Easy Does It

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Easy Does It | Mary and Alejandro invite you to their castaway wedding on the ever-rustic Goat Island, where the only way in or out is by boat

Charleston Wedding Gown Boutique of Charleston Isle of Palms wedding Snyder Events gown Square Onion Shoes WED

Guests arrived on the island via a wooden dock lined with magnolia bunches.

Bridal Gown by Augusta Jones from Gown Boutique of Charleston. Bridesmaid attire from David’s Bridal. Hair styling by Article 5 Hair Salon. Image by Reese Allen Photography at Goat Island Gatherings.

A LIGHT TOUCH: Twin white sails defined the altar while letting the scenery star.

Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Image by Reese Allen Photography at Goat Island Gatherings.

Bridal gown by Augusta Jones from Gown Boutique of Charleston. Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Bridesmaid attire from David’s Bridal. Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

To keep things casual, bridesmaids carried bundles of baby’s breath, lisianthus, oleander, and waxflower rather than neat, tidy bouquets.

In a flowy maxi dress and floral wreath, flower girl Abby exuded hippie-chic. As an ode to the island (accessible only by boat), ring bearer Dominick upgraded his khakis and leather flip-flops with a captain’s hat.

Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Blue thistle and waxflower boutonnieres by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph were sweet, subtle, and hardy, too.

Image by Reese Allen Photography at Goat Island Gatherings.

Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Bridesmaid attire from David’s Bridal. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Bridal gown by Augusta Jones from Gown Boutique of Charleston. Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

BRIDECHILLA: “We are not ostentatious people—at all,” says Mary, wore Augusta Jones from Gown Boutique of Charleston. “And I wanted that to show on our wedding day.”

Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Sand-packed votive candles and a well-placed bit of driftwood prevented coral roses from looking overly prim and proper.

Cake by DeClare Cakes. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Florals by FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Music by Gino Castillo Quartet. Image by Reese Allen Photography.

Photographs by:

Reese Allen

Mary Coffaro & Alejandro Luis
May 18, 2013
Goat Island

As a child, Mary Coffaro treasured Goat Island—a tiny stretch of tree-covered land with a scattering of homes set just off the Isle of Palms and accessible only by boat—as the site of countless summer camp outs hosted by a Sullivan’s Island Elementary classmate. She never imagined that years later she would say “I do” on the same sandy shores. Yet after now-hubby Alejandro Luis proposed at his parents’ Aiken, South Carolina, farm, the choice to revisit her childhood haunt was simple. “We wanted our celebration to hold true to our laid-back lifestyle,” Mary says, “and I knew that Goat Island’s relaxed charm was just right.” Enter Goat Island Gatherings’ Diann Clark, whose tip-of-the island property is available as a wedding venue. The couple booked the spot, hired Diann as a day-of coordinator, and Mary started designing a modest day herself. “I used the natural vegetation to my advantage,” says Mary, explaining that she played up the lush scenery with potted plants, found driftwood, votives, and lanterns. To hammer home the informal vibe, the Columbia, South Carolina, residents skipped seating for their marsh flats ceremony, favored cocktail tables over a formal seated dinner, and opted for a drinks-and-ice-filled canoe in lieu of a bar. “I wanted everything to be a reflection of the island,” says Mary, “and it turned out to be so perfect.”

Island: Goat Island
Distance from Charleston: 17 miles north
Personality: Serene, remote, and rustic hideaway
Best Bet to Wed There: Book through Goat Island Gatherings (843/568-4770)
Info: Nature-Tours.com/group-options/goat-island-gatherings
Like Goat Island? You’ll Also Dig: Dewees Island (843/882-5052; DeweesIslandPOA.org)

Vendor List

Baker: DeClare Cakes, www.declarecakes.com

Bride’s Gown: Augusta Jones from Gown Boutique of Charleston, www.gownboutiqueofcharleston.com

Bride’s Shoes: Aldo, www.aldoshoes.com

Bridesmaid Attire: David's Bridal, www.davidsbridal.com

Caterer: Square Onion, www.squareonion.com

Florist: FloriCHS by Nathalie Rumph, www.florichs.com

Hair: Article 5 Hair Salon, www.article5salon.com

Jewelry Designer: Semra Ascioglu, www.etsy.com/people/kirevi8‎

Linens and Rentals: Snyder Events, www.snyderevents.com

Musicians: Gino Castillo Quartet, www.ginocastillosite.com

Photography: Reese Allen Photography, www.reeseallen.com

Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas, www.weddingpaperdivas.com

Venue and Day-Of Coordination: Goat Island Gatherings, www.nature-tours.com/group-options/goat-island-gatherings

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