee’s two nephews served as ring bearers and had the all important task of carrying the actual wedding bands, not just stand-in bands. Afterwards, we did a group photo of all 30 guests by the pool, which is a fun thing to do with small groups.
After a cocktail hour, one of the most amazing alfresco dinner parties followed. It was like something out of a movie, the type of party you dream of being invited to. The weather was perfect, the lighting was gorgeous, and the food looked divine.
Today’s post features photos up through the ceremony and tomorrow’s post will showcase the dinner party. Enjoy
Renee wore a 20′s style wedding dress that she found at White and she looked stunning.
The Gaillard Bennett House
A magnolia from the garden
I love these sweet moments as the guests arrived. Usually, the bride is sequestered away, but Don and Renee chose to arrive together to their wedding.
One of the ring bearers sneaks a peek at the ring.
The youngest guests
Pre-ceremony cocktails…
Refreshing and delicious
Guests walked to the ceremony site after the ringing of the gong.
An intimate ceremony of 30
So sweet!
Gorgeous, huh?
Mr. & Mrs.
A fun shot of all the lucky guests. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s feature on their alfresco dinner party that followed!
Venue: Gaillard Bennett House
Decor: Duvall
Catering: Duvall
Flowers: Duvall
Cake: Declare
Officiant: Rick Burton from Charleston Place
Strings: Charleston Virtuoso
Dress: From White
These two love birds drove alllll the way from Indiana to have their engagement session in downtown Charleston. What a great couple. I tried to make sure that we photographed in a lot of iconic Charleston areas all the while avoiding throngs of tourists.
I wish them the most wonderful wedding back in Indiana!!!
Look at this birthday girl! Is she not the cutest thing ever? She had a wonderful first birthday luau. It was here in Charleston, but perhaps one day she’ll do it in Hawaii. Feel free to invite me along!
This one makes my heart melt. I love the colors, that’s actually the pool behind her!
Pre-party portraits with her new ride.
Showing off her walking skills..
Mmm…. After being a little hesitant, she warmed up to her birthday cake.
Continuing on with the fabulosity of D’Anne and Patrick’s Spring wedding at Middleton Place, today’s post features their reception. If you missed the photos for the ceremony, you may see them here.
While guests enjoyed the cocktail hour, we took advantage of the grounds for lots of photos. Everywhere you turn is scenic- the live oaks, the gardens, the Ashley river. you can spend days there. Middleton Place is a wonderful spot to get married.
Guests enjoyed a seated dinner in the pavilion where many heart warming toasts were given. You can tell that family is very important to these two. After the cake cutting DJ Rob Duren injected some energy into the dance floor and the dancing was non-stop. They left at the end of the night under sparklers and got into a Charleston Black Cab. May they live happily ever after!
I love this silhouette shot on the steps of the former plantation house.
The flowers are by Stems and the decor is from Hemstitch Vintage
The Cake Stand made an adorable cake and Stems topped it with a peony.
Lowcountry lemonade was the signature drink of the night, mmm!
A seated dinner with toasts was perfect for this intimate crowd.
This is one of my favorite photos to take at weddings- landscape shots at twilight.
Milk and cookies anyone?
More Southern charm…
Mr. & Mrs. Stephens
Venue: Middleton Place
Day-of Coordinator: Lexie Webb
Flowers: Stems
Makeup: Pamela Lesch Makeup
Hair: Affair Hair by Tanesha
Vintage Decor: Hemstitch Vintage
Catering: Middleton Place
Lighting: TEC
Rentals: Event Drs.
Menu & Escort Tags: Dodeline Designs
Invitations: Pink Star Design
Cake: The Cake Stand
Photo booth: Complete Music Video Photo of Charleston
DJ: Rob Duren
Dress: Romona Keveza from The White and Ivory Boutique, Birmingham, AL
D’Anne and Patrick could not have gotten married on a more perfect day at Middleton Place. For those who have never been there, it is a National Historic Landmark and home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens. This was a destination wedding and many of the guests came from California. I can only imagine how enchanted they were by the Spanish moss let alone the gardens. In fact D’Anne had to remind me how spectacular even the urns were, wanting to make sure they appeared in some of the photos.
The girls got ready at the Middleton Place Inn, one of my favorite places to stay. It’s quite modern and contrasts nicely with the historic gardens. The ceremony was held in the octagonal gardens under the most amazing live oak. It was quite a sight to behold.
