Google+ Charleston wedding ideas Archives - Southern Weddings

Southern Weddings

Tag: Charleston wedding ideas

The simplicity and spontaneity of an elopement can help to strip away some of the “stuff” that surrounds weddings, leaving just the essence of a marriage: committing yourself to the one you love in front of the people who matter most. For this editorial, we imagined a couple who wanted to elope in Charleston, but still celebrate with their very closest family and friends. Though we tucked in lots of special details focused on hospitality, whether you have five or 500 guests in attendance, gracious hospitality can always by the centerpiece.

Big hugs to the supremely talented KT Merry for these photos and to the ladies of A Charleston Bride for pulling together the details. Purchase your copy of V7 (and her BFF, our brand new wedding planner!) here!

To shy to exchange personal vows in front of your guests? We love the idea of writing each other promises in letter form to exchange the morning of the wedding or at your first look. Having a calligrapher letter them for you makes for a beautiful keepsake.

Charleston City Hall was the perfect spot for these beautiful, light-filled photos! They’re some of my favorites in the magazine!

This editorial was inspired in part by one of our friend Kathryn’s inspiration boards. She imagined the scene set at the William Aiken House, and we agreed that the venue’s yellow walls could not have been more perfect to bring this scene to life!

Special glassware can instantly transform a table. We loved the combination of sleek black wine glasses and vintage tumblers!

Photographer: KT Merry | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Designer and Florals: A Charleston Bride | Venues: Charleston City Hall and the William Aiken House | Caterer and Baker: Fish | Cake stand: Country Kitchen SweetArt | Rentals: Snyder Rental, Ooh! Events, Event Haus | Ticking napkins: Un Original Americain | Flatware: West Elm | Hair and makeup: Carrie McLeod of Paper Dolls | Getaway car: Charleston Rickshaw | Invitations and stationery: Smitten on Paper | Calligraphy: Blue Glass Design | Custom sewing: Behind the Seams | Palm fans: Favors and Flowers | Wrapping paper: Sugar Paper, Ann Page, Snow & Graham, Linda & Harriet | Welcome bags: A Signature Welcome | Bass player: Other Brother Entertainment | Bride’s gown: “Lucille” by Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s cuff: Modcloth | Bride’s shoes: Nina | Bride’s clutch: Mar y Sol | Other jewelry: Perfect Details | Menswear: J. Crew | Bow tie: TieMart | Bridesmaid dresses: Rent the Runway and Modcloth | Pineapple dress: Townsen | Overnight bag: Mark & Graham

emily Written with love by Emily
7 Comments
  1. avatar Southern Weddings V7: Holy City Behind the Scenes – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] our 5 A.M. wakeup calls, when Emily and I hit the road to Charleston for our Holy City Hospitality shoot, we were giddy with excitement. The clouds cleared more and more the further south we drove, […]

  2. avatar Nancy Ray reply

    Love this shoot so much. I must say, the image of the man with the standup bass in the grass caught my eye. The light, the composition – just beautiful. All of the images are stunning, but it’s always fun to see one unexpected image stand out. Beautiful work as always, KT!

  3. avatar Winifred Paper reply

    That tablescape is absolutely to die for!

  4. avatar 21 Gorgeous Signature Cocktails To Serve At Your Next Party | LinenTablecloth reply

    […] Southern Weddings […]

  5. avatar Svatební inspirace | Stylový odchod – Originální Svatba reply

    […] s girlandou Brklyn View Photography via Style Me Pretty | bílá rikša s nápisem KT Merry via Southern Weddings | lodička Anastasiya Belik via Magnolia Rouge | skútr Ryan Ray via […]

  6. avatar Something Short And Sweet About Love Take Three – Coastal Bride reply

    […] night with a Bartender’s Choice at the Gin Joint.” Meg, My Borrowed Heaven KT Merry via Southern Weddings “A dream date to me is a simple one where we’d spend all day at the beach swimming, […]

  7. avatar Tyra reply

    This is beautiful! Anyone know if you can actually get married in Charleston City Hall? Thanks!

