Color Them Happy | <div>
Two Charleston-based luminaries—a nationally lauded artist and her golf pro sweetheart—marry on a stunning fall day brimming with color</div>
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Teil Duncan Henley’s vibrant, cheery paintings have landed her on the national map—she’s been sold on One Kings Lane, covered by myriad magazines, and collaborated with Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch, and designer Christian Siriano. So when it came time to plan her wedding, turning to one of her canvases (Folly Front) for palette inspiration was a no-brainer.
But before we dive into all that beauty, let’s backtrack a bit and introduce you to Teil’s also-überly-talented beau: Russell Henley, a professional golfer on tour with the PGA who has five pro titles under his belt so far (including a win against Rory McIlroy, among others). Yet it wasn’t their shared professional prowess that brought the Georgia natives together—it was family.
Two years ago, the down-to-earth pair met at Teil’s sister’s wedding to Russell’s best friend from childhood (did you get all that?), and four months later went on a first date arranged by the newlyweds. Ten months after that, Russell proposed on the Pitt Street Bridge. “He’s had me laughing from day one, so we’ve never struggled to have fun in mundane situations.” says Teil. “And, most importantly, we share the same faith, which brings purpose, fulfillment, and joy to our relationship.”
Wanting both faith and family to be at the forefront of their Big Day, the couple enlisted planner Marianne Caldwell of RiverOaks Charleston. In addition to opening her riverfront gem of a home in Awendaw to seven weddings a year, Marianne is, with her husband, a mentor for couples at her church. Though the bride knew when she wanted to marry her groom (ASAP!) and which colors would rule the day (celadon green, peach, hot pink, and lavender), she passed the creative reins over to Marianne and florist Anne Bowen Dabney of Charleston Stems, challenging them to bring to life a bright and beautiful ceremony and celebration within a super speedy 10-week timeframe.
On a crisp October evening, the besot couple swapped vows before an altar dripping with color-soaked blooms as their family-filled wedding party stood by. Following a candlit supper, the newlyweds shared a first dance sung live by Bear Rinehart—lead singer of Needtobreathe and a friend of Teil’s family—and, after a private farewell to their parents and a sparkler exit, they slipped into a quiet car with the bride’s brother, who drove them home. As for a favorite detail of the day? Teil doesn’t have one. “Every moment stands out in my mind and holds a special place in my heart,” she says.
Music: Charleston Virtuosi, www.CharlestonVirtuosi.com (strings for ceremony); Hampton Vernon (brother-in-law of bride, guitar and vocalist for ceremony); Bear Rineheart of Needtobreathe, www.Needtobreathe.com (first dance vocals); Emerald Empire Band, www.EmeraldEmpireBand.com (reception)
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