Written By Melissa Reardon
Photographs By Lucy Cuneo
A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...
Photographs by Justin Brown of The Happy Bloom
Design & Coordination by Cayleigh Hopkins of The Petal Report
Florals by Andrea Gray Harper of Gray Harper Florals + Styling
Photographed at Lowndes Grove Plantation
As spring progresses, backyard weddings return to the Lowcountry and clouds of butterflies return along with them. That pairing led to this breath-catching styled shoot at Lowndes Grove Plantation with its host of al fresco ideas. We visited with planner Cayleigh Hopkins of The Petal Report to hear how couples could turn this faux celebration into their reality.
Charleston Weddings: It doesn’t get any lovelier than this! What can you tell us about this shoot?
Cayleigh Hopkins: We wanted to play on Southern style and dress it up in a palette of yellow, coral, and peach, and then put a spin on traditional wedding elements—placing escort cards in a garden-like setting; seating guests in Ghost chairs; offering tambourines for the aisle recession. Delicate touches, feminine colors, and butterfly elements were the main focus.
CW: Who can you see having a wedding like this?
CH: It’s great for a couple looking for an intimate wedding with a strong emphasis on design elements. Or a couple with a larger guest list could also opt for a small ceremony and dinner such as this, and then host a large, informal celebration later. And it could also be for someone who wants to make their second wedding a little less extravagant (and a bit more personal) than their first. It can be spun to work for just about any couple.
CW: You had a small gathering in mind here, but could this setup also work for someone with, say, 100 guests?
CH: Should you have a budget of $150K and up, where you can deck everyone’s tables out like the one here, then yes, you could. However, if you have a smaller budget, you could dress up your head table like we did and then have guests’ tables set in a comparable design but with fewer of the lavish details.
CW: Got it. This is such a romantic look, but it’s not 100 percent rustic, Boho, or easily pigeon-holed ...
CH: Your wedding day is the perfect opportunity to create an event that’s completely yours and your fiancé’s. Instead of designing your wedding strictly off things you find on Pinterest or Instagram, take your favorites from those and put a personal spin on them, like we did here.
Vendors
Style shoot design, coordination: The Petal Report www.thepetalreport.com
Florals, baskets, bud vases, candles, ribbon: Gray Harper florals + design www.grayharper.com
Photography: The Happy Bloom www.thehappybloom.com
Venue: Lowndes Grove Plantation www.pphgcharleston.com
Rentals: Ooh Events www.oohevents.com ; 428 Main (gold portrait chairs) www.428main.com
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen www.latavolalinen.com
Paper goods: Emily Mayne Studio www.emilymayne.com
Welcome gift: A Signature Welcome www.asignaturewelcome.com
Bridal attire: Emily Kotarski (gown) www.emilykotarski.com Bella Belle Shoes (heels) www.bellabelleshoes.com Croghan’s Jewel Box (jewelry) www.croghansjewelbox.com
Beauty: Pampered & Pretty www.pamperedandprettyxo.com
Bridesmaid’s attire: Anthropologie (gowns) www.anthropologie.com ; Bella Belle Shoes (heels) www.bellabelleshoes.com Amazon (clutches)
Groom’s attire: Charleston Tuxedo (suit) www.charlestontuxedo.com ; Kate Rose Co. (bow tie) etsy.com/shop/KateRoseCo
Rings: Croghan’s Jewel Box www.croghansjewelbox.com
Models: Molly Rhyne (bride); Elliot Ehlen (groom); Leanza Kauffman, Julie Livingston (bridesmaids)
