Jane Gray and Trace Henderson may have first locked eyes in a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill political science class, but it was their chemistry that sealed the deal. When the Brooklyn duo decided to wed, they revamped a standing tradition of visiting the groom’s family over Memorial Day weekend. Though Trace is from North Carolina, Jane’s dad suggested they migrate further south to the Lowcountry. In this case, father knew best. “We’ve spent a lot of time in Charleston, both separately and together,” Jane says, “and it was a place we knew our guests would be excited to visit.”
Ready to get the nuptial ball rolling, they flew down to meet with the planning mavens at The Burlap Elephant. The team developed a mood board inspired by the couple’s personalities and style, striking a key balance between their formal sensibilities and eclectic taste. “We wanted a seated dinner and black-tie attire, but it still needed to feel like us,” Jane explains.
The solution? Personal touches and homestyle eats. Reception table numbers were re-used from Jane’s sister’s wedding, the mother of the bride calligraphed escort cards, and family photos dotted cocktail hour. Their well curated menu featured oysters from Fishers Island, New York (a Gray family vacation spot); a family-style supper of hushpuppies, grits, fried green tomatoes, and other Southern staples; and yummy late-night nuggets courtesy of Chick-fil-A. But before guests took part in said feast, the weekend started with a rehearsal dinner at The Ordinary on Upper King and a welcome party at Trace’s grandparent’s downtown home. As most attendees stayed a few miles north of town at the private club where the ceremony was held, the pre-Big Day festivities “allowed our guests to get a feel for the city,” says Pennsylvania native Jane.
The next day, everyone was in for a surprise when Tropical Storm Bonnie crashed the party. But, as the bride says, “You’ve just got to go with the flow!” Reframing the maelstrom as mere background noise, everyone settled in for a cozy (and sheltered) evening under the tent. The couple swapped “I dos” in front of the band’s setup, and guests dined and danced the night away surrounded by beeswax candles, spring blossoms, and towering oak branches. “It truly felt like we were under the trees, which was all the more special since it was pouring rain,” says Jane. “It was spectacular and totally beyond what we expected.”
Bride’s attire: Bliss by Monique Lhuillier (gown, available in Charleston through Maddison Row, www.MaddisonRow.com); Zara, www.Zara.com/us (departure ensemble)
The Wedding Row: So, tell us how it all began.
Meaghen: We met at Fisher College back in 2005. It was my second semester and Brett had just transferred in. He frequented the house parties my...
Back in high school, Brian stood at the top of his football field’s bleachers and screamed into a megaphone while holding a 10- foot sign. All in the hopes that this cute cheerleader named Lindsey...
A mutual friend and a 90s cover band are to thank for uniting Kristen and Shane back in 2016. The two, while listening to some live tunes, were introduced and it seems they have never looked back....
A week before Mary Lake was to depart for her freshman year at Clemson University, a mutual friend introduced her to Tyler, a fellow Charleston-ian, and a fellow incoming Tiger. Having written off...
These two Terps Alumni (that’s the University of Maryland, for those fans only familiar with the SEC) Natalie and Will dated for six whopping years before getting engaged. Over their stint of time as...
You’re now welcome to board the love story that is Anne-Kyle & Drew. Now, this first sentence may not make sense at the moment but trust us, the meaning will hit you in just a second. These two...
It’s not like we needed it (we already live on the surface of the sun), but this wedding warms our hearts up to the highest degree. Megan and Chase exchanged their vows last fall at the Gadsden House...
Claire and Jay are one of those couples that we just want to be friends with. They exude cool and have that “it” factor that makes you love them instantly (even though we have never met them). But...
Give your gown some sparkle, fasten your sash in place, or simply dress up your bouquet wrap. However you enlist them, these keepsake brooches are ready to report for duty
