Modern Hues

Fall/Winter 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Modern Hues | An early-autumn affair marries the best of both Vietnamese and Charleston wedding tradition

Charleston Wedding The Mighty Kicks wedding wedding cake Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal Big Day Bridge Run Hannah Alexander weddings wine gown Paulo Geiss Wedding Rings WED

SNEAK PEEK: Guests were introduced to the bride's picks for the color palette—coral and navy—via the invitation stationery suite by Studio R.

FINISHING TOUCH: The groom's papaya-hued boutonnière popped against his gray suit, and the navy blue tie echoed the hue of the bridesmaid frocks.

DIY DETAILS: To cut costs, Linda crafted the ceremony programs and dinner menus herself. The bride printed programs on linen card stock from www.PaperAndMore.com and assembled them with coral grosgrain ribbon from a local craft store.

DAPPER DUDS: For the ceremony, Linda wore a Wtoo gown from Gown Boutique of Charleston; Vu sported a suit from Suitsupply.

ALL HANDS ON DECK: White hydrangeas (Linda’s favorite bloom) cooled off a floral and décor palette dominated with bright, bold hues.

PAST PRESENT: Linda and Vu changed from modern wedding wear into traditional Vietnamese áo dài garments in vivid silks.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Blooms with varying textures and shapes in shades ranging from orange to peach accented simple clear glass hurricane vases to form sophisticated centerpieces.

TABLE TOPPERS: The bride requested the customary wedding palette also include coral and navy.

BRING IT ALL TOGETHER: An outdoor lounge tied together the wedding’s varied palette: yellow orchids harkened the event’s golden elements; coral pillows echoed its blooms.

FLORAL NOTES: Tall, branch-filled arrangements accented with white hydrangeas filled the airy reception space.

WORDS OF WISDOM: When Linda found herself overwhelmed by the wedding planning process, wise words from her husband-to-be helped: "While it is great to have a beautiful wedding, having a beautiful marriage is all that truly matters in the end."

SEEING RED: Red is a must-use color in many Asian celebrations, so table assignments were scripted on red craft paper.

BEST BUDS: Petite drop vases holding yellow orchids added golden touches to reception florals.

HAPPY DAY: Sara York Grimshaw tucked dainty, bold-hued blooms into glass vessels for cheery table décor.

THE TABLES ARE SET: Deep gold Chiavari chairs and round cocktail tables draped in navy linens from Snyder Event Rentals offered patio seating in keeping with the wedding's rich palette.

A PERFECT 10: The navy-printed menu featured 10 courses from Georgia’s Happy Valley Catering. “Food is very important in Vietnamese celebrations,” says Linda.

DIG IN: For one course, Happy Valley Catering served roasted quail.

KEEP 'EM COMING: Other reception dishes included baked lobster, pan-fried sea bass, shark fin soup, and rambutan.

NOVEL NOSH: On the reception fare, including the lightly battered crab claws pictured here, Linda says, "It was a fantastic surprise for our non-Vietnamese friends—they raved about the exotic food choices."

FLOWER POWER: Sara York Grimshaw Designs filled arrangements with hydrangeas, protea, tulips, dahlias, and orchids.

ABOVE AND BEYOND: Panels of coral fabric added color to the dance floor's clear-top tent, while a crystal chandelier provided an oh-so-elegant finishing touch.

COPY CAKE: Jim Smeal replicated the intricate lace detail from the corset of Linda's gown onto the towering confection, which alternated between amaretto- and lemon-coconut-flavored cake tiers.

