Braving the Elements



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Braving the Elements | D.C. residents Brooke and Chris weather a snowstorm and fire to say “I do” amid autumn’s splendor

When Ohio-native Brooke Seidelmann invited high school pal Chris Jaros to go to prom as friends, she never imagined that years later they’d be holed up in their Washington, D.C. apartment together as the largest snowstorm in the city’s recorded history swirled outside. But it wasn’t so bad. Chris, an attorney, got home before Brooke,  a gallery director, and had transformed their digs into a cozy, fire-lit, cabin-like space, complete with fondue pot dinner—and a proposal.  

Soon after she accepted, the two decided that Kiawah—where Brooke had spent childhood summers—was the perfect wedding locale. Their sights were set upon on the island’s River Course Clubhouse until Brooke received a call from their planner, WED’s Ellen Robinson. “Don’t panic,” Ellen warned,  “but the clubhouse is on fire.”

Once the flames receded and Kiawah began to rebuild, island officials shuffled couples to alternate spots nearby. For their part, Brooke and Chris shifted to the picturesque Cassique Course and hosted a tented reception there on Halloween weekend.  And though they did incorporate a day-after costume brunch, the couple decided upon a harvest reception theme over a spooky one.  

When the day arrived, Brooke glided down a petal-strewn aisle to share “I dos” with Chris under a manzanita branch arbor.  Afterward, they celebrated with guests in an outdoor tent lit by lanterns. “From the rehearsal dinner to walking down the aisle with my father and seeing Chris for the first time, the whole weekend was incredible,”  says Brooke. 
 

Vendors:


Band (Reception): Atlanta Showstoppers
Bridal Gown: Carolina Herrera from Maddison Row
Bride’s Jewelry: Miriam Haskell
Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale Bridal from Bella Bridesmaid
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal
Caterer: Cassique, Kiawah Island Club
Ceremony Guitarist: Nikolai Svishev
Ceremony and Reception Location: Cassique, Kiawah Island Club
Dance Lessons: Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Florals: Sara York Grimshaw Designs
Groom’s Suit: Custom tailored suit and PINK tie
Groomsmen’s Suits: Brooks Brothers and PINK ties
Linens: Nuage Designs; Snyder Rentals; and Blossoms Events
Photographer: Marni Rothschild Durlach, Marni Rothschild Pictures
Rentals: Snyder Rentals
Stationery: Lettered Olive, Save the Date & Invitation and Studio R, menus & welcome packet
Transportation: Absolutely Charleston
Wedding Design & Coordination: WED

 


The Wedding Row

March 14 2019
Jaye and John fell for each other when both were students at the College of Charleston. Soon after they began dating, the pair headed to Savannah for a short trip and dinner at The Olde Pink House,...

March 13 2019
“My incredibly witty introduction goes here.” With that one liner, sent to Emilie over Match.com, Brian caught her attention, made her laugh and set off the relationship that led to this gorgeous Big...

March 12 2019
Elopements keep cropping up with good reason here: not only can wedding venues be hard to come by in Charleston these days (especially during weekends and on short notice), but also can you blame a...

March 11 2019
Houston, Texas, natives Haylee and Charlie have known each other since childhood; their families have been friends for years, and the two were even on the same swim team when they were eight years...

March 8 2019
Kristen didn’t know many people in Charleston when she moved here for a three-month rotation during medical school. Neither did Morgan, who had recently moved here to begin his residency at the...

March 7 2019
We welcomed in the New Year in a big way with these photos that popped up on our feeds. Two of them aren’t only among our most-liked ‘grams of the month, but are also among our most liked. Of. All....

March 6 2019
Here’s some good news for anyone struggling with that pesky mid-week slump: Your future hubby may be sitting next to you …  at this very moment. At least, that was how it went for Abigail and Grant....

March 5 2019
McKenzie and Ryan met during their junior year at the University of Toledo in northwest Ohio, when she moved in across the street from him. She already knew of a few of his roommates, who invited her...