Champagne Dreams



WRITER CREDIT: 
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: 
Champagne Dreams | A sparkling Big Day full of Southern charm
Monica Flocken & Austin Miller
February 27, 2021 / Palmetto Bluff & Venue 1223
 
Big life celebrations call for champagne. When Monica and Austin got engaged on Marco Island, Florida, the college sweethearts raised a glass with their families, toasting to their new life together with champagne and oysters. “When we celebrate, we do it with Veuve,” says Monica. So it’s no surprise that the delightful sparkling wine played a central part in the most important day of their lives. “We took our love of the Veuve Clicquot yellow and married it to the timeless silhouette of the Lowcountry magnolia leaves,” she says. The envelope liner of their invitations featured as custom watercolor pulling together the inspired yellow hue and magnolia-leaf green. Magnolias played a starring role in the floral design, too, showing up in the bouquets, table arrangements, and a spectacular ceiling display. The VCP anchor logo even served as inspiration for the couple’s monogram (MMA) logo. At the end of the ceremony, the bride and groom celebrated their first kiss as bottles of Veuve were popped for guests before they boarded shuttles to the reception, where guests were greeted with a wall of champagne and local oysters. What better way to celebrate? 
 
Top Tips
 
1. Be flexible. Two weeks before Monica and Austin’s wedding, the reception site fell through. The caterer was able to offer their event space and save the day. That meant quick changes for all vendors involved, and the alternative proved even better than the original venue. 
 
2. Personalize your welcome boxes for out-of-town guests. Monica included some of their favorite things, including bubbles, Byrd’s cookies, and other items wrapped in a green velvet ribbon with an oyster-stamped wax seal.
 
3. Be authentic. Morning coffee in their robes and cuddling with their pup is a cherished ritual for Monica and Austin, so they opted to spend the morning of their wedding doing just that, and had their photographer capture that sweet time together. It also gave the couple a chance to savor the bliss ahead of all the excitement. 
 
Vendors
Planning & Coordination: Ashley Rhodes Event Designs
Images: Dana Cubbage Weddings
Venues: Palmetto Bluff (ceremony), Venue 1223 (reception)
Florals: Em Creative
Cake: Bloom Custom Cakes
Catering: Downtown Catering Company
Rentals: Amazing Event Rentals
Linens: BBJ Linen
Stationery: Ashley Curry
Bride’s attire: Willowby by Watters from Ivory and Beau
Beauty: Bride’s Side Beauty
Groom’s attire: Hudson Gray Clothiers
Entertainment: Men of Distinction
Videographer: Hart to Heart Media

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