I want to become a society lady Rockin' a new rock?!

Meredith always dreamt of a small intimate wedding—one close to the water with homemade flowers and food. However, coming from a very large family, the couple quickly realized that would be impossible. With the help of Ooh! Events, they were able to create an intimate feel, but included all the important people they love. The celebration in dusty burgundy with abundant greenery took place at Middleton Plantation with florals by Ooh! Events and Out of the Garden and Stephen Atohi was on hand to capture it all.

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What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

I always wanted a small intimate wedding. A wedding close to the water with homemade flowers and food. However, coming from a very large family, I quickly realized that would be impossible. With the help of Erin Altman we were able to create an intimate feel, but included all the people that were important Derek and me.

What was your color palette and your style vision?

Our color palette consisted burgundy and navy with hints of mauve and light gray.

Derek and I wanted to get married at Middleton Plantation because that is where he proposed. We envisioned utilizing the farmhouse/industrial look of Middleton Plantation while incorporating elegant details.

What was your favorite moment? Favorite crafted detail?

Meredith: My favorite moment of the night was dancing! Our first dance, the father daughter dance, dancing with my grandparents, and dancing with my new in-laws was so incredibly special to me. I will never forget those moments. I had so many favorite details it is hard to choose. My top three were my mothers DIY lanterns that adorned the entrance to the pavilion. My mother- in- law’s beautifully decorated cake for the bride and groom. And Holly Stiles’ simple but elegant industrial chandelier and string lights.

Derek: My favorite moment was when I took a step back during the reception and saw how much fun all of our guests were having. It was such an enjoyable moment for my bride and I, but made even better to see the joy being shared with those closest to us!

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc.

Flowers: The three things I wanted in my bouquet were burgundy Calla Lillies, mauve Roses, and Succulents. Hints of greenery included Bay Laurel and Eucalyptus. Holly did a great job of composing cohesive flower arrangements throughout the venue.

The bird bath was special because it was a memorial for passed loved ones who we wished were able to be present with us. It consisted of Italian Rustus, mauve and ivory garden Roses, Dahlias, and Vermeer Calla Lillies, Bay Laurel and Eucalyptus.

My gown: My gown ended up being completely opposite of what I had originally envisioned. I strongly encourage brides to go try on a variety of stiles and fabrics, you may be pleasantly surprised with what you like! When trying on dresses, I had a hard time choosing between modern/edgy and classic styles. At Southern Protocol, I found the perfect mixture of the two. A classic style and fabric with modern neckline and waistline detailing.

Favors: Alison Bland of Boldfish Cookie Company made the cutest (and delicious!) bulldog cookies that resembled our two Bulldogs (Poe and Tater).

Cake: The cake was made by Carmella’s. Our cake was decorated, in part, by Derek’s mother Judi Morningstar (she is an amazing baker and cake decorator in Pennsylvania, but was unable to bake our cake due to traveling logistics).

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

My first piece of advice would be to remember why you are there. Do not worry about small details that are not going as planned; no one is going to notice that a table is in the wrong place, or that flowers are missing on a table. It is a rare moment to have all of your loved ones (especially parents and grandparents) in one place, and it may be the last time. Cherish this special opportunity, enjoy your day with your new husband, and make memories that will last you a lifetime.

Secondly, do not let fear preclude your dream wedding. I originally wanted a small wedding because I am intimidated by being in front of crowds and being the center of attention. However, it is a truly special moment when you get to commit yourself to the person you love, and have the support and attention of everyone who is important to you.

A little about the couple:

Derek and I met at Sullivans Island beach playing volleyball. Luckily we were both on the same team, because we are both fierce competitors and may not have gotten along if playing against each other. Ever since, our love has grown. I now love him more than Uber Eats and Ice cream, and he loves me more than Fantasy Football. I’d say we are doing pretty well!

Photography: Stephen Atohi // Planner: Ooh! Events // Flowers: Ooh! Events / Out of the Garden // Venue: Middleton Plantation // Dress & Bracelet: Southern Protocol/Maddison Row South
// Makeup: WeddinghairbyCharlotte // Bride’s Makeup and Hair: Stefanie Simpson // Entertainment: Other Brothers Entertainment // Ceremony Strings: Carolina Trio // Officiant: Pastor Mike Gaskins// Transportation: Uber // Rentals: Ooh! Events // Rings: Diamond Direct (wedding rings) / Blue Nile (engagement ring) // Bride’s Earrings: Etsy // Bride’s Necklace: Modern Bride // Shoes: Brides: Badgley Mischka // Groom: Johnston and Murphy // Suits: Joseph A Banks // Tent: Skyline Tents // Bar Service & Catering: Middleton Place // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

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Megan and Lewis’s North Carolina nuptials were a customized celebration of love, family and fun at the beautiful the Barn of Chapel Hill. The day, planned by Kast Events, fell on the Kentucky Derby with a timeline that hinged on the race happening half way through the cocktail hour. Mint juleps were served, festive attire encouraged and Wild Flora Farm graced every turn with stunning pink florals. Photographer Kasey Smith Creative was on hand to capture all the joy and details of the day in these lovely images.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

From the groom: The goal is was to make the wedding special/memorable for us and our guests. From the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception. We thought “How do we make each part special?”