Photographs by:

Marni Rothschild Pictures

Linda Nguyen & Vu Nguyen
September 22, 2012
Blessed Sacrament Church & Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing

Vietnamese weddings incorporate the color red for good luck, but it seems like Vu Nguyen and Linda Nguyen specialized in good fortune long before their Big Day. Proof? They met at the 2007 Cooper River Bridge Run where Vu skinned his elbow after slipping on the slick pavement; his on-site medic turned out to be Linda, and after she tended his wounds, they began a courtship that led to a ceremony at Blessed Sacrament Church and reception at Founders Hall at Charles Towne Landing. The two pharmacists (who now live near Washington D.C.) returned to the birthplace of their relationship for a day rich with culture. Hannah Alexander of WED took classic Vietnamese celebratory colors like red and gold and added Linda’s modern picks of coral and navy to the mix. “Everything came together beautifully,” says Linda. “Our Vietnamese guests respected our traditional customs, while our non-Vietnamese guests appreciated being a part of a unique wedding experience.”

Vendor List

Bridal Gown: Wtoo by Watters, www.gownboutiqueofcharleston.com
Bridal Reception Gown: Tadashi Bridal, www.tadashishoji.com
Bridesmaid’s Attire: Carol Hannah, www.bellabridesmaid.com
Cake: Wedding Cakes by Jim Smeal, c http://www.bellabridesmaid.com
Caterer: Happy Valley Gourmet, (678) 218-0888
Ceremony Location: Blessed Sacrament, www.blsac.org
Draping: Loluma, www.loluma.com
Florist: Sara York Grimshaw Designs, www.sygdesigns.com
Hairstylist & Makeup Artist: Kelli Hoff, www.elysiumsalon.net
Lighting: TEC,www.te chnicaleventcompany.com
Music: The Mighty Kicks, www.themightykicks.com
Photography: Marni Rothschild, www.marnipictures.com
Reception Venue: Founders Hall at Charlestowne Landing, www.foundershallcharleston.com
Rentals: Snyder, www.snydereventrentals.com
Transportation: Charleston Black Cab Company, www.charlestonblackcabcompany.com
Wedding Design & Signage: Hannah Alexander, www.charlestonevent.com
Wedding Rings: Ritani through Paulo Geiss Jewelers,www.geissjewelers.com
Wine & Bar Service: www.snydereventrentals.com

The Wedding Row

December 20 2018

Heather & Peter | The William Aiken House

Although Heather and Peter grew up in the same town in New Jersey, they didn’t officially meet until he noticed her wearing a Ridge High School lacrosse sweatshirt at a Lafayette College fraternity...

December 19 2018

Lindsay & Tyler | Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

High school romances can be so very, very awkward. Take Chapin, South Carolina, natives Lindsay and Tyler, for example. “He claims he charmed me when I fell up the stairs to our Spanish class and he...

December 18 2018

Ross & Chase | Historic Rice Mill

Charleston residents Ross and Chase met online back in 2014, got engaged in 2016, and invited one and all—Ross is one of 30 grandchildren—to their seriously wonderful wedding in 2018. Family...

December 17 2018

Styled Shoot | Middleton Place

While the event maestro Kim Newton orchestrates plenty of weddings in her own neck of the woods (that’s Alexandria, Virginia), she also has clients who say “I do” here in Charleston. While on one...

December 14 2018

Sara & Collin | Lowndes Grove Plantation

Happy Friday, brides! Do you remember these two? To trigger your memory, here’s a link to when we posted Sara and Colin ’cycle-centric engagement photos by shutterbugs Aaron and Jillian. Well, now it...

December 13 2018

Lindsey & Andrew | The Gadsden House

You know we’d only share a gorgeous wedding with you. So we’ll pause on the descriptors of this couple’s Big Day for a moment and tell you a little about the pair themselves, because when...

December 12 2018

Gina & Alexander | Wingate Plantation

You know about “designated travel companions,” right? It’s when someone who works for an airline gets to pick a “buddy” who can travel at the same nominal fees (we’re talking taxes and regulatory...

December 11 2018

Olivia & Micah | The William Aiken House

Today’s couple hit it off one night at a Baltimore bar. Credit for the first move goes to Olivia, who made her intentions mighty clear on her way out by hip-checking another girl out of the way so...