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

You know how in the Sweet Tea Society we say that we believe beautiful things have value simply because they make the world a more lovely place? Well, this next V5 editorial is the perfect example of that — it’s just so lovely. Easton Events deserves major kudos for pulling the details together; Eric Kelley photographed everything to perfection. Spring in the South? It doesn’t get much more beautiful than that, friends.

And how beautiful is Charleston?? No wonder it’s such a popular place to vacation and get married.

Sideshow Press designed and printed these gorgeous invitations, with calligraphy by If So Inklined. I think the modern vintage envelope liner is my favorite part!

The flowers throughout this shoot blow me away. Springtime in the South offers plenty of gorgeous blooms, to be sure, but the combinations the gals at Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral Designs came up with take them to another level! All the lilac must have smelled heavenly.

Oh hi, gorgeous bride. Lora Kelley did an impeccable job on the makeup, while Wedding Hair by Charlotte rocked the updos. If I had to guess, I’d say this romantic, classic, natural look is exactly what most Southern brides hope to look like on their wedding days!

Gals down South know that even planning a spring wedding doesn’t guarantee comfortable temps, so we love this popsicle escort card idea! I’d set up the ice tubs at the back of the ceremony space so guests could grab their pops for a refreshing treat on the walk to the reception!

Hand-painted napkins! Also, I seriously adore these creative table numbers — one of my favorite details in the issue, actually. Just stencil on a number with white paint, or use a sticker, and encourage a lucky guest from each table to take home the jar of preserves at the end of the evening!

We were lucky enough to have some fabulous Peter Callahan mini food flown down especially for this shoot! Y’all know I love anything mini, and Peter is the king of that realm!

Dessert measured up, as well, with a towering crepe cake from the Charleston Crepe Company and mini berry pies.

The only way to end this gorgeous affair at Lowndes Grove? A classic getaway car and a fancy picnic basket packed with to-go nibbles for the road.

Be sure to pick up your copy of V5 to see all the details! You can find your copy in stores across the Southeast, or pick one up right here. AND, in celebration of Cyber Monday, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on boxes of ten magazines! See all the details here!

emily Written with love by Emily
34 Comments
  1. avatar Kelly reply

    Ahhh, so excited to Charleston featured! There isn’t a better place for a wedding OR a better place to live<3 Stay tuned for my Charleston wedding, Spring 2014!

    -kelly
    sweettea-lemonade.blogspot.com

  2. avatar Anna (Lover.ly) reply

    That crepe cake is absolutely stunning. I love the little pies, too! The food in general is my favorite part of this shoot.

  3. avatar A Sweet Southern Luncheon – Southern Weddings Magazine | Eric Kelley Photography Inc. reply

    […] Rentals: Festive Fare / Ceremony Benches: Snyder Event Rental / Table and Chairs: FermobUSA / Cake Baker: Charleston Crepe Company /Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid […]

  4. avatar Eric Kelley reply

    Thank you so much!! : )

  5. avatar Katie reply

    Love the hand painted napkins, those are gorgeous! I’m getting married in my hometown in VA, but I always tell my fiance (when I get stressed) that we should have just gone to Charleston and eloped. It’s definitely a beautiful place to have a wedding.

  6. avatar Southern Weddings Editorial – Love in Bloom – V5 + Give-away! | Eric Kelley Photography Inc. reply

    […] Rentals: Festive Fare / Ceremony Benches: Snyder Event Rental / Table and Chairs: FermobUSA / Cake Baker: Charleston Crepe Company /Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid […]

  7. avatar A Sweet Southern Luncheon by Easton Events and Eric Kelley – Lora Elaine reply

    […] Rentals: Festive Fare / Ceremony Benches: Snyder Event Rental / Table and Chairs: FermobUSA / Cake Baker: Charleston Crepe Company /Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid […]

  8. avatar Crepe Wedding Cakes? Yes! | Inside The Lovely reply

    […] | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | […]

  9. avatar Creative Touch *Loves* | Festive Holiday and Party Delicious Cocktail + Hot Drink Inspiration | Festive Drink Decor + Berry Merry Cocktail Combinations | Creative Touch Decor reply

    […] :: Source :: | :: Source :: […]

  10. avatar SHEA BETHUNE reply

    Where can i buy the above bridesmaid dresses?