As an event planner herself, D’Anne had lots of ideas of how to make her wedding picture perfect. All the little touches- the chalk board seating chart, ribbons to wave after the ceremony, and a cute “here comes the bride” sign for the ring bearers to hold made it all the more photogenic.
Enjoy these photos from their ceremony and tomorrow’s will highlight their reception.
Getting ready at the Middleton Place
D’Anne wore a necklace that was made from her grandmother’s diamonds. It was a very special way to honor the memory of her grandmother, who was always a fan of Patrick and told D’Anne to not let him get away!
She carried a bouquet of white peonies, made by Stems.
Gorgeous Spring colors!
The bridesmaids under the oaks at Middleton Place Inn
This photo makes me laugh. It should be in an Apple commercial.
One of D’Anne’s beautiful bridesmaids!
Moments before walking down the aisle.
These guys almost stole the show with their cuteness!
Getting married under the oak at Middleton Place
A close family friend officiated.
Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Stephen’s!
Venue: Middleton Place
Day-of Coordinator: Lexie Webb
Flowers: Stems
Makeup: Pamela Lesch Makeup
Hair: Affair Hair by Tanesha
Vintage Decor: Hemstitch Vintage
Catering: Middleton Place
Lighting: TEC
Rentals: Event Drs.
Menu & Escort Tags: Dodeline Designs
Invitations: Pink Star Design
Cake: The Cake Stand
Photo booth: Complete Music Video Photo of Charleston
DJ: Rob Duren
Dress: Romona Keveza from The White and Ivory Boutique, Birmingham, AL
The thrill of a newborn! Every time I photograph a new baby, I take my own trip down memory lane. There’s the rush of love and excitement. Your whole world changes in a day. It’s the best feeling in the world. I know this little girl’s parents are deeply in love with her.
I was so flattered last week when Junebug Weddings decided to feature Ashely & Christopher’s wedding from last April. They were married at the First Baptist Church (as in the first First Baptist) and had their reception at the William Aiken House.
The wedding was styled and designed by Luke Wilson Special Events. Ashley wore an incredible Monique Lhuillier dress, which had gotten lots of raves! You may read the full story and see more photos here.
So hopefully you had a chance to read yesterday’s post on Sarah & Tad’s stunning wedding ceremony at Cassique. Today’s feature takes it up a notch with their hot pink reception. It make you realize the incredible impact that lighting has on an environment. Not only was the tent pink, but so was the landscape and all the palms in the garden.
After the cocktail hour, guests made their way to the tent for dinner and dancing. Big Swing & the Ballroom Blasters had the dance floor in motion and were a great band. Guests were then treated to a fireworks display, in all white, over the Cassique golf course. It’s such a treat to have wedding fireworks!
At the end of the night, Sarah and Tad ran through petals and hopped in a Charleston Black Cab. Bon voyage!!!
After the rain…
These mirrored cocktail table toppers are to die for! I’d never seen anything like that.
The wedding cake, by Jim Smeal, pulls some of its design elements form Sarah’s wedding dress.
If you want a party band that sounds good, looks good and keeps the party rolling, then Big Swing & the Ballroom Blasters is your band!
Are these palms incredible or what?
Here’s another view of the Cassique Club House with the pink palms.
This is the view from the deck that was right off the tent at the reception. The kids swear there was an alligator out there!
I’m telling you, this party was FUN!
Pure soul from Big Swing & the Ballroom Blasters
Dancing was followed by fireworks out on the lawn. Jennifer Smith, who helped me photograph Sarah & Tad’s wedding, got this great shot!
Sarah’s niece & nephew) are two of the coolest kids I’ve met. They are bold and fun and not afraid of anything, like getting on stage and singing with the band!
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Brush!!!
Event Designer: Sikky Rogers of Rogers and Gala Creative Partners, Inc.
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Cassique at Kiawah
Florist: John Lupton
Gospel Choir: Voices of Deliverance
Dress: Romona Keveza from Maddison Row
Vieogrpaher: Artistic Eye Productions
Cake: Jim Smeal
Catering: Cassique at Kiawah
Fireworks: Cassique at Kiawah
Band: Big Swing & the Ballroom Blasters
Invitations: Arzberger Engraving Company