Backyard Beauty | <p>Take one bride, pair her with a dear family friend with a flair for design, and a backyard reception goes from quaint to quite fabulous</p>
When your grandparents’ place on Wadmalaw Island has played host to your love story—from the first utterance of those three little words to the proposal—it’s only fitting to host your Big Day there. “We loved that we would be able to revisit our reception site for years after our wedding, making even more memories with our future family,” says Lea McCallum, who wed Cooper Lott last May. Lea dreamt up an upscale backyard fête, and then partnered with family friend Allison Doares of Callie Weddings & Events, who “led the way while letting me be as hands-on as I wanted,” says Lea. (Allison was also assisted by Lea’s sister, who interned with the planner at the time.) On the day, golden chandeliers and candelabras and the palest of blush linens bolstered the beauty of the land already resplendent with blooming confederate jasmine and towering live oaks. To reinforce the palette, Branch Design Studio added delicate arrangements of pink fluffy blooms and leafy flora. “Twinkling lights, spilling florals, candles, and the sun setting over the creek … It was magical how everything came together,” says Lea.
TIPS TO TAKE IT UP A NOTCH
Keep it classy ... and cool. The couple enlisted Royal Restrooms to set up temporary restrooms, power generators, and fans.
Enlist family. Lea’s landscaper uncle provided ferns and accent florals. “It cut costs while also ensuring that we were working with a team we trusted,” says Lea. Her grandmother had the house power-washed and guaranteed the grounds were immaculate.
Splurge on statements. A sailcloth tent; a sweetheart table with gold-embroidered linens, crystal and brass candle holders, and specialty chairs; chandeliers; and a curved bar took the soirée into sophisticated territory.
Be a fashion director. Guests were instructed attire was “springtime fly,” which the bride translated to linen suits and chiffon frocks. She even shared the wedding palette in case attendees wanted to coordinate.
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