  11. avatar Le wedding cake devenu le wedding crêpes {Bonne chandeleur !} | Le blog organiser un mariage reply

    […] {Crédit photo : Southern Weddings} […]

  12. avatar Elegant Bohemian Couture – Something Pretty reply

    […] Justin & Mary via Style Me Pretty| Gown: Elie Saab| Mini pies: Eric Kelley Photography via Southern Weddings| Miu Miu heels: Kelly Dillon Photography via Style Me Pretty| Bridesmaids: Charlotte Jenks Lewis […]

  13. avatar Love In Bloom | Wedding inspiration reply

    […] Image by Southern-Weddings […]

  14. avatar Love In Bloom | Wedding Ideas and Inspiration – ButterflyWish.co.uk reply

    […] Image by Southern-Weddings […]

  15. avatar Lavender Wedding Ideas reply

    […] cards from Martha Stewart Weddings 4 – lavender centerpiece, image by Eric Kelley via Southern Weddings 5 – lavender gown, image by Elizabeth Messina* 6 – flower girl with lavender […]

  16. avatar Southern Wedding | Burnett’s Boards – Daily Wedding Inspiration reply

    […] moonshine favors from Southern Weddings, photographed by Melissa Schollaert // invitation suite via Southern Weddings, designed by SlideShow Press, photographed by Eric Kelley // purple ombre cake via Style Me Pretty, […]

  17. avatar Purple and Mint Wedding Ideas | Heart Love Weddings reply

    […] 1: Bride captured by Eric Kelley Photography via Southern Weddings, Purple & Mint Bottles captured by Best Photography via Love and Lavender, Cupcakes via […]

  18. avatar Purple Southern Wedding Ideas | Burnett’s Boards reply

    […] bridesmaids via Inspired By This, photographed by Iris and Light // invitations and sweet tea via Southern Weddings, photographed by Eric Kelley Photography, invitations designed by Slideshow Press, calligraphy by […]

  19. avatar Popsicles for Summer Weddings | Washington DC Weddings, Maryand Weddings, Virginia Weddings :: United With Love™ :: Fresh Inspiration, Ideas and Vendors reply

    […] Photo Credits: Eric Kelley via Southern Weddings […]

  20. avatar How to Style a Drink Station for your Wedding | Fly Away Bride reply

    […] Credits; Onelove photography via Green Wedding Shoes | Kitchen Treaty | Eric Kelley via Southern Weddings |  White Loft Studio via Style Me Pretty | Etsy | Jose Villa via Snippet and Ink | Jennings […]

  21. avatar 25 Cascade/Trailing Wedding Bouquets reply

    […] Barbara Chic; 6- Jose Villa via Style Me Pretty; 7- Eric Kelley/Pat’s Floral Designs via Southern Weddings; 8- Caroline + Ben Photography/La Te Da Flowers via Style Me Pretty; 9- Rensche Mari; 10- Ryan Ray […]

  22. avatar Southern Traditions: The Groom's Cake – Southern Weddings Magazine reply

    […] cake photo by Eric Kelley via Southern Weddings and Oreo cake from Martha Stewart Like most traditions, the groom’s cake has evolved over […]

  23. avatar Jessica reply

    Hi Emily…this is an amazing article. My sister is getting married in June and she is also having blush colors be their theme. Do you know or is there a way to find out where they bought those bridesmaid dresses at? I am going to be in her wedding and would love to wear that dress! :) thank you!

