Hot and Cold

Spring 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Hot and Cold | Julie Sonkin & Michael Belgraier, May 26, 2012, Runnymede Plantation

Charleston Wedding Apple wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Snyder Event Rentals Cru Catering Jazz Flowers runnymede

Hot and Cold

DETAILS MAKE IT: “The tonal stationery suite by Dauphine Letterpress was the first thing I fell in love with when planning our wedding, and the envelope’s orange chevron liner eventually inspired the coral in our color palette,” says Julie. “I liked that hit of color.”

LUSH BLUSH: Bridal attendants carried bouquets of peach-hued tree peonies, protea, Pink Finesse roses, and hypericum berries.

HAT TRICK: The couple offered male guests gray linen yarmulkes monogrammed with their initials and wedding date.

PRETTY PAPERS: Emilie Dulles at Dulles Designs worked with Julie and Michael to incorporate the laurel wreath logo from their invitations onto a program to be handed out prior to the ceremony. “We felt a program was important for guests who weren’t familiar with a Jewish wedding ceremony,” explains the bride.

SITTING PRETTY: During the short ceremony, guests perched atop benches painted Charleston green. The charming seating choice seemed a natural fit with Runnymede’s plantation grounds and respected the vista that Julie and Michael had selected as the setting for their nuptials.

SAVVY SHOPPING: “The bridesmaids’ dresses were a happy accident,” says the bride, who chose a simple and flattering draped dress from the Wedding Library’s ready-to-wear collection after Badgley Mischka discontinued her original selection a month before the Big Day.

SACRED GROUND: Nestled under a grand live oak draped in Spanish moss, Julie and Michael exchanged “I dos” just before sunset on the banks of the Ashley River.

SHORE THING: Julie's Badgley Mischka gown stood out against the dramatic riverside setting, as did Michael's Kenneth Cole tux.

SWEET AND SPICY: At a cocktail hour following the ceremony, servers (donning coral ties to complement the event) offered guests Cajun spice spiked lemonade, a tip of the hat to the bride and groom’s New Orleans connection, courtesy of Cru Catering.

COLOR WATCH: “People can be scared of colorful flowers,” notes event designer Calder Clark, “but you can keep them from looking garish by staying monochromatic.”

PATTERN PLAY: A trellis-patterned fabric, which wended its way into throw pillows and a runner for the head table, inspired the gray in the color palette.

I'M HOOKED: Tucked into a lushly planted wooden box, galvanized calligraphied garden tags pointed guests to the appropriate table. “Tented paper cards wouldn't have withstood the Ashley River breezes,” says planner Calder Clark. Menu cards made of tin carried the medium over to the tables.

SET THE TABLE: “Nothing provides a punch like repeats,” explains planner Calder Clark, who layered the 32-person head table with nickel lanterns, loose blooms, an assortment of Roost votives, and ivory candles in varying heights. To prevent the centerpiece from blocking conversation, Calder kept everything lower than 11 inches.

WELCOME WARMTH: Calder selected a coral underlay for the head table and softened its strong statement with a gray patterned runner.

MIXED MATCH: Set against a muted Tuscany linen tablecloth, coral napkins and blooms gave the dining tables spring appeal; white eyelet plates from Snyder Event Rentals and white blown glass votives added crisp contrast.

STAKE YOUR CLAIM: To direct guests to their seats, a calligraphed seashell with a tinge of pink waited at each place setting.

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC: “The lighting scheme was kind of outrageous,” jokes Calder, who made sure to include task, ambient, and overhead lighting inside the tent. Working with Technical Event Company, she hung the vintage string lights slightly askew, uplit the columns, and used triple pinspots to cast dappled light onto the tables. “Pinspotting prevents the flowers from falling into black once the light dies down,” she explains.

PARADISE FOUND: A Sperry sailcloth tent, with pennant flags waving at every peak, provided a festive and graceful shelter for the reception. “At one point early in the evening, Calder sent Mike and I away from the tent with instructions to turn around and take it all in,” says Julie, grateful for the memory of that solitary moment.

BUSSING THE TABLE: The couple shared a toast and sweet kiss at the close of a joint congratulatory speech given by the maid of honor and best man.

DANCE, PARTNER: Beneath the amber glow of vintage string lights and a rustic chandelier, father and daughter danced to long-cherished lullaby.

MODERN MARVEL: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal constructed the cake's buttercream chevron and laurel wreath pattern, which was derived from the stationery suite. "The tone-on-tone effect presented the bold design in a subtle way," says event design Calder Clark.

SHORT AND SWEET: Just before cutting the cake, Julie changed out of her gown and into a white shift dress by Siri. “A dress with that many layers gets hot on a warm evening, and I wanted to move,” laughs Julie.

UP AT ARMS: Friends and family joyfully hoisted the bride and groom into the air for the traditional Hora (chair dance) that kicked off the party. The newlyweds each held an end of a tie to symbolize their bond.

KEYS FOR HOPE: To show their gratitude for all Charleston had given them, Julie and Michael incorporated decorative keys purchased from the Lowcountry nonprofit Keys for Hope, which donates proceeds to Crisis Ministries, into wedding favors. The couple attached the handcrafted art keys to Rewined candles, which are produced locally from repurposed wine bottles and had been stamped with custom coral-colored wax seals.

