From wedding Inspiration to reality
As I start any wedding and event planning, I like to start by asking a series of questions to our couple and host. “How do you want your guests to feel throughout the celebration? What are some key aspects that are most important to you throughout the day? Do you already have a color scheme or theme in mind?” From this conversation, we are able to narrow in on keywords that we keep in mind throughout the design and planning process.
wedding theme keywords
When it came time to plan Lauren and Jason’s October wedding, some of the key words we wanted to keep in mind were ‘Simple’, ‘Traditional’ and ‘Elegant’. We wanted to highlight some seasonal soft pastel florals along with the neutral greenery that accented the South Carolina area. We knew that Lauren’s bouquet was to be loosely hand-tied so that it had an organic cascade, almost as if it was just picked from the garden; while another important element was that their intimate group of family and friends could all be seated at one table.
As the planning process progressed, we decided to add in some deeper and bolder tones to compliment the Fall season and a wedding venue adjustment meant we had to dream up another dinner location. Southern weddings in the fall can be just beautiful, so we opted to try our luck with cocktail hour, dinner and dancing all outside under the Oak Trees. To do this, we wanted to make sure each space still felt distinctly different and allowed a progression through the evening for their guests.
may river chapel ceremony
Our first space was the May River Chapel for their ceremony. With there already being so much beauty and charm to this little chapel at Palmetto Bluff, we knew we really just wanted to highlight that beauty while also making it cohesive to Lauren and Jason’s selected colors. From the front steps, we wanted the chapel to feel like theirs - we added greenery and florals to the front steps that continued as guests walked inside and heard the violin’s playing. Their ceremony, officiated by two uncles, was touching and filled with so much love. As Lauren and Jason exited the Chapel as husband and wife, their family and friends showered them with rose petals and cheers - traditions that are all simple yet elegant.
palmetto bluff reception
Cocktail hour began right outside of the chapel in the lawn. A lounge section and cocktail tables were elegantly simple and allowed for guests to move and mingle throughout the party. A beautiful watercolor painting was the base for their guestbook. Guests were able to pen messages to the new couple throughout the evening - a very special memento that will hang in their home for years to come.
The long dinner table that seated all of their guests, was in another section of the lawn framed by wooden posts and drapes blowing in the breeze. Crystal chandeliers added a touch of elegance to the outdoor reception. Guests sat in gold framed chairs and the dinner table had crisp white linens, textured white chargers and a beautiful display of seasonal pink florals in gold vases. We layered gold flatware, a soft blush / beige faux dupioni napkin and a clean modern personalized menu card for each setting.
wedding getaway car
The sun set as guests enjoyed dinner and the glow of candlelight matched the glow of the chandeliers overhead. A live painter put the finishing touches of their first look while the band played in the background. After dinner was enjoyed and the cake cut, guests headed over to the dancefloor where the band took over. Guests enjoyed another bar and lounge section and the band played throughout the evening.
Before the evening ended, a Palmetto Bluff tradition of S’mores was set up just for Lauren and Jason’s family. They had their own dessert station and firepit that they enjoyed in the late evening. After they walked through a tower of sparklers, they hopped into a white vintage 1956 Bentley S1 that helped with their getaway. All of these moments were carefully thought through to ensure their guests had a wonderful experience as well as Lauren and Jason. Their day not only felt like them, but they were able to enjoy all of it.
Pinterest can send you into a blackhole of wedding shoulds and shouldn’ts. It can be a great starting point for you to see what potential can be made and see what you do and don’t like. But at the end of the day, let’s make your day your own with a wedding celebration that feels like you, that highlights what is important to you and is a day that you want to relive over and over again. Check out some of our favorite ways to incorporate the details that are most important to you here.
Photography by Clay Austin. Florals by Jardiniere Events. Rentals by EventWorks. Lighting & Structure by Advanced AV. Ceremony Music by David Kimbell. Reception Band by The Equinox Orchestra. Paper Goods by Lowcountry Paper Co. Live Painting by Nicole Schmitz. Wedding Venue by Montage Palmetto Bluff.