  24. avatar Tomato Themed Wedding | Burnett’s Boards reply

    […] via Ruffled, photographed by Elisa B Photography, designed by Nature Composed // sweet tea from Southern Weddings, photographed by Eric […]

  25. avatar Ashley Haydock reply

    Hi, I recently became a fan of your magazine because my photographer, Sabrina Fields, gave me a Southern Weddings Magazine and said that she loved it because it has advice about marriage too. (I think she said she met the editor at a Christian Photography conference.) Anyways, I have a question about the Southern Weddings V5: Love in Bloom post from Nov. 2012. Do you have any idea where the bridesmaid dresses shown are from?
    Thanks,
    Ashley

  26. avatar Food For Thought – Piled High Pancake Tower – You Mean The World To Me : You Mean The World To Me reply

    […] Image: Eric Kelley via Southern Weddings […]

  27. avatar 15 Cascading Bouquets The Bride Link reply

    […]  by Eric Kelly Photography and Southern Blooms via Southern Weddings […]

  28. avatar Brittiny reply

    I would love to know where those bridesmaid dresses are from! Is there anyway I can get that information?

  29. avatar Mint, Peach & Lilac Inspiration Board | SouthBound Bride reply

    […] {Minted}; pastel paints Row 3: Pastel macarons {Melody Gibbs/White Room Events}; mint lemonade; bride with pastel bouquet {Eric Kelley/Easton Events/Southern Blooms by Pat’s Floral […]

  30. avatar Inspire Blog – Casamentos Terno bege para noivos – Inspire Blog – Casamentos reply

    […] Kelley via Southern Weddings, Sarah Der Photography via Style Me Pretty, The Wedding Chicks, Studio 1208 via Style Me […]

  31. avatar 11x alternatieve bruidstaarten – Howtomake.nl reply

    […] Crepe bruidstaart: Deze crepe taart is perfect voor een simpele en elegante bruiloft. Geen glazuur, geen rozen of […]

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close

I always love chatting with brides who choose to get married in the winter, which is just one reason I’m excited to introduce Melissa to y’all! Please join me in making her feel welcome! (Also, be sure to check out her intriguing question at the end — I know I’ll be chiming in!)

Hi! What’s your name?
Melissa Vause (here’s my blog)

What’s your fiancé’s name?
Stephen Feetham

Landon Jacob Productions

How did the two of you meet? Tell us your story.
Stephen and I met during his first year as a grad student, and my last year as an undergrad, at USC. He was teaching a lab that I had begrudgingly signed up for in order to graduate. The first day of class, I immediately noticed him, and was so glad I’d signed up for “Weather and Climate.” I had a crush on him the entire semester and made a lame attempt to flirt, but he didn’t seem interested. Being a moral teacher’s assistant, he paid me no special attention, and I earned that “C” fair and square!

Once the semester was over, we continued to talk, and got to know each other a little better over the next year. Finally, we set a time to hang out, and my best friend went with me to a favorite local bar to meet up with Stephen and his friends. Continuing with my impressive flirting skills, I asked him if he wanted to watch season one of Lost. It actually WORKED and we watched every single episode together. On St. Patrick’s Day 2010, we had our first “real” date, and we’ve been together ever since.

Now tell us alllll about the proposal.
Starting around Christmas 2010, Stephen and I joked and flirted with the idea of getting engaged. One particularly hot summer night, he mentioned that we should get a blender to make milkshakes. My response? “No, people put blenders on wedding registries.” Taking the hint, we never got a blender… not even a cheap one. We joked about the blender for months, and talked all the time about how much we wished we had one, but instead, we just held out and made our milkshakes with a spoon.

On December 6th, Stephen came into the room with a giant smile on his face and a cold glass in his hand. He had made me a peanut butter banana milkshake! I looked inside the glass and thought, “This looks rather emulsified.” I squinted my eyes and asked, “How did you make this? Not with a spoon…” He proudly declared that he’d bought a blender, then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! It was perfect‼

Landon Jacob

When’s the big day?
December 1, 2012

Where might you two be tying the knot?
My home town of Charleston, SC! I may be partial, but this city is hands down the MOST beautiful place to live. It is rich in culture, heritage, and good ol’ Southern hospitality.

How did you pick your ceremony and reception venues? What do you love most about each space?
Stephen and I love downtown strolls together, and I think we chose venues that encompass all things historically beautiful. The ceremony will be held at St. Luke’s Chapel in the heart of the downtown area, and the reception will be held alongside the Cooper River, at the newly renovated Harborside East. It’s stunning inside and out and has the BEST view of the peninsula you could ever imagine. Harborside East is also right under the famous Cooper River bridge, which houses the nation’s third largest 10k, a race Stephen and I have run together with my family for the past three years.