Ceremony – We both bring kids to this marriage and had them be part of the wedding. I came down the aisle first with the thought of as everyone else came down the aisle I would greet them at the front with a hug. Everyone had their own music to walk into. From the mom’s walking into Dancing Queen….Best Man and Matron of Honor coming into Lean on Me….the kids coming into ABC by the Jackson 5. We chose our own vows and had a pastor and good friend that brought a lot of energy to the ceremony.

Cocktail hour – We got married on May 4th. It was Kentucky Derby day and the whole timeline hinged on the race happening halfway through the Cocktail Hour. We had TVs brought in for everyone to watch. We encouraged people to wear hats and derbylike attire. I pre-made mint juleps for the bartenders to serve during the cocktail hour. A friend of mine grows mint in his back yard, so I used that for the juleps. The bride and groom were the first to arrive at the cocktail hour. Pictures happened before so we could enjoy the party.

Reception – instead of the traditional father/daughter and mother/son, we did a family dance with all the grandparents/parents/kids on the dance floor dancing to “We are Family” by Sister Sledge. My best man was a friend I served in Iraq with. When we got back from Iraq we got together and he brought a bottle of Hennessy Paradis that sells for $1,000. It had only been opened for his college graduation, and birth of his two kids. We toasted upon our return. I told Megan this story and she surprised me with my own bottle of Paradis. So, for the best man speech we opened my bottle and toasted.

Tell us about the gown and where/how she found it!

Simply Blush was the boutique store where the dress was found. Megan’s friend recommended it. Megan asked me what I wanted the gown to look like. I told she needed to love it first. Megan is fit and I told her to make sure and show it off, but not be risque. Ha!

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

The mint, the Hennessy, the walk up songs for the people in the wedding, the vows we chose. Megan and I kicked off the reception with a dual speech. We gave a two minute speech that touched on all the people in the room and how much they meant to us.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

The whole day was great but it might have been the 10 seconds after we walked back down the aisle to the cocktail hour where we were alone and then seeing all our friends and family join us.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met at the Crossfit gym we go to. She was new to the gym and we were in the same class for a couple weeks. Chatted a little after a class which turned into a “coffee date” that ended up being 4 hours long. The engagement happened at Forest Theatre on the campus of the University of North Carolina. The Forest Theatre is an outdoor theater surrounded by trees. After dark I had luminaries line the steps down to the stage with a circle in the middle of the stage. She walked down the steps to find me waiting with a ring.

Photography: Kasey Smith Creative // Event Planning: Kast Events // Floral Design: Wild Flora Farm // Invitations: Minted // Wedding Venue: the Barn of Chapel Hill // Wedding Gown: Simply Blush // Hair Stylist: Lillian Self // Makeup Artist: Ashley Bromirski // Film Processing: Indie Film Lab // Tent Rental: Capital Events // Catering: Old Sadie Smoke Shack

 

 

Jordan and David chose to celebrate their nuptials with a destination event in their college town where the couple first met- Athens, Georgia. The bride explains “it was really special being back where it all started and surrounded by the people who have been part of our relationship since the beginning.” It also made for fun planning trips with planner Keely Thorne Events who helped to create the part-preppy-part-romantic southern wedding in a palette of greens at The Foundry. Florals design was by Amy Osaba Design , custom stationery by Papellerie of Houston and cake by Classic City Confections. Check out all the delightful details in these images by Dana Cubbage Weddings.

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What made the wedding special and unique?

We decided to do a “destination wedding” and chose to get married in our college town where we first met – Athens, Georgia. It was really special being back where it all started and surrounded by the people who have been part of our relationship since the beginning. It also made for the best planning trips!

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

Finding the gown was almost too easy. I saw a picture of the dress on Joan Pillow’s store Instagram and after looking into it, saw there was going to be a trunk show with designer appearance at the Houston store the following day. I called the morning of and was able to get an appointment within the hour. My mom and I met at the dress shop, and as I was headed into the dressing room, the wonderful designer, Sareh Nouri, walked up and introduced herself. She then graciously offered to help us customize the design on the back of the dress and a custom train length. It was the best experience.

What were some touches added to make the wedding personal?

We worked with a local Houston printing company –  Papellerie – who did the most impressive job of making our invitations and signage really personal and unique to our whole wedding. It was a ton of fun being part of the process and getting to design the aspect that ultimately shaped the look and feel of our big day.

