Good Tidings

Fall/Winter 2016

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Good Tidings | Let the holidays fill your winter wedding with a cozy, festive look

Charleston Wedding Croghan’s Jewel Box wedding Snyder Event Rentals Bella Bridesmaid Big Day Hibernian Hall White calligraphy wine Cypress gown maddison row joanna august Monique Lhuillier Shoes

Opt for hardy, everlasting evergreens—like these pine and magnolia leaves—which stay crisp out of water. (Image by Ashley Seawell Photography)

(Image by Ashley Seawell Photography)

Photographs by:

Ashley Seawell

Amy Leatherman & Merritt Smith

December 12, 2015

Bethel United Methodist Church & Hibernian Hall

“Truthfully, Merritt and I chose December for our wedding because football season would be over, and we wanted as many attendees as possible,” laughs Amy. The added bonus of a holiday-season affair like theirs? “It allows you to utilize the seasonal décor that’s already in your venue,” says planner Heather Barrie of Gathering Floral + Event Design. Indeed, Hibernian Hall came with a 20-foot tree adorned in gold and silver ornaments, while the couple’s church (which Lowcountry native Merritt has attended since birth) ordered white poinsettias instead of their usual red to fulfill Amy’s “White Christmas” vision. Come December 12, it was good-bye, Big Game and hello, Big Day for wedding-goers, who sipped champagne in a winter wonderland complete with soft candlelight, ivory blooms, and cedar, magnolia, and pine scenting the air. Touchdown.

Words from the Wise

• Think local. The bride wished to incorporate seasonal, indigenous greens into wedding décor, so Gathering relied on magnolia, pine, cedar, and cypress for a Lowcountry look.

• Use lighting as décor. Tiny white lights twinkled romantically around Hibernian’s entrance and spotlights at the base of the columns made a majestic sight after sundown.

• Temper holiday colors. Red was limited to the edible strawberry “tree,” while blush, silver, gold, and white accents were peppered throughout.

Vendor List

Wedding design, planning, florals, linens: Gathering Floral + Event Design, www.GatheringEvents.com

Photography: Ashley Seawell Photography, www.AshleySeawellPhotography.com

Venues: Bethel United Methodist Church, www.BethelCharleston.com (ceremony); Hibernian Hall, www.Millshouse.com (reception)

Catering, bar and wine service: Aberdeen Catery, www.AberdeenCatery.com

Cake: Jim Smeal, www.WeddingCakesbyJimSmeal.com

Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals, www.SnyderEvents.com

Stationery: Danielle Nance, DanielleBNance@gmail.com

Calligraphy: Ashley Sellars, AshleySellars@gmail.com

Bride’s attire: Monique Lhuillier, available in Charleston at Maddison Row, www.MaddisonRow.com (gown); Croghan’s Jewel Box, www.CroghansJewelBox.com (jewelry); Jimmy Choo, www.JimmyChoo.com (shoes)

Bridesmaids’ attire: Joanna August, available in Charleston at Bella Bridesmaid, www.BellaBridesmaids.com

Beauty: Canvas Salon, www.CanvasHair.com

Flower girls: Southern Belles, www.SouthernBellesChildren.com

Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse, www.MensWearhouse.com

Transportation: Absolutely Charleston, www.AbsolutelyCharleston.com

Music: Greg Jones, www.Bethelcharleston.com/Staff (ceremony); Loose Chain, www.EastCoastEntertainment.com (reception)

Videographer: KLC Productions, www.KLCWeddingVideos.com

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