Beautiful Charleston, as captured by Virgil Bunao and Joey + Jessica

Who or what has been most inspiring in the wedding planning process?
Pinterest and SW Mag, of course!! I am such a frugal McDougal; I refuse to pay for anything I can do myself. Those two places and Green Bride Guide have inspired lots of crafts and projects. Stephen and I pride ourselves on being a green household, and anything you will find at our wedding is either upcycled or recycled! Blue Planet Green Events has been a wealth of information, too!

How have you involved your “community” in the wedding planning process?
Our families and my bridesmaids have been so helpful the past ten months, especially my mom. You would think a year to plan a wedding would be enough time, but you’d be surprised how quickly it sneaks up on you! After I designed and printed the formal invites, my mom spent countless hours with me cutting, sticking, gluing, and addressing them all. She has also done a lot of the leg work running around collecting vintage items for the reception! My MOH has been extremely helpful, as well, collecting over 1,000 corks and over 50 wine bottles from local restaurants out of which Stephen and I will create our centerpieces.

On the left, Melissa’s inspiration for her bouquet (from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo by Simply Bloom). On the right, her inspiration for the gents’ boutonnieres – they’ll be made from fabric leftover after the bridesmaids’ dresses are hemmed!

What part of wedding planning, if any, has made you the most anxious?
Finding a baker! I’m not much of a cake person — years of eating Funfetti cake and canned icing are probably to blame :) I had originally planned to have an old friend make our cake because it was NOT a priority in our budget. However, I started feeling anxious about the hundreds of different flavors and fillings there are to choose from, so I attended a wedding expo with my MOH and ran across a very small, local bakery. With one bite, McKenzie’s Bake Shop changed my mind about cakes. Forever. She is as sweet as pie, and so great at what she does, that we now go to her for every event that needs dessert, as well as the occasional Monday that simply demands a cupcake.

What wedding-related decision have you been the most indecisive on?
Oddly enough, picking a wedding gown! Years of shamelessly browsing wedding dresses in college (before I even had a boyfriend!) was not enough to prepare this bride for actually choosing a gown of her own. I love lace, I love beading, I love fluff, I love asymmetry… I just. Love. Wedding dresses! And no, I don’t think I have ever missed an episode of Say Yes to the Dress!

Which part of your wedding have you been most intentional about planning?
A few years ago at the annual Flowertown Festival in Summerville, a catering company, Cricket & Kyle (family-owned and formerly run out of a church kitchen), had a booth of the most DELICIOUS crab cakes I’ve ever had in my life. Growing up on the beach, Stephen and I both have high expectations for our seafood. Based solely on their crab cakes, we promised the owner that, whenever we got married, we’d have him cater! I carried his business card in my purse for TWO YEARS, and he was one of the first vendors we booked once we got engaged. Lucky for us, we found out at our tasting that he can dish up more than just amazing crab cakes, and I must say he has a mouthwatering spin on shrimp ‘n grits!

from Bon Appetit

We’re also really excited about our photographers! When Stephen and I moved to a house in Columbia, we got to know a nice couple down the street from us, who just so happened to be the talented photography duo Landon and Jordan of Landon Jacob Productions! I have been a HUGE fan of their work ever since, and it’s been kind of an unspoken agreement that when we were ready for a wedding photographer, we’d have to look no further than outside our living room window. When we got engaged, I think Jordan was just as excited as I was!

Have you picked your dress yet? How’d that go? What will you be wearing on the big day?
Oh golly! I am example no. 1 of “the girl who bought two dresses.” Two weeks after getting engaged, I brought my mom, aunt, cousin, and MOH dress shopping with me on my birthday. We quickly breezed through the first two stores in Charleston before heading to NY Bride and Groom in Charlotte. I had one set style in mind, and didn’t really try on anything else. I ended up falling in love with a beautiful beaded fit and flare lace dress, and we bought it that day.