RUN THE GAUNTLET: At evening’s end, guests treated the newlyweds to a spectacular sparkler sendoff. “Watching everyone whooping and hollering and shouting their congratulations, I remember the overwhelming urge to break ranks,” says Julie, “to run to each of our guests, throw my arms around them, and thank them—for being there, for loving us, for so genuinely sharing in our joy.”

February 2013

Real-Life Weddings

Receptions

Though Michael Belgraier and Julie Sonkin hail from New York City, they first met at Tulane University in New Orleans and didn’t begin dating until both had returned to the Big Apple. When the two were engaged, they turned toward the South again, specifically toward the Lowcountry, where the bride had vacationed since childhood. Calder Clark of Calder Clark Designs introduced Julie to Runnymede Plantation’s marsh view then planned an evening ceremony there with a cool tone-on-tone gray palette punched up with a hot coral that evoked sunset hues. In addition to the warm shades of the flowers and linens under the Sperry reception tent, a spectacular firework show added color to the night. “Every element that we love about the Lowcountry was incorporated into the day,” says Julie. “More than anything, though, all the love, joy, and excitement made it so special.”

Vendor List

Baker: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal; www.weddingcakesbyjimsmeal.com
Caterer: Cru Catering; www.crucatering.com
Ceremony and reception location: Runnymede Plantation; www.eventsatrunnymede.com
Fireworks: Southeastern Pyrotechnics; www.southeasternpyrotechnics.com
Florist: Blossoms Events; www.blossomsevents.com
Linens: La Tavola; www.latavolalinen.com
Musicians: Charleston String Quartet, Tulane Jazz Ensemble, Infinity Show Band; www.infinityshowband.com
Photographer: A Bryan Photo; www.abryanphoto.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals, Skyline Tent Company; www.snydereventrentals.com, www.skylinetentcompany.com
Stationer: Dulles Designs; www.dullesdesigns.com
Wedding planner: Calder Clark Designs; www.calderclark.com

The Wedding Row

October 31 2019

Downtown Charleston Lifestyle Shoot

Future brides, if you’re on the fence about doing a solo shoot, keep these tips in mind if you need some convincing. And hey, why not turn your confidence into images to remember? We talked with the...

October 30 2019

Camille & Tom | Wild Dunes Resort

Snowmass, Colorado, residents Camille and Tom met at a small group dinner following her first day of work at a new company. They were just friends until 2015 before noticing how much they enjoyed...

October 29 2019

Anthony & Tommy | Lowndes Grove

A random friendship on Facebook started up a “Words With Friends” match with a rare win by Anthony. The winner’s prize? Tommy owing Anthony a drink. After the initial meetup, weekly dates turned...

October 28 2019

Maddie & Jack | Engagement Session

Picture-perfect couple, Maddie and Jack, have been lovin’ on each other since high school and throughout their college life at Ohio State University, marking seven years this December. A planned...

October 25 2019

Mary & Cole | Boone Hall Plantation

A Boone Hall Plantation wedding was always the dream for Mary and Cole, and after a surprise proposal under the avenue of oaks at said location, it all made sense. (Psst! We featured these guys’...

October 24 2019

Anna & Matt | Engagement Session

A blind date gone right? Anna and Matt got lucky near the end of their senior year at a Penn State University Starbucks after a mutual college friend set the two up. Surprising both of them, as they’...

October 23 2019

Camila & Adam | The Dewberry

Puppy lovers Camila and Adam met volunteering for a local animal rescue group. Here’s the kicker: the volunteer opportunity was for the animal rescue’s grand fundraiser event … a calendar showcasing...

October 22 2019

Kiaya & Aaron | Engagement Session

Longtime Columbia, South Carolina, sweethearts were cozying up together at the start of the New Year on the porch when, to Kiaya’s surprise, Aaron got down on one knee with a stunning custom, hidden...

Feature

A Seaside Ceremony for Two

This intimate elopement on Folly Beach might be your dream day

Feature

Rose Parade

Garden style takes over this stunning Big Day at Boone Hall Plantation

Feature

You’re Invited!

Set the right tone with Hatch Cove Designs’ invitation tips and trends

Feature

Jodi Moylan

Jodi Moylan’s signature gowns ensure her brides make grand entrances

Feature

Charleston Weddings Fall 2024

Feature

Woodland Fantasy

Wallis Ronchetti & Brooks Morris; November 11, 2006, The French Huguenot Church & Carolina Yacht Club

Feature

Golden Girl

Sweetgrass Social's Meredith Severs turns to her favorite color—gold!—for an ornate celebration

Feature

You May Be Seated

Avoid confusion and potential hurt feelings by sticking with tradition

Feature

Meant to Be

An army lieutenant from Burlington, Wisconsin, and a fashion designer from Hickory, North Carolina, host a modern fête amid centuries of history

Feature

Above Par

A downtown duo ties the knot steps from the Atlantic on one of Charleston’s sea islands

Feature

Ditch the Drama

Sidestep wedding disasters with this generous dose of advice from local experts who’ve been there, fixed that

Feature

Flying High

Feature

'Tis the Season

With a ceremony in her childhood church, a reception (for 350!) at the beach club where she grew up, a groom who’s her best friend, this winter wedding was all this bride could hope for