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Surprisingly something we both feared the most – our first dance. We had no practice or lessons and were both certain we’d be all nerves, but when the time came, we sang and dance and enjoyed every minute of that moment listening to the song we chose together. It was really, really special.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

We met my early into my freshman year/his sophomore year while out one night. He was with a friend who wanted to talk to a girl I was with. We ended up all taking a picture together that later some mutual friends tagged us in. Those same mutual friends ended up being the reason we connected around 3 years later in his hometown of LaGrange, Georgia. We moved to my hometown of Houston together in 2012, after graduation, and started our new jobs on the same day. On a random Wednesday night in October 2017, heading to what I thought was his work happy hour/dinner at Hotel ZaZa, David surprised me with a suite overlooking the first place we went on a date in Houston – Hermann Park. The room was full of pictures of all of our years together and the night was full of champagne and Facetimes with our loved ones.

Jordan + David | The Holle Teaser Film from Glacier Point Weddings on Vimeo.

Wedding Photography: Dana Cubbage Weddings // Planning + Coordination: Keely Thorne Events // Floral Design: Amy Osaba Design // Stationery: Papellerie of Houston // Venue: The Foundry // Cake: Classic City Confections // Wedding Dress: Sareh Nouri From Joan Pillow Bridal Salon // Hair + Makeup: The Moore Agency // Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo // Bride’s Jewelry: Personal // Bridesmaids Dresses: Various Designers // Band: Big Swing And The Ballroom Blasters // Men’s Attire: Generation Tux // Catering: The Foundry // Rentals: Barron’s Rental // Videography: Glacier Point Weddings // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

MAJOR fall vibes in Tori and Adam’s gorgeous wedding day Barnsley Resort. The couple tied the knot on a chilly November day while guests snuggled under luxe throws at a ceremony in the round, under a clear top tent beside historic manor house ruins of the north Georgia venue. Designed by Molly McKinley Designs, the stunning details shine in a fall palette featuring peacock, slate, olive, and silver and include florals by Andy Beach & Co. and invitations and day-of paper by Foglio Press. Rain added even more style to an already-gorgeous day and it’s all captured here by our friend Davy Whitener.

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From the planner: Tori and Adam’s wedding weekend began with a color palette as fun and vibrant as this couple themselves, featuring peacock, slate, olive, and silver. The wedding suite by Foglio Press hinted many of the design textures and colors to come: an embossed herringbone border, duck blue envelopes, a peacock velvet ribbon, silver wreathed wax seal, textured grey liners, and a sketch of the historic Barnsley ruins.

When guests arrived on site at Barnsley, each was given a gift box with classic local food items from many cities significant to Tori and Adam. Tori’s bouquet featured calla lilies, which were in her mom’s bridal bouquet, in addition to peonies, dahlia, eucalyptus, white stock, and brunia berries.

Tori and Adam tied the knot on a chilly November day. Guests snuggled under luxe throws at a ceremony in the round, under a clear top tent beside historic Barnsley Resort manor house ruins. The natural square arbor of flowering branches surrounded the couple as they said their vows. Flower girls held floral hoops, a creative take on flower girl baskets, in addition to sparkling sneakers and custom jean jackets painted with their names.

Cocktail hour was held on the terrace and rotunda of the Georgian Hall. Tori and Adam wanted guests to get to know each other and understand how cherished they were to be present at their wedding weekend, so each person found their seat with an escort card featuring their photo, and signed a guest book that included an information page dedicated to each guest. The family Bible, old photo albums and framed wedding portraits, decorated cocktail hour tables.

After cocktail hour, the band initiated a parade to gather guests and lead them from cocktail hour into the reception space. As guests entered Savannah Hall, a large brick fireplace and towering greenery trees made a dramatic statement in the ballroom. Cane back chairs and oval farm tables brought an intimate dinner party feel, while lush greenery runners and grey velvet linens made the atmosphere luxe and warm. Custom wood bars and stage surround of herringbone pattern mirrored the herringbone brick pattern of Barnsley fireplace.

Sweet tooths, Tori and Adam, cut the pale blue wedding cake, in addition to several flavors of wedding pie, and a groom’s cake featuring Boston sports teams.

Later in the evening, Tori donned a painted denim jacket matching those gifted to the flower girls, scripted with her newly married name. The newlyweds ran through friends, waving LED lighted balloons, before hopping on a golf cart for their grand exit.