But I didn’t stop looking. Something was missing, so I continued to browse dresses in the hopes of either dismissing or validating my initial dress decision. Eight months later, I was STILL looking, and dragged one of my bridesmaids to go with me to try on yet another dress I’d spotted in a magazine. I ended up hating it on, and was this close to settling on my first dress. On the way out, however, my bridesmaid pulled a dress off the rack and begged me to try it on, simply because we both thought it would look ridiculous! It was a giant ball gown, champagne in color, and the exact opposite of anything I had ever tried on.

I put it on, and my heart stopped beating. I immediately started crying, and knew this was the dress I wanted
to walk down the aisle in. I love it so much and can’t wait to put it on again!

We love the choices of these two brides, just two of the many featured on our Southern Styles board! (Left by Phindy Studios, right by Belathee Photography)

Do you have a favorite online shop you’d love to tell us about?
I am in love with Jenna Lou Designs and I would be remiss not to mention her! She creates, among many other items, custom clutches. She designed the clutches for my bridesmaids and personalized them with a hand-stitched patch on the inside!

What has been the biggest challenge so far in wedding planning?
Sticking to a budget! As much as I would like to splurge on vendors, we have done as much as we possibly can ourselves. The stationery was a big one. It’s so easy to get caught up in spending a lot of money on save the dates, invitations, and calligraphers, but I am handy enough with graphic design and was able to design and print both our save the dates and the formal invitations myself. The bridesmaid flowers, groomsmen bouts, centerpieces, and wedding favors will all be DIY, as well. Luckily, we have completed nearly all of our planned projects, and we hired day-of-coordinators to pull it all together for us!

Another one of Melissa’s DIY projects – paper flowers made out of old maps to decorate their cake!

What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
Seeing Stephen for the first time as I walk down the aisle. I have loved him since the moment I laid eyes on him. The several seconds it will take to walk towards him will feel like an eternity; it’ll be hard not to start running! One of our readings sums up my emotions perfectly.

Any advice you’d like to pass along to fellow brides?
I have two major pieces of advice. 1) The wedding is not just about you and your fiancé, but your families as well. Appease and be flexible. 2) Try on more than one wedding dress style! Even if you think you have a clear idea of what you want, try everything else on anyway. This is the only time in your life you have to try on wedding dresses… don’t sell the experience short by limiting yourself to one style. Who knows, what looks ridiculous on the rack might turn out to be the dress of your dreams!

Now it’s your turn to ask for advice – is there anything you’d like to poll the SW readers on?
What is one thing you wish you’d done in planning for your wedding that you didn’t get around to?

Thank you so much for joining us today, Melissa! We’re excited to see how everything turns out in December! Readers, if you’d like to apply to be a Southern Bride of the Month, check out this post for all the details! If you’ve already emailed me, you’re still in the running for future months!

P.S. Check out all our past Southern Brides of the Month here!

Landon Jacob is a fabulous member of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!

emily Written with love by Emily
10 Comments
  1. avatar Magnoliawp reply

    I adore the paper flowers!! the colours , the style , totally in love! <3

  2. avatar Melissa V reply

    Thanks so much for the opportunity!! It looks great :-D Emily, what was your one thing you wish you’d gotten around to doing??

  3. avatar erin {a lowcountry wedding} reply

    congrats! can’t wait to see the big day!

  4. avatar Joyce Feetham reply

    What a lovely interview! And I’m sure Melissa and Stephen’s wedding is going to be beautiful! It’s exciting that I will soon be Melissa’s mother in law!

  5. avatar Courtney Porter {Dogwood Events} reply

    Melissa,

    Congratulations! Your wedding will be beautiful! One of the things that couples tell me that they regret most in planning their wedding is not hiring a videographer to capture their ceremony so that they can relive it later. Take a look into it.

  6. avatar Haley reply

    Would you mind to tell me who the designer and name of your dress you wore is? It’s beautiful!

  7. avatar Ashley reply

    Her dress is beautiful! Who is the designer?

Southern Weddings reserves the right to delete comments which contain profanity or personal attacks or seek to promote a business unrelated to the post.  And remember: a good attitude is like kudzu – it spreads.  We love hearing your kind thoughts!

Reply to:
close
Top