Photography: Davy Whitener // Planning + Design: Molly McKinley Designs // Florals + Rentals: Andy Beach & Co. // Invitations + Day of Stationery: Foglio Press  // Venue + Catering: Barnsley Resort // Videography: Oak & Willow // Hair + Makeup: Jennifer C. Nieman // Band: Perfect 10 // Wedding Cake: Lush Cakery // Pies + Groom’s Cake: Honeymoon Bakery // Wedding Painter: Maggie Smith Kuhn // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box

 

Jen and Kyle were both born and raised in Southern California, but having recently relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, the couple wanted to combine the romance and charm of the South with the laid back fun of their West Coast roots. With the help of Grey Collective member Ooh! Events, the couple personalized their autumnal celebration at Boone Hall with a pizza truck, corn hole, giant jenga, late-night biscuit bar and southern spread and jams. Beautiful, sentimental details honoring the bride’s parents who’ve passed away included a photo locket tie to her bouquet and a gorgeous floral wall of roses by florist Out of the Garden. You can see all the lovely, moody fall moments from this intimate wedding in these lovely images by Sophie Brendle.

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What were some touches added to make the wedding personal, special and unique?

When planning our day we wanted it to be as true to both of us as a couple as possible! We tried to let go of the idea of what you “have” to have at a wedding. Kyle and I are both born and raised in Southern California but relocated to Charleston, SC a year ago for him to attend Law School. We wanted to combine the romance and charm of the South with the laid back fun of our West Coast roots. We had First Name Basis Catering Pizza truck, corn hole, and giant jenga. We also had “late night bites” of Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit bar with spreads and jams to give our west coast friends and family a taste of the South as their guest favors. Instead of a traditional guest book we had friends and family “sign a piece of our love story” that were framed maps of important places in our relationship. There was Irvine, California for where we met, South Africa for where we were engaged, and Charleston for where we were married.

We knew we had to have our two pugs, Leroy and Winston, be a part of our big day since they are family. We had our groomsmen and maid of honor walk them down the aisle so they could stand next to us while we were pronounced husband and wife. We even had our signature drinks named after them! The Leroy was a champagne grapefruit cocktail with fresh rosemary. The Winston was an Old Fashioned.

My parents both passed away when I was younger which made planning our big day bittersweet. I wanted to incorporate them whenever I could throughout our day. My little sister, Jess, who is 10 years younger than me walked me down the aisle which was one of my favorite parts of the day. We had a table with photos of my parents from their wedding day right next to our guestbook. My mom’s best friend, Chris, who has become a second mother to me surprised me with the most incredible wedding day gift. She had a locket made with pictures of my parents and me in them. I ended up tying the locket around my bridal bouquet. My mom and sister’s middle name is “Rose” and roses were always the flowers my dad would buy my mom. For that reason our florist was able to do an entire wall of a beautiful rose garden as a backdrop to our sweetheart table.

Another random fun moment from the day was at the moment we were pronounced husband and wife and shared our first kiss, a bald eagle flew across the water on the Cotton Dock directly behind us. We didn’t believe it when guests told us but the videographer was able to capture it in our wedding video!

Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!

I knew I wanted a more “boho” flowy gown and immediately fell in love with the designer Rue De Seine. While my childhood best friend and Maid of Honor, Corinne, was in town visiting me in Charleston, we made an appointment at Lovely Bride downtown. The Fox Gown by Rue De Seine was the second dress I tried on and I just knew it was the one. I immediately said “this is so me!” The dress had the most beautiful lace detailing which included roses– another sign from my parents that this was the dress I was meant to wear. I had the off-the-shoulder lace sleeves made detachable so I could wear them for the ceremony but then easily take them off so I could dance during the reception!

What was the most memorable part of the day?

Hands down the most memorable part of the day for us both was walking into the ceremony and seeing our friends and family who had traveled all the way from California to be with us. We were nervous when we decided to get married in our new home of Charleston that we would miss out on having all of our loved ones with us on our day. We were so overwhelmed with the love we felt surrounded with throughout the night and are so grateful that they made the sacrifice to come out to Charleston.

Tell us how you met and became engaged.

Kyle and I met in January 2015 during a volunteer training program in Orange County, California called the “Trauma Intervention Program.” Kyle had gone to sign up for a volunteer firefighter meeting earlier that day but the program had already been filled. While he was there, they let him know about the Trauma Intervention Program that was happening that night that still needed volunteers. I am forever grateful the program he wanted to be in was full! We grew close throughout the training month and at the end of training, he asked me out on a date for grilled cheese and wine and immediately won me over. Kyle and I fell in love over our shared passion for volunteer work and travel. While on Safari in Kruger National Park South Africa, Kyle surprised me with asking to be his best friend and travel partner forever! Two pugs and three cities later, we have bought a home in

Charleston.

Jen and Kyle from Fig Jam Studio on Vimeo.

Design & Coordination: Ooh! Events // Photography: Sophie Brendle // Florist: Out of the Garden // Venue: Boone Hall // Videographer: Fig Jam Studio // Hair & makeup: Canary Rock Salon // Rentals: Ooh! Events // Catering: First Name Basis // Bar: Mix // Desserts: Sweet Lulu’s Bakery // Late Night: Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit // Entertainment: Darby Events